Many people ask us on social media, Knup, how do MLB playoffs work? Lets take a look.
In 2022, Major League Baseball introduced a new playoff format, expanding the field and adding a more robust Wild Card round. Designed to boost competition and fan excitement, the system increases postseason access for more teams and rewards regular-season performance.
This MLB Playoff guide explains the structure, seeding, number of rounds, and when the playoffs begin—perfect for fans, bettors, and newcomers alike.
What is the MLB Playoff format?
The MLB Playoff format is a tiered elimination tournament that determines the World Series champion. It features 12 teams—six from each league—and consists of four postseason rounds:
The journey begins with the Wild Card Series, followed by the Division Series (ALDS/NLDS), then the League Championship Series (ALCS/NLCS), and finally, the World Series.
This structure ensures every series is meaningful, competitive, and builds toward crowning a new champion at the end of each season.
MLB Playoff Format: At a Glance
| Round | Format | Teams Involved |
| Wild Card Series | Best-of-3 | Seeds 3–6 in each league |
| Division Series (ALDS/NLDS) | Best-of-5 | Wild Card winners + top 2 seeds |
| League Championship Series | Best-of-7 | Final 2 teams in each league |
| World Series | Best-of-7 | American League vs. National League champion |
How MLB Playoff Seeding Works
In both the American League and National League, playoff teams are seeded 1 through 6. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Seeds 1–3: Division winners, ranked by regular-season record.
- Seeds 4–6: Wild Card teams, also ranked by record.
- Bye: The top two division winners (Seeds 1 and 2) automatically advance to the Division Series.
- Wild Card Matchups: Seed 3 hosts Seed 6, and Seed 4 hosts Seed 5 in a best-of-three series. All games in each series are hosted by the higher seed.
Tiebreaker Rules
Major League Baseball eliminated the single-game tiebreaker (Game 163). Now, all ties in standings are broken using statistical criteria, including:
- Head-to-head record
- Intradivision record
- Interleague record
- Last-half of intra-league games
This streamlines the playoff picture and adds weight to regular-season matchups throughout the year.
How many rounds are in the MLB Playoffs?
The MLB postseason is made up of four rounds:
- Wild Card Series – Best-of-three, hosted entirely by the higher seed
- Division Series (ALDS/NLDS) – Best-of-five, with 2-2-1 game format
- League Championship Series (ALCS/NLCS) – Best-of-seven, 2-3-2 format
- World Series – Best-of-seven, 2-3-2 format, alternating home-field advantage by season
Each round brings increased stakes as teams get closer to hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy.
How many teams reach the MLB playoffs?
Under the current format, 12 teams qualify for the MLB postseason—six from each league:
- Three division winners
- Three Wild Card teams (next best records)
This format increases playoff access and rewards both division success and strong overall performance.
When do the MLB playoffs start?
The MLB regular season begins in late March each year and runs through late September. Each team plays 162 games, battling within divisions and across leagues to secure postseason spots.
The MLB Playoffs typically begin on or around October 1 and run through early November. The postseason spans roughly one month, culminating in the World Series. If a Game 7 is needed, it often occurs in the first week of November.
October baseball remains one of the most exciting times of the sports calendar—and fans can bet on team odds to make the MLB Playoffs long before the postseason begins.
Popular MLB Playoff Betting Markets
With more teams in the hunt and a longer playoff path, betting opportunities have expanded. Here are some top markets:
- To Make the Playoffs
- To Win the Division
- To Win the Pennant (AL/NL)
- To Win the World Series
- Wild Card Series Winner
- Exact World Series Matchups
For updated lines, visit our MLB betting odds page through the season.
Originally published June 11, 2024. Content updated by Ryan Knuppel on September 4, 2025
