As the final month of the 2024 MLB regular season unfolds, several teams are already eyeing October. The Milwaukee Brewers have secured the National League Central title, while the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies have also punched their postseason tickets. In the American League, the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians have clinched playoff spots, with the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros looking like strong contenders for October.
Beyond the division races, there are numerous storylines to follow as the regular season draws to a close. What do the current playoff matchups look like? Which games should you be paying attention to today? Who will be the first team to secure a postseason berth? And what does the playoff schedule entail? We’ve got everything you need to know as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Key links: Full MLB standings | Wild-card standings | Predictions
The Brewers have secured their third National League Central title in four seasons, while the Yankees have clinched a playoff spot with a comfortable lead in the American League East. The Guardians have also punched their postseason ticket, followed by clinching the American League Central crown. The Dodgers have secured a playoff spot and are closing in on the National League West title, and the Phillies have clinched their third straight playoff spot and are on the verge of their first National League East title since 2011.
The Orioles’ magic number to secure their second straight postseason ticket is two, and the Astros’ magic number to clinch the American League West is also two. In the National League, the Padres’ magic number to secure a wild-card spot is at one.
American League Wild-card round: (6) Tigers at (3) Astros, (5) Royals at (4) Orioles
ALDS: Tigers/Astros vs. (2) Guardians*, Royals/Orioles vs. (1) Yankees*
National League Wild-card round: (6) D-backs at (3) Brewers*, (5) Mets at (4) Padres
NLDS: D-backs/Brewers vs. (2) Dodgers*, Mets/Padres vs. (1) Phillies*
Tiebreakers:
If the Dodgers and Phillies tie for the best record, the Phillies would get the top seed due to a better head-to-head record against the Dodgers this season. Head-to-head season series would determine the number one American League seed if the Guardians finish the season tied with the American League East champ for the league’s best record: Guardians over Orioles; Yankees over Guardians. If the Yankees, Orioles, and Guardians all finish with the same record, Baltimore would get the American League’s top seed by virtue of intradivision record among the three teams.
Looking ahead to the postseason, here are the chances for each team to advance to every round:
The baseball game with the biggest playoff implications today is the wild-card series. Here’s the playoff schedule:
Wild-card series: Best of three, all games at the better seed’s stadium
Game 1: Tuesday, October 1
Game 2: Wednesday, October 2
Game 3: Thursday, October 3*
Division series:
Best of five
ALDS:
Game 1: Saturday, October 5
Game 2: Monday, October 7
Game 3: Wednesday, October 9
Game 4: Thursday, October 10*
Game 5: Saturday, October 12*
NLDS:
Game 1: Saturday, October 5
Game 2: Sunday, October 6
Game 3: Tuesday, October 8
Game 4: Wednesday, October 9*
Game 5: Friday, October 11*
League championship series:
Best of seven
ALCS:
Game 1: Monday, October 14
Game 2: Tuesday, October 15
Game 3: Thursday, October 17
Game 4: Friday, October 18
Game 5: Saturday, October 19*
Game 6: Monday, October 21*
Game 7: Tuesday, October 22*
NLCS:
Game 1: Sunday, October 13
Game 2: Monday, October 14
Game 3: Wednesday, October 16
Game 4: Thursday, October 17
Game 5: Friday, October 18*
Game 6: Sunday, October 20*
Game 7: Monday, October 21*
World Series:
Best of seven
Game 1: Friday, October 25
Game 2: Saturday, October 26
Game 3: Monday, October 28
Game 4: Tuesday, October 29
Game 5: Wednesday, October 30*
Game 6: Friday, November 1*
Game 7: Saturday, November 2*
Note: If both LCS end by October 19 — meaning neither series lasts longer than five games — the World Series will begin on Tuesday, October 22. *If necessary
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