2025 MLB Playoff Bracket: Full Schedule, Matchups, and Early Results from October Baseball
The 2025 MLB Playoff Bracket is finally here, bringing all the excitement of October baseball back to the spotlight. With a new mix of contenders, dramatic Wild Card finishes, and storylines already unfolding, fans have plenty to look forward to as the road to the World Series begins. This year’s postseason has already given us dominant pitching, historical milestones, and some classic rivalries renewed.
2025 MLB playoff schedule and format
The postseason keeps its 12-team structure, with six clubs from each league making the cut. Division winners take the top three seeds, while three wild card teams round out the bracket. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in both the American and National Leagues enjoy first-round byes, giving them time to rest and set rotations for the Division Series.
Teams with byes in 2025:
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American League: Toronto Blue Jays (No. 1), Seattle Mariners (No. 2)
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National League: Milwaukee Brewers (No. 1), Philadelphia Phillies (No. 2)
The Wild Card round runs as a best-of-three series, with all games played at the higher seed’s ballpark. Once completed, the Division Series begins October 4, followed by the Championship Series in mid-October, and the World Series opening October 24.
MLB postseason format explained
Here’s how the 2025 postseason is structured:
| Round | Teams | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Series | Seeds 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5 | Best-of-three | Higher seed hosts all games |
| Division Series | 1 & 2 seeds join | Best-of-five | No reseeding, matchups pre-set |
| League Championship Series | ALCS & NLCS | Best-of-seven | Winners advance to World Series |
| World Series | AL vs NL | Best-of-seven | Starts Oct 24 |
This setup creates both opportunity and pressure. Wild Card teams must burn their top arms early, while teams with byes face the risk of losing rhythm after a long layoff.
2025 MLB Playoff Bracket: Wild Card matchups
The Wild Card round is already full of drama, with underdogs looking to shock higher seeds.
American League matchups:
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No. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Cleveland Guardians
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No. 5 Boston Red Sox at No. 4 New York Yankees
National League matchups:
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No. 6 Cincinnati Reds at No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers
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No. 5 San Diego Padres at No. 4 Chicago Cubs
Fans were especially thrilled to see Boston and New York renew their age-old rivalry in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, a perennial powerhouse, face a dangerous Reds team that barely slipped into the bracket but carries momentum from their late-season surge.
Early Wild Card storylines
October has already delivered some memorable moments:
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Detroit Tigers opened with a stunning performance by Tarik Skubal, who struck out 14 Guardians hitters to grab a 1–0 lead in their series.
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Chicago Cubs drew first blood against the Padres thanks to clutch bullpen pitching and timely hitting.
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Boston Red Sox secured their postseason berth dramatically with a walk-off triple in their final regular season game. Now they face the Yankees in what could be the most intense Wild Card clash.
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Cincinnati Reds edged the Mets in the race for the final NL playoff spot, advancing through tiebreakers and setting up a clash with the Dodgers.
Adding to the history books, San Diego’s Mason Miller fired a 104.5 mph fastball, setting the record for the fastest pitch ever thrown in a postseason game.
MLB Division Series bracket outlook
With the Wild Card battles in motion, eyes are already turning to the Division Series. Here’s how the bracket shapes up depending on results:
American League Division Series (ALDS):
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Blue Jays vs winner of Yankees/Red Sox
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Mariners vs winner of Guardians/Tigers
National League Division Series (NLDS):
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Brewers vs winner of Cubs/Padres
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Phillies vs winner of Dodgers/Reds
This setup means fans could see heavyweight matchups like Blue Jays vs Yankees or Dodgers vs Phillies in the very next round.
2025 World Series odds and favorites
As of now, oddsmakers lean toward the Blue Jays and Dodgers as frontrunners, though the Phillies and Mariners also hold strong chances. The Yankees, despite being a Wild Card team, carry the kind of postseason pedigree that makes them dangerous. Meanwhile, the Tigers and Reds enter as long shots but could ride their momentum deep into October if their pitching holds up.
MLB Wild Card matchups 2025 to watch closely
The Red Sox-Yankees clash has the most history and hype, but the Dodgers-Reds series may offer the biggest upset potential. The Reds’ youth and resilience contrast with Los Angeles’ veteran core, setting up an intriguing dynamic. On the AL side, Cleveland’s balanced roster will be tested against Detroit’s high-powered arms.
MLB Division Series bracket storylines
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Can the rested top seeds shake off any rust, or will Wild Card momentum carry over?
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Will Toronto’s offense live up to its billing after a strong regular season?
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Do the Brewers have enough firepower to back up their elite pitching?
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Could the Cubs be the sneaky team that derails the NL favorite path?
Final thoughts on October baseball
The 2025 MLB Playoff Bracket is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. With powerhouse teams waiting in the wings, scrappy Wild Card underdogs fighting for survival, and rivalries heating up, fans are guaranteed plenty of drama as the postseason unfolds. Every pitch, every swing, and every decision matters now, as 12 teams fight for baseball’s ultimate prize.
