The anticipation for Major League Baseball's postseason is mounting, as the 2024 playoff schedule has finally been unveiled, promising a thrilling series of matchups that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. The action begins on October 1 with the Wild Card Series, setting the stage for a month-long battle to crown the next World Series champion.
Wild Card Series: October 1-3
The Wild Card Series will feature eight teams in a best-of-three format, vying for a precious spot in the League Division Series (LDS). The No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each league are set to play host to the No. 6 and No. 5 teams, respectively. This year's wild card round promises fierce competition, as the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves have clinched the final two available spots in the postseason.
The Mets will travel to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, a matchup that brings together two teams with a history of resilience and determination. Meanwhile, the Braves will make their way west to take on the Padres, a team renowned for its robust lineup and home-field advantage.
In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Kansas City Royals, a team that has shown they can defy expectations. Another AL showdown will see the Houston Astros take on the Detroit Tigers, a contest that promises to deliver high-octane action from start to finish.
Game 1 for all Wild Card matchups begins on October 1, followed swiftly by Game 2 on October 2. If any series requires a decisive third game, it will be played on October 3, adding an extra layer of excitement to this initial round.
League Division Series: October 5-12
As soon as the dust settles on the Wild Card Series, the League Division Series is set to commence on October 5. Key teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians, have secured byes directly to this round, bypassing the initial wild card games.
The Guardians and Yankees will kick off their LDS campaigns on October 5, with the Phillies and Dodgers also beginning their journeys the same day. The second games for the Phillies and Dodgers will take place on October 6, while the Guardians and Yankees will play their next games on October 7.
Potential decisive Game 5s, if needed, will be played on October 11 and 12 for the National and American League Divisions, respectively, underscoring the intensity and high stakes of the postseason.
League Championship Series: October 13-22
The intensity ramps up even further with the League Championship Series (LCS), where the remaining teams will fight tooth and nail for a chance at the World Series. The National League Championship Series (NLCS) begins on October 13, with Game 2 scheduled for October 14. The American League Championship Series (ALCS) begins on October 14, with its second game on October 15. If these series extend to the full seven games, the NLCS will wrap up on October 21, and the ALCS will conclude on October 22.
The World Series: October 25 - November 2
All eyes will then turn to the World Series, tentatively set to start on October 25. If both the ALCS and NLCS conclude in five games or fewer, there is the possibility that the World Series could be moved up to October 22, giving fans an earlier-than-expected treat. Game 2 of the World Series is slated for October 26, followed by subsequent games on October 28 and October 29. Should the battle for the championship go the distance, Game 6 will be on November 1, and a decisive Game 7, if necessary, will take place on November 2.
The 2024 MLB postseason is sure to deliver maximum excitement, with fans eager to witness epic matchups, potential upsets, and the unforgettable crowning of the next World Series victor. As October approaches, the spirit and thrill of playoff baseball are palpable, promising a memorable journey from the first pitch of the Wild Card Series to the final out of the World Series.