Major League Baseball has officially mapped out its 2024 postseason landscape, setting the stage for a thrilling October journey. The regular season wraps up on Sunday, Sept. 29, ushering in a new playoff format devoid of the nail-biting one-game showdowns seen in previous years.
Wild Card Series
The action kicks off with the Wild Card Series on Tuesday, Oct. 1. This series has evolved into a three-game face-off, eliminating any need for travel and adding an extra layer of strategic depth. The third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league will have the home-field advantage, hosting all the games.
These initial matchups continue on Wednesday, Oct. 2, with any decisive Game 3s set for Thursday, Oct. 3. The high stakes in the early playoffs ensure that no day goes without baseball drama.
Division Series
Moving deeper into the postseason, the Division Series takes center stage on Saturday, Oct. 5. The top two division winners in each league gain the privilege of hosting Games 1, 2, and, if needed, Game 5. This added advantage could be pivotal in tipping the scales in favor of the best performers from the regular season.
For the National League, Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 6, while the American League's second game follows on Monday, Oct. 7. Fans can mark their calendars for NLDS Game 3 on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and a packed Wednesday, Oct. 9, which could feature both ALDS Game 3 and possible NLDS Game 4 contests.
Thursday, Oct. 10, is earmarked for ALDS Game 4, should it be required, followed by a potential NLDS Game 5 on Friday, Oct. 11, and possibly an ALDS Game 5 on Saturday, Oct. 12.
League Championship Series
As October unfolds, the League Championship Series will dominate the headlines. The National League Championship Series (NLCS) begins on Sunday, Oct. 13. The series progresses with NLCS Game 2 and the first game of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Monday, Oct. 14. ALCS Game 2 takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The NLCS battles continue with Game 3 on Wednesday, Oct. 16, and both leagues' series potentially featuring crucial games on Thursday, Oct. 17. Going further into the series, a potential NLCS Game 5 and ALCS Game 4 are lined up for Friday, Oct. 18. Saturday, Oct. 19, could see an essential ALCS Game 5.
Should the NLCS extend to more dramatic finishes, a sixth game is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 20, with potentially critical games for both leagues on Monday, Oct. 21, and Tuesday, Oct. 22.
World Series
If the League Championship Series wrap up by Saturday, Oct. 19, the grand finale—the World Series—will commence on Tuesday, Oct. 22. However, if the series stretches to the anticipated start date, baseball enthusiasts should prepare for the first pitch on Friday, Oct. 25.
The ensuing World Series Game 2 is slated for Saturday, Oct. 26, before a travel day facilitates the teams' movements between locations. Games 3 and 4 are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 28, and Tuesday, Oct. 29, respectively. In typical baseball fashion, a potential Game 5 could unfold on Wednesday, Oct. 30. If the championship battle extends to the maximum thrill of seven games, the climactic Game 6 will take place on Friday, Nov. 1, and the pivotal Game 7 on Saturday, Nov. 2.
The hosting duties for the World Series games fall to the teams with the superior regular-season records in each league, granting them the home advantage in Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7. Every decision, every pitch, and every home run will be magnified under the pressure of October baseball, as the best teams vie for the ultimate prize in Major League Baseball.
With the schedule now set, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an electrifying conclusion to the 2024 MLB season.