The 2026 Major League Baseball postseason begins on Tuesday. Here are six Canadians who have the opportunity of making an impact.
Freddie Freeman
The 10-time National League All-Star has won three World Series (2021 with Atlanta and 2024 and 2025 with the Los Angeles Dodgers). The starting first baseman for the Dodgers batted .288 this season with 16 home runs and 70 runs batted in. During 153 games, 579 at bats and 657 plate appearances in 2026, Freeman scored 74 runs and had 167 hits, 32 doubles, one triple, seven stolen bases, 66 walks, 249 total bases, seven sacrifice flies, an on base percentage of .262, and a slugging percentage of .430. The Dodgers get a first round bye.
Liam Hicks
The Tampa Bay Rays starting catcher from Toronto, Ontario played for both MLB franchises in Florida in 2026. This past season with the Marlins and Rays, Hicks batted .284 with 18 home runs and 82 runs batted in. During 142 games, 479 at bats and 554 plate appearances in 2026, Hicks scored 66 runs and had 136 hits, 16 doubles, one triple, three stolen bases, 56 walks, 208 total bases, one sacrifice bunt, seven sacrifice flies, an on base percentage of .367, and a slugging percentage of .434. The triple and sacrifice bunt came in blowout Marlins wins. The triple came on June 10 in an 8-0 Marlins win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The sacrifice bunt came on June 17 in a 12-4 Marlins win over the Philadelphia Phillies.The Rays get a first round bye.
Tristan Peters
The Chicago White Sox starting center fielder is from Winkler, Manitoba. In 2026, Peters was an American League All-Star. He batted .265 with 12 home runs and 56 runs batted in. During 156 games, 437 at bats and 491 plate appearances in 2026, Peters scored 63 runs and had 116 hits, 31 doubles, four triples, eight stolen bases, 37 walks, 191 total bases, four sacrifice bunts, two sacrifice flies, an on base percentage of .337, and a slugging percentage of .437. In the American League Wildcard Series, the White Sox play the Houston Astros.
Nick Pivetta
The San Diego Padres starting pitcher is from Victoria, British Columbia. In 2026, Pivetta had a record of three wins and two losses with an earned run average of 2.86. In eight games and 34 2/3 innings pitched, he gave up 27 hits, 11 earned runs, two home runs and eight walks to go along with 42 strikeouts, and a WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 1.01. In the National League Wildcard Series, the Padres host the Chicago Cubs.
Erik Sabrowski
The Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher is from Edmonton, Alberta. In 2026, Sabrowski had a record of five wins and two losses with an earned run average of 2.61. In 60 games and 48 1/3 innings pitched, he gave up 26 hits, 14 earned runs, three home runs and 31 walks to go along with 76 strikeouts, one save, 28 holds, and a WHIP of 1.01. The save came in a 4-3 Guardians win over the Los Angeles Angels on August 26. The Guardians get a first round bye.
Cade Smith
The Guardians closer from Abbotsford, British Columbia was an American League All-Star in 2026. This past season, Smith had an impressive record of six wins and one loss with an earned run average of 1.95. He led the Major Leagues with 41 saves. During 69 games and 74 innings pitched, gave up 48 hits, 16 earned runs, five home runs and 23 walks to go along with one hold, 107 strikeouts and a spectacular WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) of 0.96. Smith’s lone hold came on September 26 in an 11-5 Guardians win over the Kansas City Royals.
