Major League Baseball has taken the wraps off the schedule for the 2024 playoffs, laying out the path to the World Series. As the regular season draws to a close on Sunday, September 29, teams will have their sights set on the new postseason format designed to deliver an intense and thrilling October.
Wild Card Series
The playoffs kick off with the Wild Card Series on Tuesday, October 1, a three-game affair with no opportunities for rest between these critical matchups. In a shift from previous formats, there will be no one-game playoffs, providing a more extended series that can better determine the stronger team over multiple games. All games are hosted by the higher-seeded team, specifically, the third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league.
The series continues the following day, Wednesday, October 2, and any Game 3s, if necessary, will take place on Thursday, October 3. This structure adds an extra layer of strategy as teams navigate through a minimum of two and possibly three high-stakes games without the interruption of travel days.
Division Series
Commencing on Saturday, October 5, is the Division Series. The top two division winners in each league have the advantage of hosting the pivotal Games 1, 2, and, if the series extends, Game 5. This setup underscores the advantage of regular-season success, providing these top seeds with much-valued home-field edge.
On Sunday, October 6, National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 2 takes place, while the American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 2 is scheduled for Monday, October 7. The teams then switch cities for NLDS Game 3 on Tuesday, October 8, and ALDS Game 3 along with potential NLDS Game 4 on Wednesday, October 9. Should the ALDS require a fourth game, it will be held on Thursday, October 10, with any decisions in the NLDS coming on Friday, October 11, and the ALDS potentially concluding with Game 5 on Saturday, October 12.
Championship Series
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) kicks off on Sunday, October 13, promising another round of high-caliber baseball. Game 2 of the NLCS and Game 1 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) are both set for Monday, October 14. The ALCS continues with Game 2 on Tuesday, October 15.
NLCS Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, followed by NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3 on Thursday, October 17. If the series requires, NLCS Game 5 and ALCS Game 4 will both happen on Friday, October 18, with a potential ALCS Game 5 on Saturday, October 19. The NLCS could see Game 6 on Sunday, October 20, and if the ultimate series goes the distance, potential NLCS Game 7 and ALCS Game 6 will be played on Monday, October 21. A decisive ALCS Game 7 is set to take place on Tuesday, October 22, if required.
World Series
The grand finale of the MLB season, the World Series, has two potential starting dates based on how expediently the Championship Series conclude. If determinations are made by Saturday, October 19, the World Series will begin on Tuesday, October 22. Otherwise, the first pitch of the World Series is scheduled for Friday, October 25.
Game 2 follows swiftly on Saturday, October 26. The teams will then have a travel day before resuming with Games 3 and 4 on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, respectively. Should the series extend, Game 5 is slated for Wednesday, October 30. If the championship battle stretches the distance to a full seven games, fans can anticipate Game 6 on Friday, November 1, and the potential clincher, Game 7, on Saturday, November 2.
As always, the home-field advantage plays a critical role, with the team possessing the superior regular-season record in each league hosting Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7. This format underscores the importance of every regular-season game, as postseason success often hinges on the comforts and clamor of playing on home turf.
Baseball fans can look forward to an exhilarating October, where every game counts, and every pitch, swing, and catch will bring teams one step closer to the coveted World Series title.