As the 2025 MLB regular season enters its final month, several teams are already shifting their focus to October. The Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers are comfortably leading their respective divisions, while the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres are also in strong positions to secure playoff spots.

Key Playoff Matchups

American League

• Wild-card round: (6) Mariners at (3) Astros, (5) Red Sox at (4) Yankees
• ALDS: Mariners/Astros vs. (2) Blue Jays, Red Sox/Yankees vs. (1) Tigers

National League

• Wild-card round: (6) Mets at (3) Dodgers, (5) Padres at (4) Cubs
• NLDS: Mets/Dodgers vs. (2) Phillies, Padres/Cubs vs. (1) Brewers

Breaking Down the AL Race

The Blue Jays and Tigers are battling for the AL's No. 1 seed, with Detroit all but a lock for the AL Central crown. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are competing for wild-card seeding. In the AL West, the Houston Astros are trying to separate themselves from the Seattle Mariners.

Breaking Down the NL Race

Five teams have separated themselves atop the NL standings, with the New York Mets trying to maintain a lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the final playoff spot. The Phillies and Brewers are cruising to division titles, but the NL West remains intriguing as the Dodgers attempt to fend off the Padres.

Game of the Day

Looking for something to watch today? Here's the baseball game with the biggest playoff implications:

Playoff Schedule

Wild-card series

• Best of three, all games at better seed's stadium
  • Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 30
  • Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 1
  • Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 2*

Division series

• Best of five
  • 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*

League championship series

• Best of seven
  • 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*

World Series

• Best of seven
  • 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*

*If necessary