The MLB postseason for 2025 is rapidly approaching. On Sunday, September 28, the regular season will end, preparing the field for a playoff game in which no team is clearly in the lead. There will be a lot of drama, chaos and unpredictable events for fans to anticipate. There is no other way we would have it.
Six teams from each of the 12 leagues advance to the MLB playoffs. Four teams from each league will compete in the Wild Card round, while two teams from each league—the division champions with the best records—will get first-round byes. A best-of-three format will be used for the Wild Card round, and the winners will go on to the Division Series.
All the information you require for the 2025 MLB postseason schedule and format is provided below:
When do the MLB playoffs start in 2025?
On Tuesday, September 30, the 2025 MLB Playoffs will get started, including four Wild Card Series games.
When is the World Series in 2025?
If the 2025 World Series plays seven games, it will start on Friday, October 24, and end on Saturday, November 1.
2025 MLB Playoffs: Which Teams Are In?
National League:
- Philadelphia Phillies (clinched National League East)
- Milwaukee Brewers (clinched playoff spot)
American League:
TBD
In the 2025 MLB Postseason, who has the tiebreakers?
Game 163s are no longer used to decide playoff berths. Head-to-head records are used to determine tiebreakers, followed by intra-divisional records (if necessary) and, if necessary, inter-divisional records.
Who Is Advantageous at Home in the 2025 World Series?
The team with the best record has home-field advantage. Tiebreakers will decide home-field advantage if the teams have the same record.
What is the 2025 MLB Postseason Schedule?
Wild Card Series: September 30-October 2
What is the format for the Wild Card Series?
The format of the Wild Card Series is best-of-three. The lowest-seeded Wild Card team will play the lowest-seeded division champion, who has the worst record among the three division winners. The No. 2 and No. 3 seeds will compete in the other Wild Card Series. Every game will be played at the team with the highest seed.
(Airing on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2)
| Date | Series | Matchup | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/30/25 | AL Wild Card A, Game 1 | ||
| AL Wild Card B, Game 1 | |||
| NL Wild Card A, Game 1 | |||
| NL Wild Card B, Game 1 | |||
| 10/1/25 | AL Wild Card A, Game 2 | ||
| AL Wild Card B, Game 2 | |||
| NL Wild Card A, Game 2 | |||
| NL Wild Card B, Game 2 | |||
| 10/2/25 | AL Wild Card A, Game 3 * | ||
| AL Wild Card B, Game 3 * | |||
| NL Wild Card A, Game 3 * | |||
| NL Wild Card B, Game 3 * |
Division Series: October 4-11
Is the Division Series still a best-of-five?
Yes. The Division Series is played in a 2-2-1 format, with the highest-seeded team having home-field advantage (Games 1-2 and 5 if necessary)(ALDS airing on FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes; NLDS airing on TBS/Tru TV/HBO Max: Game times are TBA)
*if necessary
| Date | Series | Matchup | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/4/25 | ALDS A, Game 1 | ALWC A Winner at AL Division Winner #1 | |
| ALDS B, Game 1 | ALWC B Winner at AL Division Winner #2 | ||
| NLDS A, Game 1 | NLWC A Winner at NL Division Winner #1 | ||
| NLDS B, Game 1 | NLWC B Winner at NL Division Winner #2 | ||
| 10/5/25 | ALDS A, Game 2 | ALWC A Winner at AL Division Winner #1 | |
| ALDS B, Game 2 | ALWC B Winner at AL Division Winner #2 | ||
| 10/6/25 | NLDS A, Game 2 | NLWC A Winner at NL Division Winner #1 | |
| NLDS B, Game 2 | NLWC B Winner at NL Division Winner #2 | ||
| 10/7/25 | ALDS A, Game 3 | AL Division Winner #1 at ALWC A Winner | |
| ALDS B, Game 3 | AL Division Winner #2 at ALWC B Winner | ||
| 10/8/25 | NLDS A, Game 3 | NL Division Winner #1 at NLWC A Winner | |
| NLDS B, Game 3 | NL Division Winner #2 at NLWC B Winner | ||
| ALDS A, Game 4 * | AL Division Winner #1 at ALWC A Winner | ||
| ALDS B, Game 4 * | AL Division Winner #2 at ALWC B Winner | ||
| 10/9/25 | NLDS A, Game 4 * | NL Division Winner #1 at NLWC A Winner | |
