The 2025 MLB Postseason is heating up as the American League Championship Series and National League Championship Series are officially set. In the AL, the top-seeded Toronto Blue Jays face off against the Seattle Mariners, while the NL features a highly anticipated clash between the Milwaukee Brewers and the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, promising an epic road to the World Series.
The field for the Major League Baseball 2025 postseason has narrowed down to the final four. After a thrilling Division Series round that saw two matchups go the distance, the League Championship Series are poised to deliver even more high-stakes baseball. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see which teams will earn the privilege of reaching the Fall Classic and lifting the Commissioner’s Trophy.
American League Championship Series: Blue Jays vs. Mariners
The American League Championship Series (ALCS) is set to feature a compelling matchup between the No. 1 seed Toronto Blue Jays and the No. 2 seed Seattle Mariners. Both teams earned first-round byes and navigated their Division Series with impressive performances.
The Blue Jays, who clinched the AL East title for the first time since 2015, made quick work of their AL East rival, the New York Yankees, winning their Division Series 3-1. Toronto showcased a potent offense, outscoring New York 34-19 in the series, as reported by USA TODAY. This dominant performance underscores their readiness for the next challenge.
The Mariners, celebrating their first AL West crown since 2001, faced a tougher road. They battled the Detroit Tigers in a grueling five-game Division Series, ultimately securing a 3-2 victory. Their decisive Game 5 win came in a thrilling 15-inning walk-off, an epic that cemented their spot in the ALCS.
ALCS Schedule
The ALCS will be a best-of-seven series, with games broadcast on FOX or FS1.
- Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 12, Mariners at Blue Jays, 8:03 p.m. ET (FOX/FS1)
- Game 2: Monday, Oct. 13, Mariners at Blue Jays, 5:03 p.m. ET (FOX/FS1)
- Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 15, Blue Jays at Mariners (FOX/FS1)
- Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 16, Blue Jays at Mariners (FOX/FS1)
- *Game 5: Friday, Oct. 17, Blue Jays at Mariners (FOX/FS1)
- *Game 6: Sunday, Oct. 19, Mariners at Blue Jays (FOX/FS1)
- *Game 7: Monday, Oct. 20, Mariners at Blue Jays (FOX/FS1)
* — if necessary
National League Championship Series: Brewers vs. Dodgers
In the National League, the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers will clash with the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Dodgers in what promises to be a captivating NLCS. This series pits two teams with contrasting styles and significant postseason experience against each other.
The Brewers, who secured their third straight NL Central title and the NL’s overall No. 1 seed, earned home-field advantage throughout the postseason. They overcame their rivals, the Chicago Cubs, in a five-game Division Series that went down to the wire, winning 3-2, as reported by USA TODAY.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, the defending World Series champions from 2024, continued their dominant run, clinching the NL West title for the 12th time in 13 years. They dispatched the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Phillies in four games in their Division Series, securing their spot with a 3-1 series victory, noted by USA TODAY.
A Clash of Styles: Dodgers Power vs. Brewers Small Ball
This NLCS matchup presents a fascinating contrast in offensive strategies. The Dodgers are known for their explosive power, ranking second in MLB with 244 home runs during the regular season. Their ability to change a game with a single swing makes them a formidable opponent regardless of the situation.
Conversely, the Brewers, despite finishing in the top three in runs scored, ranked 22nd in home runs. They excel at “small ball,” utilizing relentless hitting and strategic base-running to put together big innings. While this approach can sometimes frustrate fans who prefer explosive plays, it has proven incredibly effective, even showing occasional power with home runs from players like Andrew Vaughn and Bryce Turang in their recent series.
Beyond offense, defense could be the deciding factor. Milwaukee boasts the third-best fielding run value in baseball, according to Statcast, which measures defensive performance on a run-based scale. The Dodgers, while solid, rank 12th in this metric, indicating a slight edge for the Brewers in defensive efficiency.
On the mound, both teams have shown strength. The Brewers have a slightly better team ERA in the postseason (0.335) compared to the Dodgers (0.338). Key pitchers include the Dodgers’ Blake Snell, who has been outstanding with a 1.38 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and a 2-0 record in 13 innings. For Milwaukee, rookie Jacob Misiorowski has emerged from the bullpen with tremendous results, posting a 1.29 ERA with seven strikeouts in seven innings.
This series also carries a narrative of two vastly different teams: the star-studded, high-payroll Dodgers, arguably the most visible squad in baseball, versus the “regular joes” Brewers, who flew under the radar all season to achieve the best win-loss record in baseball. While Milwaukee’s magical season has been impressive, questions linger about their ability to consistently match the firepower of the celebrated Dodgers, especially in a series where dramatic home runs can be the ultimate difference.
NLCS Schedule
The NLCS will also be a best-of-seven series, with all games broadcast on TBS.
- Game 1: Monday, Oct. 13, Dodgers at Brewers, 8:08 p.m. ET (TBS)
- Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 14, Dodgers at Brewers (TBS)
- Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 16, Brewers at Dodgers (TBS)
- Game 4: Friday, Oct. 17, Brewers at Dodgers (TBS)
- *Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 18, Brewers at Dodgers (TBS)
- *Game 6: Monday, Oct. 20, Dodgers at Brewers (TBS)
- *Game 7: Tuesday, Oct. 21, Dodgers at Brewers (TBS)
* — if necessary
The Playoff Journey So Far: A Look at the Bracket
To reach this stage, all four teams navigated through challenging Wild Card and Division Series rounds. Here’s a quick recap of how the 2025 MLB playoff bracket unfolded:
American League
- Byes: Blue Jays (No. 1 seed), Mariners (No. 2 seed)
- AL Wild Card Series (best of three)
- No. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Cleveland Guardians – Tigers win series 2-1
- No. 5 Boston Red Sox at No. 4 New York Yankees – Yankees win series 2-1
- AL Division Series (best of five)
- No. 4 New York Yankees vs. No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays – Blue Jays win series 3-1
- No. 6 Detroit Tigers vs. No. 2 Seattle Mariners – Mariners win series 3-2
- AL Championship Series (best of seven)
- No. 2 Seattle Mariners vs. No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays (starts Sunday, Oct. 12)
National League
- Byes: Brewers (No. 1 seed), Phillies (No. 2 seed)
- NL Wild Card Series (best of three)
- No. 6 Cincinnati Reds at No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers – Dodgers win series 2-0
- No. 5 San Diego Padres at No. 4 Chicago Cubs – Cubs win series 2-1
- NL Division Series (best of five)
- No. 4 Chicago Cubs vs. No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers – Brewers win series 3-2
- No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies – Dodgers win series 3-1
- NL Championship Series (best of seven)
- No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers (starts Monday, Oct. 13)
Anticipating the World Series
With the ALCS and NLCS now locked in, the anticipation for the 2025 World Series is at an all-time high. Both championship series promise fierce competition as teams vie for the ultimate prize in baseball. Fans are already debating potential matchups and storylines, eager to see which two clubs will emerge victorious and compete for the Commissioner’s Trophy.
The World Series will also be a best-of-seven format, scheduled to begin in late October.
- Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24 (TBD, FOX)
- Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25 (TBD, FOX)
- Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27 (TBD, FOX)
- Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28 (TBD, FOX)
- *Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 29 (TBD, FOX)
- *Game 6: Friday, Oct. 31 (TBD, FOX)
- *Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 1 (TBD, FOX)
* — if necessary
