When does the Divisional Series in the MLB Playoffs begin?

The Major League Baseball wild card round is almost over and the matchups for the second round of the playoffs are almost certain. Now it’s time for the league’s final eight teams to face off in the division series.

The NLDS begins on Saturday, October 5th. The National League East champion Philadelphia Phillies host the winner of the wild-card elimination game between the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets in Game 1 of their series at 4:08 p.m. ET.

The second division series features an NL West duel between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The division champion Dodgers host the visiting Padres on October 5 at 8:38 p.m. ET. The Padres escaped the wild-card round by defeating the Atlanta Braves and will now face their division rivals in the NLDS for the third time in five seasons.

The ALDS series also begins on Saturday, October 5th. First up are the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central clash. The division champion Guardians host Detroit, with first pitch at 1:08 p.m. ET. This series will mark a crazy piece of history for the two franchises. The Tigers stormed into the division series by defeating the favored Houston Astros in two exciting games.

The top-seeded New York Yankees also host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:38 p.m. ET. The Royals advanced out of the wild card round by defeating the Baltimore Orioles in two close games.

The league championship series awaits the four teams that advance from the division series.

The National League Championship Series begins October 13th with the higher seeded team.

Meanwhile, the American League Championship Series begins Oct. 14 with the higher seed as the home team.