And then there were seven.

We’re right in the thick of the division series right now, and it’s still anyone’s game (add the MLB schedule to Google Calendar to see what we mean!). With predictions swinging wildly, one thing is clear: we’re in for a show and a half.

Attention is ramping up as much as the tension on the field; this is the perfect time to jump on the MLB advertising train. Whether you’re new to the game or a veteran in the bullpen, here’s everything you need to know about running (and cashing in on) MLB ads.

COUNTRIES TO TARGET WITH MLB ADVERTISING

First off, GEOs. There’s no point running MLB ads in a country that simply doesn’t care as much. Go big in the US. They’re (obviously) baseball mad, and it’s where the majority of those golden impressions lie.

Don’t sleep on the runners-up, though. There’s still huge potential for MLB advertising in Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Japan. 

MLB Post-Season Explained

The MLB is a beast of a sports league. The first thing to understand is that it’s actually split into 2 leagues: National and American. Those leagues are then also split into 3 divisions – East, Central, and West.

Come postseason, each league sends six teams:

• 3 division winners
• 3 Wild Cards (the best performers in the rest of the league – any division). 

The top 2 teams get to skip the first round; perks of a great season. The other four fight it out in the Wild Card Series (best of three).

The Climb

Winners advance to the Division Series (NLDS/ALDS) in a best-of-five match.

This is followed by the Championship Series (NLCS/ALCS) in a best-of-seven match. This is essentially the league final.

The champions of each league meet in the World Series (best-of-seven) to decide baseball’s ultimate winner.

When and How to Run Your Campaigns

With team tactics under the spotlight, so are the tactics of advertisers. The most important thing is to stay on top of results. This MLB postseason really does have the cream of the crop remaining, and the pennant could end up in any state. 

Not all franchises are built equally, though, and there will always be more eyes on certain games. On top of that, if a team wins the required number of games in a tie, the following games are cancelled. No game, no traffic, no baseball ads. 

The following dates are based on Central European Time (CET)

As advertisers, you need to be hoping and watching out for 2 factors: 

• The big names go far into the competition. You’ll have attention on the game (and your MLB advertising) for longer.
• The ties are close. A best-of series format means that the closer the tie, the more games will be played. The more games there are, the more opportunities for baseball ads. 

The biggest names still in the competition are the Phillies and the Dodgers, so feel free to rub your hands together if they make it to the championship series. Make sure you add the MLB schedule to Google Calendar to stay up to date. 

MLB ADVERTISING CONTENT

With MLB advertising, lean into the baseball energy. Think ballparks, rivalries, and that playoff pressure. Fans live and breathe this stuff, so meet them where their hearts (and eyes) are. Don’t play it safe creatively either. Go bold, go bright, and make your baseball ads hit like a walk-off home run.

Storylines are gold here. Allow your baseball ads to tap into emotion: a rookie’s first playoff run, a heated rematch, or a legendary career’s last shot. If fans feel part of the story, they’ll stay with your brand all the way to the ninth inning.

What The Experts Are Saying

The Mariners and the Phillies look to be the favourites in their division, but Philadelphia needs to pull out all the stops to win. They’re currently 2-1 down against the Dodgers. Being without the injured Zack Wheeler might be hurting them.

LA has “one of the best players since Babe Ruth” in Shohei “Shotime” Ohtani – a World title would certainly raise his status even more.

The Mariners haven’t yet reached the World Series, but they have a deep roster. Is it their time? Cal Raleigh, aka. Big Dumper has an insane 60 Home Runs in one season. That kind of performance needs to be rewarded.

The Brewers might be a smaller global brand, but with the best regular-season record, they can’t be sniffed at. Currently 2-1 up against the Cubs, they have every chance of going all the way. 

MLB ADVERTISING FORMATS

In the MLB postseason, timing is everything. Use Pop-Under MLB ads for power and In-Page Push for real-time hits when fans are fired up. Line your baseball ads up with big games and rivalries; that’s when clicks fly out of the park.

Payment Models

If you’re tracking conversions, swing with CPA Target; it auto-adjusts to hit your goals. For intent-driven formats like Banners or Push MLB ads, go CPC to pay only when fans swing back. Big moments deserve bold bids.

Monetization Tips

The playoffs are emotional; tap into clutch moments, rivalries, and underdog stories. Fans search for what they feel, so meet them there. With Adcash’s top eCPMs and fast payouts, you’ll be rounding the bases in no time.

FAQs

How long do baseball games usually last?

Thanks to the pitch clock introduced in 2023, baseball games average around 2 hours and 40 minutes. Obviously, with weather, extra innings, and other factors, game time can vary a lot. The good news is there is plenty of time to run those MLB ads!

How many games are in an MLB season?

In the regular season, teams all play a massive 162 games of baseball, from mid-Spring to early Autumn. All teams play each other at least once. 

How to add the MLB schedule to my calendar?

Go to the MLB calendar, select who you want to follow (a selection of teams, or every game), and click sync. Choose to add the MLB schedule to Google Calendar (or whichever calendar you use), and your calendar will automatically open. 

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

The postseason isn’t going away any time soon, and the drama is ramping up by the day. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for those sweet MLB advertising rewards. For even more strategy, make sure you check out our post on conversion-driving sports fixtures. 

For anything else you need, Adcash support is here.