Major League Baseball's much-anticipated 2024 playoff schedule has been unveiled, promising an exhilarating journey from the Wild Card Series to the World Series. The postseason kicks off on October 1 as eight eager teams enter the battle for the ultimate glory.
In the Wild Card Series, fans will witness gripping best-of-three matchups. The No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each league will have the home-field advantage as they square off against the No. 6 and No. 5 seeds, respectively. This round will determine who advances to the League Division Series (LDS), beginning on October 5.
Wild Card Matchups
Two Major League teams, the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves, secured the final playoff spots. The Mets are set to face the Milwaukee Brewers on the road, while the Braves will travel west to contend with the San Diego Padres. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles will take on the Kansas City Royals, and the Houston Astros will host the Detroit Tigers, rounding out the promising Wild Card matchups.
Game 1 for all these Wild Card series will occur on October 1, followed by Game 2 on October 2. If necessary, decisive Game 3s will take place on October 3, adding an extra layer of tension and excitement to the proceedings.
Advancement to League Division Series
As the dust settles from the Wild Card Series, the League Division Series (LDS) will welcome its participants on October 5. Among those ready to embark on this leg of the playoff journey are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians—all of whom earned byes directly to the LDS by virtue of their outstanding regular seasons.
The Yankees and Guardians will begin their LDS campaign on October 5, setting the stage for a thrilling opening round. The Phillies and Dodgers will also compete on October 5, with their Game 2 scheduled for October 6. For the Guardians and Yankees, Game 2 is slated for October 7. Should any LDS meet a crossroad demanding a Game 5, those matches will occur on October 11 and 12 for the National and American League Divisions, respectively.
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series (LCS) will see the playoff intensity spike yet again. The National League Championship Series kicks off on October 13, followed by Game 2 the next day. The American League Championship Series begins on October 14, with its Game 2 scheduled for October 15. Should either series require the maximum seven games, the NLCS will wrap up on October 21 and the ALCS on October 22.
The World Series Showdown
The pinnacle of the MLB postseason, the World Series, is tentatively set to begin on October 25. However, if both the ALCS and NLCS conclude in five games or fewer, the start could be moved up to October 22, accelerating the anticipation for baseball's ultimate showdown.
Game 2 of the World Series is scheduled for October 26, followed by subsequent games on October 28 and 29. If the series demands it, Game 6 will be on November 1, while the potentially decisive Game 7 takes place on November 2. As the drama of the tournament unfolds, fans worldwide will have their eyes glued to every pitch, every swing, and every catch.
With each matchup, the 2024 MLB postseason promises to deliver memorable moments, intense competition, and the crowning of a new champion, all culminating in what is certain to be a World Series for the ages.
As players and fans alike brace for this roller coaster of excitement, MLB enthusiasts can look forward to a month of high-stakes games, spectacular displays of skill, and unforgettable baseball action.