MLB playoffs 2025: ALDS, NLDS matchups, players to watch and series predictions for Yankees-Blue Jays, Phillies-Dodgers, Tigers-Mariners and Cubs-Brewers

And then there were eight. With the wild-card round in the rearview mirror, it's on to the division series, where the top four teams in the bracket get in on the postseason fun.

It's a mix of upstarts and powerhouses as Tigers vs. Mariners, Yankees vs. Blue Jays, Dodgers vs. Phillies and Cubs vs. Brewers begin with four Game 1s on Saturday. 

Here's what you need to know about the matchups — including how they got here, X-factors and series predictions — before the best-of-five series get started.

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No. 6 Detroit Tigers vs. No. 2 Seattle Mariners

How they got here

Tigers: After amassing baseball’s best record through 93 games and building an enormous lead atop the AL Central, Detroit gradually tumbled down the standings in dramatic fashion down the stretch, ceding the division title to the Guardians and barely qualifying for the postseason. Then the Tigers immediately redeemed themselves in the wild-card round, marching into Cleveland and taking two of three to eliminate their rivals and keep their season alive. Now they have the opportunity to further distance themselves from their miserable second half in the ALDS.

Mariners: Fueled by a historic campaign from catcher Cal Raleigh and a balanced roster that was bolstered even further at the trade deadline, the Mariners won their first division title since 2001, dethroning an Astros team that had been the gold standard in the AL West for the past decade. The Mariners’ scorching-hot September combined with Detroit’s drastic decline to secure a first-round bye for Seattle and home-field advantage in the ALDS. Now the Mariners welcome that Tigers team to town for the first postseason meeting between the two franchises.

X-factor

Tigers: Javier Baez

A stunning resurgence in the first half as Detroit’s fill-in center fielder earned Baez an invite to the All-Star Game, but his notoriously aggressive approach was eventually exploited by pitchers, causing some harsh second-half regression that significantly sapped his overall statline. Still, Baez — who has since reclaimed the starting shortstop job from Trey Sweeney — is one of the few Tigers with significant postseason experience, and that showed in Detroit’s wild-card win over Cleveland, as Baez shined with a team-leading five hits and some marvelous glovework in the infield. While his offensive output is sure to fluctuate at the whim of his reckless plate discipline, Baez has the talent and big-game bona fides to make an impact on this series on both sides of the ball.

Mariners: Bryan Woo

No need to overcomplicate this one: The availability of Seattle’s best pitcher is uncertain after the breakout right-hander left his start Sept. 19 in Houston due to a pec injury and didn’t pitch again in the regular season. That’s obviously a huge deal. Woo was never placed on the injured list and threw a 25-pitch bullpen Thursday, but the Mariners reportedly want him to throw another bullpen before he returns to game action, suggesting that it’s unlikely he’s an option for the first two games of this series. That’s not the end of the world for Seattle, considering the other quality arms at its disposal (Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo), but if Woo remains unavailable as the series shifts to Detroit, it could put the Mariners in a precarious position, especially if the Tigers steal a game in Seattle.

How they win

Tigers: Speaking of the Tigers’ chances of snagging a road victory, they’ll have the privilege of giving the ball to Tarik Skubal in ALDS Game 2, fresh off a brilliant showing in Game 1 of the wild-card round. The Mariners were the only team in baseball to defeat Skubal twice this season, but he appears to have found another gear this month, which could provide the Tigers the edge to neutralize Seattle’s home-field advantage.

Beyond Skubal, it’ll be on manager A.J. Hinch to identify the right combination of pitchers to neutralize Seattle’s slugging-centric lineup, which features a healthy amount of swing-and-miss that Mariners arms could be exploited. That said, even if Detroit’s pitching staff is up to the task, the Tigers need to find more consistency hitting with runners in scoring position, which has been a notable struggle over the past month, including in the wild-card round. If that improves and Detroit can carry the momentum recaptured against Cleveland — and if the Mariners can’t shake off the rust from the time off — the Tigers can pull off the upset.

