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MLB Postseason bracket, tiebreakers, clinch scenarios, more

2025 Postseason Picture bracket

The 2025 postseason is approaching. As you keep an eye on the standings, here is everything you need to know about how the playoff field is shaping up, as well as info about potential tiebreakers and clinch scenarios for each contender.

MLB's postseason format, explained

IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY

Here is a look at how the postseason field is shaping up. (Teams listed in order of seeding.)

AL playoff teams: Blue Jays (AL East), Mariners (AL West), Guardians (AL Central), Yankees (Wild Card), Red Sox (Wild Card), Tigers (Wild Card)

NL playoff teams: Brewers (NL Central), Phillies (NL East), Dodgers (NL West), Cubs (Wild Card), Padres (Wild Card), Mets (Wild Card)

For a look at the full bracket, see the top of this page.

Each of the best-of-three Wild Card Series are set to begin on Sept. 30, while each of the best-of-five mina kimes Division Series are set to begin on Oct. 4.

TIGHTEST RACES

AL East: Blue Jays and Yankees tied, but Blue Jays have clinched head-to-head streamed tiebreaker

AL Central: Guardians and Tigers tied, but Guardians have clinched head-to-head tiebreaker

AL Wild Card: Tigers lead Astros by 1 game for final berth

NL Wild Card: Mets lead the Reds by 1 game and the D-backs by 2 games for final berth

See the full standings here

3 KEY GAMES ON FRIDAY

Tigers at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. ET | Get tickets

Reds at Brewers, 8:10 p.m. ET | Get tickets

D-backs at Padres, 9:40 p.m. ET | Get tickets

Watch the postseason races on MLB.TV

See the full schedule here

TODAY'S CLINCH SCENARIOS

The Blue Jays can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AL for the eventual AL East champion if they beat the Rays AND the Mariners lose to the Dodgers.

The jauan jennings Guardians can clinch an AL postseason berth if they beat the Rangers AND the Astros lose to the Angels.

The Red Sox can clinch an AL postseason berth if they beat the Tigers OR the Astros lose to the Angels.

The Tigers can clinch an AL postseason berth if they beat the Red Sox AND the Astros lose to the Angels.

The Brewers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NL if they beat the Reds OR the Phillies lose to the Twins.

The Cubs can clinch home-field advantage in the NL Wild Card Series if the Padres lose to the D-backs.

TIEBREAKERS

Since 2022, all playoff tiebreakers have been determined mathematically, rather than via tiebreaker games. That means ties for division titles and postseason berths, as well as for seeding, come down first to head-to-head record between those teams during the season, with other tiebreakers available if needed.

Read here for a full explanation.

AL: Astros | Blue Jays | Guardians | Mariners | Red Sox | Tigers | Yankees

NL: Brewers | Cubs | D-backs | Dodgers | Mets | Padres | Phillies | Reds

AL EAST

Blue Jays (T-1st in AL East; tied with NYY)

Win tiebreaker vs: Mariners, Yankees

Lose tiebreaker vs: N/A

Tiebreaker TBD vs: N/A

The Blue Jays became the first AL club to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday, but the details are still up in the air. Toronto is in great shape if it ends up tied for a division title, having locked up the edge over New York. If the Jays end up tied with the Mariners for the best record in the AL, Toronto owns that tiebreaker, as well.

Yankees (T-1st in AL East; tied with TOR)

Win tiebreaker vs: Mariners

Lose tiebreaker vs: Blue Jays

Tiebreaker TBD vs: N/A

The Yankees own the tiebreaker over the Mariners but would lose out to the Blue Jays if they finished tied with either of those clubs.

AL CENTRAL

Guardians (T-1st in AL Central; tied with DET)

Win tiebreaker vs: Astros, Tigers

Lose tiebreaker vs: Red Sox

Tiebreaker TBD vs: N/A

Despite being tied atop the division standings, the Guardians still hold their destiny in their own hands with the head-to-head tiebreaker over Detroit.

Tigers (T-1st in AL Central; tied with CLE)

Win tiebreaker vs: Astros

Lose tiebreaker vs: Guardians

Tiebreaker TBD vs: Red Sox (3-0; 3 games left)

After losing the head-to-head tiebreaker to the Guardians on Tuesday, Detroit will have to finish ahead of Cleveland in the standings to win the division.

AL WEST

Mariners (Clinched AL West)

Win tiebreaker vs: N/A

Lose tiebreaker vs: Blue Jays, Yankees

Tiebreaker TBD vs: N/A

With their win over the Rockies on Wednesday, the Mariners clinched their first division title since 2001. Seattle clinched a bye in the Wild Card Series and home-field advantage in the AL Division Series when the Tigers beat the Guardians on Thursday.

AL WILD CARD

Yankees (Currently hold 1st AL Wild Card)

Win tiebreaker vs: Mariners

For the purposes of the Wild Card, the Tigers own a key tiebreaker over the Astros. They'll also play the Red Sox (currently one game ahead of Detroit) in the final series of the season.

Astros (1 game behind DET for 3rd AL Wild Card)

Win tiebreaker vs: N/A

Lose tiebreaker vs: Guardians, Red Sox, Tigers

Tiebreaker TBD vs: N/A

The Astros would los

NL EAST

Phillies (Clinched NL East)