World Series Scorecard: Keeping Score in October

Why October Is the Time to Keep Score

Every pitch matters more in the playoffs, and so does the record of it. Fans who never score a July game pull out a scorecard for the postseason, because a scored playoff game is a souvenir. You can read it back and see exactly how the big inning happened, who came out of the bullpen, and which at bat turned the series.

The MLB postseason has four rounds: the Wild Card Series (best of three), the Division Series (best of five), the League Championship Series (best of seven), and the World Series (best of seven). That can mean a dozen or more scorecards if your team makes a deep run.

Before the First Pitch

Write down the round and the game. "ALCS Game 3" or "World Series Game 7" at the top of the card makes it easy to find later and keeps a series in order.

Fill in both lineups. Teams post them a few hours before the game. Put the position number next to each name, and list the designated hitter, since both leagues use the DH.

Note the starting pitchers. Starters in the playoffs often go fewer innings than in the summer, so leave room for several relievers on each side.

What Comes Up More in the Playoffs

Pitching changes. Managers go to the bullpen early and often in October. Log every new pitcher when he enters, including the batter he faced first, so you can tell later who was on the mound for each run.

Pinch hitters and defensive swaps. Late in a close game, benches get used. When a pinch hitter comes in, write the new name under the player he replaced and start a fresh line from that at bat. If he stays in the game, add his new position.

Extra innings the old way. The automatic runner on second base in extra innings is a regular season rule. In the postseason, every extra inning starts with the bases empty, so score it like any other inning and keep going.

Close calls and replay. If a call is overturned on review, score the play the way it was finally ruled. A small note like "overturned" next to it is worth keeping for a big moment.

Scoring Playoff Games on Your Phone

Baseball Scorebook gives you two ways to keep a playoff game. Quick Log is free and takes about 30 seconds: the score, the ballpark, and your notes. Full Scorecard is the traditional play-by-play book with lineups and every at bat, and it is part of the one-time Pro upgrade.

While you score, the Live tab shows the other playoff games with the current inning and score, each one tagged with its round, so you can follow the rest of the bracket without leaving the app.

When the series ends, tap the star on each game to add it to your favorites. Your whole October run stays together in your account, on every device, instead of in a stack of paper that gets lost by spring.

New to the book? Start with how to score baseball and keep the scoring symbols handy. Going to a game in person? The MLB scorecard app guide covers scoring from your seat.