Let the rest or rust debate begin.
As Major League Baseball’s wild-card round reaches its final day, the postseason bracket reintroduces four teams that haven’t played meaningful baseball since their regular-season finale on Sunday, Sept. 28.
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The top two seeds in both leagues – the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners in the American, and the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies in the National – earned byes for the wild-card round. Since the 12-team playoff format was adopted in 2022, six of the 12 teams with byes have moved on to the league championship series. Three of the four teams with byes in 2024 won their division series matchups (Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians), with the Phillies the only squad to falter.
Here’s a look at the updated 2025 postseason bracket:
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Tommy Edman is showered with sunflower seeds after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Reds in Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Tommy Edman is showered with sunflower seeds after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Reds in Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Teoscar Hernandez (37) celebrates with teammates Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy after hitting a 3-run home run during the third inning against the Reds in Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Reds during Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez and relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman celebrate after defeating the Yankees 3-1 in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Austin Wells reacts after being struck out during the eighth inning of Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Yankees manager Aaron Boone takes out pitcher Luke Weaver during the seventh inning of Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Masataka Yoshida celebrates with first base coach José David Flores after hitting a two-run single during the seventh inning of Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Masataka Yoshida hits a two-run single during the seventh inning against the Yankees during Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Jarren Duran is out at first with Yankees pitcher Max Fried covering during the fifth inning of Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Anthony Volpe reacts after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of Game 1 against the Red Sox.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Cubs players celebrate the Game 1 win over the Padres.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Carson Kelly celebrates his home run in the fifth inning of Game 1 against the Cubs.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Cubs catcher Carson Kelly rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Seiya Suzuki rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of Game 1 against the Padres.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill slides into second base for a double in the second inning of Game 1 against the Cubs.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Tigers players celebrate their Game 1 win against the Guardians.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Tigers pitcher Will Vest reacts after recording the final out in Game 1.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Umpires stand for “God Bless America” during Game 1 between the Guardians and Tigers at Progressive Field.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal is congratulated by Javier Báez before being relieved in the eighth inning of Game 1 against the Guardians.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter celebrates after hitting a double in Game 1 against the Guardians.
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Must-see action and passion from MLB playoffs’ 2025 Wild Card Series
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt hugs Tigers skipper A.J. Hinch before Game 1 at Progressive Field.
MLB playoff bracketAmerican League
Byes: Blue Jays, Mariners
AL Wild Card Series
Tigers at Guardians – Series tied 1-1
Red Sox at Yankees – Series tied 1-1
AL Division Series
Blue Jays vs. Yankees/Red Sox – Series starts in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 4
Mariners vs. Guardians/Tigers – Series starts in Seattle on Saturday, Oct. 4
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National League
NL Wild Card Series
Reds at Dodgers – Los Angeles wins series 2-0
Padres at Cubs – Series tied 1-1
NL Division Series
Brewers vs. Cubs/Padres – Series starts in Milwaukee on Saturday, Oct. 4
Phillies vs. Dodgers – Series starts in Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 4
Upcoming MLB playoff schedule
The AL and NL division series begin on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The AL Championship Series begins on Sunday, Oct. 12, with the NL Championship Series starting on Monday, Oct. 13.
The 2025 World Series opens on Friday, Oct. 24.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB bracket for postseason, matchups, playoff schedule