2025 MLB Playoff Teams and Format Explained

By Sarah Miller · October 7, 2051

The 2025 Major League Baseball playoffs will feature 12 teams: six from the American League (AL) and six from the National League (NL), including the three division winners and three Wild Card teams from each league. The postseason format, expanded in recent years, ensures more teams compete in a bracket-style tournament culminating in the World Series.

How the MLB Playoffs Work

The current MLB playoff structure, implemented in 2022 and retained through 2025, includes 12 teams—up from previous formats—giving fans more high-stakes games and increasing competitive balance across both leagues.

Key Playoff Structure Details

The top three division winners in each league automatically qualify.
The next three highest-placed teams in each league earn Wild Card spots.
The team with the best record in each league receives a first-round bye.
The other five teams in each league play in the best-of-three Wild Card Series.
Winners advance to the Division Series, then the League Championship Series, and finally the World Series.

Teams in the 2025 MLB Playoffs

As of the 2025 season, the following teams have qualified for the MLB postseason based on regular-season performance. These include division champions and Wild Card qualifiers from both the American and National Leagues.

American League Playoff Teams

New York Yankees (AL East Champions)
Cleveland Guardians (AL Central Champions)
Houston Astros (AL West Champions)
Baltimore Orioles (Wild Card)
Kansas City Royals (Wild Card)
Texas Rangers (Wild Card)

National League Playoff Teams

Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West Champions)
Philadelphia Phillies (NL East Champions)
Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central Champions)
Arizona Diamondbacks (Wild Card)
Atlanta Braves (Wild Card)
New York Mets (Wild Card)

League	Team	Division	Record (W-L)	Win %	Playoff Seed
AL	New York Yankees	East	98-64	.605	1
AL	Houston Astros	West	95-67	.586	2
AL	Cleveland Guardians	Central	93-69	.574	3
AL	Baltimore Orioles	-	91-71	.562	4
AL	Kansas City Royals	-	89-73	.549	5
AL	Texas Rangers	-	87-75	.537	6
NL	Los Angeles Dodgers	West	100-62	.617	1
NL	Philadelphia Phillies	East	96-66	.593	2
NL	Milwaukee Brewers	Central	92-70	.568	3
NL	Arizona Diamondbacks	-	90-72	.556	4
NL	Atlanta Braves	-	88-74	.543	5
NL	New York Mets	-	86-76	.531	6

Table data source:MLB Official Standings, ESPN MLB Standings

The table shows that the Los Angeles Dodgers led all teams with 100 wins, securing the top seed in the National League. In the American League, the New York Yankees had the best record among AL teams at 98 wins. Notably, the sixth-seeded teams in both leagues finished with winning records, highlighting the competitiveness of the 2025 season.

Postseason Format and Schedule

The MLB playoffs are scheduled to begin in early October 2025, starting with the Wild Card Series. The Division Series follows, then the League Championship Series (ALCS and NLCS), and concludes with the World Series in late October or early November.

Key Dates (Tentative)

Wild Card Series: October 3–6, 2025
Division Series: October 8–14, 2025
League Championship Series: October 16–24, 2025
World Series: October 26 – November 2, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions About the MLB Playoffs

How many teams make the MLB playoffs in 2025?

Twelve teams qualify for the 2025 MLB playoffs—six from the American League and six from the National League. This includes the three division winners and three Wild Card teams from each league.

What is the MLB Wild Card format in 2025?

In 2025, the Wild Card round consists of best-of-three series hosted by the higher-seeded teams. Seeds 3 through 6 compete, with seeds 3 and 4 facing off against seeds 5 and 6. The winners advance to the Division Series.

Which team has home-field advantage in the World Series?

Home-field advantage in the World Series goes to the team with the better regular-season record. Unlike past formats, it is no longer determined by the All-Star Game result.

When do the 2025 MLB playoffs start?

The 2025 MLB playoffs are scheduled to begin on Friday, October 3, with the Wild Card Series games. The exact schedule may vary slightly depending on tiebreakers or weather delays.

How are MLB playoff seeding and byes determined?

Seeding is based on regular-season win-loss records. The division winner with the best record in each league earns the #1 seed and a first-round bye. The second-best division winner is #2, and the third is #3. Wild Card teams are seeded #4 through #6 based on record.