How to watch the MLB Wild Card Series: How to stream, who's playing and more

The Major League Baseball postseason is upon us! As has been recent tradition, six teams from the American League and six teams from the National League will compete in the playoffs. The top two teams in each league, determined based on the regular season rankings, are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. The next three teams in the standings and the lowest-ranked division winner from each league will compete in a best-of in the Wild Card Series, which runs October 1-3, to earn their spot in the next round secure -three format. The wild card teams that made it into the MLB playoffs are the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles, who will join the American League West Division winner Houston Astros for the American League series . The National League still needs the results of Monday's games to determine its final roster of Wild Card teams; So far, the San Diego Padres are the only confirmed wild card team in the series alongside the NL Central Division winner Milwaukee Brewers. Here's a primer on how to watch the MLB Wild Card Series when it begins on October 1st.

How to watch the MLB Wild Card Series:

Dates: 1st-3rd October 2024

TV channels: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2

Streaming: Fubo, DirecTV and more

Where to watch the MLB Wild Card Series on TV:

The MLB Wild Card Series airs on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.

Where to watch MLB Wild Card games without cable:

ABC and ESPN's suite of channels is available on multiple platforms, including Fubo TV, DirecTV and YouTube TV.

(Fubo)

With Fubo TV you have access to ESPN, ABC and over 100 other live channels. At $80/month, the live TV streaming service is definitely a big investment, but it's also one of the most comprehensive ways to watch sports year-round, from MLB games to NFL and NCAA games, and still gives you significant savings compared to a traditional cable package. Fubo subscribers also get 1000 hours of cloud DVR storage. The platform also offers a free trial period, so you can watch some preseason games risk-free.

The platform also offers a free trial period, so you can try out some games risk-free. Right now, you can get $30 off any Fubo tier for your first month.

Try it for free at Fubo

Who is taking part in the MLB Wild Card Series?

Three teams from the American League and three from the National League receive wild card spots in the MLB Wild Card Series, along with their league's lowest-ranked division winner. The Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles (AL) as well as the San Diego Padres (NL) have secured places in the Wild Card Series. This Monday's games will determine the final wildcard squad for the National League.

AL Wild Card teams: Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros (AL West Division winners)

NL Wild Card teams: San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central Division winners), remaining teams TBD

2024 MLB playoff schedule:

Always east

Here's a complete look at the MLB postseason schedule.

MLB playoff schedule

• Wild Card Series: 1st-3rd October

• Division series: 5th-12th October

• League Championship Series: 13th-22nd October

• World Series: October 24th – November 2nd

2024 MLB Wild Card Series Schedule:

• October 1st: Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros, Game 1, 2:32 p.m. (ABC)

• October 1st: Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles, Game 1, 4:08 p.m. (ESPN2)

• October 1st: NLWC3 vs. Milwaukee Brewers, Game 1, 5:32 p.m. (ESPN)

• October 1st: NLWC2 vs. San Diego Padres, Game 1, 8:38 p.m. (ESPN)

• October 2nd: Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros, Game 2, 2:32 p.m. (ABC)

• October 2nd: Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles, Game 2, 4:38 p.m. (ESPN)

• October 2nd: NLWC3 vs. Milwaukee Brewers, Game 2, 7:38 p.m. (ESPN)

• October 2nd: NLWC2 vs. San Diego Padres, Game 2, 8:38 p.m. (ESPN2)

• October 3rd: Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros, Game 3, 2:32 p.m. (ABC) – if necessary

• October 3rd: Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles, Game 3, 4:08 p.m. (ESPN) – if necessary

• October 3rd: NLWC3 vs. Milwaukee Brewers, Game 3, 7:08 p.m. (ESPN) – if necessary

• October 3rd: NLWC2 vs. San Diego Padres, Game 3, 8:38 p.m. (ESPN2) – if necessary

All the ways to watch MLB playoff games this season: