As the MLB regular season comes to a close and the playoffs begin, excitement spreads across campus among baseball fans. October baseball has officially arrived, bringing the energy and unpredictability that make this time of year so special. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or someone who just enjoys competition, there’s something about the MLB postseason that draws people in. Maybe it’s the win-or-go-home intensity of the Wild Card games or the legendary moments that seem to happen every October—walk-off home runs, clutch pitching performances and underdog teams making surprising runs.
On campus, students are buzzing about the playoffs, repping their favorite teams with jerseys, caps and heated debates about who has the best shot at winning the World Series. Everyone has their eyes on teams like the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as this year’s exciting Wild Card teams such as the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. With every game carrying the weight of a season, fans know anything can happen—and that’s exactly why October baseball is so much fun.
One of the most exciting parts of playoff baseball is how it brings fans together. Even people who haven’t followed much of the regular season often get pulled into the hype once October begins. Dorm lounges and campus spaces turn into mini viewing parties where students cheer through every pitch. It’s a rare atmosphere where rivalries come alive and memories are made. For some students, this is their first postseason watching away from home—bonding with new friends over shared victories or shared heartbreaks.
The combination of high-stakes games, historic rivalries and late-night heroics makes October baseball feel different from any other sport’s postseason. There’s also something nostalgic about the cooler weather, the long sleeves under jerseys and the dramatic crowd reactions in packed stadiums. Baseball, during this time of year, becomes more than a sport—it becomes tradition.
To get a sense of this year’s postseason intensity, I watched Game 2 of the AL Wild Card series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees on Oct. 1, 2025—and it delivered the kind of moment baseball fans live for. With the Red Sox leading the series 1–0, the game felt like a momentum-shifting must-win for New York.
Ben Rice gave the Yankees an early spark with a two-run homer on the first postseason pitch he ever saw. Boston answered quickly—Trevor Story tied the game with a home run and later knocked a two-run single that pushed the Red Sox ahead. Both bullpens were tested as relievers tried to keep their teams afloat, but the turning point came in the bottom of the eighth.
With the game tied, Austin Wells delivered a clutch single down the right-field line, sending Jazz Chisholm Jr. home from first to give the Yankees a 4–3 lead. The stadium erupted, and New York rode the momentum the rest of the way. Devin Williams and David Bednar combined to shut Boston down late, sealing a Yankees win and forcing a decisive Game 3.
What made the game unforgettable wasn’t just the scoring—it was the tension in every inning. You could feel how badly each team wanted control: Boston fighting to avoid elimination, New York trying to extend its season. Wells’ hit, the defensive stops and the late-inning composure all captured the magic of October baseball.
As the postseason continues, fans on campus are keeping a close eye on every series. Some are pulling hard for their hometown teams, while others are just in it for the intensity and drama. The uncertainty is what makes October baseball so addicting. One swing, one diving catch or one missed pitch can flip an entire series.
For students juggling classes, midterms and college life, the games offer a chance to pause and enjoy a little excitement. And as the playoffs unfold, one thing’s certain: October baseball is back—and it’s as thrilling as ever.