As we head into the final day of the 2024 MLB regular season, the playoff picture is almost complete.
Baseball fans are bracing for an exciting postseason, rightfully so, with 12 teams preparing to battle for a shot at the World Series.
While the AL side is set, the NL still has some drama left. They still have a few Wild Card spots up for grabs, with today’s doubleheader set to determine the final outcome.
The playoff action kicks off on October 1 with the Wild Card Series, and the 2024 season promises an exciting ride to the World Series, with powerhouse teams and underdogs all competing for the crown.
The playoff structure remains consistent with last year, featuring 12 teams — six from the AL and six from the NL. Here’s a breakdown of how the playoffs are structured, but we’ll get into the details of where each team sits in just a moment.
Top two teams in each league. These division winners automatically advance to the Division Series, earning a first-round bye.
Wild Card round. The remaining 4 teams from each league will face off in a best-of-three series, with all games hosted at the higher seed's home park.
No Game 163 tiebreaker. In case of ties, head-to-head records, followed by intra-division records, will decide playoff positions. All ties are currently settled so there’s no need for a 163 game.
Once the Wild Card Series wraps up, winners will advance to the Division Series (best-of-five), followed by the League Championship Series and the World Series, which begins on October 25 and could run through November 2 if necessary. Both of which will be the best of 7 game series.
All of the AL playoff teams are set and listed below—
Yankees (AL East). Clinched the top seed and has a first-round bye.
Guardians (AL Central). Locked in as the second seed with a first-round bye.
Astros (AL West). Clinched the third seed and will host the Tigers in the Wild Card round.
Orioles (AL East). Clinched the fourth seed and will host the Royals in the Wild Card round.
Royals (AL Central). Clinched the fifth seed and will travel to Kansas City for their series.
Tigers (AL Central). Clinched the sixth seed and will travel to Houston for their series.
The American League field is locked in, but it's still packed with intrigue. The Orioles will host the Royals in a best-of-three series, while the Astros face the Tigers. Expect competitive matchups as these teams fight for a spot in the Division Series. Everything you thought you knew about these teams heading into the series has changed. These are teams ready for October and anything can happen.
Dodgers (NL West). Clinched the top seed and has a first-round bye.
Phillies (NL East). Locked in as the second seed with a first-round bye.
Brewers (NL Central). Clinched the third seed and will host the sixth-seeded Wild Card team.
The Wild Card race is where things get interesting in the NL. The Padres have locked in one Wild Card spot, while the Braves and Mets are tied for the second spot, with the Diamondbacks trailing by just a percentage point. Monday’s doubleheader between the Braves and Mets will determine which teams secure the final two spots.
The Wild Card Series kicks off on October 1, and with everything on the line, the matchups promise plenty of drama. Here's a quick look at what to expect:
Astros vs. Tigers. The Astros, fresh off winning the AL West, will host the Tigers, the AL's sixth seed, in what could be a tight series. Tigers went 2-4 against the Astros in the regular season, but ever since August 10th, they seem to look like a completely different team.
AL Wild Card Showdown. The Orioles will host the Royals, with both teams hungry for a deep playoff run. The Orioles tapered off and haven’t been as hot in September, but they’re still a dominant team.
NL Battles. The Brewers will host the sixth NL seed, while the second Wild Card team will face the Padres, the top Wild Card team.
The Wild Card round always delivers surprises. Throughout the short series, momentum can shift quickly. Teams that get hot in these short series often ride that wave deep into the postseason.
This is where things get interesting and it all starts and ends today with the Braves and Mets doubleheader starting at 12:10 CST.
Braves. Tied with the Mets for the second Wild Card spot. They need to win at least one game in Monday's doubleheader to secure a playoff spot.
Mets. Also tied with the Braves. A sweep on Monday would secure them the No. 5 seed.
D-backs. Just one percentage point behind the Braves and Mets. They need help from Monday’s results to clinch the final Wild Card spot.
If the Braves, Mets, and D-backs end up tied, the D-backs would be eliminated due to losing the season series tiebreakers to both teams.
With Monday's doubleheader looming large for the Braves, Mets, and D-backs, the postseason puzzle is nearly complete.
Teams that have already secured their spots are resting key players and preparing for their Wild Card or Division Series matchups, while those still in the hunt are fighting for their playoff lives.
Once the Wild Card Series wraps up, the road to the World Series becomes clearer. We’ll keep you updated throughout the MLB playoffs.
The Division Series begins on October 5, and teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, and Astros are among the favorites to make a deep run.
Home-field advantage, depth in pitching, and timely hitting will be key factors as teams vie for the championship. Streaky teams need to get hot during this time if they’re going to make a run for it.
The unpredictability of baseball means anything can happen, and that’s what makes this time of year so thrilling.
We have no doubt that the 2024 MLB postseason will bring plenty of drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments. Whether you're rooting for a powerhouse team or hoping for a Cinderella story, this October is shaping up to be a must-watch with tons of betting opportunities.