October 3rd marks the beginning of my journey watching the 2023 MLB playoffs. I’ve been eagerly anticipating this moment all season long, and I’m ready to dive into every exciting matchup that awaits. Let me explain how I plan to catch all the action.
In a hurry? If you just want a solid streaming service that will let you watch every game of the 2023 MLB Playoffs, these are solid choices that will save you money:
- DIRECTV STREAM: Get a great channel lineup with the best selection of RSNs in the industry. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
- Sling TV: This low-cost service allows you to select just the channel lineup you want. Save 50% on Sling TV now.
- Hulu + Live TV: This total entertainment streaming service provides a great on-demand selection and all the essential live TV channels with a 3-day free trial.
If you can’t watch your favorite sports because of your location, get ExpressVPN to access the content you deserve.
Most channels are now available without cable. In fact, you can watch the MLB Playoffs without cable from start to finish.
The first thing you need to do is ditch your cable and choose a streaming service. You’ll pay less money and depending on your service, you might have a package with the same channels you had with cable. You won’t have to worry about contracts either, which means you’re free to cancel when you want.
There are several streaming services that provide access to the channels you need to stream the MLB Playoffs. Our top favorites are Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM and Hulu + Live TV.
Keep reading to learn how to watch the MLB Playoffs without cable.
MLB Playoffs Schedule
The 2023 season was pretty different from last season. Some things have stayed the same, of course. The Astros, Dodgers, and Braves all look as good as they did last year. But the Orioles, Rangers, Twins, and Diamondbacks have come on strong this season.
Playoff Teams
There are 12 spots for the playoffs.
American League
- Baltimore Orioles (AL East) ‡
- Houston Astros (AL West) ‡
- Minnesota Twins (AL Central) ‡
- Tampa Bay Rays (AL East)
- Texas Rangers (AL West)
- Toronto Blue Jays (AL East)
National League
- Atlanta Braves (NL East) ‡
- Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West) ‡
- Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central) ‡
- Philadelphia Phillies (NL East)
- Miami Marlins (NL East)
- Arizona Diamondbacks (NL West)
‡ Clinched division
Wild Card Games
The Wild Card games start on Tuesday, October 3rd and run through Thursday, October 5th (if necessary). All games will air on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2.
| Date | Time (EDT) | Game | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue Oct 3 | Rays vs Rangers | ABC | |
| Tue Oct 3 | Twins vs Blue Jays | ESPN | |
| Tue Oct 3 | Brewers vs Diamondbacks | ESPN2 | |
| Tue Oct 3 | Phillies vs Marlins | ESPN | |
| Wed Oct 4 | Rays vs Rangers | ABC | |
| Wed Oct 4 | Twins vs Blue Jays | ESPN | |
| Wed Oct 4 | Brewers vs Diamondbacks | ESPN2 | |
| Wed Oct 4 | Phillies vs Marlins | ESPN | |
| Thu Oct 5 | |||
| Thu Oct 5 | |||
| Thu Oct 5 | |||
| Thu Oct 5 |
Division Series
The Division Series games start Saturday, October 7th and run through Saturday, October 14th (if necessary). The games will air on Fox, FS1, and TBS.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat Oct 7 | Rangers at Orioles | FS1 | |
| Sat Oct 7 | Twins at Astros | FS1 | |
| Sat Oct 7 | Phillies at Braves | TBS | |
| Sat Oct 7 | Diamondbacks at Dodgers | TBS | |
| Sun Oct 8 | Rangers at Orioles | FS1 | |
| Sun Oct 8 | Twins at Astros | FS1 | |
| Mon Oct 9 | Phillies at Braves | TBS | |
| Mon Oct 9 | Diamondback at Dodgers | TBS | |
| Tue Oct 10 | Astros at Twins | Fox | |
| Tue Oct 10 | Orioles at Rangers | Fox | |
| Wed Oct 11 | Braves at Phillies | TBS | |
| Wed Oct 11 | Dodgers at Diamondbacks | TBS | |
| Wed Oct 11 | Rangers vs Orioles † | Fox/FS1 | |
| Wed Oct 11 | Twins vs Astros † | Fox/FS1 | |
| Thu Oct 12 | Phillies vs Braves † | TBS | |
| Thu Oct 12 | Diamondbacks vs Dodgers † | TBS | |
| Fri Oct 13 | Orioles vs Rangers † | Fox/FS1 | |
| Fri Oct 13 | Astros vs Twins † | Fox/FS1 | |
| Sat Oct 14 | Braves vs Phillies † | TBS | |
| Sat Oct 14 | Dodgers vs Diamondbacks † | TBS |
Schedule is coming soon!
