The teams heading into the playoffs may not be fully determined just yet but the World Series schedule has been finalized and announced by the MLB and FOX Thursday.  The start times have been revealed, which reveals a shocker – this year’s World Series schedule includes one of the earliest first pitches in almost 25 years since specifically 1987 – Game 6 from the Fall Classic that year.

The earliest first pitch is Game 3, which is scheduled to begin at 6:57 p.m. Eastern Standard Time with the American League hosting on Saturday, October 30.  So, this means that four stadiums could be the host – Rangers Ballpark, Yankee Stadium, Tropicana Field or Target Field – depending  on the teams that advance.  Five of the other games will begin at 7:57 p.m. ET and Game 4 is set to be at 8:20 p.m. ET but it will ultimately take place as soon as the NFL game wraps up on FOX – just as in previous years.

Apparently the main reason for earlier starts is because in increases the amount of viewers watching the game(s).  Last year, they saw a huge increase in viewership.  This allows for more families, as well as younger individuals, to be able to watch the ballgame.  Advertisers are moving right along with the wishes of the MLB for earlier pitch times.

Games 1 and 2 will be at a National League Park while the next two games Games 3 and 4, and possibly Game 5, if it should be deemed necessary, be at an American League Park.  Games 6 and 7, should it be deemed necessary will be at a National League Park.

The National League has home-field advantage this year due to their win in the All-Star Game earlier this year at Anaheim. Right now, only the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies have clinched their spots in the National League with the others being two among the San Diego Padres, San Fransisco Giants and Atlanta Braves.

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