MLB Playoff Picture Revealed: Teams Clinching, Matchups, and Schedule Insights
MLB Playoff Picture Set for October 2025: Teams, Matchups, and Schedule
The curtain has closed on the 2025 MLB regular season, ushering in a thrilling playoff landscape. The Cincinnati Reds secured the final National League (NL) wild-card spot despite a loss, triumphing over the New York Mets via tiebreaker. The formidable Milwaukee Brewers will take on the NL’s top seed, possessing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, with the Philadelphia Phillies also earning a top spot.
Teams Heading to the MLB Playoffs
In the National League, the standings include powerhouses such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres. On the American League (AL) side, the Toronto Blue Jays clinched the top seed with a decisive win, sharing the first-round bye with the Seattle Mariners. Accompanying them are the Cleveland Guardians, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers.
National League Playoff Contenders
- Milwaukee Brewers: Secured the first playoff position and the NL Central title, ensuring home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Clinched the NL East with a first-round bye; a key victory over the Marlins sealed their spot.
- Chicago Cubs: Returning to playoff action, they claimed home-field advantage against the Padres in the wild-card series.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Dominating the NL West yet again, the Dodgers will host the wild-card series.
- San Diego Padres: With a dramatic win over the Brewers, the Padres enter the playoffs, facing the Cubs on the road.
- Cincinnati Reds: Clinched the last NL wild-card spot, overcoming the Mets via the tiebreaker.
American League Playoff Lineup
- Toronto Blue Jays: Seized the AL East title and top seed, granting them a first-round bye.
- Seattle Mariners: Clinched their first AL West title since 2001, earning a first-round bye.
- New York Yankees: Secured their playoff berth with a win over the White Sox, resting as the No. 4 seed.
- Boston Red Sox: Earned a wild-card spot, setting up a road series showdown.
- Detroit Tigers: Captured a wild-card berth despite closing with a tough loss.
- Cleveland Guardians: Bagged the AL Central title by outpacing the Tigers.
Key Playoff Matchups and Schedule
| American League Wild-Card Round | National League Wild-Card Round |
|---|---|
| (6) Tigers at (3) Guardians | (6) Reds at (3) Dodgers |
| (5) Red Sox at (4) Yankees | (5) Padres at (4) Cubs |
MLB Playoff Series Schedule
Wild-Card Series (Best of three, at better seed’s stadium):
- Game 1: Tuesday
- Game 2: Wednesday
- Game 3: Thursday *
Division Series (Best of five):
| ALDS | NLDS |
|---|---|
| Game 1: Oct. 4 | Game 1: Oct. 4 |
| Game 2: Oct. 5 | Game 2: Oct. 6 |
| Game 3: Oct. 7 | Game 3: Oct. 8 |
| Game 4: Oct. 8 * | Game 4: Oct. 9 * |
| Game 5: Oct. 10 * | Game 5: Oct. 11 * |
League Championship Series (Best of seven):
| ALCS | |
| Game 1: Oct. 12 | NLCS |
| Game 2: Oct. 13 | Game 1: Oct. 13 |
| Game 3: Oct. 15 | Game 2: Oct. 14 |
| Game 4: Oct. 16 | Game 3: Oct. 16 |
| Game 5: Oct. 17 * | Game 4: Oct. 17 |
| Game 6: Oct. 19 * | Game 5: Oct. 18 * |
| Game 7: Oct. 20 * | Game 6: Oct. 20 * |
| Game 7: Oct. 21 * | |
World Series (Best of seven):
- Game 1: Oct. 24
- Game 2: Oct. 25
- Game 3: Oct. 27
- Game 4: Oct. 28
- Game 5: Oct. 29 *
- Game 6: Oct. 31 *
- Game 7: Nov. 1 *
As the October drama unfolds, fans can expect intense matchups and exciting moments in this year’s MLB playoffs, covered in detail by Emegypt.
