MLB Post Season Bracket is HERE!
After a dramatic final day of the regular season that saw division races decided by single games, the 2025 Major League Baseball postseason field is set. Twelve teams will compete for a chance to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy, with the Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday, September 30.
The Final Day Drama
The regular season concluded with heart-stopping finishes in multiple divisions. The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees entered the final day tied atop the AL East, while the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers battled for the AL Central crown. Toronto emerged victorious to claim both the division title and the American League's No. 1 seed, securing a first-round bye. Cleveland captured the Central division title in what has been described as a record-setting comeback.
In the National League, the tension was equally palpable as the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds fought for the final playoff spot. The Reds, holding the tiebreaker advantage, ultimately secured the sixth seed and their first postseason appearance since 2020.
American League Bracket
First-Round Byes:
No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays (AL East Champions)
No. 2 Seattle Mariners (AL West Champions)
The Blue Jays held on through a nail-biting final weekend to claim their division title and will await their Division Series opponent. Meanwhile, the Mariners surged late in the season to capture the West and earn the AL's second bye.
Wild Card Series Matchups:
No. 3 Detroit Tigers vs. No. 6 Cleveland Guardians Despite narrowly holding off the Guardians for the AL Central title, the Tigers must immediately face their division rivals in what promises to be a tense rematch. Cleveland, after their remarkable comeback to force the division race to the final day, enters as the third wild card.
No. 4 New York Yankees vs. No. 5 Boston Red Sox In a dream matchup for baseball purists, the storied AL East rivals will square off in the Wild Card Series. Both teams secured wild card berths behind Toronto, setting up one of the most anticipated first-round series in recent memory.
National League Bracket
First-Round Byes:
No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central Champions)
No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies (NL East Champions)
The Brewers clinched their seventh postseason berth in the last eight years and cruised to an easy division title, earning the NL's top overall seed. The Phillies returned to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year (2022-2025) and captured the NL East crown on September 15.
Wild Card Series Matchups:
No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. No. 6 Cincinnati Reds The Dodgers extended their remarkable playoff streak to 13 consecutive seasons (2013-2025), tying the Yankees for the second-longest postseason appearance streak in MLB history. They held off the Padres to win the NL West and will host the surging Reds, who are making their first postseason appearance in five years.
No. 4 Chicago Cubs vs. No. 5 San Diego Padres The Cubs return to October baseball for the first time since 2020, marking their sixth playoff appearance in the last 11 years. They'll face a dangerous Padres squad in what should be a competitive Wild Card Series.
Notable Storylines
The Dodgers' Historic Streak: Los Angeles's 13th consecutive playoff appearance is now the longest active streak in major North American professional sports. Their sustained excellence has been remarkable in an era of competitive balance.
Philadelphia's Consistency: The Phillies have now reached the postseason four years running, establishing themselves as perennial contenders in the National League.
Milwaukee's Dominance: Despite operating with one of baseball's smaller payrolls, the Brewers continue to find success, making the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons.
Division Rival Drama: The Tigers-Guardians matchup features teams that battled down to the final day, while the Yankees-Red Sox series delivers one of baseball's greatest rivalries on its biggest stage.
The Schedule
The Wild Card Series begins Tuesday with four games scheduled throughout the day, all broadcast on ESPN's family of networks. The best-of-three format will see games on Tuesday and Wednesday, with potential Game 3s on Thursday.
Division Series action starts Saturday, October 4, with the winners advancing to face the first-round bye teams. The Championship Series will begin October 12-13, with the World Series scheduled to start Friday, October 24.
Coverage will be split among ESPN/ABC (Wild Card Series), TNT Sports on TBS and TruTV (NLDS and NLCS), and Fox Sports on Fox and FS1 (ALDS and ALCS). The World Series will air on Fox for the 26th consecutive year.
The Road Ahead
With the 12-team playoff format now in its fourth year, October baseball promises drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments. From the Dodgers' pursuit of championship glory to the Reds' return to October, from the Yankees-Red Sox clash to the Brewers' quest to finally break through, the 2025 postseason offers compelling narratives across both leagues.
The first pitch is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:08 p.m. ET when the Tigers and Guardians renew their rivalry in Cleveland. From there, baseball's second season will unfold over the next five weeks, culminating in a World Series that could potentially extend to November 1.
For fans across baseball, the wait is over. The 2025 MLB postseason begins now.
