Discover the ALCS Schedule: When and Where Baseball’s Biggest Battles Begin

**Discover the ALCS Schedule: When and Where Baseball’s Biggest Battles Begin**

The American League Championship Series — known simply as the ALCS — is one of the most anticipated phases of the major league baseball postseason. It’s where the best two teams in the American League clash in a best-of-seven series to determine who earns a ticket to the World Series. Fans, pundits, and casual observers all watch closely because the ALCS often produces legendary performances, dramatic comebacks, and unforgettable moments. With the 2025 postseason underway, understanding the ALCS schedule, format, and storylines is key to following the journey to baseball’s ultimate prize.

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## ALCS 2025: Format and Announcement

The 2025 ALCS begins with the remaining two American League teams after the wild card round and the division series have concluded. It follows the traditional best-of-seven format: the first team to win four games advances to the World Series. Home field advantage is awarded to the team with the better regular season record, or by tiebreakers if necessary. The series is structured so the higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, and, if needed, Game 7, while the lower seed hosts Games 3, 4, and, if necessary, Game 6.

Major League Baseball has scheduled the ALCS to start on Sunday, October 12. If the series goes the distance, Game 7 is set for Monday, October 20. That gives the league ample buffer to manage travel, rest days, and TV broadcast windows. The games are expected to be aired on major national networks, with Sunday and Monday games as the series opens and closes, and midseries games interspersed around them.

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## 2025 ALCS Matchup & Schedule Grid

In 2025, the ALCS pits the Toronto Blue Jays — regular season AL East champions — against the winner of the AL Division Series between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers. Toronto holds home field advantage as the top seed in the American League. The full schedule is as follows:

* Game 1: October 12 (Toronto’s home)
* Game 2: October 13 (Toronto)
* Game 3: October 15 (at Seattle/Detroit)
* Game 4: October 16 (at Seattle/Detroit)
* Game 5 (if needed): October 17 (at Seattle/Detroit)
* Game 6 (if needed): October 19 (back in Toronto)
* Game 7 (if needed): October 20 (Toronto)

This layout gives each team two guaranteed home games to start and then returns to Toronto if the series extends beyond five games. The break in the calendar between Games 2 and 3 accounts for travel and rest, which is customary in a championship series.

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## Team Profiles: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Mariners/Tigers Winner

### Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto enters the ALCS riding momentum. They claimed the AL East and proved consistent all season. Their offense is powered by a mix of young talent and veteran leadership, capable of exploding in big games. Their pitching rotation and bullpen have been tested in the postseason but have held up well under pressure. They also enjoy home-field advantage, which can be a decisive factor in close series.

### Seattle Mariners / Detroit Tigers (ALDS Winner)

The Mariners and Tigers have battled through the ALDS to earn their place in this matchup. Seattle, in particular, has been a rising story this year, showing strong cohesion, timely hitting, and improved pitching depth. Detroit has also leaned on pitching strength and opportunistic offense to stay in contention. Whichever team advances from that ALDS will need to bring everything they have to face Toronto’s home crowd and strong roster.

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## What People Ask: Common ALCS Questions Answered

**When exactly does the ALCS begin?**
The series kicks off October 12 with Game 1 in Toronto.

**How many games are in the ALCS?**
It’s a best-of-seven format, so a team must win four games to advance.

**Who has home-field advantage?**
Toronto has home-field advantage in 2025 because they secured the better regular-season record, giving them three home games (Game 1, 2, and 7 if needed).
If the series extends, Seattle or Detroit (whichever advances) will host Games 3, 4, and 5.

**What happens if the series goes seven games?**
If necessary, Game 7 is scheduled for October 20 back in Toronto.

**How much rest or travel time is built in?**
There is a travel/rest day between Game 2 and Game 3 to allow teams to move between cities, recover, and prepare.

**Where can fans watch or follow the games?**
While exact broadcast details vary, national networks will carry ALCS games, and streaming options are typically available through MLB’s platforms or affiliated services. Regional broadcasts may also be available for local fans.

**Which team is favored?**
Favorites depend on roster depth, starting pitching matchups, bullpen strength, and home-field edge. Toronto’s consistency gives them a slight edge, but Seattle or Detroit could upset with momentum and confidence.

**What’s the most exciting aspect of ALCS matchups?**
(ALCS games tend to bring) high-stakes drama — elimination games, matchups of top pitchers, bullpen duels, home-crowd momentum, and heroics in late innings. Because each team has already proven themselves in earlier rounds, the margin for error is small and every decision becomes magnified.

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## Road to the World Series

The ALCS is the final hurdle before the World Series. The winner of this series will face the champion from the National League Championship Series (NLCS) in a similar best-of-seven format. In 2025, the MLB schedule places the World Series start on Friday, October 24, with the possibility of ending as late as November 1 if the series goes seven games.

As the ALCS unfolds, key factors will include the depth of pitching staffs, strategic bullpen usage, mid-series adjustments, clutch hitting, and momentum swings. Home-field advantages, travel logistics, and rest days also play a subtle but important role in how teams perform.

For fans, the ALCS often provides some of the most memorable games in postseason history. As 2025’s edition begins, expectations are high. Will Toronto leverage their regular-season success into a pennant? Or will Seattle or Detroit rise to the occasion and shock the league? Keep an eye on lineups, rotation changes, bullpen matchups, and momentum shifts — these often determine who advances to the World Series.