Major League Baseball has unveiled its 2024 postseason schedule, promising a thrilling array of matchups for fans keen on the sport's highest stakes. The journey begins on October 1 with the Wild Card Series, igniting the quest for the coveted World Series title.
Eight teams will square off in a best-of-three format during the Wild Card Series, aiming to secure their spots in the League Division Series (LDS). The No. 3 and No. 4 seeds from each league will host the No. 6 and No. 5 teams, respectively, in what are expected to be fiercely competitive games.
The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves have secured the final Wild Card berths. The Mets are set to travel to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, while the Braves will make their way west to challenge the Padres. In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles will host the Kansas City Royals, and the Houston Astros will square off against the Detroit Tigers.
The opening games for all Wild Card matchups will take place on October 1, followed by Game 2 on October 2. If necessary, decisive Game 3s will be played on October 3. The Wild Card victors will then advance to the LDS, which begins on October 5.
Earning byes to the LDS, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians will observe these opening rounds, preparing to engage in the postseason from October 5. The Guardians and Yankees, along with the Phillies and Dodgers, will initiate their postseason journeys with LDS Game 1 on October 5.
Continuing the action, Game 2 for the Phillies and Dodgers will occur on October 6, while the Guardians and Yankees play their respective second games on October 7. Should any LDS matchups necessitate a Game 5, these critical contests will be held on October 11 and 12 for the National and American League Divisions, respectively.
The League Championship Series is scheduled to commence on October 13 for the National League and October 14 for the American League. Game 2 for the NLCS will follow on October 14, and the ALCS Game 2 on October 15. Should either series extend to the maximum seven games, the NLCS will conclude on October 21 and the ALCS on October 22.
Fans eagerly anticipating the culmination of the MLB season can mark their calendars for October 25, which is when the World Series is tentatively set to start. However, if the ALCS and NLCS both conclude in five games or fewer, the World Series could begin as early as October 22. Game 2 is scheduled for October 26, with subsequent games on October 28 and 29. If needed, Game 6 will occur on November 1, and a climactic Game 7 will take place on November 2.
The 2024 MLB postseason lineup promises intense rivalries, possible upsets, and a relentless march toward crowning the next World Series champion. With a diverse set of teams vying for supremacy, fans are set to enjoy a postseason packed with unforgettable moments and high drama on the diamond.