As the postseason starts with the wildcard round, our writers pick the dark horses, likely winners and the high seeds at risk of going out early

The Mariners. The only active MLB team to have never appeared in a World Series came within a single win of ending that hoodoo last October and appeared poised to go one stage further in 2026. Instead, their 76-86 clunker feels like a wasted chance for a lineup featuring Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena. BAG

• Phillies were at risk of blowing comfortable wildcard lead

• Victory over Rays deprives Diamondbacks of comeback

Bryce Harper and Edmundo Sosa homered, and Zack Wheeler delivered like a Game 7 ace to bring the Philadelphia Phillies back from the brink of collapse and send them into the playoffs. Their 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday clinched the final National League wildcard berth.

The Phillies could have clinched a playoff berth as early as Wednesday before they lost four straight games and nearly coughed up their wildcard lead to Arizona. But the Phillies win on Sunday, meant they snatched the final wildcard place in the National League.