Championship Series
The Championship Series start Sunday, October 15th, and run through Tuesday, October 24th (if necessary). Games will air on Fox, FS1, and TBS. See also:
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Oct 15 | Rangers at Astros | Fox | |
| Mon Oct 16 | Rangers at Astros | Fox/FS1 | |
| Mon Oct 16 | Diamondbacks at Phillies | TBS | |
| Tue Oct 17 | Diamondbacks at Phillies | TBS | |
| Wed Oct 18 | Astros at Rangers | FS1 | |
| Thu Oct 19 | Phillies at Diamondbacks | TBS | |
| Thu Oct 19 | Astros at Rangers | FS1 | |
| Fri Oct 20 | Astros at Rangers‡ | FS1 | |
| Fri Oct 20 | Phillies at Diamondbacks | TBS | |
| Sat Oct 21 | Phillies at Diamondbacks‡ | TBS | |
| Sun Oct 22 | Rangers at Astros‡ | FS1 | |
| Mon Oct 23 | Diamondbacks at Phillies‡ | TBS | |
| Mon Oct 23 | Rangers at Astros‡ | Fox/FS1 | |
| Tue Oct 24 | Diamondbacks at Phillies‡ | TBS |
World Series
The 2022 MLB World Series starts on Friday, October 27th and runs to Saturday, November 4th (if necessary). All the games will air on Fox. See also: World Series.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Oct 27 | Diamondbacks at Rangers | Fox | |
| Sat Oct 28 | Diamondbacks at Rangers | Fox | |
| Mon Oct 30 | Rangers at Diamondbacks | Fox | |
| Tue Oct 31 | Rangers at Diamondbacks | Fox | |
| Wed Nov 1 | Rangers at Diamondbacks ‡ | Fox | |
| Fri Nov 3 | Diamondbacks at Rangers ‡ | Fox | |
| Sat Nov 4 | Diamondbacks at Rangers ‡ | Fox |
How to Watch the MLB Playoffs Without Cable TV
The MLB Playoffs start in October every year with the Wild Card games. The games continue throughout the month until the World Series. Each of these games will air on Fox.
As for the MLB Playoffs live stream, the channel you need will depend on the game. All games will air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Fox, FS1, or TBS. The good news is that all of these channels can be watched without cable. ABC and Fox are available on most streaming services, based on location, but also through digital antennas.
If ABC and Fox are not in your area, most streaming services give you access to TV Everywhere apps, which will allow you to watch Fox on the Fox Sports app live at no added cost.
No matter which streaming service you choose, you’ll connect through the internet with a streaming device. You are reading this right now from a streaming device. Computers and mobile devices are compatible with most services.
The streaming services we highlight below support the popular “stick” devices: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku. When you are on the go, you can also stream on mobile devices from Android and iOS. You can use these devices to cast to your TV via Chromecast. Various gaming devices are supported but only Xbox One is supported by almost all. The LG, Samsung, and Vizio smart TVs are also supported.
Sling TV
At first glance, Sling TV might not seem like a good choice for watching the MLB playoffs. But it’s actually the best. True: Sling TV does not have ABC. But it does have ESPN3, which streams all ABC Sports events live. And you get that (along with the other channels) with Sling Orange + Blue for only $55.00/month.
In its 45+ channel lineup, you get all the channels that the MLB playoffs air on: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Fox, FS1, and TBS. It will be an action-packed month of baseball.
- Packages from $40.00/month
- Includes on-demand library
- 50 hours of cloud DVR storage
- Stream on up to 3 devices (channel-dependent)
- One of the best interfaces in the industry
- See our Sling TV review.
Don’t miss Team USA at the World Baseball Classic all March for just $20 on Sling TV.
DIRECTV STREAM
Although more expensive, with DIRECTV STREAM’s Choice plan ($114.99/month), you get the best selection of RSNs in the industry. The plan includes local Fox, NBC and ABC affiliates.
