MLB Playoff Picture

With one week left in the MLB season, teams are solidifying their positions in the playoff picture. Only four teams are locked (all of them in the NL), with the rest still duking it out for a chance to play in October. Let’s take a look at the teams who locked in their chance to win the World Series trophy, and the ones still fighting to be in the mix.

Who’s In?

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers were the first team to clinch a playoff berth when the New York Mets lost to the Texas Rangers. This is their second consecutive playoff berth, with their 2024 stint ending in the Wild Card round after Mets’ slugger Pete Alonso hit a walk-off 3-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to win the series. After 10 playoff appearances, the Brewers have yet to capture the World Series.

Philadelphia Phillies

After a loss to the Kansas City Royals, the Phillies were able to clinch a playoff berth the next day after the San Francisco Giants downed the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-2. Ironically enough, the following day, the Phillies beat the Dodgers 6-5 in 10 innings to become the first team to clinch a division. This is the second consecutive year they’ve clinched the NL East. Will the Phillies be able to make a push for the World Series like in 2022?

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-4 on the road to secure their playoff berth. This is their first full-season playoff appearance since 2018. They are likely to end up as the top Wild Card seed in the NL, as the likelihood of them surpassing the Brewers is low. 

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers clinched the NL West on Friday with a 6-3 win over the Giants. This ties them with the New York Yankees (1995-2007) for the second-longest playoff streak in MLB history at 13 straight appearances. 

NL Playoff Contenders: 

San Diego Padres

The Padres are shooting for a high Wild Card position, currently holding the second Wild Card position in the NL. The Mets, Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds are close behind. Four more wins should seal them into the Wild Card spot as of Sept. 21. 

New York Mets

The Mets hold a slim one-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the last Wild Card spot. They’ve had three losing streaks of seven or more runs in 2025. If this happens again, they’ll likely be eliminated. 

Arizona Diamondbacks

As of Sunday, the Diamondbacks are still alive but need the teams ahead of them to lose. Specifically, losses from the Mets and Reds will help them shift into the Wild Card position.  

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds are near the final Wild Card spot in the NL. They are finishing up their series against the Pirates, who haven’t played meaningful baseball in years. Next, they play the Brewers, who already have the NL wrapped up. They also hold key tiebreakers over the Diamondbacks and Mets if a tie occurs.

AL Playoff Contenders:

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays winning the AL East is pretty much a lock, with a 97% chance of doing so. Keeping pace with the Yankees behind them is key. They are first in both batting average and on-base percentage in the MLB, but are bottom half in earned run average. 

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners are likely winning the AL West; it would be their first division title since 2001. They’re pretty much locked into the playoffs, but the jury is out on whether or not they’ll get a bye. They won their most recent series against the Houston Astros, pushing them further ahead. On top of this, they also hold the tiebreaker against Houston, making their path easier. Their remaining schedule is relatively easy, with multiple games against the Colorado Rockies, who have the worst record in baseball. However, their final series is against the red-hot Dodgers, whom they have yet to play against this season.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers are marginally ahead in the AL Central, but even if that isn’t a lock, they are solid for a Wild Card slot. Winning their current series against the Cleveland Guardians is crucial if they want to win the division. 

New York Yankees

With a 99% chance at a playoff berth, the Yankees hold a Wild Card spot with a decent lead over the teams below them in the standings. They don’t have a good chance to secure the AL East, unless Toronto collapses. Moving forward, their goal will be to win as many games as possible to secure the best Wild Card spot possible. 

Houston Astros

The Astros need to leapfrog the Mariners to secure the AL West, but dropping their recent series against them makes it difficult. They are in tight contention for the last wildcard spot with the Guardians, but without holding the tiebreaker, they need to hope for a Guardians’ stumble. 

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians are in a tight race with the Astros for the last wildcard position in the AL. Holding the tiebreaker over them, their main goal is to win as many games as possible to keep pace. They have nine games left versus division rivals and cap the year with a critical series against the Rangers, who sit behind them in playoff contention. 

Boston Red Sox 

The Red Sox currently hold the second Wild Card position in the AL. They hold tiebreakers over the Astros and Guardians. They are positioned at a 92% chance of making the playoffs; the remaining question is a matter of which Wild Card spot they will hold. 

Games to Watch:

Tigers v. Guardians (25-27): The Tigers currently hold a slim lead over the Guardians in the AL Central. A sweep by the Guardians would give them a tiebreaker advantage. 

Mariners v. Astros (25-27): The two teams are duking it out for the AL West title. This could determine which team takes the title. 

 Dodgers v. Mariners (26-28): Seattle is in contention, and taking the series could help them lock up the AL West title.