The 2022 MLB Playoffs are underway with the American League Division and National League Division Series.
There are a number of ways cord-cutters can watch the MLB postseason games without cable TV.
Table of Contents
- Where can I watch the MLB Playoffs?
- How to Watch the MLB Playoffs without cable
- How to Watch MLB Playoffs for free
- What’s the best way to watch the 2022 MLB Playoffs?
- MLB Wild Card Series Schedule
- AL Division and NL Division Series Schedule
- American League and National League Championship Series Schedule
- 2022 MLB World Series Schedule
Where can I watch the MLB Playoffs?
Baseball fans are on the lookout for the best way to watch the MLB Postseason this week. But if you want to watch the playoffs all the way through to the World Series, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons of each streaming service that covers all your needed cable TV and broadcast channels.
The Best of 5 Division Series is right around the corner. Those games will air on TBS, FOX and Fox Sports 1 (FS1). And the Best of 7 American League (AL) and National League (NL) Championship Series is likewise on TBS, FS1 and FOX.
DIRECTV STREAM (formerly AT&T TV) is currently the best deal for watching everything that’s happening during this last leg of Major League Baseball.
DIRECTV STREAM has more than 75 live TV channels, including ESPN, FS1, TBS and local FOX stations.
Their latest promotion includes a 5-day free trial. A subscription is $69.99 per month after the free trial, but you are not obligated to keep your service.
You also have the option to add a three-month free trial of HBO Max and other premium channels such as Showtime and Cinemax. The regular price for those channels kick in after the promotion ends if you don’t cancel.
There are no contracts with DIRECTV STREAM, and you can cancel online whenever you like.
How to Watch the MLB Playoffs without cable
YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and fuboTV all carry live TV channels that will air MLB Playoff games in 2022. You just need an Internet connection and a screen to watch the annual extravaganza that is the MLB postseason.
You can use a Roku, Amazon Fire TV and most Smart TVs to watch live TV through these live TV streaming services. Sports fans can also watch games live on a PC, XBox One or iPhone.
Here is a further breakdown of all your choices.
Watch MLB Playoffs on DIRECTV STREAM
A DIRECTV STREAM subscription includes ESPN, FS1, TBS and local FOX and ABC stations in its entry-level channel bundle.
The Entertainment bundle has more than 75 live TV channels for $69.99 per month. Subscribers can watch live TV channels on up to 20 screens at once.
Local broadcast channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX are included in the channel lineup. You get unlimited Cloud DVR and 40,000 on-demand movies and shows. Subscribers can get three months of HBO Max, Showtime, STARZ, Cinemax and EPIX for free before the monthly rates kick in.
You can sign up for a free 5-day trial without any obligations.
There are no contracts. You can subscribe month to month and cancel whenever you want.
DIRECTV STREAM works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Smart TVs running on Android TV and Google TV. You can look over the different channel lineups before deciding whether to sign up.
Watch MLB Playoffs on Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV has more than 75 live TV channels, including ESPN.
FS1, ESPN, TBS and local ABC and FOX stations are included. You will also find a variety of cable TV channels such as CNN, History and A&E included in the channel lineup.
Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR so you can record whatever you want. Hulu Live TV subscribers now get ESPN+ and Disney+ as part of a subscription.
Hulu Live TV has apps for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast and a number of Smart TVs powered by Android TV or Google TV. Hulu also streams on your PC, gaming consoles like XBox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. iPhones, iPads and Android devices can stream Hulu with Live TV too.
A subscription costs $69.99 per month.
You can look over the channel lineup before making any decisions. There are no contracts and you can cancel whenever you want.
Watch MLB Playoffs in 4K on fuboTV
fuboTV will have some of the MLB Playoffs in an upscaled version of 4K on the Pro bundle.
The Pro bundle has more than 140 channels, including ESPN, FOX and FS1. fuboTV currently does not carry TBS. MLB Network is included in the Extra bundle, which costs another $7.99 per month. But according to the latest MLB schedule, you shouldn’t need that channel for the playoffs.
