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2024 MLB postseason format: Latest bracket, schedule leading up to the World Series

jon hoefling, usa today
·3 min read
Sep 16, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) and manager Dave Roberts (30) celebrate after a victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sep 16, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) and manager Dave Roberts (30) celebrate after a victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

This story was updated to reflect standings as of Friday, Sept. 20 at 8:00 a.m., as well as correct tiebreaker scenarios.

As the MLB postseason draws nearer, fans are shaking, waiting for playoff baseball to return to their television screens. This year's postseason will be very different than last season's. The most obvious exclusion is last year's World Series winners, the Texas Rangers. But they aren't the only ones. In fact, if the postseason were to start today, only half of last year's playoff teams would return for 2024.

You could argue that adds another element of suspense, though. Perhaps half of this year's squads will not return in 2025, meaning it could be a while before some of these teams get a shot at a World Series title again. Here is the full 2024 MLB postseason schedule and bracket if the postseason were to start today.

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MLB playoff bracket:

American League Wild Card:

  • No. 6 Minnesota Twins vs. No. 3 Houston Astros

  • No. 5 Kansas City Royals vs. No. 4 Baltimore Orioles

(Twins hold tiebreaker vs. Tigers for final Wild Card spot)

American League Byes:

  • No. 1 New York Yankees

  • No. 2 Cleveland Guardians

National League Wild Card:

  • No. 6 Arizona Diamondbacks vs. No. 3 Milwaukee Brewers

  • No. 5 New York Mets vs. No. 4 San Diego Padres

(Mets hold head-to-head tiebreaker vs. Diamondbacks)

National League Byes:

  • No. 1 Philadelphia Phillies

  • No. 2 Los Angeles Dodgers

2024 MLB postseason schedule:

Wild Card Series (Best-of-3):

  • October 1: ALWC A & B Game 1, NLWC A & B Game 1

  • October 2: ALWC A & B Game 2, NLWC A & B Game 2

  • October 3: ALWC A & B Game 3 (if necessary), NLWC A & B Game 3 (if necessary)

Division Series (Best-of-5):

  • October 5: ALDS A & B Game 1, NLDS A & B, Game 1

  • October 6: NLDS A & B Game 2

  • October 7: ALDS A & B Game 2

  • October 8: NLDS A & B Game 3

  • October 9: ALDS A & B Game 3, NLDS A & B Game 4 (if necessary)

  • October 10: ALDS A & B Game 4 (if necessary)

  • October 11: NLDS A & B Game 5 (if necessary)

  • October 12: ALDS A & B Game 5 (if necessary)

League Championship Series (Best-of-7):

  • October 13: NLCS Game 1

  • October 14: ALCS Game 1, NLCS Game 2

  • October 15: ALCS Game 2

  • October 16: NLCS Game 3

  • October 17: ALCS Game 3, NLCS Game 4

  • October 18: ALCS Game 4, NLCS Game 5 (if necessary)

  • October 19: ALCS Game 5 (if necessary)

  • October 20: NLCS Game 6 (if necessary)

  • October 21: ALCS Game 6 (if necessary), NLCS Game 7 (if necessary)

  • October 22: ALCS Game 7 (if necessary)

World Series (Best-of-7):

  • October 25: World Series Game 1

  • October 26: World Series Game 2

  • October 28: World Series Game 3

  • October 29: World Series Game 4

  • October 30: World Series Game 5 (if necessary)

  • November 1: World Series Game 6 (if necessary)

  • November 2: World Series Game 7 (if necessary)

MLB playoff picture: Wild card standings, latest 2024 division standings

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB playoff format: Postseason bracket and schedule