With anticipation mounting among baseball fans, Major League Baseball has revealed the much-awaited 2024 playoff schedule. The postseason journey begins on October 1 with the Wild Card Series, setting the stage for a month-long battle that promises high drama and thrilling moments.
Wild Card Showdowns
The Wild Card Series will feature eight teams, each vying for a precious spot in the League Division Series (LDS) through a best-of-three format. In this initial round, the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds will play host to the No. 6 and No. 5 seeds, respectively.
Fans of the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves have reason to celebrate as both teams clinched the final two spots in the postseason. The Mets will travel to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, while the Braves head west to take on the Padres. Elsewhere, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Kansas City Royals, and the Houston Astros will go head-to-head with the Detroit Tigers.
The excitement begins on October 1 with all teams opening their Wild Card Series Game 1. Game 2 swiftly follows on October 2. Should any series need a decisive Game 3, it will be played on October 3.
League Division Series
As the dust settles from the Wild Card Series, the League Division Series will commence on October 5. Four teams have earned the luxury of byes, directly advancing to this round: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians.
Both the Guardians and Yankees, along with the Phillies and Dodgers, will embark on their postseason journeys with Game 1 on October 5. The second game for the Phillies and Dodgers will be played on October 6, while the Guardians and Yankees contest Game 2 on October 7. If necessary, the decisive Game 5s for these matchups are slated for October 11 for the National League and October 12 for the American League.
League Championship Series
Advancing deeper into the postseason, the League Championship Series (LCS) ramps up the intensity. The National League Championship Series (NLCS) starts on October 13, followed by Game 2 on October 14. The American League Championship Series (ALCS) begins a day later on October 14, with Game 2 scheduled for October 15.
Should either series extend to a full seven games, the NLCS will conclude by October 21, while the ALCS will wrap up on October 22.
The Grand Finale: World Series
All roads in the postseason lead to the pinnacle of baseball: the World Series. Tentatively set to begin on October 25, this ultimate series could be moved up to October 22 if both the ALCS and NLCS are decided in five games or fewer.
Game 2 of the World Series is scheduled for October 26, with subsequent games planned for October 28 and October 29. If the series requires further games to crown a champion, Game 6 will be on November 1, and a potential Game 7 is set for November 2.
Unforgettable October Baseball
The 2024 MLB postseason promises to deliver maximum excitement, with fans eagerly awaiting epic matchups, potential upsets, and the crowning of the next World Series victor. As the Wild Card combatants prepare to step onto the field, a thrilling October awaits, filled with memorable moments and the pursuit of baseball glory.