MLB Modifies World Series Schedule
The Major League Baseball (MLB) has modified its initial plan to bring forward the start of the World Series, announcing that this year’s edition will begin on October 24.
Originally, it had been proposed that the first game would be brought forward to October 22 if the League Championship Series (LCS) finals ended before October 19. However, this plan has been adjusted.
Since the LCS expanded to a best-of-seven format in 1985, both leagues have concluded in four or five games on several occasions. Last year, MLB implemented a flexible schedule for the first time.
The seventh game of this year’s World Series, if necessary, would be played on November 1st. The World Series has ended in November on multiple occasions in the past.
For the fifth consecutive year, the World Series will begin on a Friday. Before 2022, it hadn’t started on a Friday since 1915.
The National League (NL) Division Series will feature an additional scheduled day off between Games 1 and 2. This format allows a team to have the same starting pitchers in Games 1 and 4, and in Games 2 and 5 with normal four-day rest. Last year, the American League (AL) Division Series had the additional day off.
The four Wild Card Series, best-of-three, are scheduled to be played on consecutive days from September 30 to October 2 at the home of the team with the best ranking.
Twelve teams will participate in the playoffs under the format implemented in 2022. The two best teams from each league will advance directly to the second round, while the third seed will face the sixth, and the fourth the fifth. The team with the best ranking will be at home in each best-of-three series.
In the Division Series, best-of-five, the first seed will play against the winner of the 3-vs.-6, and the second seed against the winner of the 4-vs.-5. The format will be the same as always, with the team with the best ranking as the home team in games 1 and 2, and, if necessary, in game 5.
The American League Division Series will also begin on October 4 and 5, followed by a travel day and the shift to the other sites for games on October 7 and 8. Games 5 would be played on October 10.
The National League Division Series will begin on October 4, with an off day followed by a game on October 5, then moving to the other cities on October 8 and 9. After another travel day, games 5 would be played on October 11.
The American League Championship Series will begin on October 12, and the National League Championship Series the following day, with rest days after games 2 and 5.
