MLB Playoff Picture Tightens as Regular Season Closes in

NEW YORK, N.Y. — As September marches toward October, Major League Baseball’s playoff picture is coming into clearer focus ahead of the 2025 postseason.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies both secured their playoff spots this past weekend. The Brewers clinched their berth on Saturday after a Mets’ loss to the Texas Rangers. Meanwhile, the Phillies locked in their spot with a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, which also earned them the NL East title for the second consecutive year.

On the American League side, the Blue Jays, Tigers, Yankees, and Red Sox are all well-positioned for potential playoff contention. However, the Cleveland Guardians are making a late push with hopes of sneaking into the wild-card race. The AL West fight remains close, with the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros vying for the division lead.

The playoff format has shifted, now allowing 12 teams: six division winners and three wild card teams from each league. The top two teams by record in each league are awarded first-round byes, which means they will not participate in the Wild Card Series, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 30.

The current standings show the Blue Jays and Brewers leading their respective leagues. The Blue Jays hold a strong position for an AL bye, leading the AL East with a 100 percent playoff odds. The Brewers are in a similar situation, also clinching a bye with a record of 91-59 through Sunday.

As the regular season winds down, fans will be closely watching the matchups that may determine playoff seeding. The Blue Jays play an important series against the Boston Red Sox, who are looking to secure their wild-card standing, while the Yankees face the tough competition of the Detroit Tigers this week.

With only days left in the regular season, each game becomes critical. Fans can expect a thrilling finish as teams battle for playoff positions.