What is the Most Innings Played in MLB Playoffs?
The Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs are a showcase for the best teams in the league and some of the longest and most thrilling games in professional sports. Each year, teams battle it out for a chance to advance to the World Series and make history. One of the most impressive feats in the MLB playoffs is a long game, with some of the longest games ever lasting over 18 innings and taking multiple days to complete. So, what is the most innings played in MLB playoffs?
The History of MLB Playoffs
The MLB playoffs have been around since 1903, when the first World Series was played between the Boston Pilgrims (now the Red Sox) and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Since then, the playoffs have expanded and now consist of two rounds of best-of-seven games in the American and National Leagues. The winners of those two rounds advance to the World Series, the championship of Major League Baseball.
Longest MLB Playoff Games
When it comes to long games, the MLB playoffs have seen some of the longest games in history. The record for the longest game in terms of innings is held by the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs, who played an 18-inning game in the National League Championship Series in 2015. The game was eventually won by the Mets in the bottom of the 18th inning.
Most Innings Played in MLB Playoffs
The most innings played in MLB playoffs is 20, which was set in the 2005 National League Division Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. The game went into extra innings and was eventually won by the Astros in the bottom of the 20th inning. The game lasted five hours and 50 minutes, making it the longest game in MLB history.
Notable Long MLB Playoff Games
Aside from the record-setting games, there have been other long games in the MLB playoffs that have become memorable for a variety of reasons. A notable example is Game 6 of the 1975 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. The game was won by the Reds in the bottom of the 12th inning and was a classic example of the Red Sox’s “Curse of the Bambino” as they were unable to hold onto their lead.
Longest Postseason Games by Innings
- 20 innings: Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves, 2005 NLDS
- 18 innings: New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs, 2015 NLCS
- 17 innings: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 2014 NLCS
- 16 innings: Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 2016 NLCS
- 15 innings: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, 2003 ALCS
Longest Postseason Games by Time
- 5 hours and 50 minutes: Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves, 2005 NLDS
- 5 hours and 15 minutes: New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs, 2015 NLCS
- 4 hours and 54 minutes: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 2014 NLCS
- 4 hours and 32 minutes: Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 2016 NLCS
- 4 hours and 19 minutes: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, 2003 ALCS
Longest Postseason Games by Attendance
- 54,357: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 2014 NLCS
- 54,288: Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 2016 NLCS
- 51,939: New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs, 2015 NLCS
- 51,096: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, 2003 ALCS
- 50,345: Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves, 2005 NLDS
Conclusion
The MLB playoffs are some of the most exciting and thrilling games in all of sports. They have seen some of the longest games in history, with the most innings played being 20 innings in the 2005 NLDS between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. There have also been incredibly long games in terms of time, attendance, and innings, with some of the most memorable games being the 1975 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds, and the 2015 NLCS between the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs.
FAQs
- What is the most innings played in MLB playoffs? The most innings played in MLB playoffs is 20, which was set in the 2005 National League Division Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves.
- What was the longest game in terms of innings? The longest game in terms of innings is 18 innings, which was played between the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs in the 2015 NLCS.
- What was the longest game in terms of time? The longest game in terms of time was 5 hours and 50 minutes, which was set in the 2005 NLDS between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves.
- What was the longest game in terms of attendance? The longest game in terms of attendance was 54,357, which was set in the 2014 NLCS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Takeaway
The MLB playoffs have seen some of the longest and most exciting games in sports history. The record for the most innings played in MLB playoffs is 20 innings, which was set in the 2005 NLDS between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. While the record for the longest game in terms of innings is 18 innings, there have been other long games in terms of time, attendance, and innings. These games have become some of the most memorable moments in the history of the MLB playoffs.