I’d argue fall is the greatest time of year for sports. But not because of the overwhelming football chatter or early NBA predictions.
It’s because nothing matches the excitement of October baseball.
During October baseball, every game matters. Every strike, hit, walk, run and mistake matters. Nothing is predictable. Anything can happen. And, this year, more than ever before, the trophy is truly up for grabs.
There are a few teams that have clinched their spots. The National League has locked in four of its contestants: The Milwaukee Brewers (95-61), Philadelphia Phillies (92-64), Chicago Cubs (88-68) and Los Angeles Dodgers (88-68). As for the American League, the only team that has punched its ticket to October is the Toronto Blue Jays, who secured their spot with a win over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
So, who is still in the show? Which teams will be swinging in October?
In the National League, the San Diego Padres look poised to be the second of three wild-card teams. Sitting at 85-71, the Padres have put up a real fight against the Dodgers for the NL West regular-season division title.
The race for the final wild-card spot in the National League is open between the New York Mets (80-76), Arizona Diamondbacks (79-77), San Francisco Giants (77-79) and Cincinnati Reds (80-76).
After the Mets’ underdog run in the 2024 postseason and the Diamondbacks’ trip to the World Series in the fall of 2023, no team should be counted out as a contender for the title.
In the American League, every spot is really up for grabs. The Seattle Mariners (87-69) and New York Yankees (88-68) are likely the next two teams in line to get a spot on the bracket. The Boston Red Sox (85-71) are certain to steal a wild-card slot, which leaves two more places for the Cleveland Guardians (84-72), Houston Astros (84-72) and Detroit Tigers (85-71) to duke it out for.
At this point in the season, it looks like the Tigers may win the AL Central, an automatic spot in October.
As for the Guardians and Astros, I think we may be seeing the end of an era for Houston. Despite Houston having the longest active playoff streak in the American League, the Guardians have been heating up at the perfect time and have a good shot of swiping the final seat in October.
If I had to predict what my 2025 MLB postseason would look like, here is a look at my late September bracket:
Campbell Donovan’s MLB playoff predictions. (Graphic by Campbell Donovan)
Although the Padres have been shaky in late September, they have proven this year that they know how to show up for important games. Each of the past five seasons, they have either barely made or barely missed the playoffs. With zero championships in franchise history and a currently healthy offense, this is the year the title goes home to San Diego.
If there is one thing I know for certain, it is with this season’s close competitions and the intensity of playoff baseball, any team that reaches October has a shot at it all.