The excitement is palpable as Major League Baseball unveils its 2024 playoff schedule. As the iconic sport gears up for another thrilling postseason, fans can look forward to a series of intense matchups, starting with the eagerly awaited Wild Card Series.
Wild Card Showdowns Begin on October 1
The postseason action kicks off on October 1, featuring eight teams fighting to secure their spot in the League Division Series (LDS). This round, formatted as a best-of-three series, will see the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each league host the No. 6 and No. 5 teams, respectively.
The Wild Card Series promises to be a battleground of fierce competition. The New York Mets, having clinched one of the final two playoff spots, will travel to Milwaukee to face the Brewers. Similarly, the Atlanta Braves, seizing the last postseason berth, will head west to challenge the Padres.
In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles are set to host the Kansas City Royals, promising an exhilarating clash. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros will take on the Detroit Tigers in another highly anticipated matchup.
Game 1 of all Wild Card matchups is scheduled for October 1, with Game 2 on October 2. Should any series require a decisive third game, it will be played under the lights on October 3.
League Division Series: Heavyweights Await
Following the Wild Card Series, the League Division Series (LDS) begins on October 5. Fans will see some of the most formidable teams enter the fray, each having earned a bye directly to this round.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians will be fresh and ready to embark on their postseason journeys. The Guardians and Yankees will start their LDS Game 1 on October 5, the same day that the Phillies and Dodgers face off in their respective matchups. Game 2 for the Phillies and Dodgers is slated for October 6, while the Guardians and Yankees will play their second games on October 7.
If any of these series require a decisive fifth game, the National League Division will conclude on October 11, followed by the American League on October 12.
League Championship Series: Climbing Towards Glory
The intensity heightens further with the commencement of the League Championship Series. The National League Championship Series (NLCS) starts on October 13, followed by the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on October 14. Game 2 of the NLCS will be played on October 14, and the ALCS will follow suit on October 15.
Should these series extend to the full seven games, the NLCS would wrap up on October 21, with the ALCS concluding the following day on October 22.
World Series: The Grand Finale
The pinnacle of the postseason, the World Series, is tentatively set to begin on October 25. However, if both the ALCS and NLCS conclude in five games or fewer, this hallmark event could be moved up to October 22.
Game 2 of the World Series is scheduled for October 26, with subsequent games planned for October 28 and October 29. If the championship series requires six or seven games to determine a victor, those will take place on November 1 and November 2, respectively.
The stage is set for a postseason rife with epic matchups, potential upsets, and unforgettable moments. As teams vie for the ultimate prize, this year's MLB playoffs are poised to deliver maximum excitement and showcase the very best of baseball. Fans nationwide are ready to witness the battles that will crown the next World Series champions.