MLB Postseason Collision With Primetime Fall Schedules
The 2026 Major League Baseball postseason opens with four Wild Card games, setting up a direct scheduling collision between October baseball and the fall television lineup. NBC Sports confirms all four Wild Card series begin today, September 29, with broadcasts running from an afternoon start straight through a late-night matchup. The marquee contest lands in primetime at 8 PM ET, where the Boston Red Sox visit the New York Yankees on NBC and Peacock. Division rivals are meeting in the postseason for the second year, with New York hosting the entire best-of-three series at Yankee Stadium. This marks NBC’s return to broadcasting the MLB postseason for the first time since 2000.
The full day of baseball coverage begins at 2 PM ET with the Phillies playing the Braves, followed by the White Sox facing the Astros at 5 PM ET. The primetime Red Sox-Yankees game then leads into a late-night matchup between the Cubs and Padres starting at 10 PM ET.
Primetime Counterprogramming: Dancing With the Stars Goes Yacht Rock
ABC counters the postseason baseball block by sending Dancing with the Stars into “Yacht Rock Night.” The competition airs tonight from 8 to 10 PM ET on ABC and Disney+, featuring the 13 remaining couples performing routines set to smooth-rock hits. ABC confirms this theme follows last week’s “Viral Hits Night,” pushing the remaining contestants to adapt to a distinct musical style as early favorites begin separating themselves on the leaderboard.
While NBC captures sports viewers with the Red Sox and Yankees, ABC’s two-hour dance block targets the entertainment audience.
Medical Dramas and Streaming Premieres Fill the Tuesday Slate
FOX continues its Tuesday medical block with new episodes of Best Medicine and Doc. Airing at 9 PM ET, Doc returns with the episode “Ready or Not,” following a devastating accident that brings three members of the same family to Westside in critical condition. Hospital staff must coordinate their efforts while Amy faces the arrival of Dr. Ben Grant, whose presence stirs up memories from her missing past.
Streaming services are also active on the schedule. Netflix launches LEGO ONE PIECE, a two-part animated special where Usopp tells Chopper stories of the Straw Hats across the East Blue and into the Grand Line. The project reimagines events from the first two seasons of Netflix’s live-action series, utilizing the original cast—including Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero, and Taz Skylar—to voice their respective characters. Netflix also adds Mononoke The Movie: Chapter III — The Curse of the Serpent to its platform today.
Rounding out the slate, FX airs an episode of The Drop: A Snowfall Saga, while ABC closes out the late evening schedule with R.J. Decker.
Frequently Asked Questions About the September 29 Lineup
What time does the Red Sox-Yankees Wild Card game start?
The Red Sox-Yankees game begins at 8 PM ET and broadcasts on NBC and Peacock as part of the opening day of the MLB postseason.
Which network is broadcasting the MLB postseason for the first time since 2000?
NBC has returned to broadcasting the MLB postseason for the first time since 2000, carrying the Wild Card series alongside Peacock.
What is the theme for Dancing with the Stars tonight?
The 13 remaining couples are performing routines set to smooth-rock hits for “Yacht Rock Night,” airing from 8 to 10 PM ET on ABC and Disney+.
What happens in the latest episode of Doc on FOX?
A devastating accident sends three members of the same family to Westside in critical condition, while Dr. Ben Grant arrives and stirs up memories from Amy’s past.
Who voices the characters in Netflix’s LEGO ONE PIECE special?
The live-action cast—including Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero, and Taz Skylar—returns to voice their characters in the two-part animated special.
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