Championship Series Format and Structure

The culminating series of the Major League Baseball (MLB) season is structured around a best-of-seven games format, designed to determine the champion.

Series Progression and Home Field Advantage

• Game Schedule: The series adheres to a 2-3-2 pattern. The team with the superior regular season record typically hosts the first two games, followed by three games at the opposing team's venue, and concluding with two games back at the venue of the team with the better record, if needed.
• Home Field Determination: Prior to 2003, home-field advantage alternated between leagues annually. Since 2003, it has been awarded to the league that wins the All-Star Game, with an exception from 2017-2018 when it was awarded to the team with the better record

Victory Conditions

The first team to achieve four victories in the series is declared the champion. Consequently, the series can conclude in a minimum of four games (a sweep) or extend to a maximum of seven games.

Impact of a Seven-Game Series

A full series, extending to the seventh game, can significantly affect team strategies, player fatigue, and overall viewership and engagement. The increased number of games provides more opportunities for strategic adjustments and the potential for dramatic shifts in momentum.

Tie-Breaking Procedures (If Applicable)

In the event of weather delays or other unforeseen circumstances requiring game suspensions, standard MLB rules for resuming games are applied, ensuring a definitive result for each game and the overall series.