There has been significant discussion regarding the 2012 MLB Playoff schedule due to the possibility of there being a second wildcard team added to the mix for the postseason. We’ll know prior to the kickoff of the 2012 MLB season; however, for now the following draft schedule includes the notional dates for the Playoffs based on a one game playoff between the Wildcard Teams for each league. As more information is made available to include times, dates, and broadcast network(s), the schedule will be revised.
2012 MLB Playoff Schedule
The end of the 2012 MLB season is firmly scheduled for 03 October 2012. There are still a lot of moving pieces regarding the official 2012 MLB Playoff schedule. We know for sure that the 2012 MLB regular season will end on October 3rd, 2012. We also know for sure that game 1 of the 2012 World Series will start on October 24th, 2012. Everything in between is subject to change based on ongoing negotiations between the various MLB stakeholders.
2012 AL and NL Wildcard Playoff
If we see a second wildcard team added to the 2012 MLB playoff schedule this season, it will likely be a one game affair based on the end of the MLB regular season and the tentative start to the Divisional Series on 6 October. We also don’t know if MLB will schedule the wildcard games to occur on the same day, or opposing days. Just another one of those details being worked out. Worst-case, is there is not 2012 MLB Wildcard Playoff round this year, but there will be fore sure in 2013. The decision is due by 1 March 2012 from MLB.
~4 or 5 October 2012 for AL and NL Wildcard Playoff
2012 MLB Division Series Schedule
The 2012 MLB Division Series Schedules are set to start on October 6th, 2012. We do not know if MLB will start both the AL and NL on the same day or not at this point, so the following schedule is based on the 2011 MLB Divisional schedules until confirmed by MLB.
**Note: There are 4 teams alive in each league at this point. MLB may choose to stagger the schedules slightly depending on how the final playoff schedule shakes out.
2012 AL Division Series Schedule
Game 1 – October 6th, 2012
Game 2 – October 7th, 2012
Game 3 – October 8th, 2012
Game 4 – October 9th, 2012
Game 5 – October 11th, 2012
2012 NL Divisional Series Schedule
Game 1 – October 6th, 2012
Game 2 – October 7th, 2012
Game 3 – October 8th, 2012
Game 4 – October 9th, 2012
Game 5 – October 11th, 2012
2012 MLB Championship Series Schedule
The MLB Championship Series is a best of 7 contest with Games 5, 6, and 7 being played if required. The dates listed for the AL and NL schedules are notional and may move around a tad based on the outcome of the 2012 Wildcard Playoff discussions.
2012 AL Championship Series Schedule
Game 1 – October 13th, 2012
Game 2 – October 14th, 2012
Game 3 – October 16th, 2012
Game 4 – October 17th, 2012
Game 5 – October 18th, 2012
Game 6 – October 20th, 2012
Game 7 – October 21st, 2012
2012 NL Championship Series Schedule
Game 1 – October 13th, 2012
Game 2 – October 14th, 2012
Game 3 – October 16th, 2012
Game 4 – October 17th, 2012
Game 5 – October 18th, 2012
Game 6 – October 20th, 2012
Game 7 – October 21st, 2012
2012 World Series Schedule
**Home field advantage is awarded to the team from the league who wins the 2012 MLB All Star Game that is scheduled to take place on July 10th, 2012 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The World Series is a best 4 of 7 contest with Games 5, 6, and 7 being played as required. The specific times, TV networks, and dates will be updated when available.
Game 1 – October 24th, 2012
Game 2 – October 25th, 2012
Game 3 – October 27th, 2012
Game 4 – October 28th, 2012
Game 5 – October 29th, 2012
Game 6 – October 30th, 2012
Game 7 – October 31st, 2012
***All dates listed are tentative and subject to change based on final 2012 MLB Playoff schedule announcement.