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If an MLB postseason game is tied after nine completed innings, it goes to extra innings and continues until one team wins. Unlike regular-season MLB games, playoff extra innings do not begin with an automatic runner on second base.
How an MLB playoff game is decided after nine innings
A tie after nine innings is not a completed game. Under the rule, play continues until the visiting team is ahead at the end of a completed inning or the home team scores the winning run during an inning.
The 2019 Official Baseball Rules, Rule 7.01(b), states: “If the score is tied after nine completed innings play shall continue until (1) the visiting team has scored more total runs than the home team at the end of a completed inning, or (2) the home team scores the winning run in an uncompleted inning.” MLB’s current regulation-game glossary describes the same basic outcome.
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The home team still gets its turn at bat in the bottom half of the inning. If it ties the score, the game continues. If it remains behind after its third out, the visiting team wins at the end of that completed inning.
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If the home team takes the lead
If the home team scores the run that puts it ahead while batting, the game ends immediately. It does not have to finish the inning or record three outs.
Do MLB playoff extra innings start with a runner on second?
No. The automatic runner on second base is a regular-season rule, not a postseason rule. The MLB postseason FAQ, dated September 1, 2026, says the automatic runner is not used in the playoffs. Each extra half-inning therefore begins with the bases empty unless batters reach base during play. MLB’s designated-runner glossary also describes the automatic-runner rule as applying to regular-season games.
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- Official NFHS Rule Book
| Game type | How extra innings begin | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MLB postseason | Bases empty; no automatic runner is placed on second. | MLB postseason FAQ, September 1, 2026 |
| MLB regular season | An automatic runner is placed on second base at the start of each extra inning. | MLB designated-runner glossary |
Is there a limit to how many playoff extra innings are played?
The cited MLB rule does not set a fixed maximum number of extra innings. The game continues until one of the winning conditions is met; it does not end automatically after a preset number of extra frames.
Which games does this rule cover?
This explanation is for MLB postseason games. Other leagues, tournaments, and amateur competitions may use different extra-inning rules. A game tied after nine innings is also distinct from a tie in the standings, which is resolved under separate competition procedures.
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