The Major League Baseball (MLB) schedule for the 2024 playoffs has been officially unveiled, marking significant changes to the postseason format that fans and teams alike will need to prepare for. The regular season will wrap up on Sunday, September 29, setting the stage for an action-packed October.
This year, a key change is the elimination of one-game playoffs, which have traditionally added a sudden-death element to the postseason. Instead, the Wild Card Series now features a best-of-three format starting on Tuesday, October 1, with all games being played without travel. Hosting duties for these crucial matchups will fall to the third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league, allowing them the significant advantage of home-field familiarity.
Action in the Wild Card Series will continue on Wednesday, October 2, with any necessary Game 3 matchups scheduled for Thursday, October 3.
The Road to the Division Series
Following the completion of the Wild Card Series, the Division Series will commence on Saturday, October 5. The postseason format ensures that the top two division winners in each league host Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Game 5 of the Division Series—a prime reward for their regular-season dominance.
National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 2 is slated for Sunday, October 6, while the American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 2 will take place on Monday, October 7. Fans won’t have to wait long as NLDS Game 3 will quickly follow on Tuesday, October 8, leading directly into a pivotal stretch with ALDS Games 3 and potential NLDS Game 4s on Wednesday, October 9. Should the ALDS and NLDS require extended play, ALDS Game 4 will occur on Thursday, October 10, and NLDS Game 5 on Friday, October 11, with ALDS Game 5 set for Saturday, October 12.
Heightened Tensions in the Championship Series
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) begins on Sunday, October 13, ramping up the intensity as teams vie for a spot in the World Series. NLCS Game 2 and ALCS Game 1 will both take place on Monday, October 14, with ALCS Game 2 following on Tuesday, October 15. Fans can look forward to NLCS Game 3 on Wednesday, October 16, followed by NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3 on Thursday, October 17.
The schedule allows for continued momentum into Friday, October 18, for potential ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5. Should the series extend, potential ALCS Game 5 will be held on Saturday, October 19, and potential NLCS Game 6 on Sunday, October 20. The last possible games before the World Series—the potential ALCS Game 6 and NLCS Game 7—are to be played on Monday, October 21, with a potential ALCS Game 7 on Tuesday, October 22.
The Pinnacle: The World Series
The format for the World Series may shuffle slightly depending on the outcome of the League Championship Series. If both conclude by Saturday, October 19, the World Series will begin on Tuesday, October 22. However, if the World Series sticks to its original schedule, the series is set to start on Friday, October 25.
Game 2 of the World Series is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, followed by a travel day before Games 3 and 4 on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, respectively. Should the series need additional games, Game 5 would occur on Wednesday, October 30. In the event the series extends to a full seven games, Game 6 will be played on Friday, November 1, with the decisive Game 7 on Saturday, November 2.
Notably, the team with the superior regular-season record in each league will gain the advantage of hosting Games 1, 2, and—if necessary—Games 6 and 7 of the World Series. This factor could play a pivotal role in the outcome, providing a home-field edge during one of the most high-pressure periods in baseball.
The 2024 MLB postseason promises to be a thrilling spectacle with its updated structure, offering new strategic challenges and opportunities for all the teams involved. Fans can anticipate a dynamic and unpredictable road to the crowning of the next World Series Champion.