Major League Baseball has officially revealed its schedule for the 2024 playoffs, promising an exciting and streamlined format for fans and teams alike. The regular season will conclude on Sunday, September 29, setting the stage for a postseason filled with intense competition.
The new postseason format eliminates the one-game playoffs, replacing them with a more comprehensive Wild Card Series. This series begins on Tuesday, October 1, and features a three-game face-off with no travel. The third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league will host these matchups.
The action continues as the Wild Card Series unfolds, with games on Wednesday, October 2, and any necessary Game 3s on Thursday, October 3. Fans can expect a rapid transition to the Division Series, which starts on Saturday, October 5.
The Division Series: Battles Intensify
The top two division winners in each league will be hosting Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Game 5 of the Division Series. This series kicks off with the National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 2 on Sunday, October 6, followed by the American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 2 on Monday, October 7.
On Tuesday, October 8, eager fans will witness NLDS Game 3, while Wednesday, October 9, will feature ALDS Games 3 and any potential NLDS Game 4s. The intensity peaks on Thursday, October 10, with ALDS Game 4, before moving towards the potential decisive NLDS Game 5 on Friday, October 11. If needed, the ALDS Game 5 will take place on Saturday, October 12.
The Championship Series: Closer to the Crown
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) begins on Sunday, October 13, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle. NLCS Game 2, along with ALCS Game 1, will be held on Monday, October 14, followed by ALCS Game 2 on Tuesday, October 15.
Expectations rise as NLCS Game 3 takes place on Wednesday, October 16, and both NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3 on Thursday, October 17. The potential ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5 are scheduled for Friday, October 18, while a possible ALCS Game 5 could occur on Saturday, October 19.
As the series progresses, potential NLCS Game 6 is set for Sunday, October 20, with potential ALCS Game 6 and NLCS Game 7 on Monday, October 21. Finally, the potential ALCS Game 7 is slotted for Tuesday, October 22.
The Road to the World Series
If the League Championship Series conclude by Saturday, October 19, the World Series will commence on Tuesday, October 22. On its projected schedule, Game 1 of the World Series will occur on Friday, October 25, followed by Game 2 on Saturday, October 26.
A travel day is planned before World Series Games 3 and 4, set for Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29. The thrill persists with a potential World Series Game 5 on Wednesday, October 30. If the series extends to a full seven games, Game 6 will be on Friday, November 1, and the ultimate Game 7 on Saturday, November 2.
Throughout this ultimate baseball showdown, the team with the superior regular-season record in each league will have the home-field advantage, hosting Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7.
As fans eagerly anticipate the 2024 MLB playoffs, the new format and carefully scheduled series promise not only to maintain competitive intensity but also to provide seamless, high-octane entertainment from the Wild Card face-offs to the final out of the World Series. The stage is set, and baseball enthusiasts worldwide are poised to witness another historic postseason.