MLB Playoff Bracket 2025: Full Schedule, Standings and October Baseball Guide

The 2025 MLB playoff bracket is officially set after a dramatic finish to the regular season. Twelve teams will now compete for baseball’s ultimate prize — the World Series — starting with the wild-card round on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

On the final day, both the American League East and Central were decided, as well as the last National League wild-card spot. The Toronto Blue Jays clinched the AL East and the league’s top seed, while the Cleveland Guardians took the AL Central crown. In the National League, the Cincinnati Reds secured the final wild-card berth via tiebreaker after both they and the New York Mets lost on Sunday.

2025 MLB Playoff Bracket and Key Matchups

For the fourth straight year, MLB’s expanded 12-team format will feature a best-of-three wild-card series, followed by best-of-five division series, and best-of-seven championship series before the World Series. Games will air on ESPN, ABC, Fox/FS1 and TBS.

American League Wild Card Series (Best of three):

• Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians — Game 1: Tue 1:08 p.m. (ESPN), Game 2: Wed 1:08 p.m. (ESPN), Game 3*: Thu 1:08 p.m. (ESPN)
• Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees — Game 1: Tue 6:08 p.m. (ESPN), Game 2: Wed 6:08 p.m. (ESPN), Game 3*: Thu 6:08 p.m. (ESPN)

National League Wild Card Series (Best of three):

• Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers — Game 1: Tue 9:08 p.m. (ESPN), Game 2: Wed 9:08 p.m. (ESPN), Game 3*: Thu 9:08 p.m. (ESPN)
• San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs — Game 1: Tue 3:08 p.m. (ABC), Game 2: Wed 3:08 p.m. (ABC), Game 3*: Thu 3:08 p.m. (ABC)

American League Division Series (Best of five):

• Seattle Mariners vs. winner of Tigers–Guardians — Starts Sat (Fox/FS1)
• Toronto Blue Jays vs. winner of Red Sox–Yankees — Starts Sat (Fox/FS1)

National League Division Series (Best of five):

• Philadelphia Phillies vs. winner of Reds–Dodgers — Starts Sat (TBS)
• Milwaukee Brewers vs. winner of Padres–Cubs — Starts Sat (TBS)

League Championship Series (Best of seven):

• ALCS: Oct. 12–20 (Fox/FS1)
• NLCS: Oct. 13–21 (TBS)

World Series (Best of seven): Oct. 24–Nov. 1 on Fox

Impact and What to Watch This October

The Toronto Blue Jays enter as the American League’s top seed after overtaking the Yankees on the last day, giving them home-field advantage through the ALCS. The Cleveland Guardians earned the Central with a decisive win, while the Seattle Mariners look to make their second straight ALCS after a strong 2025 campaign.

In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies secured the No. 1 seed after another dominant year. The Los Angeles Dodgers, despite a late-season slump, are still dangerous in October. The Cincinnati Reds return to the playoffs through tiebreaker drama, making them a team to watch in the wild card round.

This postseason also brings intense rivalries: Yankees vs. Red Sox in October is baseball at its loudest. The Dodgers and Reds series adds classic NL playoff drama. Meanwhile, young talent like Elly De La Cruz and Julio Rodríguez could define October.

The 2025 MLB playoff bracket promises drama, historic rivalries, and potential upsets. Fans now have the full schedule to follow every pitch from the wild card to the World Series.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: When do the 2025 MLB playoffs start?

The wild-card round begins Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, with games on ESPN and ABC.

Q2: How many teams make the MLB playoffs?

Twelve teams qualify — six from each league, with division winners and wild cards.

Q3: Who are the top seeds in the 2025 MLB playoffs?

The Toronto Blue Jays are the No. 1 seed in the AL, and the Philadelphia Phillies lead the NL.

Q4: When is the 2025 World Series?

The World Series starts Friday, Oct. 24, and could run until Saturday, Nov. 1 if it goes seven games.

Q5: Where can fans watch the MLB playoffs?

Games air on ESPN, ABC, Fox/FS1, and TBS across different rounds.