How to Watch the MLB Playoffs Live Without Cable in 2024

I was disappointed to learn that the MLB playoffs only air on national TV in the US and Canada. So, you can’t catch up on these intense matches from another country.

You could hypothetically use a VPN to get a US or Canadian IP address to stream the playoffs. However, this would be against any streaming platform’s terms of service, and my team and I don’t condone illegal acts like circumventing geo-restrictions.

If you’re already in the US or Canada, you should still use a VPN to secure yourself while streaming the MLB playoffs. Otherwise, you could leak your IP address online, and hackers might spy on whatever you’re doing. I consider ExpressVPN the best choice for airtight online safety, and you can even try ExpressVPN risk-free. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can ask for a full refund if you’re unsatisfied.

Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

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Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Safely Watch the MLB Playoffs

How a VPN Keeps You Safe while streaming the MLB Playoffs

A VPN keeps you safe and anonymous online with various security features. First off, the top VPNs offer AES 256-bit encryption to protect your connection, which is an unbreakable encryption standard. Plus, they have no-logs policies to ensure your activity isn’t tracked. VPNs also use features like leak protection to ensure your identifying information isn’t leaked online.

All the best VPNs offer solid protection, but ExpressVPN is the best choice. It has AES 256-bit encryption, a strict no-logs policy, leak protection, a kill switch, and more for guaranteed online safety.

The Best VPNs for Safely Watching the UEFA Euro in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — The Top Choice for Safely Watching the Playoffs Without Buffering

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	3,000+
📱Devices	8
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

ExpressVPN has blazing-fast speeds, making it a perfect choice for watching MLB playoffs in UHD. When I tested it, ExpressVPN consistently maintained speeds over 300Mbps — fast enough to support buffer-free HD streams, which is critical for a live game.

Even though ExpressVPN has servers in 20+ US cities, the app helps you choose the best available servers based on your location. When my colleague in the US tested it, ExpressVPN recommended New York, Washington, New Jersey, and LA. They all helped them safely access their Hulu + Live TV account without issues.

My colleague also tested ExpressVPN with YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and MLB.TV (the native MLB streaming service). ExpressVPN let them safely access all these services and enjoy lag-free UHD streams without buffering or pixelation.

You can safely watch the playoffs on up to 8 devices with ExpressVPN’s dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, and Android TV. You can even download the VPN to your router to connect all the devices on your network and use your gaming console or LG TV to watch the playoffs.

Of course, you’ll remain completely safe and anonymous while using ExpressVPN. The app offers AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, leak protection, a kill switch, and more to guarantee online protection.

Although it is a bit more expensive than other providers, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free. All plans have a “no questions asked” 30-day money-back guarantee, so it’s easy to get a refund if you’re unsatisfied. I tested the policy by contacting an agent through the 24-hour live chat, and she approved my refund within a few minutes. My account was credited with the full amount 4 days later.

Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

2. CyberGhost — Offers Optimized Servers for Secure and Lag-Free Streams

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	11,800+
📱Devices	7
💰Refund	45 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

CyberGhost has specialized streaming servers for YouTube TV, Hulu, and Sling TV, which carry the MLB playoffs. These servers are constantly tested and upgraded to ensure you can safely access your streaming subscriptions and enjoy buffer-free viewing in the highest resolution. When my colleague in the US tried these servers with MLB broadcasters, their streams were UHD and never buffered.

When I tested its non-optimized US servers, I was impressed that there wasn’t much of a difference in speed or performance. I randomly tried servers in Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, and Seattle, and they all provided good connection speeds. Streams may take a while to start, but you’ll have no interruptions once they start playing.

Of course, CyberGhost ensures you remain completely safe while streaming. It has military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to safeguard your traffic. Plus, there’s a no-logs policy, a kill switch, and leak protection to ensure you always remain anonymous.

CyberGhost’s 2-year + 4 months plan is the best value at just $2.03 a month. Also, you can try CyberGhost risk-free. You have 45 days to ask for a full refund if you’re unsatisfied. I tested it by asking for a refund over live chat and didn’t even have to give a reason for canceling. The agent approved my request, and I had the money 3 days later.

3. Private Internet Access — A Massive Server Network for Safe and Uninterrupted Live MLB Streams

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	35,000+
📱Devices	Unlimited
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

PIA’s 35,000+ servers make it easy to find an uncrowded server that doesn’t cause slowdowns or interruptions. So, you won’t experience any mid-stream lag or pixelated video at critical moments in the game.

