October baseball has officially arrived, and with it comes the electric charge of the 2025 Major League Baseball postseason. As fans across the country settle in for the drama, the Wild Card Series is already delivering heart-stopping moments, fierce rivalries, and the promise of more unforgettable nights ahead. The 12-team bracket is set, and with the first round in full swing, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow as the road to the World Series heats up.
The action began on September 30, 2025, with four Wild Card Series matchups: Detroit Tigers versus Cleveland Guardians, Chicago Cubs facing the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox squaring off against the New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the Cincinnati Reds. Each of these best-of-three series is hosted by the higher seed, giving fans in those cities plenty to cheer about—or agonize over.
In the National League, the Dodgers wasted no time asserting their dominance. The perennial NL West champions clinched their 12th division title in 13 years and swept the Reds in two games, winning Game 1 by a score of 10-5 and Game 2 by 8-4. With that, Los Angeles became the first team to punch its ticket to the Division Series, where they’ll face the Philadelphia Phillies, the NL East’s top team for the second consecutive year. Dodgers fans have reason to believe this could be their year, but the Phillies’ recent playoff pedigree ensures that series will be anything but predictable.
The other three Wild Card Series couldn’t be tighter. In the American League, the Tigers and Guardians split the first two games, setting up a winner-take-all Game 3. The Tigers, who grabbed a wild card berth after a rollercoaster end to their season, took Game 1 by edging the Guardians 2-1. Cleveland, not to be outdone, stormed back in Game 2 with a resounding 6-1 victory, forcing the decisive matchup. The winner will earn the right to face the Seattle Mariners, the AL West champions, in the Division Series.
Speaking of the Mariners, they’re riding high after clinching their first division crown since 2001, a drought that’s left their fanbase hungry for postseason glory. Seattle, along with the Blue Jays, Brewers, and Phillies, earned a coveted first-round bye and will host their respective Division Series openers on October 4. The Blue Jays, who locked down the AL East for the first time since 2015, are already preparing to host the winner of the Yankees-Red Sox slugfest.
And what a slugfest it’s been. The Yankees and Red Sox, two of baseball’s most storied rivals, are locked in yet another playoff battle that’s lived up to the hype. Boston took Game 1 by a score of 3-1, but New York responded in dramatic fashion, eking out a 4-3 win in Game 2. With the series tied, the stage is set for a classic Game 3 showdown, the winner moving on to face Toronto in a matchup that promises fireworks.
Over in the National League, the Cubs and Padres are also headed for a Game 3. Chicago, making their first playoff appearance since 2020 in a full-length season, drew first blood with a 3-1 win. San Diego, however, bounced back to take Game 2 by a 3-0 margin, keeping their postseason hopes alive. Whoever survives will take on the Milwaukee Brewers, who secured their third straight NL Central title and the league’s top seed, guaranteeing home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs and even the World Series if they make it that far.
The playoff bracket is as competitive as ever, with each team carrying its own compelling narrative. The Guardians, for instance, staged an improbable season comeback to claim the AL Central, while the Tigers are desperate to capitalize on their wild card lifeline. The Red Sox, back in the postseason for the first time since 2021, are eager to topple their longtime rivals and make a deep run. Meanwhile, the Padres are on their fourth playoff trip in six years, hoping this is the year they finally break through.
Fan sentiment is always a fascinating subplot, and a recent postseason rooting survey revealed some interesting allegiances. The Mariners topped the list with 64 votes, followed by the Blue Jays (46) and Tigers (45). Old grudges apparently persist, as the Yankees and Red Sox found themselves at the bottom, with New York receiving just 9 votes and Boston 11. The Dodgers, Padres, and Phillies all tied in the middle of the pack with 12 votes each, while the Cubs, Brewers, and Reds rounded out the survey with 20, 23, and 24 votes, respectively. It seems that, even in October, some fan loyalties—and animosities—never fade.
Looking ahead, the Division Series will kick off on October 4, with both the American and National Leagues set for five-game sets. The ALDS will feature Games 1 and 2 on October 4 and 5, followed by an off-day before the series resumes. The NLDS schedule is similarly packed, with Game 3 taking place on October 6. The League Championship Series is slated for October 12-21, and the World Series will run from October 24 through a possible Game 7 on November 1. All games will be broadcast nationally across ESPN, ABC, Fox, FS1, and TBS, with streaming options available for fans on the go.
As the postseason unfolds, the question on everyone’s mind is simple: Who will hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy when the dust settles? Will the Dodgers’ firepower see them through? Can the Mariners or Blue Jays ride their momentum to a long-awaited championship? Or will a wild card team catch fire and shock the baseball world?
For now, the only certainty is that October baseball remains the greatest show in sports. With three do-or-die Game 3s set for October 2, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As fans hold their breath and players dig deep, the journey to the 2025 World Series is just getting started. Stay tuned—this postseason is shaping up to be one for the ages.
