MLB Playoff Bracket 2014: Full Postseason Schedule and Wild-Card Predictions

The Major League Baseball regular season is in the books. All of the playoff spots have been determined, and fans have a potentially exciting and unpredictable postseason ahead.

Here's a look at the entire playoff schedule culminating with the 110th Fall Classic in late October. Just below the schedule is a breakdown of the wild-card matchup in both leagues.

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For the fans of the other 20 MLB teams, here is the bracket for the playoffs most of you wont watch pic.twitter.com/oUyXxLkwrZ

— Cork Gaines (@CorkGaines) September 29, 2014"

Wild-Card Games

All times are ET.

American League	National League
Tuesday, Sept. 30 (TBS) Oakland at Kansas City, 8:07 p.m.	Wednesday, Oct. 1 (ESPN) San Francisco at Pittsburgh, 8:07 p.m.

Division Series

Best of five.

American League	National League
Thursday, Oct. 2 Oakland or Kansas City at L.A. Angels (TBS) Detroit at Baltimore (TBS)	Friday, Oct. 3 Pittsburgh or San Francisco at Washington (Fox Sports 1) St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers (Fox Sports 1)
Friday, Oct. 3 Oakland or Kansas City at L.A. Angels (TBS) Detroit at Baltimore (TBS)	Saturday, Oct. 4 Pittsburgh or San Francisco at Washington (Fox Sports 1 or MLBN) St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers (Fox Sports 1 or MLBN)
Sunday, Oct. 5 L.A. Angels at Oakland or Kansas City (TBS) Baltimore at Detroit (TBS)	Monday, Oct. 6 Washington at Pittsburgh or San Francisco (FOX Sports 1 or MLBN) L.A. Dodgers at St. Louis (Fox Sports 1 or MLBN)
Monday, Oct. 6 *L.A. Angels at Oakland or Kansas City (TBS) *Baltimore at Detroit (TBS)	Tuesday, Oct. 7 *Washington at Pittsburgh or San Francisco (Fox Sports 1 or MLBN) *L.A. Dodgers at St. Louis (Fox Sports 1 or MLBN)
Wednesday, Oct. 8 *Wild-card winner at L.A .Angels (TBS) *Detroit at Baltimore (TBS)	Thursday, Oct. 9 *Pittsburgh or San Francisco at Washington (Fox Sports 1) *St. Louis at L.A. Dodgers (Fox Sports 1)
* = if necessary

League Championship Series

Best of seven.

American League	National League
Friday, Oct. 10: Game 1 (TBS)	Saturday, Oct. 11: Game 1 (Fox)
Saturday, Oct. 11: Game 2 (TBS)	Sunday, Oct. 12: Game 2 (Fox Sports 1)
Monday, Oct. 13: Game 3 (TBS)	Tuesday, Oct. 14: Game 3 (Fox Sports 1)
Tuesday, Oct. 14: Game 4 (TBS)	Wednesday, Oct. 15: Game 4 (Fox Sports 1)
Wednesday, Oct. 15: *Game 5 (TBS)	Thursday, Oct. 16: *Game 5 (Fox Sports 1)
Friday, Oct. 17: *Game 6 (TBS)	Saturday, Oct. 18: *Game 6 (Fox)
Saturday, Oct. 18: *Game 7 (TBS)	Sunday, Oct. 19: *Game 7 (Fox Sports 1)
* = if necessary

World Series

Best of seven.

Date	Game
Tuesday, Oct. 21	Game 1 at American League city (Fox)
Wednesday, Oct. 22	Game 2 at American League city (Fox)
Friday, Oct. 24	Game 3 at National League city (Fox)
Saturday, Oct. 25	Game 4 at National League city (Fox)
Sunday, Oct. 26	*Game 5 at National League city (Fox)
Tuesday, Oct. 28	*Game 6 at American League city (Fox)
Wednesday, Oct. 29	*Game 7 at American League city (Fox)

 

Oakland Athletics at Kansas City Royals

Pitching Matchup—Jon Lester vs. James Shields

Lester has been sharper than Shields as of late. Despite losing his last start, the lefty has won three of his last four outings. He also has a win over the Royals back on Aug. 12. Shields hasn't won since hurling a shutout against the Detroit Tigers on Sept. 10.

Lester also has an abundance of playoff experience and success to fall back on. He's made 13 postseason appearances and posted a 6-4 record with a 2.11 ERA.

Shields, on the other hand, has just six postseason appearances. His record in those games is 2-4 with an ERA of 4.98.

Look for Lester to prove why the A's wanted him for a playoff push with a sparkling outing. He'll lead Oakland into the AL Division Series.

 

San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates

Pitching Matchup—Madison Bumgarner vs. Edinson Volquez

The Pirates used a blistering September that saw them go 17-9 to reach the postseason. Even though the team lost its final two games, its confidence has to be sky high right now. With Volquez on the mound, Pittsburgh has one of its hottest pitchers in action.

He hasn't picked up a loss since July 21 and he's lowered his ERA from 3.70 to 3.04 in his last 10 starts. Bumgarner has pitched well too—with the exception of his last start.

He gave up three home runs in the team's 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 23. Before that, Bumgarner hadn't lost since Aug. 8. The Giants' southpaw could pose problems for Pittsburgh; the Bucs have been slightly less effective against lefties.

The Pirates are striking out against left-handed pitchers in 27 percent of their at bats, as opposed to just 22 percent against righties. The key could be putting the ball in play and manufacturing runs once they obtain baserunners. 

Pittsburgh has capable base stealers in Starling Marte (30 steals) and Andrew McCutchen (18 steals). Being active on the basepaths could be a major weapon in the game. Giants catcher Buster Posey has allowed 59 stolen bases against him this season.

Behind a red-hot Volquez and speed on the bases, the Pirates should advance to the NL Division Series.

 

Stats per Baseball-Reference