Overview of the 2018 MLB Postseason
The 2018 MLB postseason ran from late October to late October/early November 2018 and followed the standard playoff structure: Wild Card Games, Division Series (LDS), Championship Series (LCS), and the World Series. The winners advanced as follows: Boston Red Sox (AL) and Los Angeles Dodgers (NL) won their respective LCS, with the Red Sox defeating the Dodgers in the World Series to claim the championship. This evergreen reference summarizes dates, matchups, and outcomes for quick lookup and long-term understanding.
2018 MLB Wild Card Games
The 2018 Wild Card Games were single-elimination matchups to determine the final two playoff teams. The Yankees defeated the Oakland Athletics, and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Colorado Rockies. These games set the stage for the Division Series matchups.
Wild Card Game Matchups
| Matchup | Winner | Loser |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland Athletics @ New York Yankees | New York Yankees | Oakland Athletics |
| Colorado Rockies @ Milwaukee Brewers | Milwaukee Brewers | Colorado Rockies |
2018 MLB Division Series (LDS)
The Division Series featured four best-of-five series. The matchups were determined by regular-season standings and Wild Card results. The winners advanced to the LCS.
2018 AL Division Series
- Boston Red Sox defeated New York Yankees 3–1
- Houston Astros defeated Cleveland Indians 3–0
2018 NL Division Series
- Los Angeles Dodgers defeated Atlanta Braves 3–1
- Milwaukee Brewers defeated Colorado Rockies 3–0
2018 MLB Championship Series
The LCS winners advanced to the World Series. In the ALCS, the Boston Red Sox swept the Houston Astros. In the NLCS, the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers. Both sweeps marked decisive advances to the final round of the postseason.
2018 World Series
The Boston Red Sox faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in a rematch of the 1946 World Series. The Red Sox won the series 4–1, securing their ninth World Series championship. Game locations alternated between Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium.
2018 Postseason Schedule at a Glance
| Round | Dates | Matchups | Winners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Games | Oct 2–3, 2018 | Yankees @ Athletics; Brewers @ Rockies | Yankees; Brewers |
| Division Series | Oct 4–9, 2018 | Red Sox vs. Yankees; Astros vs. Indians; Dodgers vs. Braves; Brewers vs. Rockies | Red Sox; Astros; Dodgers; Brewers |
| Championship Series | Oct 10–18, 2018 | Red Sox vs. Astros; Dodgers vs. Brewers | Red Sox; Dodgers |
| World Series | Oct 23–28, 2018 | Red Sox vs. Dodgers | Red Sox |
Key Takeaways
- Playoff teams: Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, Dodgers, Brewers, Indians, Braves, Rockies
- Sweeps: ALDS (Astros), NLDS (Dodgers), ALCS (Red Sox), NLCS (Dodgers)
- 2018 World Series result: Red Sox defeated Dodgers 4–1
FAQ
Reader questions
Which teams made the 2018 MLB playoffs?
Twelve teams: three division winners in each league, two Wild Card teams per league, and two Wild Card Game winners.
When was the 2018 World Series?
The World Series began on October 23 and ended on October 28, 2018, with the Red Sox winning in five games.
Did any 2018 playoff teams return in 2019?
Several teams carried momentum forward, though roster changes and regular-season performance shifted competitive landscapes year to year.
Were there any notable upsets in the 2018 postseason?
The Yankees defeated the highly touted Athletics in the Wild Card Game, and the Brewers eliminated the Rockies. In the LDS, the Red Sox and Dodgers advanced as expected, while the Astros and Brewers won their series convincingly.
What was the significance of the 2018 postseason for the Red Sox and Dodgers?
The Red Sox ended a long drought by capturing their ninth title, while the Dodgers continued their streak of consistent NLCS appearances, reinforcing their status as perennial contenders in the late 2010s.