MLB sets playoff schedule

NEW YORK, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The 2008 World Series is to begin Oct. 22 and could end just before Halloween if it goes seven games, Major League Baseball officials said Tuesday.

MLB announced the dates of its three rounds of playoffs, even though only one of the eight playoff spots has been secured. The Los Angeles Angels have clinched the American League West title.

With the possibility of the World Series lasting until Oct. 30, MLB officials, in a release, said they built in "an increased ability to handle the effects of weather-related postponements."

The schedule calls for three of the four best-of-five Division Series to begin Oct. 1 with the fourth -- one of the American League series -- starting Oct. 2. All, barring weather issues, would be concluded by Oct. 8.

The National League Championship Series would begin Oct. 9 with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Oct. 18. The American League title series would open Oct. 10 and could go until Oct. 19.

The World Series is scheduled to begin Wednesday, Oct. 22. If it goes seven games, it would end Thursday, Oct. 30.