Updated MLB Playoff Picture 2025, Standings, Wild Card Seedings and Bracket Outlook
The MLB postseason picture remains crowded heading into the third week of September, with a few division leaders pulling away but a fierce battle unfolding for the Wild Card spots.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees wrapped up their weekend series with New York taking the first two games on the road, but Boston battled back to take the finale and stay in the postseason hunt. With just two weeks remaining, the playoff picture is beginning to take clearer shape.
American League
1 of 2
Division Leaders
- Toronto (87-62)
- Detroit (85-65)
- Seattle (82-68)
Wild Card Race
- New York Yankees (83-66)
- Boston (82-68)
- Houston (81-69)
- Texas (79-71)
- Cleveland (78-71)
- Kansas City (75-75)
- Tampa Bay (73-76)
The American League playoff picture remains razor-tight. The Mariners and Astros are neck-and-neck in the AL West, while the Wild Card race is crowded behind the Red Sox and Yankees. The Tigers and Blue Jays lead the Central and East, respectively.
While Boston and New York battled at Fenway all weekend, Houston—clinging to the third AL Wild Card spot—dropped one of three to the Braves and has now lost six of its last 10. The race for the three AL Wild Card spots remains tight, with just 2.5 games separating the teams.
Adding to the drama, the Red Sox face the toughest remaining schedule among contenders, according to CBS Sports. They're wedged between two teams with much easier roads: the Yankees, with the third-easiest slate, and the Mariners—right on Boston's heels—with the second-easiest.
Postseason Picture (As of Sunday)
Teams listed by current seeding
Blue Jays (AL East), Tigers (AL Central), Mariners (AL West), Yankees (Wild Card), Red Sox (Wild Card) and Astros (Wild Card).
Notable Tight Races
AL West Standings: The Mariners hold a one-game lead over the Astros following Seattle's win and Houston's loss on Sunday.
AL Wild Card Race: The Yankees lead the Red Sox by two games after Boston grabbed a Game 3 win in their weekend series. The Red Sox hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. Meanwhile Boston is one game ahead of Houston.
National League
2 of 2
Division Leaders
- Milwaukee (91-59)
- Philadelphia (89-61)
- Los Angeles (83-65)
Wild-Card Race
- Chicago Cubs (85-64)
- San Diego (82-68)
- New York Mets (77-73)
- San Francisco (75-73)
- Arizona (75-75)
- Cincinnati (74-75)
- St. Louis (73-77)
In the NL, the Dodgers are looking to hold off the Padres for the West crown, while the Cubs, Mets, and Padres currently occupy the Wild Card spots.
The Reds, Diamondbacks, and Giants remain within striking distance of the slumping Mets, who have dropped eight of their last 10. But the path won't be easy—Cincinnati and Arizona face the second- and third-toughest remaining schedules, according to CBS Sports. San Francisco, however, may have an edge with the fifth-easiest slate down the stretch.
Postseason Picture (As of Sunday)
Teams listed by current seeding
Phillies (NL East), Brewers (NL Central, Dodgers (NL West), Cubs (Wild Card), Padres (Wild Card) and Mets (Wild Card).
Notable Tight Races
NL Wild Card Race: The Mets hold a one-game lead over the Giants for the final Wild Card spot.
NL West Standings: The Dodgers maintain a 2.5-game lead over the Padres, with both teams winning their weekend series.
The MLB playoffs will kickoff with Wild Card games on Sept. 30.
