As we dive into the 2025 MLB Playoff Bracket, baseball enthusiasts can feel the excitement building up as the postseason approaches. This year features intense matchups, storied rivalries, and the promise of thrilling baseball as teams vie for the coveted World Series title. Let’s break down the playoff structure, teams involved, and the scheduling for both the Wild Card Round and the Division Series.
MLB Playoff Structure
The MLB playoffs include a collection of exciting rounds, starting with the Wild Card games, where six teams from each league battle it out for a spot in the Division Series. The playoff format consists of:
- Wild Card Round: Featuring two teams from each league that do not win their respective divisions.
- Division Series: The winners of the Wild Card games face off against the top-seeded teams from each league.
- League Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS): The winners of the Division Series compete for a chance to advance to the World Series.
- World Series: The champions from the American League and National League battle to be crowned the champion.
Who’s in for 2025?
American League:
- Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays clinched the AL East, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the ALCS.
- Seattle Mariners: After a lengthy drought, the Mariners won the AL West, securing a first-round bye as well.
- Cleveland Guardians: Winning the AL Central championship, the Guardians host the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card Round.
- New York Yankees: The Yankees will face bitter rivals, the Boston Red Sox, in the Wild Card.
- Boston Red Sox: Returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2021, the Red Sox take on the Yankees.
- Detroit Tigers: With a last-minute push, the Tigers aim to upset the Guardians in the Wild Card matchup.
National League:
- Milwaukee Brewers: Winning the NL Central for the third straight year, the Brewers earned a bye as the top seed.
- Philadelphia Phillies: The defending NL East champions, the Phillies also secured a first-round bye.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Clinching the NL West title again, the Dodgers host the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card Round.
- Chicago Cubs: Making their first playoff appearance since 2020, the Cubs face the San Diego Padres.
- San Diego Padres: Headed to Chicago, the Padres aim to continue their recent success in the postseason.
- Cincinnati Reds: Clinching a playoff spot on the last day of the season, the Reds will look to surprise the Dodgers.
Wild Card Round Schedule
The Wild Card Round promises to serve up high-stakes baseball action. Here’s the schedule:
American League:
No. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Cleveland Guardians
- Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday, Oct. 2, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- No. 5 Boston Red Sox at No. 4 New York Yankees
- Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN)
National League:
No. 6 Cincinnati Reds at No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers
- Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday, Oct. 2, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- No. 5 San Diego Padres at No. 4 Chicago Cubs
- Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday, Oct. 2, 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
Division Series Schedule
Following the Wild Card Round, winners will advance to the Division Series, featuring a five-game format. The schedule is as follows:
American League:
- Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4
- Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 5
- Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 7
- Game 4 (if necessary): Wednesday, Oct. 8
- Game 5 (if necessary): Friday, Oct. 10
National League:
- Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4
- Game 2: Monday, Oct. 6
- Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8
- Game 4 (if necessary): Thursday, Oct. 9
- Game 5 (if necessary): Saturday, Oct. 11
League Championship Series
The ALCS and NLCS will follow a seven-game format, with the schedules set as:
ALCS:
- Game 1: Oct. 12
- Game 2: Oct. 13
- Game 3: Oct. 15
- Game 4: Oct. 16
- Game 5 (if necessary): Oct. 17
- Game 6 (if necessary): Oct. 19
- Game 7 (if necessary): Oct. 20
NLCS:
- Game 1: Oct. 13
- Game 2: Oct. 14
- Game 3: Oct. 16
- Game 4: Oct. 17
- Game 5 (if necessary): Oct. 18
- Game 6 (if necessary): Oct. 20
- Game 7 (if necessary): Oct. 21
World Series Schedule
The culmination of the postseason, the World Series, is set to commence on October 24. Here is the anticipated schedule:
- Game 1: Oct. 24
- Game 2: Oct. 25
- Game 3: Oct. 27
- Game 4: Oct. 28
- Game 5 (if necessary): Oct. 29
- Game 6 (if necessary): Oct. 31
- Game 7 (if necessary): Nov. 1
Conclusion
With the brackets set and the schedule lined up, baseball fans should prepare for a thrilling postseason filled with intense matchups and heartfelt rivalries. This season, teams like the Blue Jays and Brewers aim to build on their successful playoff runs, while underdogs like the Tigers and Reds could offer unexpected twists. As the race to the World Series heats up, every pitch and swing will matter. Embrace the excitement and stay tuned as the drama unfolds on the road to crowning a new champion in 2025.
