The Royals and the Astros earn the byes in the AL, with the Royals taking on the winner of the Avalanche and White Sox Wildcard Series. A match against divisional rival the White Sox would be a sixth all-time, tying with the Orioles, and the first since a 4-2 Championship Series victory for the Royals in 2038. The Royals have never played the Avalanche in the postseason, and it will only be a third-ever against the former Oakland A’s, the last a 1-0 wildcard series victory for Kansas City in 2014.
Over in the NL, the Dodgers are once again the top seeds and no one would bet against another World Series appearance for LA.