The 2025 MLB postseason kicked off with a bang on September 30, drawing fans into the familiar October frenzy. As the wild-card round wraps up, the division series are already shaping what promises to be a grueling road to the Fall Classic. Indeed, the bracket reveals a mix of powerhouse contenders and surprise underdogs, with the American League looking particularly stacked this year.
In the AL, the Toronto Blue Jays clinched their spot early, marking their fourth playoff appearance in six seasons. They're joined by the New York Yankees, who are riding momentum from last year's run, and the Seattle Mariners, ending a long division title drought since 2001. Then there's the Boston Red Sox, slipping in with a gritty wildcard push—their first postseason berth since 2021. The Yankees, of course, boast 27 World Series titles, a number that looms large over rivals like the Red Sox, who have nine championships but a storied history of comebacks that still stings in the Bronx. However, this year's matchup pits old foes against fresh challengers, as the Mariners face off in the ALDS against the Blue Jays starting October 5.
Over in the National League, the bracket tightens with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the top seed, facing the winner of the wild-card clash between the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres. The Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies round out the division winners, setting up potential rematches from recent postseasons. Schedules are packed: NLDS games begin October 4, with doubleheaders to keep the pace relentless. The World Series itself starts October 25 in the higher seed's park, potentially extending to November 1 if it goes the distance. Yet, amid the optimism, injuries and pitching rotations could derail even the favorites—baseball's cruel unpredictability at play.
Moreover, the playoff format remains the expanded 12-team setup since 2022, with best-of-three wild cards and best-of-seven series beyond. For Yankees fans, it's a chance to add to that towering legacy; for Red Sox supporters, redemption after recent heartbreaks. As these teams battle under the lights, one can't help but wonder which storyline will define this October.