Major League Baseball's 2024 postseason is set to commence with the much-anticipated Wild Card Series on October 1. This round will showcase eight teams in a high-stakes best-of-three format to secure their positions in the next stage, the League Division Series (LDS). The matchups for this initial round promise excitement and drama as teams vie for playoff survival.
Wild Card Matchups and Scheduling
The postseason action begins with the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each league hosting the No. 6 and No. 5 seeds, respectively. Among the teams clinching the final postseason berths are the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves. The Mets will face a challenging series against the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Braves are set to travel west to battle the San Diego Padres. Other exciting matchups include the Baltimore Orioles hosting the Kansas City Royals and the Houston Astros taking on the Detroit Tigers.
Game 1 for all Wild Card matchups will be held on October 1, followed by Game 2 on October 2. If required, decisive Game 3s will be played on October 3, determining which teams advance to the League Division Series.
League Division Series to Feature Elite Contenders
The League Division Series is scheduled to start on October 5, setting the stage for some of the most formidable teams in baseball. With first-round byes, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians are waiting in the wings. These top contenders will be joined by the winners of the Wild Card Series, forming an elite field determined to advance to the League Championship Series.
The LDS matchups begin with the Guardians and Yankees, as well as the Phillies and Dodgers, all opening their Game 1s on October 5. The second games for the Dodgers and Phillies follow quickly on October 6, while the Guardians and Yankees will play their Game 2s on October 7. Any decisive Game 5s, if required, will be crucial contests played on October 11 and 12 for the National and American Leagues, respectively.
League Championship Series: The Final Showdown Before the World Series
The excitement continues with the League Championship Series (LCS), the gateway to the ultimate prize: the World Series. The National League Championship Series (NLCS) begins on October 13, followed by the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on October 14. Should the series require them, Game 2 of the NLCS is slated for October 14, with Game 2 of the ALCS following on October 15.
If the series go the distance, the NLCS will culminate on October 21, and the ALCS will wrap up on October 22, setting the stage for the MLB season's grand finale.
The World Series: The Pinnacle of Baseball Excellence
Baseball's most prestigious event, the World Series, is 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 of the series is planned for October 26, with subsequent games scheduled for October 28 and October 29. If necessary, potential Game 6 and Game 7 will be played on November 1 and November 2, respectively.
This year's postseason lineup promises to deliver maximum excitement, with fans eagerly anticipating epic matchups, potential upsets, and the crowning of the next World Series victor. The journey from the Wild Card battles to the championship glory will undoubtedly provide memorable moments and intense competition, encapsulating the spirit of Major League Baseball.