2025 MLB Playoffs Schedule, Bracket, Standings and How to Watch

October’s here, and Major League Baseball feels electric as the 2025 postseason finally kicks off. After a wild, down-to-the-wire end to the regular season, a dozen teams are left chasing the sport’s biggest prize under the expanded playoff system.

Fans have already gotten their fill of jaw-dropping plays and tense, unforgettable moments as the wild-card round gets underway. The Los Angeles Dodgers locked in their spot early, sweeping their way through with almost casual dominance.

Now, the real march to the World Series begins. Every matchup seems loaded with backstories, rivalries, and the kind of drama that could make this season one for the books.

The 12-Team Playoff Format Returns

For the fourth year in a row, MLB’s postseason sticks with a 12-team structure. The goal? Keep the excitement alive and more teams in the hunt deep into September.

It all starts with the best-of-three wild-card round. Underdogs get a real shot at knocking off the favorites — and, honestly, that’s half the fun.

Wild-Card Round: Dodgers Make Statement, Others Locked in Battles

The Los Angeles Dodgers wasted no time showing off their championship swagger. They steamrolled the Cincinnati Reds in two straight games, blending veteran poise with star power.

Next up, they’ll face the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series. That’s a matchup that already feels charged.

Meanwhile, the other three wild-card series are all tied at 1-1. It’s win-or-go-home now, and the tension’s sky-high:

• Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians – A Midwest battle where pitching and clutch hits could tip the scales.
• Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees – The rivalry to end all rivalries, only bigger under October’s pressure.
• San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs – Two NL teams clinging to their postseason hopes, neither willing to blink.

Upcoming Division Series Matchups

The Division Series starts October 4, with higher seeds getting home field for Game 1. In the NL, it’s the heavyweight Dodgers vs. Phillies showdown, while the Milwaukee Brewers wait to see if they’ll draw the Cubs or Padres.

On the AL side, the Seattle Mariners will face the winner of Tigers vs. Guardians. The Toronto Blue Jays will get whichever team survives the Red Sox-Yankees clash.

Key Storylines to Watch in the Division Round

Every series carries its own flavor and drama. Some teams come in with championship pedigree, others are just trying to shock the world:

• Dodgers vs. Phillies – Big bats, top arms; this one could get wild, honestly.
• Mariners – Seattle’s got home field and a deep rotation. Will it be enough?
• Toronto Blue Jays – Their lineup can mash with the best of them. Maybe the AL’s scariest offense?
• Brewers – Pitching is their thing, and they’re ready for whoever comes out of the NL wild-card scrum.

Championship Series and World Series Schedule

The stakes only get higher in the Championship Series. The AL kicks off October 12, and the NL follows on October 13, both in a best-of-seven format.

Depth, strategy, and maybe a little luck will decide who moves on. The last two standing will battle for everything in the 2025 World Series, a fall tradition that somehow never gets old.

Mark Your Calendars

The 2025 World Series starts October 24. If it goes the distance, Game 7 lands on November 1.

That week promises the best baseball of the year — heartbreak, heroics, and, in the end, just one team left standing.

Final Thoughts

This year’s MLB playoffs have everything fans want. Fierce rivalries, wild upsets, and those moments you’ll talk about for years.

The Dodgers started strong. The Yankees and Red Sox? They’re at it again, fighting like old times.

Meanwhile, the Mariners are still chasing that elusive title. Honestly, the 2025 postseason feels like it could go anywhere.

October baseball is here. Who knows what’s next?

 
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