Mariners: In adding Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor at the trade deadline, the Mariners put the finishing touches on what is clearly the most dangerous lineup the franchise has assembled in decades. Suarez and Naylor bring their own flavor of offensive contributions to a lineup that already featured an unprecedented performer in Raleigh, a second-half superstar in Julio Rodriguez and an October legend in Randy Arozarena, among other very good bats. This strength gives Seattle a clear edge in this series and should help compensate for a potential Woo absence on the mound. And even without Woo, Seattle’s pitching staff looks better than Detroit’s on paper once you get past Skubal. If the Mariners can embrace their status as favorites and not wilt under the pressure of unfamiliar expectations, they should emerge victorious.

Series prediction: Mariners in 4

Detroit should not be taken lightly, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Tigers benefit from having a manager in Hinch who has infinitely more experience navigating postseason games than Seattle skipper Dan Wilson. However, Seattle’s superior roster and how the team has been firing on all cylinders over the past month are enough evidence to lean toward the Mariners in this matchup. — Shusterman

No. 4 New York Yankees vs. No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays

How they got here

Yankees: In the regular season, the Yankees started hot (35-22 through May) and finished hot (18-7 in September), with an ugly stretch in June and July ultimately costing New York the AL East crown. As a result of losing the tiebreaker to the Blue Jays, the Yankees had to navigate the wild-card round against the rival Red Sox, which they did in rare fashion: They were the first team since the reintroduction of the best-of-three wild-card round in 2022 to advance after losing Game 1. After being downright dominated by Garrett Crochet in Game 1, the Yankees responded admirably, with consecutive victories to defend their home turf and advance to the division series, where, remarkably, they will face the Blue Jays in the postseason for the first time.

Blue Jays: With holding a 26-28 record that had them eight games behind the Yankees on May 27, the Blue Jays surged over the course of the summer and fended off a late charge by New York to secure their first AL East title since 2015. While the Blue Jays finished with an identical record to the Yankees, going 8-5 in the season series against New York ensured the tiebreaker and, in turn, the top seed in the American League for Toronto, a welcome advantage for a club that posted the second-best home record in baseball (54-27), behind only the Phillies.

X-factor

Yankees: Cam Schlittler

With a spectacular outing in Game 3 of the wild-card round against Boston, Schlittler amplified his national profile tenfold and became a main character for the Yankees. Assuming this series doesn’t end in a sweep, the rookie right-hander will be lined up to start a pivotal Game 4 back in the Bronx. And unlike the Red Sox, who were facing Schlittler for the first time this season on Thursday, the Blue Jays would be seeing him for the third time, adding intrigue to a potential showdown on the postseason stage.

Schlittler’s second career start came in Toronto on July 22, when he allowed two runs over five unremarkable innings. Then the Jays knocked Schlittler out in the second inning Sept. 5 at Yankee Stadium, though Schlittler later suggested he was tipping his pitches in that affair. Either way, that familiarity — and Toronto’s lineup depth relative to Boston’s — could make Schlittler’s next assignment more challenging. But if he can come anywhere close to replicating his stupendous wild-card form, he could play a massive role in this series, either in saving the Yankees if they’re on the brink or in helping propel them to the ALCS.

Blue Jays: Trey Yesavage

Sticking with the theme of rookie right-handers, Yesavage’s meteoric rise in 2025 makes Schlittler look like a grizzled veteran. Toronto’s first-round pick just 15 months ago, Yesavage began this season in A-ball and rocketed through the minors in time to make his major-league debut in September.

Injuries to Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt, plus some serious recent struggles from Max Scherzer (10.20 ERA across 15 innings in four September starts), have Toronto’s rotation in flux beyond Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber. Manager John Schneider has been coy about the way he plans to deploy the rookie in this series, but based on the current depth chart, it seems Yesavage is going to be relied on to play a crucial role in Toronto’s run-prevention plans against New York. His talent is undeniable, but how Yesavage handles the pressure after such little big-league time will be fascinating to see.

How they win

Yankees: The Yankees have a compelling case as the most talented roster on the AL side of the bracket, and that started to shine through against Boston. The Blue Jays entered October with the highest ERA of any postseason team, while the Yankees boasted baseball’s best offense by multiple measures, helped, of course, by a historically dominant presence in Aaron Judge.

