The Countdown to the 2024 MLB Postseason: What Fans Need to Know
As the sun sets on the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season, excitement is palpable among fans and players alike. With less than two weeks remaining before the postseason kicks off, the playoff picture is beginning to crystallize. Teams are jockeying for position, and the stakes are higher than ever as they aim for a coveted spot in the playoffs.
Key Dates to Remember
The final day of the regular season is set for Sunday, September 29, 2024. Unlike previous years, there will be no one-game playoffs, allowing teams a brief respite before the intensity of the playoffs begins. Monday, September 30, will serve as an off-day, setting the stage for the Wild Card Series, which commences on Tuesday, October 1.
Understanding the 12-Team Playoff Format
This year, MLB has adopted a 12-team playoff format, which adds an extra layer of excitement and competition. The postseason is divided into four rounds:
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Wild Card Series: Eight teams will compete in a best-of-three series. The No. 3 and No. 4 seeds in each league will host the No. 6 and No. 5 teams, respectively. This format not only heightens the drama but also rewards teams that performed well during the regular season by giving the top seeds a bye into the next round.
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Division Series (ALDS and NLDS): The winners of the Wild Card Series will advance to the Division Series, which begins on Saturday, October 5. The top two seeds in each league will face off against the Wild Card winners, creating a thrilling matchup of the best teams in baseball.
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Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS): Following the Division Series, the winners will compete in the American League Championship Series and the National League Championship Series, starting on Sunday, October 13. This round will determine which teams will represent their leagues in the World Series.
- World Series: The grand finale of the MLB season, the World Series, is scheduled to begin on either Friday, October 25, or Tuesday, October 22, depending on the length of the previous series. If both the ALCS and NLCS conclude in five games or fewer, the start date will be moved up, ensuring that fans are treated to a thrilling conclusion to the season.
The Wild Card Series Schedule
The Wild Card Series is set to unfold over three days, with games scheduled as follows:
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Tuesday, October 1:
- AL Wild Card Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
- AL Wild Card Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
- NL Wild Card Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
- NL Wild Card Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
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Tuesday, October 2:
- AL Wild Card Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
- AL Wild Card Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
- NL Wild Card Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
- NL Wild Card Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
- Wednesday, October 3:
- AL Wild Card Game 3: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- AL Wild Card Game 3: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- NL Wild Card Game 3: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- NL Wild Card Game 3: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
The Division Series Schedule
Once the Wild Card Series concludes, the Division Series will commence with the following schedule:
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Saturday, October 5:
- ALDS Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
- ALDS Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
- NLDS Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
- NLDS Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
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Sunday, October 6:
- NLDS Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
- NLDS Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
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Monday, October 7:
- ALDS Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
- ALDS Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
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Tuesday, October 8:
- NLDS Game 3: TBD vs. TBD
- NLDS Game 3: TBD vs. TBD
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Wednesday, October 9:
- ALDS Game 3: TBD vs. TBD
- ALDS Game 3: TBD vs. TBD
- NLDS Game 4: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- NLDS Game 4: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
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Thursday, October 10:
- ALDS Game 4: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- ALDS Game 4: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
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Friday, October 11:
- NLDS Game 5: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- NLDS Game 5: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- Saturday, October 12:
- ALDS Game 5: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- ALDS Game 5: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
The Championship Series Schedule
The Championship Series will follow the Division Series, with games scheduled as follows:
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Sunday, October 13:
- NLCS Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
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Monday, October 14:
- ALCS Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
- NLCS Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
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Tuesday, October 15:
- ALCS Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
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Wednesday, October 16:
- NLCS Game 3: TBD vs. TBD
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Thursday, October 17:
- ALCS Game 3: TBD vs. TBD
- NLCS Game 4: TBD vs. TBD
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Friday, October 18:
- ALCS Game 4: TBD vs. TBD
- NLCS Game 5: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
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Saturday, October 19:
- ALCS Game 5: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
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Sunday, October 20:
- NLCS Game 6: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
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Monday, October 21:
- ALCS Game 6: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- NLCS Game 7: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- Tuesday, October 22:
- ALCS Game 7: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
The World Series Schedule
The grand finale of the MLB season, the World Series, is set to take place as follows:
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Friday, October 25:
- World Series Game 1: TBD vs. TBD
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Saturday, October 26:
- World Series Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
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Monday, October 28:
- World Series Game 3: TBD vs. TBD
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Tuesday, October 29:
- World Series Game 4: TBD vs. TBD
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Wednesday, October 30:
- World Series Game 5: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
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Friday, November 1:
- World Series Game 6: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
- Saturday, November 2:
- World Series Game 7: TBD vs. TBD (if necessary)
As the regular season winds down, fans are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating postseason filled with unforgettable moments, fierce competition, and the ultimate quest for baseball’s most prestigious title. With the schedule set and anticipation building, it’s time to get ready for October baseball!