During the MLB playoffs, teams compete to claim the prestigious World Series title. In contrast to the regular season, which consists of 162 games, the playoff structure involves several rounds with a designated number of games to determine which teams will move forward. The playoff system consists of various stages beginning with the Wild Card series and advancing through the Division Series, and Championship Series, culminating in the World Series itself.
In this article, we will explore How many games are in each round of the MLB playoffs, detailing each phase's structure and highlighting how teams must navigate through these stages on their journey toward victory.
Games in MLB playoffs
The MLB postseason comprises several rounds, each requiring teams to compete in a designated number of games to move forward. The format ensures increasing pressure and competitiveness as teams progress toward the World Series.
Wild Series: This stage follows a best-of-three format. Introduced in 2022, it features the No. 3 seed competing against the No. 6 seed, as well as the No. 4 seed taking on the No. 5 seed within both leagues (American and National). If needed, all three matches are held at the ballpark of the higher-seeded team. The first team to secure two victories progresses to the subsequent round.
Division Series(ALDS/NLDS): The Division Series is a best-of-five format. The top seed competes against the winner of the 4 vs. 5 Wild Card contest, while the second seed goes up against the winner of the 3 vs. 6 Wild Card game. This series is set in a 2-2-1 format, where the higher-seeded team hosts the initial two games and the final game if required.
Championship Series (ALCS/NLCS): The Championship Series is a best-of-seven format, where teams need to secure four victories to advance to the World Series. It follows a 2-3-2 arrangement, with the higher-seeded team serving as the host for games 1 and 2, along with games 6 and 7 if required.
World Series: The World Series also features a best-of-seven format where the champions from the American League and National League face off for the championship title. The team that had a superior regular-season record gains home-field advantage, adhering to the same 2-3-2 layout as seen in the Championship Series. The first team to secure four victories is crowned the World Series champion.
How many games are in an MLB season without playoffs?
Since 1998, Major League Baseball (MLB) has comprised 30 franchises, each following a set schedule of 162 games in each season. This amounts to an overall total of 2,430 games played throughout the league during the regular season. Every team competes in 81 home and 81 away matches, creating a balanced distribution between home and road games. The schedule of 162 games features numerous divisional games along with matchups against teams from different divisions and interleague play, where clubs from the American League compete against those from the National League.
FAQs on MLB playoffs
A. A total of 12 teams qualify for the MLB playoffs, six from the American League and six from the National League.
A. There are four rounds in the MLB playoffs: the Wild Card Series, Division Series, Championship Series, and World Series.
A. The Wild Card Series is a best-of-three format, with all games played at the higher-seeded team's ballpark.
A. The Division Series is a best-of-five format, where the first team to win three games advances to the next round.
A. Home-field advantage in the World Series is given to the team with the better regular-season record.
