MLB Playoff Picture: Breaking Down the 2025 Standings and Championship Race

Current Division Leaders and Playoff Picture

The Milwaukee Brewers currently lead Major League Baseball and are maintaining a commanding position in the NL Central, likely to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

In the American League, the Detroit Tigers have established a substantial lead in the AL Central, while the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners are locked in an intense AL West battle. The Rangers and Kansas City Royals remain within striking distance for the final wild-card position.

Wild Card Races Heat Up

In the American League playoff picture, the Tigers, Blue Jays, and Yankees all boast playoff odds of 99% or better. The current wild-card field consists of the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mariners, with the Tigers, Blue Jays, and Astros leading their respective divisions.

The National League sees the Brewers, Phillies, Dodgers, and Cubs all with playoff odds exceeding 99%. While the Brewers, Phillies, and Dodgers are positioned to win their divisions, the Cubs hold the top wild card spot. The Padres (97.9% playoff odds) and Mets (93.4%) currently occupy the other wild card positions.

Playoff Format and Upcoming Schedule

The division winners with the two best records in each league will earn the top two seeds, securing a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the division series. The Brewers, Phillies, Tigers, and Blue Jays are currently in line for these coveted positions.

The 2025 MLB postseason is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 30. As the final weeks of September unfold, no team has yet clinched a postseason berth, though the playoff picture has remained relatively stable since mid-July.