Major League Baseball enthusiasts can mark their calendars, as MLB has officially unveiled the schedule for the 2024 playoffs. The regular season is set to wrap up on Sunday, September 29, with the postseason action commencing just two days later.
New Postseason Format
This year, fans will witness a departure from the one-game playoffs. The 2024 playoffs begin with the Wild Card Series on Tuesday, October 1. These series will now be three-game face-offs without any travel involved—a significant change aimed at reducing the strain on teams and ensuring a more thrilling, concise series for the fans.
The third division winner and the top Wild Card team in each league will host the Wild Card Series matchups. The games will continue on Wednesday, October 2, with potential Game 3s occurring on Thursday, October 3.
Division Series Anticipation
Following the Wild Card battles, the Division Series starts on Saturday, October 5. In this stage, the top two division winners in each league will enjoy the home-field advantage, hosting Games 1, 2, and, if necessary, Game 5.
Fan interest peaks with the tightly packed schedule: NLDS Game 2 is slated for Sunday, October 6, while the ALDS Game 2 follows on Monday, October 7. NLDS Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, and the ALDS Games 3, along with potential NLDS Game 4s, will be on Wednesday, October 9. ALDS Game 4 is on Thursday, October 10, with any required NLDS Game 5 on Friday, October 11, and ALDS Game 5 on Saturday, October 12.
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series will keep fans on the edge of their seats beginning with the NLCS on Sunday, October 13. NLCS Game 2 and ALCS Game 1 are set for Monday, October 14, with ALCS Game 2 the next day on Tuesday, October 15. NLCS Game 3 follows on Wednesday, October 16.
The series continues with NLCS Game 4 and ALCS Game 3 on Thursday, October 17, and potential ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 5 on Friday, October 18. If necessary, ALCS Game 5 will be on Saturday, October 19, while NLCS Game 6 is scheduled for Sunday, October 20. Potential ALCS Game 6 and NLCS Game 7 are on Monday, October 21, leading to a potential ALCS Game 7 on Tuesday, October 22.
The Pinnacle: The World Series
Should the League Championship Series conclude by Saturday, October 19, the World Series will commence on Friday, October 25. If everything proceeds as planned, Game 1 of the World Series will be on Friday, October 25, with Game 2 on Saturday, October 26.
After a day off for travel, Game 3 and Game 4 will be on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, respectively. A potential Game 5 is set for Wednesday, October 30. Should the series stretch to its maximum, Game 6 will take place on Friday, November 1, and the ultimate Game 7 will be on Saturday, November 2.
The team with the superior regular-season record in each league will enjoy the home-field advantage for Games 1, 2, and if necessary, Games 6 and 7 of the World Series, adding another layer of competitiveness and intensity to these crucial matchups.
As fans gear up for another thrilling postseason, the anticipation is palpable. The changes to the format promise to enhance the excitement and maintain the integrity and competitiveness that has become synonymous with October baseball.