The 2025 MLB postseason is in full swing. After a Wild Card round where three of the four series went to a deciding third game, the road to the 2025 MLB World Series continues. Fans can expect plenty of chaos, drama, and unpredictability during the journey. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Below is everything you need to know about the 2025 MLB postseason schedule and format.
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When is the 2025 World Series?
The 2025 World Series is scheduled to begin on Friday October 24, and would go through Saturday November 1 if the series goes seven games.
⚾️ Who is the favorite to win the 2025 World Series?
Per DraftKings (as of Thursday, October 9):
- Dodgers +130
- Blue Jays +360
- Mariners +650
- Brewers +700
- Tigers +750
- Cubs +1100
Who Has Home-Field Advantage For the 2025 World Series?
Home-field advantage goes to the team with the best record. If the teams have the same record, home-field advantage will be determined by tiebreakers.
The Brewers finished the regular season with the best record in baseball at 97-65.
What is the 2025 MLB Postseason Schedule?
⚾ 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 |
Matchup |
|
|---|---|---|
| 10/4/25 | Cubs at Brewers (NLDS Game 1) | MIL 9, CHC 3 |
| Yankees at Blue Jays (ALDS Game 1) | TOR 10, NYY 1 | |
| Dodgers at Phillies (NLDS Game 1) | LAD 5, PHI 3 | |
| Tigers at Mariners (ALDS Game 1) | DET 3, SEA 2 | |
| 10/5/25 | Tigers at Mariners (ALDS Game 2) | SEA 3, DET 2 |
| Yankees at Blue Jays (ALDS Game 2) | TOR 13, NYY 7 | |
| 10/6/25 | Dodgers at Phillies (NLDS Game 2) | LAD 4, PHI 3 |
| Cubs at Brewers (NLDS Game 2) | MIL 7, CHC 3 | |
| 10/7/25 | Mariners at Tigers (ALDS Game 3) | SEA 8, DET 4 |
| Blue Jays at Yankees (ALDS Game 3) | NYY 9, TOR 6 | |
| 10/8/25 | Mariners at Tigers (ALDS Game 4) | DET 9, SEA 3 |
| Brewers at Cubs (NLDS Game 3) | CHC 4, MIL 3 | |
| Blue Jays at Yankees (ALDS Game 4) | TOR 5, NYY 2 | |
| Phillies at Dodgers (NLDS Game 3) | PHI 8, LAD 2 | |
| 10/9/25 | Phillies at Dodgers (NLDS Game 4) | LAD 2, PHI 1 |
| Brewers at Cubs (NLDS Game 4) | CHC 6, MIL 0 | |
| 10/10/25 | Tigers at Mariners (ALDS Game 5) | 8:08 p.m. ET |
| 10/11/25 | Cubs at Brewers (NLDS Game 5)* | 4:38 p.m. ET |
| Dodgers at Phillies (NLDS Game 5)* | 8:08 p.m. ET |
⚾ 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 |
2025 MLB Playoff Rules
What Are The Replay Rules for the 2025 MLB Playoffs?
Managers get just one challenge during the regular season, but they are afforded two challenges in the postseason. If a challenge is successful, the manager keeps their challenge; they lose one of their challenges if the original call is confirmed. From the eighth inning onward, the crew chief can still review certain calls if a team has exhausted their challenges.
Will the Runner-on-Second Rule Apply in Extra Innings During the 2025 MLB Playoffs?
No. As opposed the regular season, the bases will be empty to begin extra innings and the game will be played under those circumstances until completion.
Can MLB Teams Replace Injured Players During the Playoffs?
Yes. Teams can replace an injured player during a series, but that player will be deemed ineligible for the remainder of the series and the following round should the team advance.
Additionally, a pitcher may only be replaced by another pitcher and a position player may only be replaced by another position player.
MLB Postseason Roster Eligibility Rules Explained
Any player on the 40-man roster or injured list as of noon ET on September 1 is eligible for the postseason. Players who were in the organization (and not on the 40-man roster) by that deadline may also replace someone on the 10-day or 60-day injured list, provided the injured player has served the minimum required time (10 days for the 10-day IL, 60 days for the 60-day IL). The substitute must also be added to the 40-man roster before joining the postseason roster.
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