With just 11 days left in the regular season, the MLB playoff picture is taking shape. Three teams have already clinched their spots: the Brewers, Phillies, and Cubs. The Brewers secured the first postseason berth, followed closely by the Phillies who clinched their second consecutive NL East title in dramatic fashion. The Cubs then joined the party, securing their playoff spot. But the race is far from over.
Several teams are locked in intense battles for the remaining playoff berths. The Blue Jays and Dodgers are strong contenders, but others are fighting tooth and nail to stay in contention. The Mariners, for example, have recently surged to the top of their division, while the Mets have endured a tough losing streak that nearly knocked them out of the playoffs. These final games promise nail-biting finishes and some electrifying baseball.
Our ESPN panel of experts has weighed in with their power rankings, considering both past performance and the overall season trajectory. Buster Olney, Bradford Doolittle, and David Schoenfield offer insightful observations on each of the 30 teams. Let’s dive into the rankings:
Milwaukee Brewers (93-59): The Brewers, despite clinching a playoff spot, are still gunning for the NL’s top seed, aiming to surpass their franchise record for wins in a season. Doolittle highlights the importance of securing that top seed, especially if a potential NLCS matchup with the Phillies arises.
Philadelphia Phillies (91-62): The Phillies celebrated their second consecutive NL East title with a thrilling win over the Dodgers, punctuated by Kyle Schwarber’s 53rd home run and a dramatic late-game rally. Schoenfield notes the team’s readiness for the playoffs.
Toronto Blue Jays (89-63): With a 95.6% chance of winning the AL East, according to FanGraphs, manager John Schneider faces the pleasant challenge of strategizing his playoff rotation. Olney points to the Jays’ impressive pitching depth, including rookie Trey Yesavage’s stellar debut.
Los Angeles Dodgers (85-67): The Dodgers are focused on securing the NL West title, a crucial factor that will determine their playoff seeding and potential matchups. Doolittle stresses the importance of this final push for the Dodgers.
Chicago Cubs (88-64): The Cubs, having clinched a playoff berth, are aiming for a top wild-card spot. Doolittle mentions the team’s recent offensive improvement, while also noting the need for Pete Crow-Armstrong to regain his earlier-season form.
Detroit Tigers (85-67), New York Yankees (85-67), Seattle Mariners (83-69), San Diego Padres (83-69), Boston Red Sox (83-69), Houston Astros (84-69), Texas Rangers (79-74), New York Mets (78-74), Cleveland Guardians (80-71), Arizona Diamondbacks (77-76), San Francisco Giants (76-76), Cincinnati Reds (76-76), Kansas City Royals (76-76), Tampa Bay Rays (74-78), St. Louis Cardinals (74-79), Athletics (71-81), Baltimore Orioles (72-80), Atlanta Braves (70-83), Miami Marlins (72-80), Minnesota Twins (66-86), Los Angeles Angels (69-83), Pittsburgh Pirates (65-88), Chicago White Sox (57-96), Washington Nationals (62-91), and Colorado Rockies (41-111): The remaining teams offer a diverse range of storylines, from the Mariners’ Cal Raleigh’s record-breaking home run chase to the Mets’ late-season struggles and the Rockies’ surprising fan attendance despite their record. Each team’s unique situation and outlook is highlighted by our expert panel.
The final stretch of the 2025 MLB season promises to be unforgettable. With playoff spots still up for grabs and individual records on the line, get ready for some thrilling baseball!