For entertainment channels, fuboTV has AMC, HGTV, and Paramount Network.
Local channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX are available on fubo in most of the U.S. You can look over the fuboTV channel lineup to see which local channels are available in your area.
fuboTV works with all major streaming devices including Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Smart TVs powered by Android TV and Google TV.
fuboTV has a 7-day free trial. A subscription costs $69.99 per month. You aren’t under any obligation to keep the service and can cancel online.
Watch MLB Playoffs on Sling TV
Sling TV is an affordable option to live stream the MLB Playoffs. Sling Orange carries ESPN and TBS for $35 per month.
Sling TV Blue carries FS1 and has some coverage of local FOX stations. The Blue plan carries local FOX stations in 18 markets across the U.S. for $35 per month.
If you want FOX and ESPN for the MLB Playoffs, then you will need to get the Sling TV Blue and Orange bundle for $50 per month.
You can check the latest offer Sling TV is making to new and returning customers. Sling is offering a discount for the first month of service.
There are no contracts, or extra fees like cable TV. You can start watching with a Roku, Fire TV, Smart TVs, Google Chromecast and smartphones. If you prepay for two months, you can get a free streaming device.
Before signing up, you can also look over the channel lineup to see if Sling TV is a good fit for you.
Stream MLB Playoffs live on YouTube TV
YouTube TV carries local channels and popular sports networks such as ESPN in the base plan.
Subscribers get more than 85 live TV channels, Big Ten Network, CNN, TBS and TNT. For MLB Playoff coverage, YouTube TV has ESPN, FS1, TBS, FOX and ABC stations.
A subscription costs $64.99 per month, and includes unlimited Cloud DVR.
YouTube TV has apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Smart TVs powered by Android TV and Google TV.
You can check out the latest offer YouTube TV is making to new and returning customers.
How to Watch MLB Playoffs for free
A TV antenna is the best way to watch MLB Playoff games airing on ABC or FOX for free.
If you have a TV antenna handy, plug it into your television’s coax port and scan for channels. FOX is scheduled to broadcast a number of games from the National League Division Series, National League Championship Series and the World Series. So you could end up getting it for free in HD quality.
If you are new to TV antennas, here is a list of resources that I have written to get you started.
- Review: The Best TV Antennas in 2022
- How to Connect Multiple TVs to One Antenna
- Review: The Best Indoor TV Antennas
- Review: The Best Outdoor TV Antennas
If a TV antenna doesn’t work, your backup option is to maximize free trials from DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV and YouTube TV.
What’s the best way to watch the 2022 MLB Playoffs?
DIRECTV STREAM has a 5-day free trial for the Entertainment bundle. The channel package has more than 75 live TV channels including every local channel and network you will need for the MLB postseason.
You can cancel before the free trial ends if you decide the service isn’t for you.
Local ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX stations are in the Entertainment channel lineup. Subscribers get unlimited Cloud DVR and can stream on 20 screens at once.
You can use DIRECTV STREAM on a Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Android TV devices.
