Major League Baseball's 2024 playoff schedule promises fans an action-packed October. The excitement commences on October 1 with the Wild Card Series, featuring eight teams vying for their spots in the League Division Series (LDS) through a high-stakes best-of-three format.
The Wild Card Round has set intriguing matchups. The New York Mets, having clinched one of the final postseason spots, are set to face the Milwaukee Brewers on the road. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves will head west to challenge the Padres in San Diego. These matchups kick off what promises to be a thrilling playoff season. In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles are set to host the Kansas City Royals, while the Houston Astros prepare to face the Detroit Tigers in Houston.
Each of these Wild Card matchups is set to begin on October 1, followed by Game 2 on October 2. Should any series require a decisive third game, it will be played on October 3, adding another layer of excitement to the already dramatic start of the postseason.
League Division Series Matchups Set
The League Division Series is scheduled to begin on October 5, featuring both league leaders and Wild Card survivors. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Guardians have each earned byes and will join the postseason action directly at this stage. These teams have been dominant throughout the regular season and now have the advantage of resting and preparing for their first games in the LDS.
The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians will commence their LDS series on October 5. Simultaneously, the Phillies and Dodgers will also begin their quests for the pennant, making October 5 a crucial day packed with pivotal games. Game 2 for the Phillies and Dodgers is set for October 6, while the Guardians and Yankees will continue their series on October 7.
If the LDS extends to the full five games, decisive Game 5s are scheduled for October 11 and 12 for the National and American League Divisions, respectively, ensuring that each series reaches a dramatic conclusion.
Progressing to the Championship Series
The action continues with the League Championship Series (LCS), where the stakes will be even higher. The National League Championship Series (NLCS) begins on October 13, followed by Game 2 on October 14. The American League Championship Series (ALCS) starts a day later, on October 14, with Game 2 on October 15. If these best-of-seven series extend to their full complement of games, the NLCS will conclude on October 21, while the ALCS will wrap up on October 22.
The World Series Awaits
The culmination of the MLB postseason, the World Series, is tentatively set to start on October 25. However, if both the ALCS and NLCS conclude in five games or fewer, the World Series could be moved up to October 22 to maintain the momentum and excitement. Game 2 is scheduled for October 26, with subsequent games on October 28 and October 29. Should the series require it, the climactic Game 6 will be held on November 1, and a decisive Game 7 on November 2, ensuring that baseball fans will be on the edge of their seats until the final out is recorded.
With the playoff schedule now set, fans are ready to witness a month filled with epic matchups, potential upsets, and the crowning of the next World Series victor. The stage is set for October to be a month to remember in Major League Baseball.