In an exciting announcement for baseball fans, Major League Baseball has officially rolled out the schedule for the 2024 playoffs, setting the stage for another thrilling postseason. The regular season wraps up on Sunday, Sept. 29, and the chase for the World Series begins soon after, with a revamped format that promises even more excitement and tension.
Wild Card Series
The postseason action kicks off with the Wild Card Series on Tuesday, Oct. 1. This year, fans can expect a three-game face-off in each matchup, eliminating the previous one-game playoff scenario. Interestingly, this format minimizes travel, ensuring teams only need to focus on the game at hand. The third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league will host these high-stakes matchups, providing a home-field advantage that could prove crucial.
The series will continue on Wednesday, Oct. 2, with any necessary Game 3s scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3. This new structure not only intensifies the competition but also keeps the schedule tight and the momentum rolling for the teams involved.
Division Series
Following the Wild Card round, the Division Series will commence on Saturday, Oct. 5. The top two division winners in each league are set to host Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Game 5. This setup ensures that the teams with the best regular-season records are rewarded with the maximum possible advantage in the early stages of the playoffs.
NLDS (National League Division Series) Game 2 will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6, while ALDS (American League Division Series) Game 2 follows on Monday, Oct. 7. NLDS Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, and both ALDS Game 3 and potential NLDS Game 4s are on Wednesday, Oct. 9. If necessary, ALDS Game 4 will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10, and NLDS Game 5 on Friday, Oct. 11. The deciding fifth game of the ALDS will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12, if needed.
Championship Series
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) gets underway on Sunday, Oct. 13. NLCS Game 2, alongside ALCS (American League Championship Series) Game 1, will provide a thrilling doubleheader on Monday, Oct. 14. ALCS Game 2 is set for Tuesday, Oct. 15, followed by NLCS Game 3 on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The following day, Thursday, Oct. 17, features both NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3.
As the series potentially reach their climax, fans can anticipate NLCS Game 5 and ALCS Game 4 on Friday, Oct. 18. If necessary, ALCS Game 5 will be contested on Saturday, Oct. 19. NLCS Game 6 is slated for Sunday, Oct. 20, with potential NLCS Game 7 and ALCS Game 6 on Monday, Oct. 21. If a dramatic ALCS Game 7 is needed, it will occur on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
World Series
The centerpiece of the baseball calendar, the World Series, could begin as early as Tuesday, Oct. 22, if both League Championship Series conclude by Saturday, Oct. 19. However, if the playoffs follow the anticipated timeline, the World Series will start on Friday, Oct. 25. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, with a travel day following before action resumes with Games 3 and 4 on Monday, Oct. 28, and Tuesday, Oct. 29, respectively.
Should the series extend beyond four games, a potential Game 5 is on the docket for Wednesday, Oct. 30. If the series stretches to a full seven games, fans can circle Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2, on their calendars for Games 6 and 7, respectively. The team boasting the superior regular-season record in each league will enjoy the advantage of hosting Games 1, 2, and potentially Games 6 and 7 of the World Series, ensuring a fitting reward for season-long excellence.
With the stage now officially set for the 2024 MLB playoffs, fans can begin the countdown to what promises to be another unforgettable postseason. From the revamped Wild Card Series to the high-stakes World Series, every game will matter, and every moment will count. Let the games begin!