The 2021 MLB playoffs start this week and could stretch into November
2 min read
The MLB regular season is over and the 10-team playoff field is set. The Yankees and Red Sox were the last teams to clinch spots in 2021, and the AL East rivals will meet in Tuesday’s AL Wild Card Game to kick off the 2021 postseason. The Dodgers, despite 106 wins, will have to face the Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Game on Wednesday. The Rays, Astros, White Sox, Giants, Brewers and Braves round out the playoff field.
MLB used a 16-team postseason format during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season a year ago. This season they’re going back to the usual 10-team format, which means the return of the winner-take-all Wild Card Game. As a reminder, the three division winners in each league advance directly to the League Division Series. The non-division winners with the two best records meet in the Wild Card Game, with the winner advancing to face the team with the league’s best record in the LDS. The LDS is a best-of-five, then the League Championship Series and World Series are both best-of-sevens.
Below is the complete 2021 MLB postseason schedule.
Wild Card Games (single elimination)
|
Tues., Oct 5 |
Yankees at Red Sox (AL) |
8:08 p.m. |
ESPN |
|
Weds., Oct 6 |
Cardinals at Dodgers (NL) |
8:10 p.m. |
TBS |
League Division Series (best-of-five)
|
Thurs., Oct. 7 |
ALDS A Game 1 |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 or MLBN |
|
ALDS B Game 1 |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 or MLBN |
|
|
Fri., Oct. 8 |
ALDS A Game 2 |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 or MLBN |
|
ALDS B Game 2 |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 or MLBN |
|
|
NLDS A Game 1 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
NLDS B Game 1 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
Sat., Oct. 9 |
NLDS A Game 2 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
NLDS B Game 2 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
Sun., Oct. 10 |
ALDS A Game 3 |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 or MLB |
|
ALDS B Game 3 |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 or MLB |
|
|
Mon., Oct. 11 |
ALDS A Game 4 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 or MLBN |
|
ALDS B Game 4 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 or MLBN |
|
|
NLDS A Game 3 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
NLDS B Game 3 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
Tues., Oct. 12 |
NLDS A Game 4 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
NLDS B Game 4 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
Weds., Oct. 13 |
ALDS A Game 5 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 |
|
ALDS B Game 5 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 |
|
|
Thurs., Oct 14 |
NLDS A Game 5 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
NLDS B Game 5 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
League Championship Series (best-of-seven)
|
Fri., Oct. 15 |
ALCS Game 1 |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox |
|
Sat., Oct. 16 |
ALCS Game 2 |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox or FS1 |
|
NLCS Game 1 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
Sun., Oct. 17 |
NLCS Game 2 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
Mon., Oct. 18 |
ALCS Game 3 |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 |
|
Tues., Oct. 19 |
ALCS Game 4 |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 |
|
NLCS Game 3 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
Weds., Oct. 20 |
ALCS Game 5 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
FS1 |
|
NLCS Game 4 |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
Thurs., Oct. 21 |
NLCS Game 5 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
Fri., Oct. 22 |
ALCS Game 6 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
Sat., Oct. 23 |
ALCS Game 7 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox or FS1 |
|
NLCS Game 6 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
|
|
Sun., Oct. 24 |
NLCS Game 7 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
TBS |
World Series (best-of-seven)
|
Tues., Oct. 26 |
Game 1 |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox |
|
Weds., Oct. 27 |
Game 2 |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox |
|
Fri., Oct. 29 |
Game 3 |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox |
|
Sat., Oct. 30 |
Game 4 |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox |
|
Sun., Oct. 31 |
Game 5 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox |
|
Tues., Nov. 2 |
Game 6 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox |
|
Weds., Nov. 3 |
Game 7 (if nec.) |
TBD |
TBA |
Fox |
2021 MLB postseason gear now available
The 2021 MLB Playoffs start Oct. 5 and 6 with the AL and NL Wild Card games. In celebration, 2021 MLB postseason gear is now available for select teams. Shop hoodies, shirts, and more here.
We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
