What are this October’s MLB playoff matchups as it stands now?
In the AL, the Toronto Blue Jays became the first AL team to secure a playoff spot and the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners joined them days later. In the biggest twists of the 2025 season, the Cleveland Guardians have rocked the American League playoff picture with a September surge, emerging as a serious contender in both the AL Central and wild-card race: After both teams lost on Friday, they remained tied atop the division.
Beyond division races, there are many storylines to watch as the regular season comes to an end and playoffs begin: Where do current playoff matchups stand? What games should you be paying attention to each day leading up to October? Who will be the next team to clinch a postseason berth? And what does the playoff schedule look like?
The Brewers clinched the season’s first playoff spot for a second consecutive year on Sept. 13 and followed up by securing their third straight NL Central title. They earned a bye in the first round and are playing for the NL’s overall No. 1 seed.
The Cubs clinched their spot in the postseason on Sept. 17 and will be making their first playoff appearance in a full-length season since 2018. They will face the Padres in the wild-card series.
With a win Thursday over the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers clinched the NL West title for the 12th time in the past 13 years. They will be the No. 3 seed in the NL and host the No. 6 seed in the wild-card series.
The Blue Jays became the first AL team to secure a postseason berth with a with over the Royals on Sunday. They are currently tied with the Yankees for first place in the AL East — the division winner will earn a bye.
The Padres clinched their fourth postseason trip in six years with a walk-off win over the Brewers on Monday. They will face the Cubs in the wild-card series.
The Yankees became the second AL team to clinch a playoff spot with a walk-off win over the White Sox on Tuesday. They are currently tied with the Blue Jays for first place in the AL East — the division winner will earn a bye.
The Mariners clinched their first postseason appearance since 2022 on Tuesday and, with a 9-2 win on Wednesday, won their first AL West crown since 2001. They earned a bye in the first round.
With a win against the Tigers on Friday, Boston clinched an AL Wild Card berth. They will be the road team in one wild-card series.
Win tiebreaker: Astros, Guardians, Yankees Lose tiebreaker: Blue Jays, Mariners (Red Sox still have 3 games left vs. Tigers)
Win tiebreaker: Astros Lose tiebreaker: Guardians, Mariners (Detroit still has 3 games left vs. Red Sox)
Win tiebreaker: N/A Lose tiebreaker: D-backs, Reds (Mets would lose tiebreaker in 3-way tie with Reds and D-backs)
Win tiebreaker: Dodgers Lose tiebreaker: N/A (Padres and Cubs tied season series, division record tiebreaker TBD)
Win tiebreaker: D-backs, Mets Lose tiebreaker: N/A (The Reds would win tiebreaker in 3-way tie with D-backs and Mets)
Win tiebreaker: N/A Lose tiebreaker: Dodgers (Padres and Cubs tied season series, division record tiebreaker TBD)
Win tiebreaker: Mets Lose tiebreaker: Reds (D-backs would lose tiebreaker in 3-way tie with Reds and Mets)
The Brewers were the first MLB team to seal its spot in October, and the Phillies — who then sealed an NL East title — clinched next. A group of contenders have separated themselves atop the NL standings with the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds battling for the final playoff spot, and there is intrigue in the NL West as the Dodgers attempt to fend off the Padres for the division crown.
Looking for something to watch today? Here’s the baseball game with the biggest playoff implications:
ALDS Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 5 Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 7 Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 8* Game 5: Friday, Oct. 10*
NLDS Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 Game 2: Monday, Oct. 6 Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8 Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 9* Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 11*
ALCS Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 12 Game 2: Monday, Oct. 13 Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 15 Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 16 Game 5: Friday, Oct. 17* Game 6: Sunday, Oct. 19* Game 7: Monday, Oct. 20*
NLCS Game 1: Monday, Oct. 13 Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 14 Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 16 Game 4: Friday, Oct. 17 Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 18* Game 6: Monday, Oct. 20* Game 7: Tuesday, Oct. 21*
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24 Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25 Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27 Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28 Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 29* Game 6: Friday, Oct. 31* Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 1*
The Blue Jays are trying to hold for the AL’s No. 1 seed and division title. While Toronto sits atop the AL East, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are duking it out for wild-card seeding. And the Seattle Mariners separated themselves from the Houston Astros in a two-team AL West race to win their first division crown since 2001. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians are going toe-to-toe with the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central while also playing themselves into a tight race for the final wild-card spot.
The Blue Jays can clinch the AL East and the AL’s #1 seed today with a win AND a loss by the Yankees
The final weekend of the MLB season is here — and there’s still plenty to play for!
Key links: Full MLB standings | Wild-card standings
Wild-card round: (6) Tigers at (3) Guardians, (5) Red Sox at (4) Yankees
ALDS: Tigers/Guardians vs. (2) Mariners, Red Sox/Yankees vs. (1) Blue Jays
Wild-card round: (6) Reds at (3) Dodgers, (5) Padres at (4) Cubs
NLDS: Reds/Dodgers vs. (2) Phillies, Padres/Cubs vs. (1) Brewers
Win tiebreaker: Mariners, Red Sox, Yankees Lose tiebreaker: Guardians
Win tiebreaker: Mariners Lose tiebreaker: Blue Jays, Guardians, Red Sox
Win tiebreaker: Astros, Tigers, Yankees, Blue Jays Lose tiebreaker: Mariners, Red Sox
Win tiebreaker: Tigers, Guardians, Red Sox Lose tiebreaker: Blue Jays, Yankees
Win tiebreaker: N/A Lose tiebreaker: Guardians, Red Sox, Tigers
Win tiebreaker: Padres Lose tiebreaker: Brewers, Cubs, Phillies
Wild-card series Best of three, all games at better seed’s stadium
The Guardians can clinch today with a win OR a loss by the Astros
The Tigers can clinch today with a win OR a loss by the Astros
The Reds can clinch today with a win AND a loss by the Mets
The Guardians can clinch the AL Central today with a win AND a loss by the Tigers
Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 30 Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 1 Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 2*
Reds fans in a frenzy after Noelvi Marte saves game with HR robbery (0:35)Noelvi Marte leaps over the right field wall and robs Bryan Reynolds of a go-ahead home run in the top of the ninith inning. (0:35)