That combination alone suggests that New York could simply outmuscle Toronto offensively, plus Schlittler’s emergence gives the Yankees a third starting pitcher to feel great about, alongside All-Star left-handers Max Fried and Carlos Rodon. If New York’s volatile bullpen unit can avoid major meltdowns and Judge can find his power stroke (his four hits in the wild-card round were all singles), the Yankees should be in good shape.

Blue Jays: The Yankees feature more standout performers on paper, but it wasn’t an accident that the Blue Jays won the season series and 94 games. Even with an inconsistent pitching staff and Bo Bichette’s expected absence due to a knee injury, this is a roster with significant upside and the star power to combat the high-profile opponent. That’s most apparent in the lineup, where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer lead a balanced group that doesn’t slug quite like the Yankees but is significantly better at putting the ball in play.

That core competency of making contact could come in handy against a Yankees defense known for its fair share of flubs in high-pressure moments, a weakness that exists in stark contrast to Toronto’s stellar glovework. If Toronto can handle its business in Game 1, given what should be a sizable advantage with Gausman on the mound, the Blue Jays should be able to capitalize on home-field advantage and move on to the ALCS.

Series prediction: Yankees in 5

Toronto has clearly assembled a formidable club but will need to shake its recent history of October letdowns to make the most of this year’s opportunity: The Blue Jays have lost seven consecutive postseason games dating to the 2016 ALCS. In contrast, the Yankees have won 31 postseason games since the Blue Jays’ most recent October triumph. Experience and past success in these moments matter, but ultimately, it’s less about the history and more about how these rosters stack up. Right now, that tilts this in New York’s favor, ever so slightly.

No. 3 L.A. Dodgers vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies

How they got here

Dodgers: The Dodgers made quick work of the Cincinnati Reds in the wild-card round as the only team to sweep in the first round. What stood out about L.A.’s first-round performance was just how dominant the Dodgers looked offensively. In two games, they scored 18 runs on 28 hits. And not only did L.A. get two-homer games from Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández, but they also enjoyed impressive performances from Mookie Betts, Kiké Hernández and Tommy Edman, notable Dodgers stars of Octobers past.

Phillies: The Phillies roll into the NLDS as winners of the NL East who have been waiting for their next opponent. Philly just got better as the regular season went along, and after overtaking the Mets in August, they clearly hit their stride. This year, it feels like the Phillies are the favorites in the National League, even with the reigning champions lining up across the field. One of the biggest benefits for the Phillies is that their bye week has allowed shortstop Trea Turner to get fully healthy after missing most of September due to a hamstring injury.

X-factor

Dodgers: Mookie Betts

After a down year for the former MVP, Betts started to put things together in the month of September, looking more like the player we’ve watched for the past decade. That recent hot stretch carried into the postseason at the perfect time for the Dodgers, as Betts went an impressive 6-for-9 in the wild-card round and stood out as a major part of L.A.’s victory. The Dodgers’ shortstop thrives on confidence, and when he’s at his best, there are few players better on the field. If this version of Betts is here to stay, the Dodgers’ offense is about to take off in a major way.

Phillies: Bryce Harper

If there’s one thing you can always count on in the MLB postseason, it’s a big moment from Bryce Harper. Especially since he signed with the Phillies, Harper has been no stranger to making an impact in the postseason, and while much of the attention this season has been on Kyle Schwarber’s MVP-caliber season, let’s not forget about the man known as “MV3”. The Phillies’ first baseman comes into this postseason with a career 1.016 OPS with 17 homers in October. Simply put, Harper is one of the best postseason performers in recent baseball history; expect him to make noise in this series.

How they win

Dodgers: The Dodgers showed in the wild-card round just how good they can be when firing on all cylinders offensively. And it wasn’t just from the likes of Ohtani and Betts — they got plenty of other production from throughout the lineup. Not to mention, Yoshinobu Yamamoto showed in Game 2 why he is one of the best pitchers in baseball. If L.A.’s lineup and starting pitchers can deliver at the same level they showed against Cincinnati, they’ll go a long way this postseason and could be an even better version of the team that lifted the World Series trophy last year.

