MLB Announces 2024 Postseason Schedule
Major League Baseball has officially unveiled the schedule for the 2024 playoffs, marking the end of an era and the advent of an exciting new format. With last season leaving fans on the edge of their seats, the upcoming postseason promises to deliver just as much, if not more, thrilling baseball action.
The curtain will fall on the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 29, and with it, the departure of one-game playoffs, a notable change in MLB's approach to its postseason format. Following a day of rest on Monday, Sept. 30, the intensity ramps up as the Wild Card Series kicks off.
Wild Card Series: No Travel, Just Three-Game Battles
The Wild Card Series, now a three-game face-off, offers no opportunity for travel, ensuring a concentrated burst of high-stakes games. Both leagues will have their third division winner and top Wild Card team play host to these critical matchups.
The action starts on Tuesday, Oct. 1, with the first set of games, continuing into Wednesday, Oct. 2. Should the series be pushed to the edge, any necessary Game 3s will unfold on Thursday, Oct. 3.
Division Series: Awaiting the Wild Card Victors
The winners of the Wild Card Series will have little time to celebrate as they move on to face the top two division winners from each league in the Division Series. These matchups get underway on Saturday, Oct. 5, and promise to be fireworks from the start.
The hosting duties for Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Game 5 will fall to the division winners, setting the stage for potential home-field advantages to play a significant role. With pivotal NLDS Game 2s set for Sunday, Oct. 6, and the ALDS following with Game 2 on Monday, Oct. 7, the series will soon make a shift towards the underdogs’ home fields.
As the Division Series progress, Games 3 for the NLDS are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, followed by ALDS Games 3 and potential NLDS Game 4s on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The series, if extended, will see ALDS Game 4 on Thursday, Oct. 10, and culminate with deciding Game 5s on Friday, Oct. 11, for the NLDS and Saturday, Oct. 12, for the ALDS.
Championship Series: Battle for the Pennant
The Championship Series will draw even nearer to the ultimate prize. Teams with superior regular-season records will host Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7. October 13 marks the launch of the NLCS, followed by NLCS Game 2 and ALCS Game 1 on Monday, Oct. 14. The ALCS continues with Game 2 on Tuesday, Oct. 15, while NLCS Game 3 takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
The series press onward with NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3 scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17. Potential ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5 will keep fans engrossed on Friday, Oct. 18. Should the series stretch to the limit, Saturday, Oct. 19, sees an ALCS Game 5, followed by Sunday, Oct. 20, potentially featuring an NLCS Game 6.
The climax could unfurl with an ALCS Game 6 and a possible NLCS Game 7 on Monday, Oct. 21. Tuesday, Oct. 22, carries the weight of a decisive ALCS Game 7, if necessary.
World Series: The Pinnacle of Baseball
The World Series is poised to either commence early or as scheduled, contingent on the playoff dynamics. If the League Championship Series wrap up by Saturday, Oct. 19, the World Series would then begin on Tuesday, Oct. 22, potentially extending the excitement to a climactic Game 7 on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Absent an accelerated start, Game 1 stands firm for Friday, Oct. 25, followed consecutively by Game 2 on Saturday, Oct. 26. After a brief travel day, the series shifts locales for Games 3 and 4 on Monday, Oct. 28, and Tuesday, Oct. 29, respectively. A potential Game 5 could electrify fans on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
If the series demands the full measure, the grand finale will stretch into November, with Game 6 scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1, and Game 7 set for Saturday, Nov. 2. The team with the superior regular-season record in each league will enjoy home-field advantage, hosting Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the fall spectacle.
The 2024 MLB postseason promises an exhilarating journey from the Wild Card round to the pinnacle of the World Series, embodying the essence of baseball's timeless allure and unpredictability.