The Hunt for October: MLB Postseason Format Explained

No time is more exciting in Major League Baseball than when the playoffs roll around in October. With the postseason nearing, here is everything you need to know about the playoff format.

How Does the MLB Postseason Work?

As it is currently structured, the MLB Playoffs are separated between the American League and the National League. The winner of each League Championship Series wins the respective league pennant and advances to the World Series. Both the National League and American League get six playoff slots: the winners of each division (East, Central, West) and three wild card spots.

How many rounds are in the MLB playoffs?

There are four postseason rounds in the MLB: the Wild Card Series, the Division Series, the League Championship Series and the World Series.

The teams are seeded as follows:

The number one overall seed is awarded to the division winner with the best overall record. The second and third seeds are given to the remaining division winners in the order of win-loss record. Each wild card slot is awarded to the best overall record of the remaining teams. Both the first and second seeds receive automatic births to the Division Series.

Across the Wild Card, Division and Championship Series, the higher seed has home-field advantage, regardless of record. In the Wild Card Series, the seed numbers three and six, and four and five, respectively, will square off in a best-of-three series. The Division Series will be decided in a best-of-five series, and the Championship and World Series are both best-of-seven series.

What Updates Were Made to the Baseball Postseason Format?

The two largest updates to the baseball playoff format came in 2022. Since then, more teams receive bids to compete in the playoffs. The one-game Wild Card elimination round was replaced by a pair of best-of-three tilts in 2022. The newer playoff structure expands the number of overall games played in the playoffs.

MLB Postseason FAQs

What is the Format of the Wild Card Series?

Each Wild Card Series is played at the home ballpark of the higher seed. The teams will not alternate home-field advantage, and the games will be scheduled in a three-day window.

Are Teams Reseeded After the Wild Card?

No. The seeds remain the same across the playoffs.

What is the Format of the Division Series?

The format of the Division Series is best of five, with the higher seed hosting games one, two and five.

What is the Format of the Championship Series?

Both the ALCS and NLCS are best-of-seven series with the higher seeded teams hosting games one, two, six and seven.

How Many Teams Will Make the MLB Postseason?

Twelve teams make the MLB Playoffs.. The breakdown is six teams from the National League and six teams from the American League: three division winners and three wild cards from each league.

How Many Games Are in the MLB Postseason?

A team could theoretically play in 22 MLB Playoff games in pursuit of winning a World Series. The most number of games in each series are three in the Wild Card, five in the Division, seven in the Championship and seven in the World Series.

Who Gets Home Field Advantage in the MLB Postseason?

Home field advantage is awarded to the higher seed in the MLB Playoffs in each round, regardless of record. For the two remaining teams who make it to the World Series, home field advantage is relinquished to the team with the highest regular season win percentage.