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Parity abounds in MLB postseason as big spenders and budget squads collide

USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale breaks down parity in the MLB postseason and why teams like the Padres are excelling despite cutting their budget.

Sports Seriously

The article has been updated with new information as of Monday evening, Oct. 14.

The 2024 MLB playoffs are zooming towards a dramatic finish that might just conclude with an incredibly rare Subway Series.

For the first time since 2000, the New York Yankees and New York Mets have secured their places in the LCS round of the postseason. Wednesday night, the Mets claimed a place in the National League Championship Series by finishing off the Philadelphia Phillies in four games. One day later, the Yankees were up, advancing past the Kansas City Royals with a third win in their best-of-five series to secure a spot in the American League Championship Series.

Their respective opponents will be determined this weekend. The other two Division Series have gone to Game 5, with baseball fans getting win-or-go-home matchups on Friday and Saturday. The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the San Diego Padres in Friday’s NLDS finale and shut out their Southern California rivals to advance to the NLCS. The ALDS series between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers was settled after a hard-hitting game Saturday with Cleveland moving ahead to face the Yankees.

Here is the most recent playoff bracket, schedule, and results as the 2024 MLB season heads towards the World Series.

MLB Playoffs: Yankees back in ALCS – and look like they’re just getting started

MLB playoff bracketAmerican League Division matchupsNational League Wild Division matchups2024 MLB postseason scheduleAmerican League Division Series

Best-of-5; all times Eastern.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers

Guardians win series 3-2

Game 1: Guardians 7, Tigers 0Game 2: Tigers 3, Guardians 0Game 3: Tigers 3, Guardians 0Game 4: Guardians 5, Tigers 4Game 5: Guardians 7, Tigers 3

New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals

Yankees win series 3-1

Game 1: Yankees 6, Royals 5Game 2: Royals 4, Yankees 2Game 3: Yankees 3, Royals 2Game 4: Yankees 3, Royals 1National League Division Series

Best-of-5; all times Eastern.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets

Mets win series 3-1

Game 1: Mets 6, Phillies 1Game 2: Phillies 7, Mets6Game 3: Mets 7, Phillies2Game 4: Mets 4, Phillies 1

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres

Dodgers wins series 3-2

Game 1: Dodgers 7, Padres 5Game 2: Padres 10, Dodgers2Game 3: Padres 6, Dodgers5Game 4: Dodgers 8, Padres 0Game 5: Dodgers 2, Padres 0New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians

Best-of-7; all times Eastern; x-if necessary.

Game 1, Monday, Oct. 14: Yankees 5, Guardians 2 (Yankees lead series 1-0)Game 2, Tuesday, Oct. 15: Guardians at Yankees, 7:37 p.m. (TBS/truTV/Max)Game 3, Thursday, Oct. 17: Yankees at Guardians, TBD (TBS/truTV/Max)Game 4, Friday, Oct. 18: Yankees at Guardians, TBD (TBS/truTV/Max)x-Game 5:, Saturday, Oct. 19: Yankees at Guardians, TBD (TBS/truTV/Max)x-Game 6, Monday, Oct. 21: Guardians at Yankees, TBD (TBS/truTV/Max)x-Game 7, Tuesday, Oct. 22: Guardians at Yankees, TBD (TBS/truTV/Max)New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Best-of-7; all times Eastern; x-if necessary.

Game 1, Sunday, Oct. 13: Dodgers 9, Mets 0Game 2, Monday, Oct. 14: Mets 7, Dodgers 3 (Series tied 1-1)Game 3, Wednesday, Oct. 16: Dodgers at Mets, 8:08 p.m. (FS1)Game 4, Thursday, Oct. 17: Dodgers at Mets, TBD (FS1)x-Game 5, Friday, Oct. 18: Dodgers at Mets, TBD (Fox/FS1)x-Game 6, Sunday, Oct. 20: Mets at Dodgers, TBD (Fox/FS1)x-Game 7, Monday, Oct. 21: Mets at Dodgers, TBD (Fox/FS1)World Series (Best-of-7)October 25: World Series Game 1October 26: World Series Game 2October 28: World Series Game 3October 29: World Series Game 4October 30: World Series Game 5 (if necessary)November 1: World Series Game 6 (if necessary)November 2: World Series Game 7 (if necessary)

This item has been updated with latest scores and schedule information.