The postseason for Major League Baseball in 2024 commenced on Tuesday, featuring four Game 1s in the best-of-three Wild Card Series. The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals kicked off the playoffs with victories on the road against the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles, respectively. On the National League side, the New York Mets won Game 1 against the Milwaukee Brewers, while the evening concluded with the San Diego Padres facing the Atlanta Braves.
The teams that lose on Tuesday are set to have their seasons hanging in the balance during Wednesday’s Game 2, while the victorious teams will be just one win away from advancing.
Four clubs—the top two teams from each league—secured first-round byes. The New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies have all moved on to the League Division Series.
On Monday, the Mets and Braves clinched the last two postseason positions, leaving the Arizona Diamondbacks outside the playoff contention. The Mets triumphed in a thrilling Game 1 of a vital doubleheader in Atlanta, securing their playoff berth. The Braves rebounded to win Game 2, thus becoming the 12th and final team to qualify for the playoffs.
All three teams—the Braves, Mets, and D-backs—concluded the season with identical records of 89-73. However, the Braves clinched the tiebreaker against both teams and will enter the bracket as the No. 5 seed, while the Mets won the tiebreaker versus Arizona, claiming the No. 6 seed.
The Wild Card Series will all take place at the home fields of the higher-seeded teams and are expected to conclude by Thursday, October 3. The League Division Series will start on Saturday, October 5, followed by the League Championship Series beginning on Sunday, October 13. The World Series is slated to commence either on Tuesday, October 22, or Friday, October 25. (For the complete playoff schedule, click here.)
Here’s a view of the entire 2024 MLB playoff bracket. Game times for the Wild Card Series were released on Sunday night.
2024 MLB playoffs bracket
Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports
Wild Card Series
(All times Eastern)
Tuesday, Oct. 1
AL Wild Card Series Game 1: Tigers 3, Astros 1 (Detroit leads 1-0)
AL Wild Card Series Game 1: Royals 1, Orioles 0 (Kansas City leads 1-0)
NL Wild Card Series Game 1: Mets 8, Brewers 4 (New York leads 1-0)
NL Wild Card Series Game 1: Padres vs. Braves, 8:38 p.m., ESPN/fubo (try for free)
Tuesday, Oct. 2
AL Wild Card Series Game 2: Astros vs. Tigers, 2:32 p.m., ABC/fubo (try for free)
NL Wild Card Series Game 2: Brewers vs. Mets, 7:38 p.m., ESPN/fubo (try for free)
NL Wild Card Series Game 2: Padres vs. Braves, 8:38 p.m., ESPN2/fubo (try for free)
Tuesday, Oct. 3
*AL Wild Card Series Game 3: Astros vs. Tigers, 2:32 p.m., ABC/fubo (try for free)
*AL Wild Card Series Game 3: Orioles vs. Royals, 4:08 p.m., ESPN/fubo (try for free)
*NL Wild Card Series Game 3: Padres vs. Braves, 7:08 p.m., ESPN/fubo (try for free)
*NL Wild Card Series Game 3: Brewers vs. Mets, 8:38 p.m., ESPN2/fubo (try for free)
*-if necessary
Division Series
Saturday, Oct. 5
ALDS Game 1: Guardians vs. TBD, 1:08 p.m., TBS/Max/fubo (try for free)
NLDS Game 1: Phillies vs. TBD, 4:08 p.m., Fox/fubo (try for free)
ALDS Game 1: Yankees vs. TBD, 6:38 p.m., TBS/Max
Sunday, Oct. 6
NLDS Game 2: Phillies vs. TBD, 4:08 p.m., FS1/fubo (try for free)
NLDS Game 2: Dodgers vs. TBD, 8:03 p.m., FS1/fubo (try for free)
Monday, Oct. 7
ALDS Game 2: Guardians vs. TBD, 4:08 p.m., TBS/truTV/Max/fubo (try for free)
ALDS Game 2: Yankees vs. TBD, 7:38 p.m., TBS/truTV/Max/fubo (try for free)
Tuesday, Oct. 8
NLDS Game 3: TBD vs. Phillies
NLDS Game 3: TBD vs. Dodgers
Wednesday, Oct. 9
ALDS Game 3: TBD vs. Guardians
ALDS Game 3: TBD vs. Yankees
NLDS Game 4: TBD vs. Phillies (if necessary)
NLDS Game 4: TBD vs. Dodgers (if necessary)
Thursday, Oct. 10
ALDS Game 4: TBD vs. Guardians (if necessary)
ALDS Game 4: TBD vs. Yankees (if necessary)
Friday, Oct. 11
NLDS Game 5: Phillies vs. TBD (if necessary)
NLDS Game 5: Dodgers vs. TBD (if necessary)
Saturday, Oct. 12
ALDS Game 5: Guardians vs. TBD (if necessary)
ALDS Game 5: Yankees vs. TBD (if necessary)
2024 MLB Postseason Kicks Off: Tigers and Royals Secure Wild Card Wins, Mets Lead Brewers
Overview of the 2024 MLB Postseason
The 2024 MLB Postseason is officially underway, showcasing thrilling matches and high-stakes competition. This year, the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals made headlines by securing Wild Card victories, while the New York Mets are currently leading the Milwaukee Brewers in their matchup. Fans are buzzing with excitement as teams vie for the coveted World Series title.
