MLB Playoff Schedule 2014: Complete Guide to Watching Postseason Action

Things look wide open in the major league postseason. Not one team appears invincible—and that includes the Los Angeles Dodgers. Los Angeles has hit just .248 as a team against left-handed pitching. It's easy to see how the southpaws could ultimately be the Dodgers' undoing.

A case could be made that even the wild-card qualifiers have a legitimate shot to make and win the World Series. Only the Dodgers played better than the Pittsburgh Pirates in September, and the Kansas City Royals have a bullpen that is anchored by Greg Holland, who has been beastly with 46 saves and a 1.44 ERA.

In a close game late, the Royals will likely hold an advantage over most opponents.

Here's a look at the complete MLB postseason schedule and viewing information beginning with the wild-card matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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)

 

Hottest Pitcher Heading into Postseason

Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

In Wainwright's last three starts, he's been lights out. The Cardinals' ace is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.38, a WHIP of 0.79, 23 strikeouts and three walks in 24 innings pitched.

He'll face a solid Dodgers' lineup in Game 1 against Clayton Kershaw. It could be the most epic pitching matchup of the postseason.

 

Hottest Hitter Heading into Postseason

Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates

Cutch capped off another stellar season with a blazing hot final week. In his last three games, McCutchen hit .429 with two home runs, eight RBI and a stolen base.

The latter stat might be important against the San Francisco Giants in the Wild Card Game. Giants' catcher Buster Posey has allowed 59 stolen bases against him this season. 

McCutchen and Starling Marte might need to put pressure on the Giants' battery of Madison Bumgarner and Posey to gain an advantage.

 

Hottest Team Heading into Postseason

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have won their last five, and they posted a 17-8 mark in the month of September to clinch the National League West title and the best record in baseball.

During the regular season, the Dodgers took four of seven from the St. Louis Cardinals. There should be a measure of confidence heading into the series.

With the team about as healthy as its been all season, the Dodgers are a scary club to clash with.

 

Stats per Baseball-Reference.com.