As I expected, I never had issues with choppy livestreams when I tested PIA. But, on some of the most distant servers, I experienced speed drops up to 82%. However, with servers spread across all 5o states, you can prevent this speed loss by only connecting to servers closest to your actual location.

When my colleague in the US tested PIA’s US-based servers, they quickly accessed DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV, but Hulu only worked on the East Coast streaming server.

A malware blocker called PIA MACE protects your privacy while you watch games by blocking trackers and data mining bots. PIA’s integrated ad blocker also makes your streams faster and more reliable since these bots build up in the background and slow down your connection.

While its 2-year + 4 months starts at just $2.03 per month, you can try PIA risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. To test the guarantee, I sent a support ticket requesting a refund. The agent tried to get me to stay, but I told them I no longer needed the service, and my refund was quickly processed. I had my money back 4 days later.

4. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	6,300+
📱Devices	10
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly.

I was particularly impressed with the high performance of every server I tested. Just because a VPN has thousands of servers doesn’t mean they all work. Servers can still struggle to work — and some can even fail to connect completely. However, NordVPN’s servers work with Netflix for smooth, buffer-free streaming.

I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it mostly worked with Netflix, it sometimes had issues and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.

NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:

• AES 256-bit encryption
• kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly
• built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker
• fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN

In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server.

With plans that cost as little as $3.09 per month, it's easy to find a NordVPN subscription plan that suits your needs. You can also stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this to ensure that you’ll really get your money back. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days.

Get NordVPN today

5. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds

Great VPN

Great VPN

📍Servers	3,200+
📱Devices	Unlimited
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out.

I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality.

When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:

• AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users
• Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default
• diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers)
• kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default)
• IP and DNS leak protection

Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account.

While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet.

You can try Surfshark for yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.29. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!).

Get Surfshark today

6. PrivateVPN — Best Budget-Friendly VPN for Safely Watching the Playoffs

Great VPN

Great VPN

📍Servers	200+
📱Devices	10
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

If you’re on a tight budget, PrivateVPN will help you safely watch every MLB playoff game at a low price. My colleague in the US tested 7 of its 12 US servers and was impressed that they all instantly worked with Sling TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV, and Hulu. It even works with Amazon Prime Video, which is useful if you want to watch any of the Yankees’ regular-season games.

Even with its small network of 200+ global servers and 12 in the US, PrivateVPN delivers excellent speeds — over 67 Mbps on all but one. While it wasn’t comparably fast, you can still watch 4K YouTube videos and livestreams after only a few seconds of buffering.

Besides the speeds, PrivateVPN offers superb protection through AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and other safety features. So, it’s a great choice if you want to remain safe and anonymous online.

I found PrivateVPN’s apps easy to download and set up, but PrivateVPN has comprehensive installation guides on its website if you need any help. I installed the apps on my Android phone, Macbook, and Fire TV Stick and used them for hours without any bugs or crashes. It’s also compatible with Windows, iOS, Linux, and some routers.

If you’re looking for a short-term solution while traveling, PrivateVPN has one of the best monthly deals. But when you sign up for its 3-year, you’ll pay just $2.00/month.

You can also use its 30-day money-back guarantee to try PrivateVPN risk-free. After testing it for 2 weeks, I used its 24-hour live chat to cancel my subscription and ask for a refund. The agent asked a few questions and then quickly processed my request. I had the money back 4 working days later.

7. IPVanish — Offers Safe and Fast Connections on All Your Household’s Devices

Good Choice

Good Choice

📍Servers	2,400+
📱Devices	Unlimited
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

With unlimited simultaneous connections, IPVanish will let you safely watch every playoff game — from the Wild Card games to the World Series — on all your devices. This means you can watch on your phone while commuting, on your desktop in your office, and on your TV when you get home (all without having to log out on any device when you switch).

What’s more, IPVanish is compatible with an impressive range of operating systems. Aside from Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, it also has apps for Amazon Fire TV devices, Android TV, and routers.

Of its 2,400+ worldwide servers, over 1200 of IPVanish’s servers are in the US. My speed tests showed only a 30-35% slowdown on servers within 8000km of my location, and I only experienced slight speed reductions when I connected on 7 devices at once. Unlike ExpressVPN, which provides excellent simultaneous streaming speeds, my colleague in the US had some issues with pixelated video when streaming 4K videos on multiple devices.

