The Major League Baseball 2024 postseason schedule has been set, and fans are gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable October. The playoff excitement will ignite on October 1 with the Wild Card Series, showcasing eight fierce competitors vying for a chance to advance to the League Division Series (LDS).
Wild Card Series: The Opening Clash
The Wild Card round consists of a best-of-three format, where the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each league will host the No. 6 and No. 5 teams, respectively. The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves, who clinched the final two playoff spots, are ready to make their mark.
The Mets will hit the road to battle the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Braves head west to take on the San Diego Padres. Meanwhile in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles will play host to the Kansas City Royals, and the Houston Astros will face the Detroit Tigers. Game 1 for all these matchups will commence on October 1, with Game 2 following on October 2. If a decisive Game 3 is required, it will be played on October 3.
League Division Series: Heavyweights Enter the Fray
The stakes get higher as the League Division Series (LDS) begins on October 5. Byes to this round have been earned by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians, allowing them extra time to prepare for their postseason endeavors.
The Guardians and Yankees will open their LDS campaigns on October 5, while the Phillies and Dodgers also begin their quests for a World Series berth on the same day. The intensity continues with Game 2 for the Phillies and Dodgers on October 6, followed by Game 2 for the Guardians and Yankees on October 7. Should the series go the distance, decisive Game 5s are anticipated on October 11 for the National League and October 12 for the American League.
League Championship Series: Battle for Pennants
Next up is the League Championship Series (LCS), which will determine the best in each league and who will advance to the World Series. The National League Championship Series begins on October 13, with Game 2 taking place the next day. The American League Championship Series kicks off on October 14, followed by Game 2 on October 15.
Should any of these series extend to a full seven games, the National League will conclude on October 21, with the American League finishing on October 22.
World Series: The Ultimate Showdown
The pinnacle of the baseball season, the World Series, is tentatively scheduled to start on October 25. However, if both the ALCS and NLCS wrap up in five games or fewer, the Fall Classic could begin earlier, on October 22. Game 2 is slated for October 26, with subsequent games planned for October 28 and 29.
If necessary, the drama will extend into November, with Game 6 set for November 1, and a potential Game 7 on November 2, where baseball history will be made and the next World Series champion crowned.
The 2024 MLB postseason is poised to deliver maximum excitement and unforgettable moments. Fans from coast to coast anticipate epic matchups, potential upsets, and ultimately, the sheer thrill of the sport. This year's playoff schedule is designed to captivate and leave an indelible mark on baseball lore.