The landscape of Major League Baseball's 2024 postseason has been officially laid out, marking a significant shift in the playoff format. For the first time, the one-game playoff will be eliminated, paving the way for an extended series structure that aims to heighten the stakes and drama of October baseball.
Regular Season Wrap-Up
The 2024 regular season will draw to a close on Sunday, September 29, setting the stage for the playoffs. With a playoff structure designed to provide teams with both the excitement of extended series and the logistical ease of minimized travel, fans have much to look forward to this fall.
Wild Card Series Kickoff
The postseason action will commence with the Wild Card Series on Tuesday, October 1. Unlike previous years, the Wild Card Series will now be a best-of-three format with all games hosted by the higher-seeded teams. This ensures that the third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league gain a home-field advantage throughout this critical initial phase. Wednesday, October 2, will see Game 2 of each Wild Card Series, with any necessary Game 3s slotted for Thursday, October 3.
Division Series Setup
The Division Series round begins on Saturday, October 5. The top two division winners from each league will host Games 1, 2, and if the series extend, Game 5. This format not only rewards the best teams from the regular season but also offers fans deeper engagement with more home games to cheer their teams on. National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 2 will take place on Sunday, October 6, followed by American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 2 on Monday, October 7. The action continues with NLDS Game 3 on Tuesday, October 8, and ALDS Game 3, along with potential NLDS Game 4s, on Wednesday, October 9. ALDS Game 4 is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, and if needed, NLDS Game 5 will occur on Friday, October 11, with ALDS Game 5 wrapping this round on Saturday, October 12.
The Championship Series Unveil
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is set to begin on Sunday, October 13. Following closely, both NLCS Game 2 and the American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 1 are slated for Monday, October 14. The ALCS Game 2 will be played on Tuesday, October 15, transitioning to NLCS Game 3 on Wednesday, October 16. The series will see NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3 on Thursday, October 17, with potential ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5 on Friday, October 18. Should the series extend, ALCS Game 5 will be on Saturday, October 19, NLCS Game 6 on Sunday, October 20, with potential ALCS Game 6 and NLCS Game 7 on Monday, October 21. The thrilling ALCS Game 7, if it reaches that far, will be held on Tuesday, October 22.
World Series on the Horizon
The culmination of the postseason, the World Series, will begin on Tuesday, October 22, if both League Championship Series conclude by Saturday, October 19. However, if the series stretch, Game 1 of the World Series is scheduled for Friday, October 25. Game 2 will follow on Saturday, October 26, with a travel day preceding Games 3 and 4, which are set for Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, respectively. Should the series extend to a decisive Game 5, it will take place on Wednesday, October 30. If the epic final series reaches its full seven-game potential, Game 6 will be scheduled for Friday, November 1, and the championship-deciding Game 7 on Saturday, November 2.
In this grand finale, the team with the superior regular-season record will gain home-field advantage, hosting Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7. This criteria underscores the importance of regular season performance, providing additional incentive for teams to perform consistently well throughout the year.
The 2024 MLB postseason promises an exhilarating mix of resilience, strategy, and sportsmanship, setting the stage for another unforgettable October in baseball.