Major League Baseball's 2024 playoff schedule has been unveiled, setting the stage for a thrilling postseason. The action will begin on October 1 with the commencement of the Wild Card Series. This round will see eight teams vying for their spots in the League Division Series (LDS) in a best-of-three format.
The No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each league will host the No. 6 and No. 5 teams, respectively. Notably, the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves secured the final two postseason berths. The Mets are set to travel to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, while the Braves will journey to the West Coast for a showdown with the San Diego Padres.
The Baltimore Orioles will host the Kansas City Royals in another Wild Card matchup, promising a clash of contrasting styles. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros will face the Detroit Tigers, adding another layer of excitement to the Wild Card round.
Key Dates and Matchups
Game 1 for all Wild Card matchups is scheduled for October 1, followed by Game 2 on October 2. If any series require a decisive third game, it will take place on October 3. The ensuing League Division Series will commence on October 5.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians have earned byes straight into the League Division Series. The Guardians and Yankees will kick off their LDS journeys on October 5, alongside the Phillies and Dodgers.
The Road to the LDS
Game 2 for the Phillies and Dodgers will take place on October 6. As for the Guardians and Yankees, their second games are slated for October 7. Should the series extend to the decisive Game 5, it will be played on October 11 and 12 for the National League and American League, respectively.
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series (LCS) will begin on October 13 for the National League, with Game 2 following on October 14. The American League Championship Series will start on October 14, with its second game on October 15. If the series go the distance, the NLCS will conclude on October 21, and the ALCS will wrap up on October 22.
The World Series
All eyes will then turn to the World Series, tentatively set to start on October 25. However, if both the ALCS and NLCS conclude in five games or fewer, the World Series could be moved up to October 22. Game 2 is set for October 26, with the subsequent games planned for October 28 and 29. If necessary, Game 6 will take place on November 1, and the potential Game 7 is scheduled for November 2.
Fans across the country are eagerly anticipating these high-stakes matchups, which promise to deliver exhilarating moments, potential upsets, and the crowning of the next World Series champion. With top-seeded teams ready to defend their standings and underdogs prepared to make their mark, the 2024 MLB postseason is certain to capture the hearts and minds of baseball enthusiasts everywhere.