With so many servers, I like that IPVanish automatically picks the best server in your location. All you have to do is select your country and click “Connect,” and IPVanish automatically connects you to the best available server. The first time my colleague tried it, the app connected them to a server in Boston that provided lag-free streams.

You can subscribe to a 2-year plan for just $2.99 a month. Also, you can try IPVanish risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee, and it’s easy to get a refund — you don’t even have to talk to an agent. I canceled my subscription in my account settings, and the refund process was approved immediately. The money was credited to my account later the same day.

Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Where to Watch the MLB Playoffs in 2024

The 2024 MLB Playoffs will only be broadcast on TBS, ESPN, FS1, FOX, and the MLB Network. If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a subscription to one of the following services that carry these channels.

There are some third-party streaming websites you can use to stream the MLB playoffs, but I don’t recommend them. In addition to being unreliable, these sites are usually full of spam, ads, trackers, and malware. To watch the MLB playoffs safely, try:

Sling TV (US)

You can customize your Sling TV package to include all 5 playoff channels. Its Blue + Orange package gives you access to ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS — you’ll need to buy the Sports Extra add-on for $11 more to get MLB Network. You can stream on up to 3 devices at once, and you’ll get 50 hours of DVR storage.

Unfortunately, your Sling TV subscription doesn’t include any RSNs, so you won’t be able to use it to watch any in-market games during the regular season.

YouTube TV (US)

YouTube TV carries all 5 playoff channels, so you can watch every postseason game in one place. You can connect up to 6 devices to your account and will automatically record games played by your favorite teams on unlimited DVR storage. It even has a 14-day free trial.

Your subscription also includes some NBC RSNs and SportsNet NY. This means you can also stream regular-season in-market games for the Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Mets.

DirecTV Stream (US)

With DirecTV Stream’s Choice Plan, you’ll get 90+ live channels, including all 5 playoff channels, for full coverage of the postseason games. Its entry-level plan is slightly cheaper but doesn’t include the MLB Network.

DirecTV Stream also carries the most RSNs of any service on this list — you’ll be able to watch in-market games for every team except the Phillies and Blue Jays during the regular season.

Hulu + Live TV (US)

Hulu carries 4 of 5 MLB playoffs channels (ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS). While you’ll miss out on some of the action on the MLB Network, your subscription includes ESPN+, Disney+, and 70+ live channels.

You’ll also be able to watch regular-season in-market games for the Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets.

Sportsnet/SN Now (Canada)

Viewers in Canada will be able to watch the 2024 MLB Playoffs, all regular-season games, as well as every Toronto Blue Jays game.

RDS Direct (Canada)

In addition to all the playoff games, RDS Direct will also broadcast every regular-season game live.

Where to Watch Regular-Season MLB Games

How to Sign up With Sling TV and Watch the MLB Playoffs

You can sign up for Sling TV using a US credit card or gift card. Remember that you need to sign up before you travel, because signing up for Sling TV abroad, even using a VPN, could breach its terms and conditions.

Gift Card Method

Credit Card Method

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

FAQs on Watching the MLB Playoffs Live Without Cable

Safely Watch the MLB Playoffs Today

In conclusion, you need a VPN to protect yourself before streaming the MLB playoffs or doing anything else online. Otherwise, you risk leaking identifying information like your IP address. Also, hackers can easily spy on your activity if your connection isn’t encrypted.

All the above VPNs provide excellent security with military-grade encryption and features like kill switches. Plus, they maintain fast connection speeds to ensure you can enjoy lag-free UHD streams.

While all the above choices are effective, ExpressVPN stands out as the best overall option. It uses unbreakable AES 256-bit encryption and has leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy to keep you safe. You can also try ExpressVPN risk-free. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you get a full refund if you’re unsatisfied with the app’s performance.

Summary — These Are the Best VPNs to Watch the MLB Playoffs in 2024

Rank

Provider name

Our score

Price

Top Ranked Top Choice

1.

9.8

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$6.67 / month Save 49%

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2.

9.6

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$2.03 / month Save 84%

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3.

9.4

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$2.03 / month Save 83%

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4.

9.4

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$3.09 / month Save 76%

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5.

9.4

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$2.29 / month Save 85%

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6.

8.8

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$2.00 / month Save 83%

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7.

8.4

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$2.99 / month Save 77%

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