The anticipation is building as Major League Baseball's 2024 playoff schedule has been disclosed, promising a month of electrifying postseason action. The Wild Card Series will ignite the competition on October 1, setting the stage for a thrilling run toward the World Series.
Wild Card Series Overview
The Wild Card Series features eight eager teams battling in a best-of-three format to claim their spots in the League Division Series. The seeding system pits the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each league against the No. 6 and No. 5 seeds, respectively. Fans can expect fierce matchups as these teams vie for a coveted berth.
The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves have secured the final two postseason spots, setting up intriguing Wild Card clashes. The Mets are set to travel to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, while the Braves head west to take on the Padres. These matchups promise to deliver high-stakes drama and memorable moments.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Kansas City Royals in a faceoff that promises to captivate fans. The Houston Astros are also poised for battle as they take on the Detroit Tigers in another Wild Card matchup. Game 1 of all Wild Card Series games is scheduled for October 1, followed by Game 2 on October 2. Should any series extend to a decisive third game, it will take place on October 3.
League Division Series Kicks Off
Come October 5, the League Division Series (LDS) will take center stage. With the stakes higher than ever, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians will begin their respective playoff journeys, having earned byes directly to the LDS.
Kicking off the LDS, the Guardians and Yankees will commence their Game 1 battles on October 5. Simultaneously, the Phillies and Dodgers will also launch their postseason campaigns on this day. The excitement continues with Game 2 for the Phillies and Dodgers scheduled for October 6, followed by Game 2 for the Guardians and Yankees on October 7. If these series extend to their full length, decisive Game 5s will take place on October 11 for the National League and October 12 for the American League.
League Championship Series Immersion
The stakes escalate further as the League Championship Series (LCS) gets underway. The National League Championship Series (NLCS) kicks off on October 13, with Game 2 following closely on October 14. Concurrently, the American League Championship Series (ALCS) begins on October 14, with Game 2 slated for October 15.
Should any LCS extend to the full seven games, the climactic battles will conclude on October 21 for the NLCS and October 22 for the ALCS. These series promise to showcase the pinnacle of baseball talent as teams strive to earn their place in the ultimate showdown—the World Series.
The Road to the World Series
All roads lead to the World Series, tentatively set to start on October 25. However, should both the ALCS and NLCS conclude in five games or fewer, the prestigious event could be moved up to October 22. This flexibility ensures that the momentum and excitement of the postseason are sustained for fans and players alike.
Game 2 of the World Series is scheduled for October 26, with subsequent games planned for October 28 and October 29. If required, Game 6 will take place on November 1, and the exhilarating climax of Game 7 is set for November 2. These final matchups will determine the next World Series victor, etching another chapter in the storied history of baseball.
An Unforgettable Postseason
This year's MLB postseason is poised to deliver all the hallmarks of classic baseball drama—epic matchups, potential upsets, and unforgettable moments. Fans across the globe are eager to witness the intense competition and emotional highs as teams battle for ultimate glory. As the calendar inches closer to October, the excitement and anticipation only continue to build, promising a postseason to remember.