The Smell of Fall: Postseason Baseball is Here
As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, there’s an unmistakable scent of fall that wafts through the stadiums across America. This aroma signals the arrival of postseason baseball, a time when every pitch, every swing, and every catch carries the weight of dreams and aspirations. With the playoffs upon us, the excitement is palpable, and fans are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling October.
A Competitive Landscape
Last October, we witnessed the remarkable journeys of two wild-card teams that defied the odds and made it to the World Series. This year, all 12 playoff teams enter the postseason with a sense of hope and determination, believing they can replicate that success. However, the stakes are particularly high for a few franchises that have championship aspirations firmly in their sights.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are among the teams that can confidently label this season as a "championship-or-bust" campaign. With their rosters packed with talent and experience, both teams are expected to make deep runs. Yet, only one of them can emerge victorious and secure a spot in the World Series.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees are back in the postseason after a year-long hiatus. With the clock ticking down on superstar Juan Soto’s impending free agency, the pressure is on for the Yankees to capitalize on their current roster and make a significant impact in October. The stakes are high, and the expectations are even higher.
The Unpredictability of October
If last season taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen in October. The unpredictability of the playoffs is what makes this time of year so exhilarating. Teams that may have struggled during the regular season can suddenly find their rhythm, while perennial contenders can falter under the pressure. This year, the Dodgers, Phillies, and Yankees are not the only teams with a shot at glory; the other nine playoff teams are equally capable of pulling off surprises.
MLB Playoff Bracket 2024
The playoff bracket is set, and fans are eager to see how the matchups unfold. Here’s a breakdown of the Wild Card Series results:
Wild Card Series Results
- Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros: Tigers win series 2-0
- Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles: Royals win series 2-0
- New York Mets vs. Milwaukee Brewers: Mets win series 2-1
- Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres: Padres win series 2-0
Division Series (LDS) Results
- New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals: Yankees win series 3-1
- Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers: Guardians win series 3-2
- Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres: Dodgers win series 3-2
- Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets: Mets win series 3-1
League Championship Series (LCS) Results
- New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians: Yankees lead series 3-1
- Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets: Dodgers lead series 3-2
World Series
- AL Champion vs. NL Champion: To be determined
MLB Playoff Schedule
The excitement continues with a packed schedule of games. Here’s a look at the upcoming matchups and results:
Wild Card Series Schedule
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Oct. 1:
- Tigers 3, Astros 12:32 p.m. (ABC)
- Royals 1, Orioles 0: 4:08 p.m. (ESPN2)
- Mets 8, Brewers 4: 5:32 p.m. (ESPN)
- Padres 4, Braves 0: 8:38 p.m. (ESPN)
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Oct. 2:
- Tigers 5, Astros 2: 2:32 p.m. (ABC)
- Royals 2, Orioles 1: 4:38 p.m. (ESPN)
- Brewers 5, Mets 3: 7:08 p.m. (ESPN)
- Padres 5, Braves 4: 8:38 p.m. (ESPN2)
- Oct. 3:
- Mets 4, Brewers 2: 7:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Division Series Schedule
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Oct. 5:
- Guardians 7, Tigers 0: 1:08 p.m. (TBS)
- Mets 5, Phillies 2: 4:08 p.m. (Fox)
- Yankees 6, Royals 5: 6:38 p.m. (TBS)
- Dodgers 7, Padres 5: 8:38 p.m. (FS1)
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Oct. 6:
- Phillies 7, Mets 6: 4:08 p.m. (FS1)
- Padres 10, Dodgers 2: 8:03 p.m. (FS1)
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Oct. 7:
- Tigers 3, Guardians 0: 4:08 p.m. (TBS)
- Royals 4, Yankees 2: 7:38 p.m. (TBS)
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Oct. 8:
- Mets 7, Phillies 2: 5:08 p.m. (Fox)
- Padres 6, Dodgers 5: 8:38 p.m. (FS1)
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Oct. 9:
- Tigers 3, Guardians 0: 3:08 p.m. (TBS)
- Mets 4, Phillies 1: 5:08 p.m. (TBS)
- Yankees 3, Royals 2: 7:08 p.m. (FS1)
- Dodgers 8, Padres 0: 9:08 p.m. (FS1)
- Oct. 10:
- Guardians 5, Tigers 4: 6:08 p.m. (TBS)
- Yankees 3, Royals 1: 8:08 p.m. (TBS)
League Championship Series Schedule
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Oct. 13:
- Dodgers 9, Mets 0: 8:15 p.m. (Fox)
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Oct. 14:
- Mets 7, Dodgers 3: 4:08 p.m. (Fox)
- Yankees 5, Guardians 2: 7 p.m. (TBS)
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Oct. 15:
- Yankees 6, Guardians 3: 7 p.m. (TBS)
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Oct. 16:
- Dodgers 8, Mets 0: 8:08 p.m. (FS1)
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Oct. 17:
- Guardians 7, Yankees 5 (OT): 5:08 p.m. (TBS)
- Dodgers 10, Mets 2: 8:08 p.m. (FS1)
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Oct. 18:
- Mets 12, Dodgers 6: 5:08 p.m. (FS1)
- Yankees 8, Guardians 6: 8:08 p.m. (TBS)
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Oct. 19:
- Yankees at Guardians (Game 5): 8:08 p.m. (TBS)
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Oct. 20:
- Mets at Dodgers (Game 6): 8:08 p.m. (FS1)
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Oct. 21:
- Guardians at Yankees (Game 6)*: 5:08 p.m. (TBS)
- Mets at Dodgers (Game 7)*: 8:08 p.m. (Fox, FS1)
- Oct. 22:
- Guardians at Yankees (Game 7)*: 7:38 p.m. (TBS)
*If necessary
World Series Schedule
- Oct. 25: World Series Game 1 (Fox)
- Oct. 26: World Series Game 2 (Fox)
- Oct. 28: World Series Game 3 (Fox)
- Oct. 29: World Series Game 4 (Fox)
- Oct. 30: World Series Game 5* (Fox)
- Nov. 1: World Series Game 6* (Fox)
- Nov. 2: World Series Game 7* (Fox)
*If necessary
As the postseason unfolds, fans will be glued to their screens, eagerly anticipating each game, each moment, and each potential upset. The smell of fall is indeed in the air, and with it comes the promise of unforgettable baseball moments.