September baseball is here, and the 2025 playoff race is shaping up to be a sprint to the finish. As the calendar flips to September, several divisions and both wild card races are starting to take clearer shape, even as others remain unsettled.
What the field looks like
– The playoff format for 2025 features 12 teams: six division winners and three wild cards in each league, with the top two division winners by overall record earning first-round byes. The postseason begins on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
– AL byes: No. 1 overall seed goes to the Detroit Tigers, with the Toronto Blue Jays sitting No. 2 and also earning a bye.
– AL Wild Card Series: No. 3 seed Houston Astros vs. No. 6 seed Seattle Mariners; No. 4 seed New York Yankees vs. No. 5 seed Boston Red Sox.
– NL byes: No. 1 seed Milwaukee Brewers, No. 2 seed Philadelphia Phillies.
– NL Wild Card Series: No. 3 seed Los Angeles Dodgers vs. No. 6 seed New York Mets; No. 4 seed Chicago Cubs vs. No. 5 seed San Diego Padres.
Current standings snapshot
– American League wild card standings
– New York Yankees 76-61, +3.0 WCGB
– Boston Red Sox 76-62, +2.5
– Seattle Mariners 73-64
– Texas Rangers 71-67
– Kansas City Royals 70-67, +3.0
– Cleveland Guardians 68-67, +4.0
– Tampa Bay Rays 67-69, +5.5
– National League wild card standings
– Chicago Cubs 78-59, +5.0 WCGB
– San Diego Padres 76-61, +3.0
– New York Mets 73-64
– Cincinnati Reds 69-68
– San Francisco Giants 68-69
– Arizona Diamondbacks 68-70
– St. Louis Cardinals 68-70
– World Series odds are tracked by Caesars as of Sept. 1 (specific numbers not listed here).
What to watch down the stretch
– The American League East has seen its lead shrink for the Blue Jays in recent days, setting the stage for a dramatic finish in one of the league’s most competitive divisions.
– The AL West remains up for grabs between the Astros and Mariners, while the Dodgers and Padres continue their tight race in the NL West. The quality of the remaining head-to-head games should have a significant impact on seeding and byes.
– The two wild card races in each league promise plenty of drama, with several teams eyeing the final spots and potential tiebreakers as October looms.
Why this matters for fans
– The expanded 12-team postseason means more teams are in the mix deeper into September, increasing the significance of every remaining game and creating more high-stakes matchups for fans to watch.
– With byes awarded to the top two division winners in each league, teams are prioritizing not just wins but strategic pacing and rest as the calendar turns toward October.
Additional context and outlook
– As teams jockey for position, expect closer-than-usual September series, bullpen gambles, and scenario-driven lineups as managers weigh rest versus momentum.
– The new format adds a level of excitement for fans of teams near the top of their leagues, while also keeping banners flying for those still chasing a clear path to the postseason.
Summary take
– September is delivering a compelling, multi-front race across both leagues. The field is becoming more defined, but with several divisions and wild cards still up for grabs, the path to October remains lively and unpredictable.
Positive note
– There’s genuine optimism across contenders: the expanded format rewards depth and late-season theatrics, and with a month to go, narratives are just beginning to crystallize around potential October runs.
Optional value add
– Fans should pay attention to upcoming head-to-head series between contenders and the health status of key players as teams navigate a compressed final month. Local stadiums and national broadcasts will likely feature a steady stream of crucial, televised September games that could decide division crowns and wild card berths.