⸻
Baseball fans know that October means playoff baseball, but the structure of the MLB postseason can sometimes be confusing. Since Major League Baseball expanded its playoff format in 2022, more teams than ever have a shot at the World Series. Here’s a clear breakdown of how many games are played in each round of the MLB playoffs.
⸻
Wild Card Series – Best of 3
The postseason starts with the Wild Card Series.
- Who plays? The No. 3 division winner hosts the lowest wild card (No. 6 seed), while the top two wild cards (No. 4 vs. No. 5) face each other.
- Format: Best-of-three series.
- Home field: All games are played at the higher seed’s ballpark.
- Games played: Up to 3 games.
⸻
Division Series (LDS) – Best of 5
Winners from the Wild Card round advance to face the top two seeds in each league.
- Matchups: No. 1 seed vs. winner of 4 vs. 5, and No. 2 seed vs. winner of 3 vs. 6.
- Format: Best-of-five series.
- Home field: Higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, and 5.
- Games played: Up to 5 games.
⸻
League Championship Series (LCS) – Best of 7
The four remaining teams (two per league) battle for the pennant.
- Format: Best-of-seven series.
- Home field: Higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 6, and 7.
- Games played: Up to 7 games.
⸻
World Series – Best of 7
The American League champion meets the National League champion in the Fall Classic.
• Format: Best-of-seven series.
• Home field advantage: Determined by regular-season record.
• Games played: Up to 7 games.
⸻
Quick Recap: How Many Games Are in Each Round of MLB Playoffs?
- Wild Card Series: Best of 3
- Division Series: Best of 5
- League Championship Series: Best of 7
- World Series: Best of 7
In total, a team could play anywhere from 11 to 22 postseason games on the road to a World Series title, depending on how long each series lasts.
⸻
Why This Format Works
This structure balances fairness and excitement:
- The top seeds earn a valuable bye and home-field advantage.
- The best-of-3 Wild Card Series avoids the unpredictability of a single-elimination game.
- The best-of-7 format in the later rounds ensures the better team usually advances, while still keeping room for October upsets.
⸻
Final Thoughts
The MLB postseason is designed to keep fans engaged from start to finish, with every pitch mattering more than the last. Whether it’s a short Wild Card battle or a seven-game World Series thriller, the playoff format ensures that October baseball remains one of the most dramatic events in sports.