| NLDS B, Game 4 * | NL Division Winner #2 at NLWC B Winner | ||
| 10/10/25 | ALDS A, Game 5 * | ALWC A Winner at AL Division Winner #1 | |
| ALDS B, Game 5 * | ALWC B Winner at AL Division Winner #2 | ||
| 10/11/25 | NLDS A, Game 5 * | NLWC A Winner at NL Division Winner #1 | |
| NLDS B, Game 5 * | NLWC B Winner at NL Division Winner #2 |
Championship Series: October 12-21
(ALCS airing on TBS, truTV and HBO Max; NLCS airing on FOX, FS1, and FOX Deportes: Game times are TBA)
*if necessary
| Date | Series | Matchup | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/12/25 | ALCS, Game 1 | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed | |
| 10/13/25 | NLCS, Game 1 | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed | |
| ALCS, Game 2 | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed | ||
| 10/14/25 | NLCS, Game 2 | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed | |
| 10/15/25 | ALCS, Game 3 | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed | |
| 10/16/25 | NLCS, Game 3 | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed | |
| ALCS, Game 4 | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed | ||
| 10/17/25 | NLCS, Game 4 | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed | |
| ALCS, Game 5 * | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed | ||
| 10/18/25 | NLCS, Game 5 * | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed | |
| 10/19/25 | ALCS, Game 6 * | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed | |
| 10/20/25 | NLCS, Game 6 * | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed | |
| ALCS, Game 7 * | AL Lower Seed at AL Higher Seed | ||
| 10/21/25 | NLCS, Game 7 * | NL Lower Seed at NL Higher Seed |
2025 World Series: October 24-November 1
(World Series airing on FOX: Game times are TBA)
*if necessary
| Date | Series | Matchup | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/24/25 | World Series, Game 1 | League Champ #2 at League Champ #1 | |
| 10/25/25 | World Series, Game 2 | League Champ #2 at League Champ #1 | |
| 10/27/25 | World Series, Game 3 | League Champ #1 at League Champ #2 | |
| 10/28/25 | World Series, Game 4 | League Champ #1 at League Champ #2 | |
| 10/29/25 | World Series, Game 5 * | League Champ #1 at League Champ #2 | |
| 10/31/25 | World Series, Game 6 * | League Champ #2 at League Champ #1 | |
| 11/1/25 | World Series, Game 7 * | League Champ #2 at League Champ #1 |
MLB Playoff Rules for 2025
What Replay Regulations Apply to the MLB Playoffs in 2025?
In the postseason, managers are given two challenges, although they only receive one during the regular season. The management keeps the challenge if it is successful; if the initial call is confirmed, they forfeit one of their challenges. If a team has run out of options, the crew chief can still review some calls after the eighth inning.
Will the 2025 MLB Playoffs Use the Runner-on-Second Rule in Extra Innings?
No, the bases will be empty to start extra innings, and the game will continue in that configuration until the end, unlike in the regular season.
During the playoffs, are MLB teams able to substitute injured players?
Yes. Injured players can be substituted by teams during a series, but if the team advances, the player will be considered ineligible for the rest of the series and the next round.
Furthermore, a position player can only be replaced by another position player, and a pitcher can only be replaced by another pitcher.
An explanation of the MLB Postseason Roster Eligibility Rules
Postseason eligibility is available to any player listed on the 40-man roster or injured list as of September 1 at noon ET. If the injured player has completed the minimum amount of time (10 days for the 10-day IL, 60 days for the 60-day IL), players who were in the organization (and not on the 40-man roster) by that deadline may also take their position on the 10-day or 60-day injury list. Prior to being included on the postseason roster, the substitute must also be added to the 40-man roster.
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