The anticipation for the 2024 Major League Baseball playoffs has officially begun, with the league unveiling the much-awaited playoff schedule. The postseason will commence shortly after the regular season wraps up on Sunday, September 29.
One of the significant changes in the new postseason format is the elimination of the one-game playoff. Instead, teams will face off in a more extended Wild Card Series that starts on Tuesday, October 1. This series will adopt a three-game format without any travel, ensuring teams remain in one location for the entirety of their matchups. The third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league will host these initial games.
The Wild Card Series will proceed on Wednesday, October 2, with the possibility of crucial Game 3s occurring on Thursday, October 3. This sets the stage for the Division Series, which is set to start on Saturday, October 5. Notably, the top two division winners in each league will enjoy home-field advantage, hosting Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Game 5 of the Division Series.
The National League Division Series (NLDS) will see Game 2 unfold on Sunday, October 6, followed by the American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 2 on Monday, October 7. As the series progresses, NLDS Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, with ALDS Games 3 and potential NLDS Game 4s taking place on Wednesday, October 9. The potential for nail-biting finishes continues with ALDS Game 4 on Thursday, October 10, and a possible NLDS Game 5 on Friday, October 11. If necessary, ALDS Game 5 will occur on Saturday, October 12.
The League Championship Series (LCS) emerges as the next battleground, beginning with the National League Championship Series (NLCS) on Sunday, October 13. Both NLCS Game 2 and ALCS Game 1 are slated for Monday, October 14, with ALCS Game 2 following on Tuesday, October 15. The series then advances with NLCS Game 3 on Wednesday, October 16, and both NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3 on Thursday, October 17.
The playoffs could see further intensity with potential ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5 on Friday, October 18, and a possible ALCS Game 5 on Saturday, October 19. Should the series extend, fans can prepare for a potential NLCS Game 6 on Sunday, October 20, and both a potential ALCS Game 6 and NLCS Game 7 on Monday, October 21. The potential for a thrilling climax continues with a possible ALCS Game 7 on Tuesday, October 22.
As the excitement builds, the League Championship Series' outcomes will determine the start of the World Series. If both series conclude by Saturday, October 19, the World Series is slated to start on Tuesday, October 22. If aligning with the proposed schedule, Game 1 of the World Series will be played on Friday, October 25, followed by Game 2 on Saturday, October 26.
Teams will have a travel day before resuming with World Series Games 3 and 4 on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, respectively. A potential Game 5 could take place on Wednesday, October 30. The finale to a gripping season could extend to Game 6 on Friday, November 1, and a decisive Game 7 on Saturday, November 2, if required. The team with the superior regular-season record will host Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7 of the World Series.
With these dates etched into the calendar, fans and teams alike can now chart their courses for what promises to be a compelling journey through the 2024 Major League Baseball playoffs. All that's left is the wait, as the countdown to October begins.