The 2023 MLB postseason has begun. The Wild Card games are in full swing and baseball fans around the globe are set to enjoy the next month of pure baseball delight. The road to the world series is going to be a great watch.
But what's the best way to enjoy that watch? Well, that depends on where you live. We're going to give you a breakdown of how you can watch the MLB post season in both the US and the UK, because we like to be inclusive like that.
Keep reading to the end as well, as we have a lovely little extra tip for how to enjoy ALL THE SPORT in the world. Almost.
How the MLB Post Season Works
The Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason, also known as the playoffs, is the culmination of the baseball season, where the best teams from the regular season compete to determine the league champions. The MLB postseason consists of several rounds, including the Wild Card games, Division Series, League Championship Series, and the World Series. Here's a breakdown of how it works:
- Wild Card Games:
- In each league (the American League, AL, and the National League, NL), the two teams with the best regular-season records that did not win their respective division titles play in a one-game playoff known as the Wild Card game.
- The winner of the Wild Card game advances to the Division Series.
- Division Series:
- The Division Series consists of two best-of-five series in each league, with the winners of the Wild Card games and the three division champions.
- In the Division Series, the teams play a best-of-five format, with the first team to win three games advancing to the League Championship Series.
- The winners of the AL Division Series face off in the ALCS, while the winners of the NL Division Series play in the NLCS.
- League Championship Series (LCS):
- The League Championship Series is a best-of-seven series in each league.
- The winners of the ALCS and NLCS become the champions of their respective leagues and earn a spot in the World Series.
- World Series:
- The World Series is the championship series of MLB and features the champions of the American League and the National League.
- It is a best-of-seven series, with the first team to win four games being crowned the World Series champion.
- The team that wins the World Series is awarded the Commissioner's Trophy.
The team with the best regular-season record in each league has the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the World Series.
Where to Watch the MLB Playoffs in the UK?
Baseball is only just starting to find its feet in the United Kingdom, following in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL where engagement with the sports is quite high. In fact, the MLB will soon be coming to London for an exhibition game.
That being said, there aren't too many options for places to watch the MLB playoffs this year. Your only option is TNT Sports. If you're sat there thinking "what on earth is TNT Sports?", it's basically just BT Sports in a skin. All their contracts like exclusive rights to show UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League matches remains the same, as does their multi-year deal to be the exclusive broadcaster of the MLB in the United Kingdom.
Their monthly package starts at £29.99, which is a tad on the steep side, but you do get access to a hell of a lot of sport.
Where to Watch the MLB Playoffs in the US?
Baseball is America's game, so it naturally follows that you've got quite a few options for catching the post season this year. For those interested, NLDS will be on TBS and the ALDS on Fox or FS1.
Otherwise, your two best options online are going to be Hulu Live+ TV and FUBO. Of the two, Hulu is probably the best option to go for. You can get it for $70 a month, but if you sign up right now, you'll get the first three months for just $50, so a nice little saving there.
FUBO is a powerhouse when it comes to sports streaming, so it's always a solid shout if you're looking to watch some sports. FUBO's plans start at $75 a month. They're not currently running any offers, so you won't get an introductory price like Hulu is offering.
How to Watch More Sports for Less Money with a VPN
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to watch more sports for less money is a savvy strategy that allows sports enthusiasts to access a wider range of content while potentially reducing (or completely eliminating) subscription costs. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to effectively leverage a VPN for this purpose.
- Select a Reliable VPN Service
Start by choosing a reputable VPN service provider, like ExpressVPN Look for one that offers a large number of servers in various locations and has a solid track record of privacy and security. - Choose Servers in Desired Locations
VPNs allow you to virtually change your location by connecting to servers in different countries. To access sports content restricted to specific regions, select servers in those locations. For instance, if you want to watch European football, connect to servers in Europe. - Research Regional Sports Streaming Services
Identify the sports streaming services that offer the content you desire in the region you've chosen. Popular ones include ESPN, BBC iPlayer, and DAZN. Each service may have different subscription fees and content availability. - Sign Up for the Service
Create an account with the sports streaming service of your choice. Depending on the region, you might need a local payment method or a workaround like virtual credit cards. - Connect to the VPN Server
Before accessing the streaming service, connect to the VPN server in the chosen region. This masks your real IP address and makes it appear as though you're in that location. - Access and Enjoy the Content
Once connected, visit the sports streaming platform's website or app, and you should have access to the content restricted to that region. Stream your favorite sports events in high quality.
Which VPN Should I Use For Sports Streaming?
I've written a few concise breakdowns of which VPNs to opt for over the last few months. Definitely make sure to check those out to get the rundown. But if you just want a short answer right here, it's got to be Express VPN.
ExpressVPN is a top-tier choice for sports enthusiasts looking to elevate their sports-watching experience. This VPN service offers a range of features that make it particularly well-suited for this purpose.
First and foremost, ExpressVPN has a global network of servers spanning over 90 countries. This extensive server network allows users to virtually relocate to a wide array of regions, effectively bypassing geographical restrictions imposed by sports streaming services. Whether you're interested in European football, American basketball, or any other sport from around the world, ExpressVPN has you covered.
Another standout feature of ExpressVPN is its exceptional connection speeds. To enjoy sports content to the fullest, a high-speed and stable internet connection is crucial. ExpressVPN consistently delivers on this front, ensuring smooth streaming without buffering or lag, even when connecting to servers located far from your actual location.
Sign up today and you'll get yourself 49% off their 1-year deal. You'll also be getting an additional 3-months free. So at the equivalent of $6.67 per month, you're getting 15-months of coverage under one of the best VPNs available at the moment.