- Gives you access to MLB Network, ESPN, FS1, and TBS
- The plans from $86.99/month (Entertainment plan) but you will need $114.99/month (Choice plan) to be able to watch all the games in the season
- MLB Playoff channels are included along with 100+ live channels
- Unlimited cloud DVR (only when you sign up online)
- Use TV Everywhere apps to watch live content
- Streaming on unlimited devices
Where FuboTV and Sling TV doesn’t cover you, you get DIRECTV STREAM. See our DIRECTV STREAM review for details.
FuboTV
FuboTV is known for offering sports-centric cable alternatives. Packages start at $79.99/month. For that, you get over 110 channels including a great selection of sports. It offers local channels in almost all areas.
FuboTV is not the best series if you only want to watch the MLB Playoffs because they don’t offer TBS. But if you want great sports coverage throughout the year, they are a great choice — especially for baseball plans.
In its base plan, you get access to regional sports networks (RSNs) for a number of MLB teams: Athletics, Astros, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Met, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, and White Sox. This will allow you to watch almost every game next season.
FuboTV Details:
- Packages from $79.99/month
- No contracts
- An on-demand library is included
- unlimited cloud DVR storage
- Great user interface
- Stream on up to 10 devices at once
- Check out our FuboTV review.
The FuboTV 7-day trial gives you a chance to try out FuboTV on your own terms. You’ll get a full week and will be able to watch all of the channels in your package, use the on-demand library, and experience all of the membership features before you start paying for your plan.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is one of the best ways to get local content using a streaming service. You’ll get 85+ channels and almost all areas have access to local channels live. With Hulu on-demand included, you’ll also have ways to watch local and cable content whenever you want.
Features of Hulu + Live TV include:
- Gives you access to all MLB Playoff channels: Fox, FS1, and TBS
- Plans from $82.99/month
- Includes ESPN+ and Disney+
- Hulu on-demand is included along with 85+ live channels
- No contracts mean that you can cancel when you want
- Unlimited cloud DVR with 9 months of storage
- Use TV Everywhere apps to watch more content live or on-demand
- Our Hulu + Live TV review has more information.
Other Ways to Watch MLB Playoffs Online without Cable
FuboTV and Hulu Live offer some of the top ways to stream the MLB Playoffs without cable, but there are plenty of streaming options out there. Keep reading for the rest of the ways that you can watch the MLB Playoffs online.
- YouTube TV: Offers a similar deal to Hulu with 85+ channels for $82.99/month.
Hopefully you know everything you need to know so that you can sign up for a streaming service and watch the MLB Playoffs online without cable. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. It’s easier than ever to watch sports online without cable, so what are you waiting for?
Try our guide if you’re looking for the ALCS streaming options? Or perhaps the World Series?
FAQs
American League Championship
- Wed Oct 19: New York Yankees (2) at Houston Astros (4)
- Thu Oct 20: New York Yankees (2) at Houston Astros (3)
- Sat Oct 22: Houston Astros (5) at New York Yankees (0)
- Sun Oct 23: Houston Astros (6) at New York Yankees (5)
National League Championship
- Tue Oct 18: Philadelphia Phillies (2) at San Diego Padres (0)
- Wed Oct 19: Philadelphia Phillies (5) at San Diego Padres (8)
- Fri Oct 21: San Diego Padres (2) at Philadelphia Phillies (4)
- Sat Oct 22: San Diego Padres (6) at Philadelphia Phillies (10)
- Sun Oct 23: San Diego Padres (3) at Philadelphia Phillies (4)
World Series
The Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in the 2021 World Series:
- Fri Oct 28: Philadelphia Phillies (6) at Houston Astros (5)
- Sat Oct 29: Philadelphia Phillies (2) at Houston Astros (5)
- Tue Nov 1: Houston Astros (0) at Philadelphia Phillies (7)
- Wed Nov 2: Houston Astros (5) at Philadelphia Phillies (0)
- Thu Nov 3: Houston Astros (3) at Philadelphia Phillies (2)
- Sat Nov 5: Philadelphia Phillies (1) at Houston Astros (4)
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Her expertise stems from being an early adopter of various entertainment technologies, from mail-order Netflix to modern streaming platforms. Alanna's in-depth knowledge of Sling TV's modular service and her ability to cover diverse streaming content make her a key expert in navigating the complex landscape of modern streaming options, especially in sports and entertainment.
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