Major League Baseball has officially announced the schedule for the 2024 playoffs, bringing a fresh wave of excitement and anticipation for fans and teams alike.
End of the Regular Season
The regular season will wrap up on Sunday, September 29. This marks the beginning of the intense postseason journey where every game can be decisive. One notable change in the postseason format is the elimination of one-game playoffs, ensuring that all advancing teams face off in a series format.
The New Wild Card Format
The Wild Card Series commences on Tuesday, October 1. This series now adopts a three-game format, eliminating any travel burdens for the teams involved. The third division winner alongside the top Wild Card team in each league will host the Wild Card Series matchups, giving them a potentially crucial home-field advantage.
Game 2 of the Wild Card Series is set for Wednesday, October 2, and if necessary, the decisive Game 3 will be played on Thursday, October 3.
Division Series
Next up is the Division Series, starting on Saturday, October 5. The top two division winners in each league will enjoy the benefit of hosting Games 1, 2, and if necessary, Game 5. This could play a vital role in determining who advances, especially given the significance of home-field advantage in baseball.
Key dates for the Division Series include NLDS Game 2 on Sunday, October 6, and ALDS Game 2 on Monday, October 7. NLDS Game 3 will be on Tuesday, October 8, and both ALDS Games 3 and potential NLDS Game 4s are scheduled for Wednesday, October 9. The ALDS Game 4 is slated for Thursday, October 10, followed by a potential NLDS Game 5 on Friday, October 11, and a possible ALDS Game 5 on Saturday, October 12.
League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) kicks off on Sunday, October 13. Subsequently, Game 2 of the NLCS and Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) will be held on Monday, October 14. The ALCS Game 2 follows on Tuesday, October 15.
As the series progresses, NLCS Game 3 is set for Wednesday, October 16, with NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3 both taking place on Thursday, October 17. Potential key games, such as ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5, are scheduled for Friday, October 18. The schedule for the ALCS further includes a potential Game 5 on Saturday, October 19, Game 6 (if necessary) on Monday, October 21, and the climactic potential Game 7 on Tuesday, October 22.
In the NLCS, should the series extend further, Game 6 is scheduled for Sunday, October 20, and Game 7 for Monday, October 21.
The Grand Finale: World Series
The schedule flexibility allows the World Series to start early if the League Championship Series end by Saturday, October 19. Under this circumstance, the Fall Classic will begin on Tuesday, October 22. Otherwise, the first game of the World Series remains scheduled for Friday, October 25.
World Series Game 2 is set for Saturday, October 26, followed by a travel day before Game 3 and Game 4 take place on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, respectively. Should the series extend, the potential Game 5 will occur on Wednesday, October 30. If baseball’s grandest stage demands a full seven games to crown a champion, Game 6 will be played on Friday, November 1, and the ultimate Game 7 on Saturday, November 2.
The hosting rights for the World Series are determined by the superior regular-season record in each league, with the team holding the better record hosting Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7. This strategic advantage could play a pivotal role in deciding the champion of the 2024 Major League Baseball season.
The roadmap to the 2024 World Series is laid out, promising thrilling matchups, high stakes, and moments of brilliance that will captivate baseball fans worldwide.