When Are The Minor League Baseball Playoffs?
Image credit: Ray Gaither (Photo by Eddie Kelly / ProLook Photos)
With the modern reorganized minor leagues, the Minor League Baseball playoffs take place in a staggered fashion over the entire month of September. Class A seasons end one week before the Double-A season, which ends one week before the Triple-A season.
With that in mind, here’s a full breakdown of when the MiLB playoffs will occur:
Triple-A
Regular season ends Sept. 22.
International League
Championship (Best-of-3 series Sept. 24, 25, 26): Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) vs. TBD
Pacific Coast League
Championship (Best-of-3 series Sept. 24, 25, 26): Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros) vs. TBD
Triple-A Championship Game (Sept. 28)
Winner of International League and Pacific Coast Leagues in Las Vegas.
Double-A
Regular season ends Sept. 15.
Eastern League
First Round (Best-of-3 series Sept. 17, 19, 20): Akron RubberDucks (Guardians) vs. Erie SeaWolves (Tigers) and Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) vs. TBD.
Championship Series (Best-of-3 series Sept. 22, 24, 25): Winners of first-round series.
Southern League
First Round (Best-of-3 series Sept. 17, 19, 20): Tennessee Smokies (Cubs) vs. Birmingham Barons (White Sox) and Montgomery Biscuits (Rays) vs. TBD.
Championship Series (Best-of-3 series Sept. 22, 24, 25): Winners of first-round series.
Texas League
First Round (Best-of-3 series Sept. 17, 19, 20): Arkansas Travelers (Mariners) vs. Springfield Cardinals and Midland RockHounds (A’s) vs. Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers).
Championship Series (Best-of-3 series Sept. 22, 24, 25): Winners of first-round series.
High-A
Regular season ended Sept. 8.
Midwest League
First Round (Best-of-3 series Sept. 10, 12, 13): Dayton Dragons (Reds) vs. Lake County Captains (Guardians) and Quad Cities River Bandits (Royals) vs. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers).
Finals (Best-of-3 series Sept. 15, 17, 18): Winners of first round series.
Northwest League
Because the Northwest League is a six-team league, it only has one round of playoffs.
Finals (Best-of-3 series Sept. 10, 12, 13): Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays) vs. Spokane Indians (Rockies).
South Atlantic League
First Round (Best-of-3 series Sept. 10, 12, 13): Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees) vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pirates) and Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) vs. Rome Emperors (Braves).
Finals (Best-of-3 series Sept. 15, 17, 18): Winners of first round series.
Low-A
Regular season ended Sept. 8
California League
First Round (Best-of-3 series Sept. 10, 12, 13): Visalia Rawhide (D’backs) vs. Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) and San Jose Giants vs. Modesto Nuts (Mariners).
Finals (Best-of-3 series Sept. 15, 17, 18): Winners of first round series.
Carolina League
First Round (Best-of-3 series Sept. 10, 12, 13): Fredericksburg Nationals vs. Carolina Mudcats (Brewers) and Charleston RiverDogs (Rays) vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox).
Finals (Best-of-3 series Sept. 15, 17, 18): Winners of first round series.
Florida State League
First Round (Best-of-3 series Sept. 10, 12, 13): Daytona Tortugas (Reds) vs. Palm Beach Cardinals and Lakeland Flying Tigers (Tigers) vs. Clearwater Threshers (Phillies).
Finals (Best-of-3 series Sept. 15, 17, 18): Winners of first round series.
Rookie Ball
All three affiliated rookie leagues are already completed.
Arizona Complex League
Regular season ended July 25.
Champion: ACL Dodgers
The ACL Dodgers defeated the ACL D-backs 8-1 in a single-game championship. The ACL D-backs defeated the ACL Rangers and the ACL Dodgers beat the ACL Giants in one-game first round playoff games.
Dominican Summer League
Regular season ended Aug. 20.
Champion: DSL Red Sox Red
The DSL Red Sox Red defeated the DSL Angels 2-1 in best-of-3 series. The DSL Angels defeated the DSL Giants Black in 2-1 and the DSL Red Sox Red defeated the DSL Rangers Red 2-0 in best-of-3 semifinal series. DSL Red Sox Red defeated DSL Cleveland Goryl 2-0, DSL Angels defeated DSL Orioles Orange 2-1, DSL Giants Black defeated DSL Marlins 2-1 and DSL Rangers Red defeated DSL Tigers 2 2-1 in best-of-3 first round series.
Florida Complex League
Regular season ended July 25.
Champion: FCL Tigers
The FCL Tigers defeated the FCL Pirates 2-0 in the best-of-three championship series. The Pirates defeated the FCL Yankees and the FCL Tigers defeated the FCL Marlins in single-game first round series.
