Baseball fans, get ready! The 2024 MLB postseason schedule has been officially announced, bringing a month of thrilling games across six channels. This year’s postseason includes a new twist: a flexible start date for the World Series, adding an exciting element to the championship.
Key Dates in the Postseason
The postseason will kick off with the Wild Card Series on Tuesday, October 1, and could extend to a potential Game 7 of the World Series, which may occur as late as Saturday, November 2. Here’s a breakdown of the critical dates:
- Wild Card Series: October 1-3
- Division Series (NLDS and ALDS): Begins on October 5
- League Championship Series (NLCS and ALCS): NLCS starts on October 13, ALCS starts on October 14
- World Series: Scheduled to begin on October 25, with a potential Game 7 on November 2
Flexible Start for the World Series
For the first time, the World Series will have a flexible start date. If both the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and American League Championship Series (ALCS) conclude by October 19—meaning neither series lasts longer than five games—the World Series will begin earlier, on Tuesday, October 22. In this scenario, a potential Game 7 would take place on Wednesday, October 30.
Scheduled off-days during the World Series will be Sunday, October 27, and Thursday, October 31. This flexibility allows for an exciting finish to the season while accommodating teams’ readiness.
Breakdown of the Postseason Format
The postseason will feature four rounds:
- Wild Card Series: Best-of-three format
- Division Series: Best-of-five format
- League Championship Series: Best-of-seven format
- World Series: Best-of-seven format
How to Watch the Action
Fans can catch all the postseason action across various networks. Here’s where to find each series:
- Wild Card Series: Available on SUNSET, ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2.
- Division Series (NLDS and ALDS): Broadcast on SUNSET, FOX, or FS1 (NLDS), and TNT Sports simulcasting on TBS, truTV, and Max (ALDS).
- League Championship Series (NLCS and ALCS): NLCS on SUNSET, FOX, or FS1, and ALCS on TBS, truTV, and Max.
- World Series: Broadcast on SUNSET and FOX.
Additionally, games on TNT Sports platforms, SUNSET, FOX, and FS1 will be accessible to MLB.TV subscribers who authenticate through participating pay TV providers. Wild Card Series games will also be available on the ESPN app.
As the 2024 MLB postseason approaches, excitement is building for fans and teams alike. With a flexible start date for the World Series and a packed schedule of games, this year promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the baseball season. Mark your calendars and get ready for what promises to be an unforgettable postseason!
2024 Tentative Schedule
Wild Card Series
| Game Date | Series | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| 10/1/2024 | AL Wild Card A, Game 1 | AL Wild Card #3 at AL Division Winner #3 |
| AL Wild Card B, Game 1 | AL Wild Card #2 at AL Wild Card #1 | |
| NL Wild Card A, Game 1 | NL Wild Card #3 at NL Division Winner #3 | |
| NL Wild Card B, Game 1 | NL Wild Card #2 at NL Wild Card #1 | |
| 10/2/2024 | AL Wild Card A, Game 2 | AL Wild Card #3 at AL Division Winner #3 |
| AL Wild Card B, Game 2 | AL Wild Card #2 at AL Wild Card #1 | |
| NL Wild Card A, Game 2 | NL Wild Card #3 at NL Division Winner #3 | |
| NL Wild Card B, Game 2 | NL Wild Card #2 at NL Wild Card #1 | |
| 10/3/2024 | AL Wild Card A, Game 3 * | AL Wild Card #3 at AL Division Winner #3 |
| AL Wild Card B, Game 3 * | AL Wild Card #2 at AL Wild Card #1 | |
| NL Wild Card A, Game 3 * | NL Wild Card #3 at NL Division Winner #3 | |
| NL Wild Card B, Game 3 * | NL Wild Card #2 at NL Wild Card #1 |
* If necessary
Division Series
| Game Date | Series | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| 10/5/2024 | ALDS A, Game 1 | ALWC A Winner at AL Division Winner #1 |
| ALDS B, Game 1 | ALWC B Winner at AL Division Winner #2 | |
| NLDS A, Game 1 | NLWC A Winner at NL Division Winner #1 | |
| NLDS B, Game 1 | NLWC B Winner at NL Division Winner #2 | |
| 10/6/2024 | NLDS A, Game 2 | NLWC A Winner at NL Division Winner #1 |
| NLDS B, Game 2 | NLWC B Winner at NL Division Winner #2 | |
| 10/7/2024 | ALDS A, Game 2 | ALWC A Winner at AL Division Winner #1 |
| ALDS B, Game 2 | ALWC B Winner at AL Division Winner #2 | |
| 10/8/2024 | NLDS A, Game 3 | NL Division Winner #1 at NLWC A Winner |
| NLDS B, Game 3 | NL Division Winner #2 at NLWC B Winner | |
| 10/9/2024 | ALDS A, Game 3 | AL Division Winner #1 at ALWC A Winner |
| ALDS B, Game 3 | AL Division Winner #2 at ALWC B Winner | |
| NLDS A, Game 4 * | NL Division Winner #1 at NLWC A Winner | |
| NLDS B, Game 4 * | NL Division Winner #2 at NLWC B Winner | |
| 10/10/2024 | ALDS A, Game 4 * | AL Division Winner #1 at ALWC A Winner |
| ALDS B, Game 4 * | AL Division Winner #2 at ALWC B Winner | |
| 10/11/2024 | NLDS A, Game 5 * | NLWC A Winner at NL Division Winner #1 |
| NLDS B, Game 5 * | NLWC B Winner at NL Division Winner #2 | |
| 10/12/2024 | ALDS A, Game 5 * | ALWC A Winner at AL Division Winner #1 |
| ALDS B, Game 5 * | ALWC B Winner at AL Division Winner #2 |
* If necessary
League Championship Series
| Game Date | Series | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| 10/13/2024 | NLCS, Game 1 | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed |
| 10/14/2024 | ALCS, Game 1 | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed |
| NLCS, Game 2 | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed | |
| 10/15/2024 | ALCS, Game 2 | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed |
| 10/16/2024 | NLCS, Game 3 | NL Higher Seed at NL Lower Seed |
| 10/17/2024 | ALCS, Game 3 | AL Higher Seed at AL Lower Seed |
| NLCS, Game 4 | NL Higher Seed at NL Lower Seed | |
| 10/18/2024 | ALCS, Game 4 | AL Higher Seed at AL Lower Seed |
| NLCS, Game 5 * | NL Higher Seed at NL Lower Seed | |
| 10/19/2024 | ALCS, Game 5 * | AL Higher Seed at AL Lower Seed |
| 10/20/2024 | NLCS, Game 6 * | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed |
| 10/21/2024 | ALCS, Game 6 * | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed |
| NLCS, Game 7 * | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed | |
| 10/22/2024 | ALCS, Game 7 * | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed |
* If necessary
World Series
| Game Date | Series | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| 10/25/2024 | World Series, Game 1 | League Champ #2 at League Champ #1 |
| 10/26/2024 | World Series, Game 2 | League Champ #2 at League Champ #1 |
| 10/28/2024 | World Series, Game 3 | League Champ #1 at League Champ #2 |
| 10/29/2024 | World Series, Game 4 | League Champ #1 at League Champ #2 |
| 10/30/2024 | World Series, Game 5 * | League Champ #1 at League Champ #2 |
| 11/1/2024 | World Series, Game 6 * | League Champ #2 at League Champ #1 |
| 11/2/2024 | World Series, Game 7 * | League Champ #2 at League Champ #1 |
* If necessary