Wild Card Round Highlights
The Wild Card games are always intense, and 2024 is no exception. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments from the Wild Card round:
Detroit Tigers Triumph Over Cleveland Guardians
- Final Score: Tigers 5, Guardians 3
- Star Players:
- Riley Greene – 2 hits, 1 home run
- Spencer Torkelson - 3 RBIs
- Pitching Performance:
- Eduardo Rodriguez pitched 6 innings, allowing 2 earned runs
Kansas City Royals Defeat Tampa Bay Rays
- Final Score: Royals 4, Rays 2
- Star Players:
- Bobby Witt Jr. – 1 hit, 1 home run
- Salvador Pérez - 2 hits, 1 RBI
- Pitching Performance:
- Brady Singer struck out 8 in 7 innings
Current Matchup: Mets vs. Brewers
The New York Mets are leading their series against the Milwaukee Brewers, showcasing their dominant form in the postseason. Here’s a detailed look at their performance so far:
Mets’ Strong Start
- Game 1 Result: Mets 6, Brewers 4
- Key Players:
- Francisco Lindor – 3 hits, 1 home run
- Pete Alonso – 2 RBIs
- Pitching Highlights:
- Max Scherzer pitched a strong 6 innings, allowing 3 runs
Game 2 Preview
The Mets and Brewers are set to clash again in Game 2, with the Mets aiming to extend their lead. Key points to watch include:
- Starting Pitchers:
- Mets: Justin Verlander
- Brewers: Corbin Burnes
- What to Expect: Expect a fierce battle as both teams look to capitalize on their strengths.
Playoff Bracket and Schedule
With the Wild Card round complete, here’s the updated playoff bracket:
Round | Matchup | Date | Channel |
---|---|---|---|
Wild Card | Tigers vs. Guardians | October 1, 2024 | ESPN |
Wild Card | Royals vs. Rays | October 1, 2024 | FS1 |
NL Division Series | Mets vs. Brewers | October 2, 2024 | MLB Network |
AL Division Series | Tigers vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
AL Division Series | Royals vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
Player Performances to Watch
As the postseason progresses, several players are making their mark. Here are some key players to keep an eye on:
Detroit Tigers
- Riley Greene: With his powerful batting, Greene has proven to be a game-changer for the Tigers.
- Spencer Torkelson: His ability to drive in runs in crucial moments is vital for the team’s success.
Kansas City Royals
- Bobby Witt Jr.: Known for his speed and power, Witt is essential for the Royals’ offense.
- Salvador Pérez: His leadership and experience in the postseason add immense value to the Royals.
New York Mets
- Francisco Lindor: A key player in the Mets’ lineup, his offensive prowess will be crucial moving forward.
- Max Scherzer: As a seasoned veteran, his performance on the mound can significantly influence the Mets’ chances.
Fan Engagement and Community Involvement
The MLB postseason not only captivates fans with its thrilling games but also fosters community engagement. Teams are actively involved in local initiatives, and fans are encouraged to participate in various activities, such as:
- Watch Parties: Local venues host watch parties for fans to come together and cheer for their teams.
- Charity Events: Many teams organize charity games and fundraisers during the postseason.
Future Matchups and Predictions
Looking ahead, the stakes are high as teams aim for the World Series title. Predictions for the upcoming matchups include:
- Mets vs. Brewers: If the Mets maintain their momentum, they could sweep the series.
- Tigers vs. Royals: A potential matchup between these two teams could lead to a thrilling conclusion.
The 2024 MLB Postseason promises to bring excitement and memorable moments as teams battle for glory. Stay tuned for more updates and results as the playoffs progress!