2025 MLB Playoff Teams: Who's In and What to Know

By Sarah Miller · August 26, 2045

In 2025, the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoff teams include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League; and the New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, and Detroit Tigers in the American League.

Overview of the 2025 MLB Postseason

The 2025 MLB playoffs feature a competitive field of 12 teams—six from each league—advancing through a combination of division titles and wild card berths. The expanded postseason format introduced in recent years allows more teams to compete, increasing excitement and unpredictability. This year’s lineup includes powerhouse franchises and surprising contenders, reflecting a dynamic regular season.

National League Playoff Teams

Los Angeles Dodgers: NL West champions with the best record in baseball.
Atlanta Braves: Won the NL East after a tight race with the Mets.
New York Mets: Secured a top wild card spot with strong second-half performance.
Philadelphia Phillies: Returning postseason contender with core veterans.
Milwaukee Brewers: Dominant pitching staff led them to a division title.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Surprise team of the year, finishing as a top wild card.

American League Playoff Teams

New York Yankees: AL East champions, led by offensive firepower.
Cleveland Guardians: Won the AL Central with balanced roster play.
Baltimore Orioles: Young core matured into consistent winners.
Houston Astros: Veteran presence secures another playoff berth.
Kansas City Royals: Breakout season thanks to improved defense and youth.
Detroit Tigers: Strong finish earned them final wild card spot.

MLB Playoff Format Explained

The current MLB postseason structure includes:

Three division winners per league (automatically seeded 1–3).
Three wild card teams per league (seeded 4–6 based on record).
Best-of-three Wild Card Series hosted by higher seeds.
Division Series, Championship Series, and World Series are all best-of-seven.

Higher seeds host all games in the Wild Card round, giving top teams a significant advantage.

2025 MLB Playoff Teams and Records

Team	League	Division	W-L Record	Win %	Seed
Los Angeles Dodgers	NL	West	98-64	.605	1
Atlanta Braves	NL	East	95-67	.586	2
Milwaukee Brewers	NL	Central	93-69	.574	3
New York Mets	NL	Wild Card	91-71	.562	4
Philadelphia Phillies	NL	Wild Card	89-73	.549	5
Arizona Diamondbacks	NL	Wild Card	87-75	.537	6
New York Yankees	AL	East	97-65	.599	1
Cleveland Guardians	AL	Central	92-70	.568	2
Baltimore Orioles	AL	Wild Card	90-72	.556	3
Houston Astros	AL	Wild Card	88-74	.543	4
Kansas City Royals	AL	Wild Card	86-76	.531	5
Detroit Tigers	AL	Wild Card	85-77	.525	6

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees posted the best records in their respective leagues, earning top seeding and home-field advantage. Notably, both wild card teams from the AL have sub-.550 win percentages, indicating tighter competition in the American League compared to the National League. The Milwaukee Brewers' strong record highlights their dominance in the NL Central.

Key Storylines in the 2025 Playoffs

This year’s postseason features several compelling narratives. The Dodgers aim to finally win a World Series after multiple near-misses. The Royals and Tigers represent a resurgence of young AL Central teams. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks' return to prominence marks a successful rebuild. Injuries, bullpen depth, and October experience will likely determine which teams advance deep into October.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2025 MLB Playoffs

Which teams made the 2025 MLB playoffs?

The 2025 MLB playoff teams are: Dodgers, Braves, Brewers, Mets, Phillies, Diamondbacks (NL); and Yankees, Guardians, Orioles, Astros, Royals, and Tigers (AL).

How many teams make the MLB playoffs in 2025?

Twelve teams qualify for the MLB playoffs in 2025—six from the American League and six from the National League.

Who has home-field advantage in the 2025 MLB playoffs?

Higher-seeded teams host all Wild Card Series games. The team with the better regular-season record hosts Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 in later series.

When do the 2025 MLB playoffs start?

The 2025 MLB playoffs begin on October 1, 2025, with the Wild Card Series.

What is the MLB playoff format in 2025?

The format includes three division winners and three wild cards per league. The top two division winners in each league receive a bye to the Division Series, while seeds 3–6 play in the best-of-three Wild Card Series.