Phillies: The Phillies have plenty of offensive firepower of their own, but this series against the Dodgers will come down to their starting pitching, where Philly has the advantage. If the Philadelphia trio of Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suarez and Jesus Luzardo pitch at their best, the Phillies have a great opportunity to reach the NLCS, especially with a juggernaut offense that can back them up.

Series prediction: Phillies in 5

This could very well be the best series of the entire postseason, featuring two heavyweights who were among the best teams in baseball this season. Like in any heavyweight bout, each side will take some big swings in this series, with plenty of star power carrying both sides. But in the end, this series will likely be won in the bullpen, and L.A.’s relievers have not exactly been lock-down of late. In fact, in the series against the Reds, the bullpen was the one area where L.A. looked vulnerable. The Phillies, with shut-down closer Jhoan Duran, don’t have that issue. When the game is on the line, Philadelphia has the arms to close it out. — Dorsey

No. 4 Chicago Cubs vs. No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers

How they got here

Cubs: The Cubs played their way into the NLDS with a strong series against the Padres in which they showed their ability to not only pitch at a high level but also use their elite defense to win. After struggling the last two months of the season, Chicago’s offense also came to life late in the series, with Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong each registering key hits. Their return to being a confident trio looms large in this series against Milwaukee.

Brewers: The Brewers come into the NLDS after the best regular season in franchise history. The Brew Crew won a franchise-record 97 games, the highest win total in MLB this season, which earned Milwaukee the No. 1 overall seed in the postseason. The Brewers have done it their own way all season, and with a collection of players who might not fit well in other places, they’ve gotten plenty of production from throughout their 26-man and 40-man roster all year.

X-factor

Cubs: The bullpen

The Cubs showed in their wild-card series against the Padres that while they might not have the flame-throwers of some other teams, they have a capable combination of out-getters. When the Cubs are tied or have a lead, it’s some combination of Daniel Palencia, Caleb Thielbar, Drew Pomeranz, Brad Keller and Andrew Kittredge, and that group has been nails for manager Craig Counsell so far this postseason. Against San Diego, that combo of Cubs relievers threw 10 2/3 innings while allowing just two runs, helping to lead Chicago to the next round. If Counsell gives the ball to those arms late in games vs. Milwaukee and they pitch like they did against the Padres, good things lie ahead for Chicago.

Brewers: Christian Yelich

In a magical year for the Brewers, team leader Christian Yelich has been at the center of it all. And as Yelich goes, so does Milwaukee. Although he’s not the same player he was when he won NL MVP in 2018, he is healthier than he has been in quite some time, and the numbers reflect that. The Brewers’ DH finished the regular season with 29 homers and 103 RBI, both his most since 2019. Heading into this NLDS, Yelich is once again a power threat at the plate. If Milwaukee wants to get to the NLCS, the face of the franchise needs to be at his best to help them get there.

How they win

Cubs: The Cubs showed in their series-clinching win over the Padres that their offense still knows how to put pressure on opposing pitchers. They put together lengthy at-bats, got contributions throughout their lineup and rediscovered their power stroke. If the Cubs beat the Brewers in the NLDS, it will be because their offense is superior to Milwaukee’s. When the Cubs were at their best this season, their offense was the driving force, and if it can be that again, this team has more than enough firepower to make things uncomfortable for the Brewers.

Brewers: When the Brewers are at their best, it’s a combination of strong starting pitching, pesky offense and stout defense that separates them from the pack. One of the Brewers’ biggest advantages is that “postseason baseball” — in which taking the extra base, forcing the issue to scratch across extra runs and playing strong defense are critical — is their normal style of play. The Brewers can win this series against the Cubs if they play their game.

Series prediction: Brewers in 5

What makes Cubs-Brewers such an interesting and entertaining series is that the two teams know each other so well. This is rival against rival, with a trip to the NLCS on the line. Because of that, this series has all the ingredients to go the distance, and in a series that close, something small will be the difference, whether that’s Milwaukee’s tight playing style or Chicago’s boosted confidence. Expect this series to be tight in every regard, but in the end, Milwaukee has a slight advantage. — Dorsey