The race to October is set. The 2025 MLB postseason bracket is locked in, and 12 teams will now battle for baseball’s biggest prize. From fierce rivalries to surprise entries, here’s everything you need to know about how the playoffs work, the key matchups, and the storylines to watch.
How the MLB Postseason Works
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12 teams qualify: 6 from the American League (AL) and 6 from the National League (NL).
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The top 2 division winners in each league get a bye straight to the Division Series.
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The 3rd division winner + 3 Wild Card teams face off in the Wild Card Round (best-of-three series, all games hosted by the higher seed).
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Winners advance to the Division Series (best-of-five), then the League Championship Series (best-of-seven), and finally the World Series.
This format means every game in the Wild Card is a must-watch — one bad night can send a contender home.
2025 MLB Playoffs Timeline
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Wild Card Round: September 30 – October 2
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Division Series: Begins October 4
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League Championship Series: Mid-October
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World Series: Late October into early November
️ 2025 Bracket and Matchups
American League
Byes:
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(1) Toronto Blue Jays
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(2) Seattle Mariners
Toronto awaits the Yankees/Red Sox winner, while Seattle will face the Guardians/Tigers survivor.
National League
Byes:
Milwaukee draws the winner of Cubs/Padres, and Philly awaits the Dodgers/Reds clash.
Teams and Storylines to Watch
The Big Names
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Los Angeles Dodgers: In the postseason for the 13th straight year, but can they finally convert another deep run?
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Philadelphia Phillies: Loaded with talent and momentum, they’re eyeing another World Series push.
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Toronto Blue Jays: Canada’s hope — and this time they enter as the AL’s No. 1 seed.
Rivalries & Drama
Surprise Packages
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Cincinnati Reds: Clinched their first full-season playoff appearance since 2013, edging out the Mets in dramatic fashion.
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Detroit Tigers: Snuck into the final AL spot, now set for a showdown with Cleveland.
Missing in Action
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Houston Astros: For the first time since 2016, Houston is out — ending one of baseball’s longest postseason streaks.
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New York Mets: Despite a huge payroll, they miss October after losing a wild card tiebreaker.
Why 2025 Could Be Wide Open
There’s no unstoppable “superteam” this year. Powerhouses like the Mets and Astros are gone, and the bracket feels more balanced than ever. That means:
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Upsets are in play — best-of-three Wild Card series can swing fast.
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Home-field advantage matters — higher seeds never leave home in the Wild Card.
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Momentum wins October — teams like Cleveland and Cincinnati enter hot, and that could be decisive.
Expect drama, surprises, and October classics as baseball’s best battle for the 2025 World Series crown.