Who Is Baseball Playoffs? Format, Teams & History Explained

By Sarah Miller · November 9, 2047

Baseball playoffs are a postseason tournament in Major League Baseball (MLB) where the top teams from the American League and National League compete in a series of elimination rounds to determine the World Series champion.

What Are the Baseball Playoffs?

The MLB playoffs, officially known as the Postseason, occur each October after the 162-game regular season. They feature the best-performing teams from both the American League (AL) and National League (NL), culminating in the World Series—the championship series that crowns the league's annual winner.

Key Components of the Playoff Format

Wild Card Round: Introduced in 2022, this best-of-three series includes three wild card teams from each league.
Division Series (ALDS/NLDS): Eight teams (four per league) compete in best-of-five series.
Championship Series (ALCS/NLCS): Two teams per league play best-of-seven series to win their league title.
World Series: The AL and NL champions face off in a best-of-seven series for the ultimate title.

How Teams Qualify for the Playoffs

Since the 2022 expansion, 12 teams qualify—six from each league. This includes:

The three division winners with the best records.
Three wild card teams (non-division winners with the next best records).

The top two division winners in each league receive a bye to the Division Series, while the third division winner and three wild cards compete in the Wild Card Series.

Historical Overview and Evolution

The MLB postseason has evolved significantly since its inception in 1903. Originally a simple World Series between league champions, it expanded in 1969 with the introduction of League Championship Series. Additional expansions occurred in 1994 (Division Series), 2012 (second Wild Card team), and 2022 (three Wild Cards and best-of-three Wild Card round).

Milestones in Playoff History

1903: First World Series between Boston Americans and Pittsburgh Pirates.
1978: Yankees vs. Red Sox one-game playoff dubbed "The Bucky Dent Game."
2004: Boston Red Sox broke the "Curse of the Bambino" by winning their first title since 1918.
2023: Major League Baseball introduced a new collective bargaining agreement reinforcing the 12-team format.

Year	World Series Winner	Runner-Up	Series Result	Playoff Format
2020	Los Angeles Dodgers	Tampa Bay Rays	4–2	16-team expanded (pandemic)
2021	Atlanta Braves	Houston Astros	4–2	10 teams (two leagues)
2022	Houston Astros	Philadelphia Phillies	4–2	12 teams (new format)
2023	Arizona Diamondbacks	Texas Rangers	4–1	12 teams (full implementation)
2024*	TBD	TBD	TBD	12 teams (current format)

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows a shift toward broader team inclusion since 2020, especially with the permanent 12-team format established in 2022. The Houston Astros have been dominant recently, appearing in four of the last six World Series. Expansion has increased competitive balance, giving more mid-tier teams a shot at the title.

Notable Players and Records

Certain athletes have defined the postseason through clutch performances:

Mariano Rivera: Holds the record for most postseason saves (42) and a 0.70 ERA in 141 innings.
Derek Jeter: Known as "Mr. November," compiled a .321 batting average in 158 postseason games.
Corey Seager: Two-time World Series MVP (2020, 2023), playing for both Dodgers and Rangers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baseball Playoffs

How many teams make the baseball playoffs?

As of 2022, 12 teams qualify for the MLB playoffs—six from the American League and six from the National League.

What is the Wild Card in baseball playoffs?

The Wild Card consists of three non-division-winning teams with the best records in each league. These teams compete in a best-of-three series to advance to the Division Series.

How does the MLB playoff bracket work?

The bracket begins with the Wild Card Series, followed by the Division Series, Championship Series, and finally the World Series. The top two seeds in each league skip the Wild Card round.

When do the baseball playoffs start?

The MLB playoffs typically begin in early October, immediately after the regular season ends on the final Sunday of September or first Monday of October.

What is the difference between the World Series and the playoffs?

The playoffs refer to the entire postseason tournament, while the World Series is the final best-of-seven series between the American League and National League champions to determine the MLB champion.