MLB Wild Card Series Schedule
| DATE | TIME (ET) | GAME | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Oct. 7 | 12 p.m. | Game 1: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians | ESPN |
| 2 p.m. | Game 1: Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals | ABC | |
| 4 p.m. | Game 1: Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays | ESPN | |
| 8 p.m. | Game 1: San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets | ESPN | |
| Saturday, Oct. 8 | 12 p.m. | Game 2: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians | ESPN2 |
| 4 p.m. | Game 2: Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays | ESPN | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 2: San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets | ESPN | |
| 8:30 p.m. | Game 2: Philadelphia Phillies St. Louis Cardinals | ESPN2 | |
| Sunday, Oct. 9 | 2 p.m. | Game 3: Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays* | ABC |
| 4 p.m. | Game 3: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians* | ESPN | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 3: San Diego Padres vs. New York Mets* | ESPN | |
| 8:30 p.m. | Game 3: Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals* | ESPN2 |
AL Division and NL Division Series Schedule
| DATE | TIME (ET) | GAME | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, October 11, 2022 | 1:07 p.m. ET | Game 1: Braves vs. Phillies | Fox |
| 3:05 p.m. ET | Game 1: Astros vs. Mariners | TBS | |
| 6:38 p.m. ET | Game 1: Yankees vs. Guardians | TBS | |
| 9:37 p.m. ET | Game 1: Dodgers vs. Padres | FS1 | |
| Wednesday, October 12, 2022 | 4:35 p.m. ET | Game 2: Braves vs. Phillies | Fox |
| 8:37 p.m. ET | Game 2: Dodgers vs. Padres | FS1 | |
| Thursday, October 13, 2022 | 3:37 p.m. ET | Game 2: Astros vs. Mariners | TBS |
| 7:37 p.m. ET | Game 2: Yankees vs. Guardians | TBS | |
| Friday, October 14, 2022 | Game 3: Braves vs. Phillies | FS1 | |
| Game 3: Dodgers vs. Padres | FS1 | ||
| Saturday, October 15, 2022 | 2:07 p.m. | Game 4: Braves vs. Phillies * | FS1 |
| 4:07 p.m. | Game 4: Dodgers vs. Padres * | FS1 | |
| 7:37 p.m. | Game 3: Yankees vs. Guardians | TBS | |
| 9:37 p.m. | Game 3: Astros vs. Mariners | TBS | |
| Sunday, October 16, 2022 | 3:07 p.m. | Game 4: Yankees vs. Guardians * | TBS |
| 4:37 p.m. | Game 4: Astros vs. Mariners 4 * | TBS | |
| 7:07 p.m. | Game 5: Braves vs. Phillies * | FS1 | |
| 9:07 p.m. | Game 5: Dodgers vs. Padres * | FS1 | |
| Monday, October 17, 2022 | 5:07 p.m. | Game 5: Yankees vs. Guardians * | TBS |
| 7:37 p.m. | Game 5: Astros vs. Mariners * | TBS |
American League and National League Championship Series Schedule
| DATE | GAME | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Oct. 18 | NLCS, Game 1 | Fox or FS1 |
| Wednesday, Oct. 19 | NLCS, Game 2 | Fox or FS1 |
| ALCS, Game 1 | TBS | |
| Thursday, Oct. 20 | ALCS, Game 2 | TBS |
| Friday, Oct. 21 | NLCS, Game 3 | FS1 |
| Saturday, Oct. 22 | NLCS, Game 4 | Fox or FS1 |
| ALCS, Game 3 | TBS | |
| Sunday, Oct. 23 | NLCS, Game 5 * | FS1 |
| ALCS, Game 4 | TBS | |
| Monday, Oct. 24 | NLCS, Game 6 * | FS1 |
| ALCS, Game 5 * | TBS | |
| Tuesday, Oct. 25 | NLCS, Game 7 * | Fox and FS1 |
| ALCS, Game 6 * | TBS | |
| Wednesday, Oct. 26 | ALCS, Game 7 * | TBS |
2022 MLB World Series Schedule
| DATE | GAME | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Oct. 28 | Game 1 | Fox |
| Saturday, Oct. 29 | Game 2 | Fox |
| Sunday, Oct. 30 | Travel Day | |
| Monday, Oct. 31 | Game 3 | Fox |
| Tuesday., Nov. 1 | Game 4 | Fox |
| Wednesday, Nov. 2 | Game 5 * | Fox |
| Thursday, Nov. 3 | Travel Day | |
| Friday, Nov. 4 | Game 6 * | Fox |
| Saturday, Nov. 5 | Game 7 * | Fox |
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Founder and Editor of The Cord Cutting Report. Before launching the site in 2016, he worked for more than two decades as a staff writer or correspondent for a number of daily newspapers, including The Boston Globe. His enthusiasm for tech began with the Atari 2600. Follow @james_kimble
