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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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
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
Best-of-five series
Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers
*if necessary
New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals
*if necessary
Best-of-five series
Philadelphia Phillies vs. winner of Mets-Brewers
*if necessary
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres
*if necessary
Best-of-seven series
*if necessary
Best-of-seven series
*if necessary
Best-of-seven series
*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