MLB Playoff Overview
Major League Baseball (MLB) is one of the oldest and most popular professional sports leagues in the United States. The league has been around since 1903 and has been the premier organization for professional baseball players. Every year, teams from both the American and National Leagues compete for the chance to play in the World Series and win the Commissioner’s Trophy.
MLB Playoff Format
Each year, the MLB season runs from April to October, with 30 teams competing for the playoffs. The regular season consists of 162 games, with teams playing each other 19 times. At the end of the season, the top five teams from each league qualify for the postseason. The teams are then divided into two divisions, the American League and the National League, with the first and second-place teams playing in the Division Series.
The Division Series is a best-of-five series, with the winner advancing to the Championship Series. The Championship Series is a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the World Series. The World Series is a best-of-seven series, with the winner receiving the Commissioner’s Trophy and the title of World Series Champions.
MLB Teams in the Playoffs
At the start of the 2020 MLB season, there were 30 teams in the league: 15 in the American League and 15 in the National League. After the regular season ended, the top five teams from each league qualified for the playoffs. This means that there are currently 10 teams left in the playoffs:
- American League: Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros, and New York Yankees
- National League: Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs
MLB Playoff Structure
The MLB playoffs follow a three-round structure. The first round is the Wild Card round, in which the two Wild Card teams in each league face off in a one-game playoff. The winner of the Wild Card round advances to the Division Series, where they face the team with the best regular season record in their league.
The Division Series is a best-of-five series, with the winner advancing to the Championship Series. The Championship Series is a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the World Series. The World Series is a best-of-seven series, with the winner receiving the Commissioner’s Trophy and the title of World Series Champions.
MLB Playoff Brackets
The MLB playoffs are divided into two separate brackets, one for the American League and one for the National League. The brackets are divided into four divisions, with each division containing two teams. The teams are then paired up in a series of best-of-five or best-of-seven matchups. The team with the best regular season record in each division is given home field advantage in the Division Series.
MLB Playoff Schedule
The MLB playoffs begin in October, with the Wild Card round being held on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of the month. The Division Series is then held from October 8th to the 14th, followed by the Championship Series from October 16th to the 21st. The World Series is held from October 23rd to the 31st, with the championship game being played on the 30th.
Television Coverage of the MLB Playoffs
The MLB playoffs are broadcast nationally on television, with games being shown on networks such as Fox, ESPN, and TBS. The games are also streamed live on MLB.tv and other streaming services.
MLB Playoff Tickets
Tickets for MLB playoff games can be purchased directly from the teams or through third-party ticketing websites such as StubHub. Ticket prices vary depending on the game and the seat location.
MLB Playoff Rules
The MLB playoffs follow the same rules and regulations as the regular season. This includes the use of the designated hitter rule, the use of replay reviews, and the use of extra innings.
MLB Playoff Weather
The MLB playoffs take place during the fall, when the weather can be unpredictable. Games can be delayed or postponed due to inclement weather, such as rain, snow, and cold temperatures.
Conclusion
The MLB playoffs are an exciting time for baseball fans, as teams from both leagues compete for the chance to win the Commissioner’s Trophy and be crowned World Series Champions. As of the end of the 2020 regular season, there are 10 teams still in the playoffs: five from the American League and five from the National League. The playoffs follow a three-round structure, with the Wild Card round, Division Series, Championship Series, and World Series. The games are broadcast nationally on television and streamed online, and tickets can be purchased directly from the teams or through third-party sites.