The 2025 MLB regular season wrapped up on Sunday, September 28. Some teams’ seasons finished earlier than they had hoped, and some were eliminated in Game 162. Most importantly, some will be playing in October. Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 MLB Playoffs!
Wild Card bye teams
The Milwaukee Brewers finished with the best record in baseball at 97-65 (A franchise-best) and are the #1 seed in the National League. Pat Murphy’s team finished second in batting average, hits, ERA, and stolen bases this season. The Brew Crew was also the hottest team in baseball throughout the summer months with multiple double-digit win streaks. The NL Central Champions will host the winner of the Cubs-Padres series, as they aim for their first World Series appearance since 1982 and first title in franchise history.
The Philadelphia Phillies, managed by Rob Thomson, are the #2 seed in the NL, with a 96-66 record and an NL East title to show for it. The Fightin’ Phils led the league in quality starts during the regular season. Red October awaits the winner of the Dodgers-Reds series, as the Phils look to return to the World Series for the first time since 2022, and win their first title since 2008.
The Toronto Blue Jays finished with the best record in the American League at 94-68, and held the tiebreaker over the Yankees for their first AL East crown in a decade. Toronto, under manager John Schneider, led the league in batting average and hits, took the division lead on July 3, and never looked back. With the AL’s #1 seed, the Jays seek their first World Series title since 1993. Toronto will host the winner of the Yankees-Red Sox series.
The Seattle Mariners won their first AL West division title since 2001, and finished with a 90-72 record and the #2 seed in the AL. The winner of the Guardians-Tigers series will find themselves in Seattle. Dan Wilson’s squad, which placed third in home runs and stolen bases during 2025, hopes to reach and win the World Series for the first time in franchise history.
American League Wild Card #1: #3 Cleveland Guardians (88-74, 1st in AL Central) vs. #6 Detroit Tigers (87-75, 2nd in AL Central)
An underrated rematch of last season’s ALDS sees AL Central rivals Cleveland and Detroit squaring off. Last year’s matchup saw the Guardians prevail in five games, but they were eliminated in the ALCS by the Yankees in five. Cleveland caught fire by winning 17 of 19 games between September 5-24, and stole the division title away from their rivals. The Tigers once held a 15.5-game lead. In 2024, Stephen Vogt’s Guardians finished tied for second in saves and tied for fourth in ERA. Cleveland holds the longest championship drought of any team in baseball, last winning the World Series in 1948; their last appearance was a 2016 Game 7 defeat by the Chicago Cubs. AJ Hinch’s Tigers last won a title in 1985, and won their last pennant in 2012.
American League Wild Card #2: #4 New York Yankees (94-68, 2nd in AL East) vs. #5 Boston Red Sox (89-73, 3rd in AL East)
You thought the Guardians vs. Tigers series was the only intradivisional matchup this round? Well, you are wrong, and for good reason. The Yankees and the Red Sox? As in the greatest rivalry in all of baseball, facing off together? Oh, yes. Aaron Boone’s Yankees hit the most home runs and RBI this season, but lost the division tiebreaker to Toronto. Alex Cora’s Red Sox finished second in quality starts and fourth in hits and ERA in 2025, and rejoined the dance for the first time since 2021. The defending AL champion Yankees won their 27th title in 2009, and Boston got their last ring in 2018.
National League Wild Card #1: #3 Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69, 1st in NL West) vs. #6 Cincinnati Reds (83-79, 3rd in NL Central)
If the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers want to go back-to-back, they must defeat the Cincinnati Reds in a lopsided matchup, who made the playoffs for the first time since 2020 (2013 if you only count full seasons). Los Angeles, under Dave Roberts, led the league in strikeouts and placed second in home runs and RBI. The Reds finished tied for fourth with the Atlanta Braves in quality starts. Two-time champion Tito Francona is managing a team that last won the World Series in 1990.
National League Wild Card #2: #4 Chicago Cubs (92-70, 2nd in NL Central) vs. #5 San Diego Padres (90-72, 2nd in NL West)
The Cubs are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 (2018 without COVID-19) as they take on the San Diego Padres. Chicago broke the century-long curse by winning the World Series in 2016, while SD’s empty World Series trophy case has forever eluded the franchise. Mike Shildt and the Padres want to rebound from an NLDS loss to the Dodgers the previous season by reaching the World Series for the first time since 1998. Craig Counsell’s Cubs were tied for third in RBI and stolen bases, while the Padres led the league in saves and were third in ERA.
Who do YOU think will win the World Series? Late October is when we will find out. Cheers to another entertaining season of playoff baseball!
