Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially announced the schedule for the highly anticipated 2024 playoffs, marking a significant shift in the postseason format. Fans can expect a series of thrilling matchups as top teams vie for the coveted World Series title.
Regular Season and Wild Card Series Setup
The 2024 regular season is set to conclude on Sunday, September 29, paving the way for the postseason excitement. Kicking off the playoffs, the revamped Wild Card Series will begin on Tuesday, October 1. Notably, the traditional one-game playoff will be replaced by a three-game series, offering a more competitive and extended format for teams on the cusp of advancing.
In a key procedural update, the third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league will host their respective Wild Card Series matchups. This home-field advantage could play a crucial role in determining which teams advance to the next round. The series will proceed with games on Wednesday, October 2, and if necessary, decisive Game 3s on Thursday, October 3.
Division Series Break Down
The excitement continues with the Division Series, scheduled to start on Saturday, October 5. The top two division winners in each league will enjoy home-field advantage for Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Game 5 of their series. This provides a significant benefit to the higher-seeded teams, potentially influencing the outcomes of these crucial matchups.
The National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 2 is slated for Sunday, October 6, followed by the American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 2 on Monday, October 7. The competition heats up with NLDS Game 3 on Tuesday, October 8, and both ALDS Games 3 and potential NLDS Game 4s on Wednesday, October 9. The series could see ALDS Game 4 on Thursday, October 10, and if necessary, NLDS Game 5 on Friday, October 11, with ALDS Game 5 wrapping up this intense phase on Saturday, October 12.
Championship Series: The Path to Glory
As teams advance, the National League Championship Series (NLCS) is set to start on Sunday, October 13. Following closely, NLCS Game 2 and ALCS Game 1 will take place on Monday, October 14, setting the stage for a captivating week of baseball. ALCS Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, with the momentum building as NLCS Game 3 unfolds on Wednesday, October 16. The respective Game 4s for both series are on Thursday, October 17.
The drama escalates with potential ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5 on Friday, October 18, and potential ALCS Game 5 on Saturday, October 19. Should the series extend to their limits, NLCS Game 6 is set for Sunday, October 20, and potential ALCS Game 6 and NLCS Game 7 on Monday, October 21. If necessary, ALCS Game 7 will be played on Tuesday, October 22.
The Pinnacle: World Series
If the League Championship Series conclude by Saturday, October 19, the World Series is poised to commence on Tuesday, October 22. Otherwise, the scheduled start is set for Friday, October 25. The team with the superior regular-season record in each league will host Games 1, 2, and, if required, Games 6 and 7, creating a home-field edge that could be pivotal in the hunt for the title.
The initial World Series games are slated for Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26, before a scheduled travel day. Subsequent games will be played on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, respectively. In the event that the series extends beyond these games, a potential Game 5 could occur on Wednesday, October 30. A full seven-game stretch would see Game 6 on Friday, November 1, and the climactic Game 7 on Saturday, November 2.
This detailed schedule sets the stage for an electrifying 2024 MLB postseason, filled with pivotal moments and intense matchups. Each phase, from the newly structured Wild Card Series to the crescendo of the World Series, promises to deliver high-stakes action and unforgettable baseball drama.