2024 MLB playoffs: Schedule, postseason bracket, standings

ByESPN ESPN logo
Thursday, October 3, 2024 6:18PM

The 2024 MLB playoffs are finally here after the season wrapped up with a doubleheader of playoff-impacting baseball on Monday.

For the third year, the 12-team postseason will kick off with an action-packed wild-card round that starts Tuesday on ESPN, featuring eight teams battling for four spots to advance to the eight-team division series. The first wild-card team to fall? The Astros, who were swept by the 6-seed Tigers on Wednesday. Following that, another lower seed came out on top when the Royals defeated the Orioles to advance. The Padres took care of their series in two games, as well, knocking off the Atlanta Braves. The only Game 3 on Thursday will come between Milwaukee and New York, aftera late-game surge by the Brewers secured them a Game 2 win.

The Yankees and Guardians have the top two spots in the American League, and will face the Royals and Tigers, respectively. Meanwhile, in the National League, the Phillies and Dodgers claimed the top seeds.

From the first pitch of the wild-card games to the last out of the World Series, we've got you covered with the postseason bracket, schedules, results and how to watch every game this October.

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American League Wild Card Series

Best-of-three series

All times Eastern

Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros

Detroit wins series 2-0

Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles

Kansas City wins series 2-0

National League Wild Card Series

Best-of-three series

New York Mets at Milwaukee Brewers

Series is tied 1-1

Atlanta Braves at San Diego Padres

San Diego wins series 2-0

American League Division Series

Best-of-five series

Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers

  • Game 1: Tigers at Guardians, Saturday, Oct. 5 (TBS)
  • Game 2: Tigers at Guardians, Monday, Oct. 7(TBS)
  • Game 3: Guardians at Tigers, Wednesday, Oct. 9(TBS)
  • Game 4*: Guardians at Tigers, Thursday, Oct. 10(TBS)
  • Game 5*: Tigers at Guardians, Saturday, Oct. 12(TBS)

*if necessary

New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals

  • Game 1: Royals at Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5(TBS)
  • Game 2: Royals at Yankees, Monday, Oct. 7(TBS)
  • Game 3: Yankees at Royals, Wednesday, Oct. 9(TBS)
  • Game 4*: Yankees at Royals, Thursday, Oct. 10(TBS)
  • Game 5*: Royals at Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 12(TBS)

*if necessary

National League Division Series

Best-of-five series

Philadelphia Phillies vs. winner of Mets-Brewers

  • Game 1: TBD at Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 5 (FOX/FS1)
  • Game 2: TBD at Phillies, Sunday, Oct. 6(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 3: Phillies at TBD, Tuesday, Oct. 8(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 4*: Phillies at TBD, Wednesday, Oct. 9(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 5*: TBD at Phillies, Friday, Oct. 11(FOX/FS1)

*if necessary

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres

  • Game 1: Padres at Dodgers, Saturday, Oct. 5(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 2: Padres at Dodgers, Sunday, Oct. 6(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 3: Dodgers at Padres, Tuesday, Oct. 8(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 4*: Dodgers at Padres, Wednesday, Oct. 9(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 5*: Padres at Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 11(FOX/FS1)

*if necessary

American League Championship Series

Best-of-seven series

  • Game 1: Monday, Oct. 14(TBS)
  • Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 15(TBS)
  • Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 17(TBS)
  • Game 4: Friday, Oct. 18(TBS)
  • Game 5*: Saturday, Oct. 19(TBS)
  • Game 6*: Monday, Oct. 21(TBS)
  • Game 7*: Tuesday, Oct. 22(TBS)

*if necessary

National League Championship Series

Best-of-seven series

  • Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 13(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 2: Monday, Oct. 14(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 16(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 17(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 18(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 6*: Sunday, Oct. 20(FOX/FS1)
  • Game 7*: Monday, Oct. 21(FOX/FS1)

*if necessary

World Series

Best-of-seven series

  • Game 1: Friday, Oct. 25 (FOX)
  • Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 26(FOX)
  • Game 3: Monday, Oct. 28 (FOX)
  • Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 29(FOX)
  • Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 30(FOX)
  • Game 6*: Friday, Nov. 1(FOX)
  • Game 7*: Saturday, Nov. 2(FOX)

*if necessary

Note: If bothleague championship seriesend by Oct. 19 -- meaning neither series lasts longer than five games -- the World Series will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 22