AL Wild Card Series

The MLB postseason begins Tuesday with the American and National League Wild Card Series, but several star players are dealing with injuries that could shape the outcomes. MLB.com takes a look at which key names are hurting, how serious the issues are, and what their availability or diminished production could mean for their teams' chances of advancing.

The Chicago White Sox will meet the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series, setting up a rematch of their 2021 postseason clash, when Houston eliminated Chicago in the AL Division Series. The matchup renews one of the more recent playoff rivalries in baseball, with the White Sox looking for a different outcome against a Houston team with a long track record of October success.

The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros open the American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET, with coverage on Peacock and NBCSN. MLB.com published a fan FAQ covering how to watch, the matchup details, and what to know before first pitch as the postseason begins.

The Boston Red Sox will hand the ball to left-hander Payton Tolle for Game 1 of their American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees in New York on Tuesday, with Sonny Gray set to start Game 2. The rotation announcement comes as the rivalry clubs prepare for a high-stakes playoff matchup, drawing attention from baseball fans ahead of the series opener.

With the MLB postseason's Wild Card Series underway, attention has turned to how injuries will affect several star players in both the American and National League brackets. MLB.com examines the key names whose health status could shape their teams' chances, leaving clubs and fans weighing lineups and rotations around uncertain contributors.

Garrett Crochet has a chance to make the Boston Red Sox's roster for the American League Wild Card Series, potentially serving as a reliever rather than a starter. MLB reports the move would echo the tone he set at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of last year's AL Wild Card round. Fans are weighing how Boston might deploy its ace in a short postseason series.

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are set to meet in an American League Wild Card Series rematch, renewing one of baseball's most storied rivalries in the postseason. Coverage centers on what fans should know ahead of the series, including storylines, key matchups and what is at stake as the two AL East rivals face off again in October.