Analyzing MLB Wild Card postseason matchups
Bob Nightengale breaks down each of the four Wild Card matchups to kick off the 2025 MLB postseason.
The Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds secured the final spots in the 2025 MLB playoffs.The postseason begins on Tuesday, Sept. 30, with the best-of-three wild-card series.The Blue Jays, Mariners, Brewers, and Phillies earned byes into the division series.
The final pieces of Major League Baseball’s 2025 playoff puzzle fell into place on the last day of the regular season when the Cleveland Guardians clinched the AL Central crown and the Cincinnati Reds secured the third National League wild-card spot.
After a day of much-needed rest, the postseason kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 30, with the opening games of the best-of-three wild-card series.
The top two teams in each league will sit this round out after securing byes into the division series, which will begin on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Here’s a look at the 2025 postseason bracket:
MLB playoff bracketAmerican LeagueByes: Blue Jays, MarinersAL wild card seriesTigers at GuardiansRed Sox at YankeesALDSBlue Jays vs. Yankees/Red SoxMariners vs. Guardians/TigersNational LeagueByes: Brewers, PhilliesNL wild card seriesReds at DodgersPadres at CubsNLDSBrewers vs. Cubs/PadresPhillies vs. Dodgers/RedsUpcoming 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.
Final 2025 MLB standingsAL EastToronto Blue Jays (94-68) – won head-to-head-tiebreaker vs. YankeesNew York Yankees (94-68) – clinched postseason berthBoston Red Sox (89-73) – clinched postseason berthAL CentralCleveland Guardians (88-74) – clinched AL Central title Sept. 28Detroit Tigers (87-75) – clinched postseason berthAL WestSeattle Mariners (90-72) – clinched AL West titleHouston Astros (87-75)AL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
New York Yankees (94-68)Boston Red Sox (89-73)Detroit Tigers (87-75)NL EastPhiladelphia Phillies (96-66) – clinched NL East titleNew York Mets (83-79)NL CentralMilwaukee Brewers (97-65) – clinched NL Central titleChicago Cubs (92-70) – clinched postseason berthCincinnati Reds (83-79) – clinched postseason berthNL WestLos Angeles Dodgers (93-69) – clinched NL West titleSan Diego Padres (90-72) – clinched postseason berthNL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
Chicago Cubs (92-70)San Diego Padres (90-72)Cincinnati Reds (83-79) – won head-to-head tiebreaker vs. Mets