The highly anticipated Major League Baseball's 2024 playoff schedule has been officially unveiled, promising a month brimming with action and intense competition. The postseason journey begins on October 1, marking the start of the Wild Card Series, which features eight teams vying for advancement in a best-of-three format.
Wild Card Showdowns
This year, the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each league will host the No. 6 and No. 5 teams, respectively. Among the key matchups, the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves have secured the final two Wild Card spots. The Mets are set to face the Milwaukee Brewers on their home turf, while the Braves will head west to take on the San Diego Padres.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Kansas City Royals in another critical Wild Card battle, and the Houston Astros will lock horns with the Detroit Tigers. Game 1 for all Wild Card matchups is scheduled for October 1, with Game 2 on the following day, October 2. If necessary, a decisive third game will be held on October 3 to determine which teams advance to the League Division Series (LDS).
League Division Series
The excitement intensifies as the League Division Series kicks off on October 5. The teams that managed to bypass the Wild Card frenzy by earning direct berths into the LDS include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians. These teams will embark on their postseason campaigns aiming for a spot in the League Championship Series.
On October 5, the Guardians will square off against the Yankees, while the Phillies and Dodgers also begin their series. Game 2 for the Phillies and Dodgers is slated for October 6, with the Guardians and Yankees playing theirs on October 7. Should any of these series extend to five games, the respective Game 5s are scheduled for October 11 and 12 for the National and American League Divisions.
League Championship Series
As the postseason progresses, the League Championship Series kicks off on October 13 for the National League, followed by the American League on October 14. Game 2 of the NLCS will be played on October 14, while the ALCS follows suit the next day on October 15. If either series stretches to the full seven games, the NLCS will conclude on October 21, and the ALCS will wrap up on October 22.
World Series
The climax of Major League Baseball's postseason spectacle, the World Series, is tentatively set to begin on October 25. However, should both the ALCS and NLCS conclude in five games or fewer, the World Series could be moved up to October 22, allowing fans to indulge in the ultimate showdown of baseball prowess a few days earlier.
Game 2 of the World Series is scheduled for October 26, with subsequent games planned for October 28 and 29. If the series goes the distance, fans can expect Game 6 on November 1 and a potential Game 7 on November 2.
As the calendar inches closer to the postseason, fans are eagerly anticipating the electric atmosphere, the strategic maneuvers, and the unforgettable moments that define October baseball. The stage is set for a thrilling playoffs, where every pitch, hit, and play could sway the tide of baseball history. The road to the championship is fraught with challenges and opportunities, ensuring that this year’s October baseball will be nothing short of spectacular.