The MLB Playoffs are down to the Red Sox and Astros in the American League and the Braves and Dodgers in the National League. The National League Championship will air on TBS, While the American League Championship will broadcast on FS1 and FOX. This article will explain how to watch every game of this year’s MLB Playoffs for free and without needing cable TV.
Watching The Entire MLB Playoffs For Free
By using free trials and refund periods, you can watch the entire MLB playoffs for free. Just follow these steps. If you are jumping in late, you can still use any of the free trials mentioned in the steps below to watch the current stage of the MLB postseason.
- Pick up a 7-day free trial to Hulu Live TV. This will provide FS1, TBS, and Fox to watch most of the NLCS and ALCS.
- Before the trial expires, cancel Hulu Live TV and sign up for DirectTV Stream‘s “Entertainment” plan. While you will have to pay $69.99 up front, if you cancel within 14 days you will get a full refund. This will provide TBS to watch the rest of the NLCS. It will also provide access to Fox and FS1 so you can watch the rest of the ALCS. This will also carry you into the World Series airing on Fox. Just remembe to cancel within 14 days of signing up.
- If the World Series carries into November, then you can watch the rest of the World Series on Fox for free with a free trial to FuboTV.
Just remember to cancel each service during the trial period to avoid being charged for your first month. I provide a little more detail on each of these services at the end of the article. First, let’s take a look at the MLB Playoff TV Schedule.
MLB Playoffs TV Schedule
Learn how to watch each stage of the MLB Playoffs without needing cable in the section after the following image of the MLB postseason bracket as it currently stands.
Watch the MLB Championship Series
How To Watch the NLCS
All games between the Dodgers and Braves in The National League Championship series will air on TBS. You can see the schedule in the table below.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Oct. 16 | Dodgers at Braves, Game 1 | 8:07 pm | TBS |
| Sun., Oct. 17 | Dodgers at Braves, Game 2 | 7:37 p.m. | TBS |
| Tue., Oct. 19 | Braves at Dodgers, Game 3 | 5:08 p.m. | TBS |
| Wed., Oct. 20 | Braves at Dodgers, Game 4 | 8:08 p.m. | TBS |
| Thu., Oct. 21 | Braves at Dodgers, Game 5* | 8:08 p.m. | TBS |
| Sat., Oct. 23 | Dodgers at Braves, Game 6* | 5:08 p.m. | TBS |
| Sun., Oct. 24 | Dodgers at Braves, Game 7* | 7:38 p.m. | TBS |
You can watch TBS using one of the following services:
- Hulu Live TV – offers a 7-day free trial to Hulu Live TV
- YouTube TV – offers a 1-week free trial
- DIRECTV Stream – cancel within 14 days for a full refund.
How To Watch the ALCS
The Houston Astros play the Boston Red Sox in The American League Championship best of seven series. Coverage of the series will be split between Fox and FS1. You can see the schedule in the table below.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 15 | Red Sox at Astros, Game 1 | 8:07 p.m | Fox |
| Sat., Oct. 16 | Red Sox at Astros, Game 2 | 4:20 p.m | Fox |
| Mon., Oct. 18 | Astros at Red Sox, Game 3 | 8:07 p.m. | Fox/FS1 |
| Tue., Oct. 19 | Astros at Red Sox, Game 4 | 8:08 p.m | FS1 |
| Wed., Oct. 20 | Astros at Red Sox, Game 5* | 5:08 p.m | FS1 |
| Fri., Oct. 22 | Red Sox at Astros, Game 6* | 8:08 p.m | FS1 |
| Sat., Oct. 23 | Red Sox at Astros, Game 7* | 8:08 p.m | Fox/FS1 |
You can watch Fox and FS1 using one of the following services:
- Hulu Live TV – offers a 7-day free trial to Hulu Live TV
- fuboTV – Offers a 1-week free trial
- YouTube TV – offers a 1-week free trial
- DIRECTV Stream – cancel within 14 days for a full refund.
How To Watch The World Series Without Cable
Every game of the 2021 World Series will air on Fox. The TV schedule is below.
| Date | Game | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Oct. 26 | TBD @ TBD, Game 1 | TBD | FOX |
| Wednesday, Oct. 27 | TBD @ TBD, Game 2 | TBD | FOX |
| Friday, Oct. 29 | TBD @ TBD, Game 3 | TBD | FOX |
| Saturday, Oct. 30 | TBD @ TBD, Game 4 | TBD | FOX |
| Sunday, Oct. 31 | TBD @ TBD, Game 5* | TBD | FOX |
| Tuesday, Nov. 2 | TBD @ TBD, Game 6* | TBD | FOX |
| Wednesday, Nov. 3 | TBD @ TBD, Game 7* | TBD | FOX |
You can watch Fox using one of the following services:
- Hulu Live TV – offers a 7-day free trial to Hulu Live TV
- fuboTV – Offers a 1-week free trial
- YouTube TV – offers a 1-week free trial
- DIRECTV Stream – cancel within 14 days for a full refund.
Streaming The MLB Playoffs
Below is a short description of each streaming service I mention in this guide to watching the MLB Playoffs. Each section provides links to more information for each service.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a streaming service that Provides MLB Network, ESPN, Fox, TBS, FS1, and more. The service costs $64.99 per month and includes:
- access to FS1, ESPN, MLB Network, TBS, Local Network Channels, and over 70 other channels
- unlimited cloud DVR storage
- stream on three devices at once
- Youtube TV supports Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and more. The YouTube TV app isn’t available on Roku. However, users can use YouTube TV through the YouTube app on Roku devices.
- Includes Youtube TV on-demand
Hulu Live TV
Live streaming of ESPN, TBS, FS1, and Fox are available through Hulu Live TV. There are no monthly contracts so that you can try their live TV service without fear of a long-term commitment. Previously Hulu was known for its vast on-demand streaming library. Hulu Live TV also includes FS2. Hulu Live TV is one of the best live TV streaming services available. Hulu Live TV includes the following features:
- The basic package comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage. (Upgrades available)
- Watch on 2 screens at once. (Upgrades available)
- It comes with 6 customizable profiles.
- Includes entire Hulu streaming library
Hulu offers no commitment 7-day free trial. If you keep the service, the price $64.99 per month. There is no contract, and you can cancel at any time.
DIRECTV Stream
DIRECTV Stream provides FS1, Fox, ESPN, and TBS in their “Entertainment” package for $69.99 per month. If you upgrade to the DIRECTV Steam “Choice” plan, you can also get MLB Network for a price of $69.99 per month. While there isn’t a free trial, DIRECTV Stream will provide a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of signing up. All DIRECTV Stream plans include the following.
- watch 20 streams simultaneously per subscription
- a cloud-based DVR
- channels like FS1, ESPN, and more
- supported on AppleTV, Android TV, Roku, Amazon FireTV, and more
You can check out everything this service offers on this promo page or read about it in our DIRECTV Stream review.
FuboTV
FuboTV is a streaming service built for sports. It provides access to ESPN, Fox, FS1, and MLB Network, along with 70+ other channels. You can get a 1-week free trial to watch FS1 live on FuboTV. After the trial on its “Family Plan” for $64.99/month. The package includes:
- Live FS1,Fox, ESPN, and more are available in fuboTV’s channel lineup
- You can watch on three screens at the same time
- 250 hours of cloud DVR storage
- The FuboTV app is available on major platforms, including AppleTV, AndroidTV, Roku, and Amazon FireTV.
You can sign up for a 1-week free trial or check out our review of FuboTV for more details.
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