Streaming news roundup: White Sox–Guardians Game 5 Saturday, MLB's full LCS TV schedule, and a proposed new national TV window
ALDS Game 5 is Saturday on TBS/HBO Max, the NLCS starts Sunday on FOX and the ALCS Monday on TBS. Plus MLB's pitch for a new national TV window.
StreamCaddy · Friday, October 9, 2026
The gist: One Division Series game is left: White Sox at Guardians, Game 5, Saturday night on TBS / truTV / HBO Max. MLB has now set the full Championship Series TV schedule. The NLCS (Dodgers–Brewers) opens Sunday on FOX, but most of the middle games are listed on FS1, a cable channel. The ALCS opens Monday at Tampa Bay on TBS / truTV / HBO Max. Separately, MLB proposed a shorter season with a new national TV window starting in 2029. It's only a proposal, and nothing changes for fans now.
National
MLB: Game 5 Saturday, then the full LCS schedule
This updates Wednesday's roundup, which had only the days each Championship Series would start. Since then, three Division Series ended Wednesday night and the fourth went the distance (MLB.com; CBS Sports, Oct. 8):
- Dodgers beat Braves, 3–1
- Brewers beat Padres, 3–1
- Rays swept Yankees, 3–0
- White Sox vs. Guardians is tied 2–2 after Cleveland won Game 4 on Thursday, 9–5
Saturday, October 10: ALDS Game 5
White Sox at Guardians, 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on TBS, truTV and HBO Max (UniMas in Spanish). The winner plays the Rays in the ALCS (MLB.com Game 5 FAQ).
NLCS: Dodgers vs. Brewers (FOX / FS1, streaming on FOX One)
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (at MIL) | Sun., Oct. 11 | 8 p.m. | FOX |
| 2 (at MIL) | Mon., Oct. 12 | 5 p.m. | FOX / FS1 |
| 3 (at LAD) | Wed., Oct. 14 | 8 p.m. | FS1 |
| 4 (at LAD) | Thu., Oct. 15 | 9 p.m. | FS1 |
| 5* (at LAD) | Fri., Oct. 16 | 9 p.m. | FS1 |
| 6* (at MIL) | Sun., Oct. 18 | 8 p.m. | FS1 |
| 7* (at MIL) | Mon., Oct. 19 | 8 p.m. | FOX / FS1 |
*If necessary. All NLCS games are also on FOX Deportes and stream on FOX One.
ALCS: White Sox/Guardians winner vs. Rays (TBS, truTV, HBO Max; UniMas in Spanish)
| Game | Date | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (at TB) | Mon., Oct. 12 | 8 p.m. |
| 2 (at TB) | Tue., Oct. 13 | 8 p.m. |
| 3 | Thu., Oct. 15 | 6 p.m. |
| 4 | Fri., Oct. 16 | 6 p.m. (8 p.m. if the NLCS ends in a sweep) |
| 5* | Sat., Oct. 17 | 8 p.m. |
| 6* (at TB) | Mon., Oct. 19 | 5 p.m. (8 p.m. if there's no NLCS Game 7) |
| 7* (at TB) | Tue., Oct. 20 | 8 p.m. |
*If necessary. Times are from MLB.com's schedule, which notes it's subject to change.
What this means at home: FOX and FS1 are different channels. FOX is the broadcast network, and FS1 is a cable channel that needs a TV or live-TV streaming package carrying it. Under MLB's posted schedule, the NLCS opener is the only game listed on FOX alone. Games 3 through 6 are listed on FS1 only. FOX One streams both channels. Every ALCS game is on TBS / truTV, streaming on HBO Max. The World Series still starts Friday, October 23, on FOX. Our round-by-round MLB playoffs guide has the full map.
MLB proposes a 154-game season with a new national TV window (proposal only)
On Thursday, October 8, MLB made a new proposal in its labor talks with the players' union (MLB.com; CBS Sports, Oct. 8). For TV, it includes:
- A 154-game regular season starting in 2029, down from 162. Most teams would be off every Monday, except for one or two games in a new, exclusive national broadcast window.
- Best-of-seven Division Series starting in 2029, up from best-of-five. That could add up to eight more postseason games, and MLB says a staggered start would cut down on weekday-afternoon playoff games.
- Top seeds would pick their opponents in the Wild Card and Division Series rounds.
MLB says 2029 lines up with the start of its next national media deals. All current national TV deals expire after the 2028 season.
Where it stands: This is a bargaining proposal, not a decision. CBS Sports reports that, like MLB's earlier proposals, it depends on the players accepting a salary cap and floor. The union said it is reviewing the proposals and called the salary-cap condition a system that "guts player rights and compensation." The current labor deal expires December 1, 2026. Nobody has said which network or streamer would carry a new Monday window.
Fan bottom line: This changes nothing for 2026 through 2028. It's worth knowing because it shows how MLB is shaping its next TV package, and we'll cover any viewing changes if a deal is reached.
Not sure which of this week's games you can already watch? StreamCaddy maps the cheapest correct way to watch all of your teams and events for your exact location and subscriptions.
Sources
- MLB.com, "2026 postseason schedule, results and how to watch" (Division Series results through Oct. 8; ALDS Game 5 Sat. 8 p.m. ET on TBS/truTV/HBO Max/UniMas; game-by-game NLCS and ALCS times and networks; schedule subject to change), updated October 8, 2026: https://www.mlb.com/news/2026-mlb-playoff-and-world-series-schedule
- MLB.com, "White Sox-Guardians ALDS Game 5 FAQ (Sat., 8 ET, TBS/HBO Max)" (8 ET / 7 CT on TBS/truTV/UniMas/HBO Max; winner faces the Rays; ALCS begins Monday at Tropicana Field), October 9, 2026: https://www.mlb.com/news/white-sox-vs-guardians-alds-game-5-starting-lineups-and-pitching-matchup
- MLB.com, "What you need to know about the League Championship Series matchups" (Dodgers–Brewers NLCS; Game 1 Sunday 8 p.m. ET on FOX/FOX Deportes/FOX One), October 8, 2026: https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2026-league-championship-series-matchups
- CBS Sports, "2026 MLB playoff bracket: Schedule, scores as Guardians force Game 5 vs. White Sox in ALDS" (Wednesday clinches; Game 4 result; LCS schedule), October 8, 2026: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2026-mlb-playoff-bracket-schedule-scores-results-how-to-watch/
- MLB.com, "MLB proposes 154-game schedule, new playoff features" (154 games and best-of-seven Division Series from 2029; Monday off-day except one or two games in a new exclusive national broadcast window; 2029 coincides with next national media agreements), October 8, 2026: https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-mlbpa-proposal-154-game-schedule-new-playoff-structure
- CBS Sports, "MLB proposes 154-game regular season, bulked-up playoff schedule with a twist in latest labor talks" (proposal contingent on salary cap/floor; MLBPA statement; CBA expires Dec. 1; national TV deal expires after 2028), October 8, 2026: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-proposes-154-game-regular-season-bulked-up-playoff-schedule/
Check what's actually on your services.
StreamCaddy tells you exactly what you can watch — by ZIP, team, and the services you already have.
Check my coverage