The offseason officially started for the New York Yankees Tuesday night after they lost the American League Wild Card Game to the Houston Astros, but most of the league already had its eyes firmly set on the rebuilding winter months. 

One team is down and eight more are left to be eliminated before the 2015 MLB playoffs can crown a World Series champion.

The first one to bite the dust came Tuesday night, as the Houston Astros eliminated the New York Yankees from the postseason in a 3-0 AL Wild Card Game victory in the Bronx. The victory pushes Houston forward to the American League Division Series, where three division winners are waiting.

In the second of MLB's Wild Card Games, the Chicago Cubs will face the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night for the right to move on to meet the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.

Theo Epstein once traveled to Arizona for Thanksgiving dinner at Curt Schilling's house. No word on how many slices of pumpkin pie he devoured, but over turkey and dressing he laid the groundwork that ultimately convinced Schilling to waive his no-trade clause, come to Boston and change history.

There's no turning back now, folks. On Tuesday (8:05 p.m. ET on ESPN), the Houston Astros visit the New York Yankees in a do-or-die American League Wild Card Game to kick-start the 2015 playoffs, with a trip to the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals awaiting the winner.

Making the MLB playoffs is an impressive accomplishment, but with a wild-card berth, the whole year can come crashing down with just one game.

The Chicago Cubs head to the Steel City to face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Wild Card Game on Wednesday night.

What do the Pirates need to do to win? Will Jake Arrieta be able to dominate on the road?

The Houston Astros and New York Yankees will kick off the 2015 MLB postseason with the American League Wild Card Game Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. 

There are 162 games in a Major League Baseball season, but they're all just a warm-up for what comes next. And what comes next, friends, is happening now.

The postseason has arrived.

Ready or not, you've come to the right place. With the field set for the 2015 playoffs—the American League and National League Wild Card Games kick things off Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively—it's time for a full preview and predictions for what's to come this October.

One American League Division Series matchup is set, as the Toronto Blue Jays will be facing the Texas Rangers with a place in the American League Championship Series hanging in the balance.

Below, we'll take a look at the schedule and preview the matchup.

Schedule

Preview