Checking in on the 2025 MLB Postseason

Joseph McLaughlin
4 hours ago
5 min read

Major League Baseball’s postseason is now in full swing, and it has so far delivered on thrilling moments. As of writing this, the four divisional series are still being decided, with all eight teams in contention for the next round. However, two teams do have a chance to clinch a spot in the championship series tonight. Let’s see where each series is at.

Blue Jays vs Yankees (TOR Leads 2-1)

Photo Caption: Aaron Judge crushing a three-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays to tie Game 3 of the ALDS 6-6 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta/Imagn-Images.

Entering game three of the American League Division Series, the New York Yankees had their backs against the wall. They allowed a combined 23 runs in the series’ first two games and had little response offensively.

They could not contain the Blue Jays’ bats, and it seemed history would repeat itself in Game 3. The Jays took a 6-3 lead after three innings and were flying their way towards a berth in the American League Championship Series.

Then, Aaron Judge brought the Yankees back to life in the bottom of the fourth. Judge, making his case for American League MVP, crushed a 100 mph fastball high and inside down the left field line and off the fair side of the foul pole for a game-tying three-run home run.

The hit sent the Bronx into a frenzy and kick-started a rally in which the Yankees took their first lead of the series. A combination of clutch hits and strong pitching from a bullpen that had been shaky all season delivered the Yankees a season-saving victory.

Now, both teams prepare for Game 4 tonight in the Bronx. All the momentum is with New York after last night’s rally, but they also have rookie sensation Cam Schlittler getting the starting nod. Schlittler came in clutch in the AL Wild Card against the Boston Red Sox, pitching eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts and allowing only five hits.

Schlittler will have a tougher test tonight, however, as the Blue Jays’ lineup has made great contact with the ball all series. The Jays have scored at least six runs in each of the three games in the ALDS for a total of 29 runs. Yet, New York still has the momentum, and a solid pitcher on the mound could be the key to slowing down Toronto’s offense and forcing a winner-take-all Game 5.

Mariners vs Tigers (SEA Leads 2-1)

Photo Caption: Cal Raleigh stepping up plate against the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the ALDS on October 7, 2025. Photo Credit: Brad Penner/Imagn-Images.

After the Mariners tied the series at 1-1 in a decisive Game 2 victory, the series shifted to Detroit. It was the first time since September 21 that the Tigers had played a baseball game at home. The game had a delayed start due to a rainstorm that passed through Detroit last night.

Once the game started, the Mariners put pressure on the Tigers, scoring two runs in the third inning and another two in the fourth to take an early 4-0 lead. The bats of J.P. Crawford, Randy Arozarena, Eugenio Suárez, and Cal Raleigh all contributed. Suárez, Crawford, and Raleigh all homered in the game, lifting the Mariners to an 8-4 victory and inching them closer to their first ALCS appearance since 2001, when they lost to the New York Yankees in five games.

Seattle, now with control of the series, aims to lift the Mariners to the next round. Detroit will counter with being at home and putting one of their best pitchers on the mound, Casey Mize. Mize has started one game this postseason for the Tigers, going three innings with a strikeout, a hit, a run, and two walks in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card against the Cleveland Guardians.

He will need to be sharp tonight to keep the Tigers’ season alive and potentially pave a path for Tarik Skubal to start a winner-take-all Game 5 in Seattle. The Mariners have the better offense, but do not count out the Tigers yet, as they have had their backs against the wall before and prevailed. The winner of tonight’s game will be whoever lasts longer, that being the Tigers’ pitching or the Mariners’ bats.

Brewers vs Cubs (MIL Leads 2-0)

Photo Caption: Christian Yelich being greeted by William Contreras after scoring a run against the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the NLDS on October 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Data Skrive/Sportsbook Wire.

In the top of the first inning in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, the Chicago Cubs got off to a hot start. Seiya Suzuki crushed a three-run home run to deep left-center field to take an early 3-0 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. Momentum seemed to be on the Cubs’ side until the Brewers answered in the bottom of the first. Andrew Vaughn answered Suzuki with his own three-run home run to tie the game at 3-3. Immediately, the tone shifted in the Brewers’ favor, and Milwaukee did not look back. Milwaukee captured Game 2 and now put Chicago on the brink of elimination.

The Brewers controlled the Cubs in Milwaukee during the first two games of the NLDS, holding them to six combined runs in both games. In Game 2, Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, and Vaughn were the heart of the Brewers’ offense. Yelich went three-for-four with a run while Chourio and Vaughn both drove in three runs.

The Cubs’ offense, led by Nico Hoerner’s two-for-four night, is getting production, but it has not been enough to keep up with the Brewers. However, the Cubs will have a change of scenery tonight as they return to Wrigley Field to play in front of a friendlier crowd. The Cubs’ last game at Wrigley was their decisive win over the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card.

The friendly environment and a solid starter in Jameson Taillon favor the Cubs in this Game 3 matchup. However, the Brewers will start one of their best pitchers, Quinn Priester, who is second on the team with 13 wins this season. The Cubs will lean on players like Hoerner and Suzuki to help keep their season alive tonight.

Phillies vs Dodgers (LAD leads 2-0)

Photo Caption: Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrating a third out during the NLDS vs the San Diego Padres in 2024. Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers.

In Game 1, the Philadelphia Phillies were riding high. The Phillies were up 3-0 over the defending World Champions going into the top of the sixth inning. Then, a Kike Hernandez two-RBI double, followed by a Teoscar Hernandez three-run homer in the seventh, took the Phillies out of the game and gave the Dodgers a huge road win in Game 1.

The Phillies came up short again in Game 2 after falling behind 4-0 and could not complete the comeback, losing 4-3. Now, Philadelphia finds itself in a dangerous situation most teams do not find themselves in: dropping the first two games at home, then going across the country against the defending champions, fighting to keep their season alive.

The Dodgers are playing with house money, going into Game 3 at home, up 2-0 with Yoshinobu Yamamoto taking the start. Yamamoto started in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card against the Cincinnati Reds and took care of business, pitching six and two-thirds innings with four hits, two runs, two walks, and nine strikeouts.

The Phillies will not have an easy time against Yamamoto, especially if the bats of Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper all stay as cold as they have been this postseason. Philadelphia will need its stars to step up to take this series back to Philadelphia.