The 2024 MLB season will conclude with the World Series.
World Series Schedule & Dates
Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-7 series are hosted by the team with home-field advantage. The other team hosts Games 3, 4, and (if necessary) 5. If Games 6 and 7 are played, they’re both played at the site of the team with home-field advantage.
The dates and first-pitch times are released until both the ALCS and NLCS have been completed. The series is typically started in late October or early November.
How Many MLB Teams Reach the Postseason?
After the 162-game regular season — which includes MLB’s balanced schedule in its second year — 12 teams advance to the postseason.
The current MLB postseason format was introduced in 2022. Three division winners and three Wild Card teams from each league comprise the MLB playoff bracket.
MLB Postseason Seeds
In each league, teams are seeded 1-6:
No. 1 seed: Best league record
No. 2 seed: Second-best division winner
No. 3 seed: Third-best division winner
No. 4 seed: Best record among Wild Card teams
No. 5 seed: Second-best record among Wild Card teams
No. 6 seed: Third-best record among Wild Card teams
The Nos. 1 and 2 seeds receive first-round byes to the Division Series.
For the Wild Card Series, the No. 3 seed faces the No. 6 seed, and the No. 4 seed faces the No. 5 seed.
How Are World Series Teams Chosen?
The two teams that win their respective Championship Series — ALCS and NLCS — advance to the World Series.
The team with the best regular-season record has home-field advantage in the series.
World Series Favorites
Teams with the shortest World Series odds:
- Los Angeles Dodgers: +360
- Atlanta Braves: +600
- Houston Astros: +850
- New York Yankees: +900
- Texas Rangers: +1100
AL Pennant Favorites
Teams with the shortest AL pennant odds:
- Houston Astros: +400
- New York Yankees: +425
- Texas Rangers: +500
- Baltimore Orioles: +650
- Seattle Mariners: +900
NL Pennant Favorites
Teams with the shortest NL pennant odds:
- Los Angeles Dodgers: +180
- Atlanta Braves: +300
- Philadelphia Phillies: +700
- Arizona Diamondbacks: +1600
- Chicago Cubs: +1600
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