MLB’s New Postseason Structure for 2024: What Changes Fans Should Expect

Major League Baseball is no stranger to change, and its postseason structure has undergone several adjustments over the years to keep the competition exciting. For example, the 2022 season introduced a revamped format, which expanded the playoff pool and added new dynamics to the Wild Card round. Fast forward to 2024, and fans will experience even more tweaks to this high-stakes part of the season. 

These updates matter to the teams and the fans who live for those nail-biting moments. Understanding the new rules will help you navigate this season’s thrilling postseason, whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a casual observer. Let’s dive into the details of MLB’s updated playoff structure and what fans should expect come 2024.

12 Teams, More Drama

The expanded playoff pool, introduced in 2022, remains in place for 2024. MLB continues to invite 12 teams into the postseason, up from 10 in prior years. This means six teams from each league—three division winners and three Wild Card teams—will battle for a shot at the World Series. The expanded format adds more drama and competition, creating a stage where more teams have the chance to make a deep playoff run.

The new structure rewards division winners and allows Wild Card teams to steal the spotlight. For example, fans keeping an eye on Minnesota twin odds will see that even teams fighting for a Wild Card spot can make a deep playoff run, increasing the excitement and unpredictability of the postseason. The 12-team format keeps more franchises in contention throughout the season, giving underdogs a chance to shine.

One thing is for sure: the expanded field keeps fans engaged throughout the entire season, as even teams not leading their division can still dream of a deep playoff push.

The End of the One-Game Wild Card

Gone are the days of the single-elimination Wild Card Game, which often led to heartbreaking exits for teams after just one playoff outing. Instead, the Wild Card round now features a best-of-three series, giving teams more opportunities to prove their worth. 

A single game can be harsh, with a lousy inning or one fluke play deciding the fate of an entire season. A three-game series levels the playing field and ensures that both teams get a fair shot at advancing.

The higher-seeded teams will host the Wild Card Series, meaning the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds in each league will have home-field advantage for all three games. 

This format eliminates travel between games, allowing teams to focus solely on the action. While the best-of-three series offers more balance, it doesn’t remove the potential for surprises. Teams that get hot at the right time can still pull off upsets, making the Wild Card round as thrilling as ever.

This adjustment means less of a “win-or-go-home” dynamic for fans, but the trade-off is more high-quality baseball. Every inning, every manager’s decision, holds immense weight over a three-game stretch.

Seeding and First-Round Byes

The new postseason structure’s seeding process aims to reward division winners while still giving Wild Card teams a fighting chance. In each league, the No. 1 seed goes to the team with the best overall record, and the No. 2 seed is awarded to the second-best division winner. These top two seeds enjoy the luxury of skipping the Wild Card Series altogether, automatically advancing to the Division Series.

Division winners continue to get priority over Wild Card teams, regardless of record. This means that even if a Wild Card team finishes with a better record than a division winner, the division winner still receives a higher seed. While this may seem unfair to some, it ensures that winning the division remains a key goal throughout the regular season.

Fans of the top-seeded teams can enjoy the benefits of rest and extra preparation time while their team awaits the winners of the Wild Card Series. However, there’s a trade-off. Teams that receive a bye might face the risk of rust after sitting idle while other teams keep their momentum alive.

How the Wild Card and Division Series Work

As mentioned, the Wild Card Series is played entirely at the home stadiums of the higher-seeded teams. The No. 3 seed faces the No. 6 seed, while the No. 4 seed battles the No. 5 seed. Winners of these series then advance to the Division Series, where the real grind begins.

In the Division Series, the format remains best-of-five. There are no changes here in terms of game format, with the familiar 2-2-1 home/away structure giving the higher seed a slight edge with more home games if the series goes the distance. 

It’s important to remember that no reseeding takes place after the Wild Card Series. As a result, the No. 1 seed will consistently face the winner of the No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup, while the No. 2 seed will face the winner of the No. 3 vs. No. 6 series.

This setup preserves the bracket-style system, allowing fans to follow along easily as the playoffs progress. It also ensures that the No. 1 seed, having earned the best record in the league, avoids facing a fellow division winner in the Division Series.

The World Series Could Start Earlier

One of the unique aspects of the 2024 postseason is the potential flexibility in the World Series start date. Traditionally, the World Series begins in late October, with a possible Game 7 scheduled for early November. However, MLB has introduced a new wrinkle this year. If both League Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS) end early—specifically if they conclude in four or five games—the World Series could begin a few days earlier than planned.

This change might seem minor, but every extra day of rest (or lack thereof) for players and teams can significantly impact performance. For fans, it simply means the possibility of enjoying the World Series sooner, reducing the long wait between rounds.

Tiebreaker Games Are Gone

Perhaps the most significant change to the postseason is the elimination of tiebreaker games, commonly called Game 163. In previous seasons, teams with identical records at the end of the regular season would face off in a winner-takes-all tiebreaker game to determine division winners or playoff spots. All tiebreakers will be resolved mathematically this year, with head-to-head records being the primary factor.

While this may remove some of the drama associated with a one-game playoff, it simplifies the end of the regular season and ensures teams know their fate without the need for extra games. For fans, it means a cleaner path to the postseason, though some might miss the unpredictability of those high-stakes tiebreakers.

Takeaway

The changes should keep everyone on their toes as the playoff race heats up, making 2024 a season to remember. Stay tuned for how these updates play out and what they might mean for your favorite team’s path to the World Series.