As autumn approaches, baseball fans are eagerly anticipating the commencement of Major League Baseball’s 2024 postseason. With the playoff schedule now revealed, the excitement builds towards the crowning of the next World Series champion.
Wild Card Series to Set the Stage
The postseason action is set to begin on October 1 with the much-anticipated Wild Card Series. Eight teams will compete in this round, which follows a best-of-three format. The stakes are high as these teams vie for a coveted spot in the League Division Series (LDS).
In the National League, the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds will host the No. 6 and No. 5 seeds, respectively. The New York Mets snagged one of the final two spots in the postseason and will journey to Milwaukee for a face-off with the Brewers. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves will head west to take on the San Diego Padres in what promises to be a thrilling matchup.
The American League Wild Card Series will see the Baltimore Orioles hosting the Kansas City Royals, while the Houston Astros are set to clash with the Detroit Tigers. Game 1 for all these matchups will take place on October 1, followed by Game 2 on October 2. If a deciding Game 3 is necessary, it will be played on October 3.
League Division Series Opens October 5
Following the Wild Card Series, the League Division Series kicks off on October 5. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians have earned byes directly to this stage, providing them with a slight advantage as fresher teams.
In these high-stakes encounters, the Guardians and Yankees will begin their respective series on October 5, alongside the Phillies and Dodgers. Game 2 for the Phillies and Dodgers is set for October 6, with the Guardians and Yankees playing their second games on October 7. Should the series extend to full five-game contests, decisive Game 5s will take place on October 11 for the National League Division and October 12 for the American League Division.
The Road to the Championship
The excitement reaches fever pitch as the League Championship Series (LCS) commences. The National League Championship Series begins on October 13, with Game 2 following swiftly on October 14. The American League Championship Series starts on October 14, with Game 2 on October 15. If either series goes the distance, the NLCS will conclude on October 21, with the ALCS wrapping up on October 22.
World Series Anticipation
The pinnacle of the MLB postseason, the World Series, is tentatively scheduled to start on October 25. However, should both the ALCS and NLCS end in five games or less, the grand finale could be moved up to October 22, providing an unexpected twist to the already dramatic postseason structure.
Game 2 of the World Series is scheduled for October 26, with subsequent games on October 28 and 29. If the series extends to its full potential, Game 6 will be held on November 1 and a decisive Game 7 is set for November 2.
Emotions run high as fans root for epic matchups, possible upsets, and ultimately, the crowning of a new World Series victor. This year's MLB postseason promises to deliver maximum excitement, and enthusiasts are ready to witness the drama and glory that is etched in the history of America’s pastime.