Ever scratched your head trying to figure out how the MLB’s postseason format works? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re going to break down the ins and outs of how exactly the MLB playoffs work. Strap in, because we’re about to dive into the wild world of Wild Card Series, Division Series, and what all those seeds mean!
How do MLB playoffs work?
Regular Season
The MLB regular season consists of 162 games for each team. The teams are divided into two leagues: the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). Each league is further divided into three divisions.
Wild Card Game (if applicable)
Under the revised rules, instead of a one-off Wild Card game, we now have the Wild Card Series. This is a three-game set where home-field advantage goes to the higher seed (the third and fourth seeds, to be precise). So, if you’re a fan of the underdog, you’ll have to cheer your team on in hostile territory! The games are all squeezed into a three-day window which ensures the division winners waiting in the wings don’t get too much of a breather.
The stakes couldn’t be higher in this series – win and you’re through to the Division Series, lose and it’s pack up and go home.
Division Series (ALDS and NLDS)
The winners of the Wild Card Series move on to face the top two seeds in their respective leagues. These Division Series are best-of-five, so it’s a race to three wins. The first seed will take on the winner of the 4/5 matchup, while the second seed plays against the winner of the 3/6 game.
League Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS)
The winners of the Division Series will then move on to the League Championship Series, which is a best-of-seven series. The ALCS and NLCS are essentially the semi-finals for each league, with the top two teams battling it out for a spot in the World Series.
World Series
Finally, we have arrived at the biggest stage in baseball – the World Series. The ALCS and NLCS winners will face off in a best-of-seven series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball. This is where all the blood, sweat, and tears from the regular season and playoffs come together.
What is the 2024 MLB playoff format?
The 2024 MLB playoff format will follow the same structure as described above. The Wild Card Series, Division Series, League Championship Series, and World Series will all be played in a best-of-series format, with home-field advantage given to the higher-seeded team. This means that the third and fourth seeds will host the Wild Card games, while the top two seeds will host the Division Series. The League Championship Series and World Series will be played at neutral sites, as has been the case in recent years. As always, the ultimate goal is to win it all and be crowned World Series champions.
Are the MLB playoffs best of 5 or 7?
The MLB playoffs are a mix of best-of-five and best-of-seven series. The Wild Card Series and Division Series are both best-of-five, while the League Championship Series and World Series are both best-of-seven. This means that teams will have to win three games in the Wild Card and Division Series, and four games in the League Championship Series and World Series to advance
How does Wild Card work in MLB 2024?
With changes implemented after 2022, the Wild Card Series in MLB 2024 will be an intense fight between the 3rd and 4th seeded teams. They will compete in games hosted at the home park of the higher-seeded team. The series is scheduled within a three-day window to keep things fair and fast-paced for division winners waiting for their turn. The sweet taste of victory in the Wild Card Series means advancement to the Division Series, while defeat unfortunately leads to elimination from the postseason.
