As the final month of the 2024 MLB regular season begins, some teams are already looking ahead to October.
The Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies have opened up comfortable leads in the NL Central and East, respectively, while the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Guardians appear to have secured their postseason spots despite being in races atop their own divisions.
Beyond the division races, there are plenty of storylines to follow as the regular season comes to a close and October begins.
Where do the current playoff matchups stand? Which games should you pay attention to today? Who will be the first team to clinch a postseason spot? And what does the playoff schedule look like? We have everything you need to know as the regular season heads into its final stretch.
Key links: Full MLB Standings | Wild Card Standings | Predictions
Who can secure a playoff spot next?
The Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, Orioles, Yankees and Guardians all have at least a 99% chance of making the postseason entering the final month of the MLB season.
What are the MLB playoff matchups for this October as things stand?
American League
Wild Card Round: (6) Royals vs. (3) Astros, (5) Twins vs. (4) Orioles
American League Division Series: Royals/Astros vs. (2) Guardians, Twins/Orioles vs. (1) Yankees
National League
Wild Card Round: (6) Braves vs. (3) Brewers, (5) D-backs vs. (4) Padres
National League Division Series: Braves/Brewers vs. (2) Phillies, D-backs/Padres vs. (1) Dodgers
Analysis of the race for the American League
The Yankees and Orioles enter the stretch battling for first place in the American League and the American League East crown, while the Red Sox still hold out some hope in the American League wild-card race. After spending much of the season comfortably ahead in the American League Central, the Guardians are trying to overtake the Royals and Twins for the division crown, while the Astros try to separate themselves from the Mariners in a two-team race for the American League West.
And what will happen when these teams make the postseason? Here are their chances in each round:
Analysis of the race for the National League
Five teams have separated themselves atop the NL standings, with the Atlanta Braves attempting to hold off the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs for the final playoff spot. The Phillies and Brewers appear to be on their way to division titles, but there is plenty of intrigue in the NL West as the Dodgers try to fend off the D-backs and Padres for the division crown.
And what will happen when these teams make the postseason? Here are their chances in each round:
Game of the day
Looking for something to watch today? Here's the baseball game with the biggest playoff implications:
Playoff schedule
Wildcard Series
Best of three, all matches in the stadium of the highest ranked team
Match 1: Tuesday, October 1
Game 2: Wednesday, October 2
Game 3: Thursday, October 3*
Series of divisions
Best of five
ALDS
Match 1: Saturday, October 5
Game 2: Monday, October 7
Game 3: Wednesday, October 9
Game 4: Thursday, October 10*
Match 5: Saturday, October 12*
National Football League
Match 1: Saturday, October 5
Game 2: Sunday, October 6
Match 3: Tuesday, October 8
Match 4: Wednesday, October 9*
Game 5: Friday, October 11*
League Championship Series
The best of seven
American League Championship
Match 1: Monday, October 14
Match 2: Tuesday, October 15
Game 3: Thursday, October 17
Game 4: Friday, October 18
Match 5: Saturday, October 19*
Match 6: Monday, October 21*
Match 7: Tuesday, October 22*
National Championship of World Championships
Match 1: Sunday, October 13
Game 2: Monday, October 14
Match 3: Wednesday, October 16
Match 4: Thursday, October 17
Game 5: Friday, October 18*
Match 6: Sunday, October 20*
Match 7: Monday, October 21*
World Series
The best of seven
Game 1: Friday, October 25
Match 2: Saturday, October 26
Match 3: Monday, October 28
Match 4: Tuesday, October 29
Match 5: Wednesday, October 30*
Game 6: Friday, November 1st*
Match 7: Saturday, November 2nd*
Note: If both LCSs end before October 19 (i.e. no series lasts more than five games), the World Series will begin on Tuesday, October 22.
* If necessary
