The excitement is real. In just two days the 2025 MLB playoffs will begin, and fans are already talking about who will make the run and who will see their hopes crushed in a best‑of‑three wild‑card series. The format that MLB rolled out in 2022 is still fresh, and it’s doing a solid job of keeping more clubs in the hunt all the way to the final game.
How the Playoff Format Works
Each league – American and National – sends six teams to the postseason. That means three division winners plus three wild‑card teams, the best records that didn’t win a division. The top two seeds in each league (the division champs with the best win‑loss records) skip the first round and go straight to the Division Series. The remaining four teams per league face off in a short, best‑of‑three Wild Card Series. Winners move on to challenge the rested top seeds.
This set‑up does two things: it rewards the best regular‑season teams with a bye, and it injects a lot of urgency into those lower‑seeded matchups. A single loss can end a season, so the intensity is off the charts. It also means a team that barely squeaks into the wild‑card spot still has a realistic shot at a championship, keeping fan bases engaged deep into September.
Because there are three wild‑card slots per league, the race stays messy. Teams can climb from outside the top three into a qualifying spot with just a few wins, while a slump can send a frontrunner tumbling out. That’s exactly what we’ve been seeing across both leagues as the regular season finale approaches.
Current Standings, Clinched Teams and Wild‑Card Drama
Let’s break down where things stand right now.
- National League Central: The Milwaukee Brewers have locked up the division with a 95‑61 record, their third straight NL Central crown and fourth in five years. They clinched after the Chicago Cubs fell 1‑0 to the Cincinnati Reds.
- National League East: The Philadelphia Phillies sit atop the division at 92‑63, securing the title a few weeks ago.
- National League West: The Los Angeles Dodgers lead with an 88‑67 ledger, though the San Diego Padres are hot on their heels.
- American League East: The Toronto Blue Jays have a solid 90‑66 record and are in.
That leaves the wild‑card picture. In the NL, the Chicago Cubs (88‑68) have already claimed a wild‑card spot, sitting in first place among the three available. Behind them, the San Diego Padres (85‑71) occupy the second wild‑card slot. The third slot is still up for grabs, with the Cincinnati Reds (80‑76), New York Mets (80‑76) and Arizona Diamondbacks (78‑77) all within striking distance.
In the AL, the battle is just as fierce. The Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros are locked in a tight duel for the AL West title and the remaining wild‑card berths. Both clubs have traded leads multiple times in the past week, making every game feel like a playoff.
One of the season’s most riveting storylines is the Cleveland Guardians’ comeback. After trailing Detroit by 11 games at one point, they sparked a seven‑game winning streak that shrank the gap to just 3.5 games. If they keep the momentum, they could lock in a wild‑card slot and make a deep run.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the full division breakdowns:
- NL East: Phillies (92‑63), Mets (80‑76), Marlins (75‑80), Braves (72‑83), Nationals (64‑92).
- NL Central: Brewers (95‑61), Cubs (88‑68), Reds (80‑76), Cardinals (76‑80), Pirates (67‑89).
- NL West: Dodgers (88‑67), Padres (85‑71), Diamondbacks (78‑77), Giants (76‑79), Rockies (42‑113).
- AL East: Blue Jays (90‑66) plus the rest of the league still jostling for wild‑card spots.
- AL Central & West: Ongoing fights with multiple teams within a few games of each other.
All of this means the final weeks of the regular season will feel like mini‑playoffs. Teams near the bottom of the wild‑card column know a single win can shift them into safety, while those perched atop must guard against complacency.What’s next? We’ll see the Wild Card Series begin on Tuesday, September 30, with matchups determined by seeding. The top two seeds in each league—currently the Brewers and Dodgers in the NL, and likely the Guardians and Astros in the AL—will await their opponents in the Division Series on October 3.
Fans should brace for high‑stakes drama, rain‑or‑shine, as the final grind of the season determines which twelve teams earn the right to chase the World Series trophy. Keep your eyes on the scoreboard; the race is far from over.
