The anticipation for Major League Baseball's 2024 postseason has officially begun as the league recently released its playoff schedule, detailing all matchups and key dates.
Regular Season Conclusion
The regular season is set to wrap up on Sunday, September 29. With no one-game playoffs in the revamped format, teams will need to secure their postseason berths solely through their regular-season performance. This change aims to streamline the playoff process and maintain a consistent format for all qualifying teams.
Wild Card Series
The excitement kicks off with the Wild Card Series, starting on Tuesday, October 1. In this new three-game face-off format, travel will be eliminated, providing a brisk and intense series. The third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league are slated to host all games in these matchups. The series continues on Wednesday, October 2, with any necessary Game 3s scheduled for Thursday, October 3.
Division Series
Following the Wild Card round, the Division Series gets underway on Saturday, October 5. The top two division winners in each league will host Games 1, 2, and, if required, Game 5. National League Division Series (NLDS) Game 2 is set for Sunday, October 6, while American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 2 will take place on Monday, October 7. NLDS Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, with ALDS Games 3 and potential NLDS Game 4 unfolding on Wednesday, October 9. The pace continues with ALDS Game 4 on Thursday, October 10, and, if necessary, NLDS Game 5 on Friday, October 11. The ALDS will conclude with a possible Game 5 on Saturday, October 12.
League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series (NLCS) will begin on Sunday, October 13. This pivotal series continues with NLCS Game 2 and American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 1 on Monday, October 14. The ALCS Game 2 takes place on Tuesday, October 15, while NLCS Game 3 is slated for Wednesday, October 16. NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3 are scheduled for Thursday, October 17. Should the series extend, potential ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5 will be on Friday, October 18, and potential ALCS Game 5 on Saturday, October 19. The end of the series could see potential NLCS Game 6 on Sunday, October 20, with possible ALCS Game 6 and NLCS Game 7 on Monday, October 21. If necessary, the ALCS could conclude with a Game 7 on Tuesday, October 22.
World Series
The culmination of the MLB season, the World Series, is set to commence on Friday, October 25, under the condition that the League Championship Series concludes by Saturday, October 19. Game 2 will follow on Saturday, October 26, with a travel day preceding Games 3 and 4, which will be held on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, respectively. Should the series extend, Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30. If a full seven-game series is required, Game 6 will be played on Friday, November 1, and the potential decisive Game 7 on Saturday, November 2.
The team with the superior regular-season record in each league will have the home-field advantage, hosting Games 1, 2, and, if needed, Games 6 and 7.
This new structure not only emphasizes performance consistency throughout the regular season but also enhances the excitement and competitiveness of the postseason. With the schedule set, fans and teams alike can eagerly prepare for an extended and thrilling October filled with premier baseball action.