In a most unusual season marked by multiple COVID-19 outbreaks, a drastically shortened schedule, an expanded Wild Card round and the move to a postseason bubble format similar to the NBA and NHL, Major League Baseball has produced a predictable matchup for the 2020 World Series. The best team in the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the best team in the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers, will meet at a neutral site in Arlington, Texas to determine baseball’s champion.
The Dodgers came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves to advance to their third World Series in the past four years. The Dodgers are seeking to end a string of postseason failures and capture their first title since 1988. The Rays nearly blew a 3-0 series lead in the ALCS before prevailing in seven games against the Houston Astros. The club has never won the World Series, having made only one previous appearance in 2008.
The first game of the World Series starts, Tuesday Oct. 20, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) on Fox.
Read on to find out how to watch the World Series without cable.
With his seventh-inning solo home run in Game 7 of the NLCS, Cody Bellinger helped send the Los Angeles Dodgers to the World Series, where they’ll face the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tom Pennington/Getty Image
What’s the schedule for the 2020 World Series?
The best-of-seven World Series starts Tuesday at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. If it goes the distances, the World Series will end on Wednesday, October 28. The Dodgers have home field advantage and will act as the home team in the first two games and games 6 and 7. The Rays will bat last for the middle three games. (All times shown ET.)
Tuesday, Oct. 20
- Game 1, Rays vs. Dodgers, 8 p.m. on Fox
Wednesday, Oct. 21
- Game 2, Rays vs. Dodgers, 8 p.m. on Fox
Friday, Oct. 23
- Game 3, Dodgers vs. Rays, 8 p.m. on Fox
Saturday, Oct. 24
- Game 4, Dodgers vs. Rays, 8 p.m. on Fox
Sunday, Oct. 25
- Game 5*, Dodgers vs. Rays, 8 p.m. on Fox
Tuesday, Oct. 27
- Game 6*, Rays vs. Dodgers, 8 p.m. on Fox
Wednesday, Oct. 28
- Game 7*, Rays vs. Dodgers, 8 p.m. on Fox
(*If necessary)
Read more: NFL streaming: How to watch the 2020 football season without cable
How can I watch the MLB playoffs without cable?
Fox will broadcast the World Series. Fox is carried by the major live TV streaming services, but local availability varies. Check the links below to make sure Fox is available in your area.
You can also watch Fox broadcasts with an over-the-air digital antenna. We have a few cheap suggestions for the best indoor antennas.
Other ways to watch postseason baseball online
MLB.TV is great for watching out-of-market baseball games during the regular season, but it’s less useful for tuning into baseball’s postseason because you must be a subscriber to a participating pay TV provider. The list is short and can be found here. If you are a subscriber to one of the pay TV providers listed, the MLB.TV Postseason Package will run you $25. To sweeten the deal, the Postseason Package includes spring training games next year.
Another option if you’re a cable subscriber is using the Fox Sports Go app. Unlike the MLB.com At Bat, you can watch the World Series for free — well, for no more than you’re already paying for cable. The Fox Sports Go app works with iOS devices, Android devices and the Amazon Kindle Fire as well as with Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Roku and Xbox. You can also access Fox Sports Go from a computer.