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Written by Alanna Baker - July 6, 2024 Assistant Editor

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.

Note for viewing from : streaming platforms like Fubo or Sling TV limit access to US viewers, but combining your existing subscription with a VPN enables streaming from anywhere in the world.

ExpressVPN is my #1 choice because it’s easy to set up, super reliable, and works perfectly with these streaming services. You get access to US content through their servers in 25+ US cities, plus 3 free months and a 30-day refund if you’re not happy.

You’ll have access to local platforms as if you were in the country, as well as access to services like BBC iPlayer as if you were in the UK, CBC Gem as if you were in Canada, plus hundreds more worldwide.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

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

  1. Baltimore Orioles (AL East) ‡
  2. Houston Astros (AL West) ‡
  3. Minnesota Twins (AL Central) ‡
  4. Tampa Bay Rays (AL East)
  5. Texas Rangers (AL West)
  6. Toronto Blue Jays (AL East)

National League

  1. Atlanta Braves (NL East) ‡
  2. Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West) ‡
  3. Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central) ‡
  4. Philadelphia Phillies (NL East)
  5. Miami Marlins (NL East)
  6. 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.

DateTime (EDT)GameTV
Tue Oct 33:08 pmRays vs RangersABC
Tue Oct 34:38 pmTwins vs Blue JaysESPN
Tue Oct 37:08 pmBrewers vs DiamondbacksESPN2
Tue Oct 38:08 pmPhillies vs MarlinsESPN
Wed Oct 43:08 pmRays vs RangersABC
Wed Oct 44:38 pmTwins vs Blue JaysESPN
Wed Oct 47:08 pmBrewers vs DiamondbacksESPN2
Wed Oct 48:08 pmPhillies vs MarlinsESPN
Thu Oct 53:08 pmRays vs RangersABC
Thu Oct 54:38 pmTwins vs Blue JaysESPN
Thu Oct 57:08 pmBrewers vs DiamondbacksESPN2
Thu Oct 58:08 pmPhillies vs MarlinsESPN
† If necessary

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.

DateTime (ET)GameChannel
Sat Oct 74:03 pmRangers at OriolesFS1
Sat Oct 78:45 pmTwins at AstrosFS1
Sat Oct 76:07 pmPhillies at BravesTBS
Sat Oct 79:07 pmDiamondbacks at DodgersTBS
Sun Oct 84:07 pmRangers at OriolesFS1
Sun Oct 88:03 pmTwins at AstrosFS1
Mon Oct 96:07 pmPhillies at BravesTBS
Mon Oct 99:07 pmDiamondback at DodgersTBS
Tue Oct 104:07 pmAstros at TwinsFox
Tue Oct 108:03 pmOrioles at RangersFox
Wed Oct 11Braves at PhilliesTBS
Wed Oct 11Dodgers at DiamondbacksTBS
Wed Oct 11Rangers vs Orioles †Fox/FS1
Wed Oct 11Twins vs Astros †Fox/FS1
Thu Oct 12Phillies vs Braves †TBS
Thu Oct 12Diamondbacks vs Dodgers †TBS
Fri Oct 13Orioles vs Rangers †Fox/FS1
Fri Oct 13Astros vs Twins †Fox/FS1
Sat Oct 14Braves vs Phillies †TBS
Sat Oct 14Dodgers vs Diamondbacks †TBS
† If necessary

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:

DateTime (ET)GameTV
Sun Oct 158:15 pmRangers at AstrosFox
Mon Oct 164:37 pmRangers at AstrosFox/FS1
Mon Oct 168:07 pmDiamondbacks at PhilliesTBS
Tue Oct 178:07 pmDiamondbacks at PhilliesTBS
Wed Oct 188:03 pmAstros at RangersFS1
Thu Oct 197:07 pmPhillies at DiamondbacksTBS
Thu Oct 198:03 pmAstros at RangersFS1
Fri Oct 207:07 pmAstros at Rangers‡FS1
Fri Oct 208:07 pmPhillies at DiamondbacksTBS
Sat Oct 218:07 pmPhillies at Diamondbacks‡TBS
Sun Oct 228:03 pmRangers at Astros‡FS1
Mon Oct 237:07 pmDiamondbacks at Phillies‡TBS
Mon Oct 238:03 pmRangers at Astros‡Fox/FS1
Tue Oct 248:07 pmDiamondbacks at Phillies‡TBS
‡ If necessary

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.

DateTime (ET)GameTV
Fri Oct 278:03 pmDiamondbacks at RangersFox
Sat Oct 288:03 pmDiamondbacks at RangersFox
Mon Oct 308:03 pmRangers at DiamondbacksFox
Tue Oct 318:03 pmRangers at DiamondbacksFox
Wed Nov 18:03 pmRangers at Diamondbacks ‡Fox
Fri Nov 38:03 pmDiamondbacks at Rangers ‡Fox
Sat Nov 48:03 pmDiamondbacks at Rangers ‡Fox
‡ If necessary

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

Sling TV Logo (2021 100x50)

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 $60.99/month.

Save 50% on Sling TV Now

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 $45.99/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

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.

Get DIRECTV STREAM Free Trial

  • 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 logo

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.

Sign Up for a Free Fubo Trial

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 logo

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.

Get Hulu + Live TV Free

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:

  1. Fri Oct 28: Philadelphia Phillies (6) at Houston Astros (5)
  2. Sat Oct 29: Philadelphia Phillies (2) at Houston Astros (5)
  3. Tue Nov 1: Houston Astros (0) at Philadelphia Phillies (7)
  4. Wed Nov 2: Houston Astros (5) at Philadelphia Phillies (0)
  5. Thu Nov 3: Houston Astros (3) at Philadelphia Phillies (2)
  6. Sat Nov 5: Philadelphia Phillies (1) at Houston Astros (4)

Alanna Baker

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