MLB Postseason Previews 2025: The League Division Series
- Om Brown
- Oct 4
- 11 min read
It’s finally here! The best month for sports. We are a month into the NFL season, and both the NBA and NHL get underway at some point this month. However, the greatest playoffs out of any professional league is the MLB Postseason, and I will be there every step of the way with you, previewing each round, giving my honest thoughts on all the matchups, as well as my predictions. October baseball has no equal!
Each round, I will recap what happened in the previous one, as well as keep track of my official predictions that I had. For matchups themselves, I will have an outlook for each team, an X-Factor, projected pitching matchups, as well as who I think will win the series.
Without further ado, let’s jump into what looks like a stacked LDS this October!
Wild Card Round Predictions Record: 3-1 (DET, NYY, LAD - Correct, SD - Incorrect)
Total Predictions Record: 3-1
Wild Card Recap:
Detroit Tigers Beat Cleveland Guardians - 2-1:
The Guardians furiously came back and won the division, but the Tigers had the last laugh. Detroit avenged their late season collapse as well as last season’s ALDS loss. They took Game 1 via Skubal’s pitching masterclass and won Game 3 after the offense played 6 and the bullpen locked it down.
New York Yankees Beat Boston Red Sox - 2-1:
Since 2022 and the inception of the Wild Card Series, no team that won Game 1 had failed to win the series…until the Red Sox reverted back to their early season form, playing bad defense and forgetting how to hit, dropping the next two contests. Rookie righty Cam Schlittler threw 8 shutout innings with 12 punchies in Game 3 to seal the New York win.
Chicago Cubs Beat San Diego Padres - 2-1:
The Cubs rode their bullpen to their two wins, while the Padres found success with clutch early game hitting in Game 2. However, the San Diego offense sputtered in the first and last game, while Chicago built leads early and held them.
Los Angeles Dodgers Beat Cincinnati Reds - 2-0:
The Reds made the playoffs on the last day of the regular season. They proceeded to score just a pair of runs vs. Snell and Yamamoto in 13.2 combined innings across both games. Both starters suffocated the Reds bats, and while the LA bullpen wasn’t pretty, they held their leads.
American League:
Last Postseason Meeting: Never
Detroit’s Outlook: The Tigers won their series against their division foe, Cleveland, 2-1 off the back of their ace, LHP Tarik Skubal. In Game 1, he threw 7.2 innings of 1-run ball with a career high 14 punchouts. Skubal will need to have another standout performance when he takes the ball facing a solid Mariners lineup. INF/OF Javier Baez, a career streaky hitter, went 4-7 with an RBI in the Wild Card. OF Riley Greene had a nice series as well, as he hit a pair of doubles. The Tigers offense will need to continue their momentum from Game 3, in which they scored 6 runs to win the series. They will only go as far as their bats will take them, despite having the likely AL Cy Young on the bump.
Team X-Factor: 1B Spencer Torkelson (.240 AVG, 31 HR, 78 RBI)
Torkelson, a former #1 overall pick, had a big bounce-back season in 2025. He went 1-6 with an RBI and a walk vs. the Guards. The Tigers are going to need offense this series, and Tork hit the second most bombs on the club in the regular season. If he has a good series, it's a safe bet that Detroit is competitive.
Seattle’s Outlook: The Mariners are a star studded team, especially when it comes to their bats. C Cal Raleigh may win MVP with his 60 homers and 125 RBI. OF Julio Rodgruiez (32 HR), 3B Eugenio Suarez (49 HR), and 1B Josh Naylor (95 RBI) have been pretty damn good as well. OF Randy Arozarena quietly put up 27 longballs and 32 two-baggers as well. Their rotation may not boast an ace like Detroit, but Seattle has the best rotation in the league with 5 righties, including Luis Castillo (3.54 ERA), Logan Gilbert (3.44 ERA), Bryan Woo (2.94 ERA). Woo is currently day-to-day with a pectoral injury, but in his place, the M’s can start George Kirby or Bryce Miller. Both have had injury-riddled seasons, but Kirby has a 1.19 WHIP this year, and Miller has a 2.94 ERA in 2024. In the bullpen, the Mariners have All-Star closer RHP Andres Munoz, who had a 1.73 ERA and 38 saves in the regular season. It is safe to say that the AL West champs have the talent to make a deep run.
Team X-Factor: C Cal Raleigh (.247 AVG, 60 HR, 125 RBI)
The Big Dumper’s 2025 has been historic. He broke Ken Griffey Jr’s franchise record for home runs. While he may not be their real X-Factor, he is mine. The MVP race with him and Aaron Judge has been fascinating to watch, and even though the playoffs don’t matter for voting, it does for the fans. I’m all in on the Mariners this October, and I hope Cal lights it up.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
Game 1 - RHP Troy Melton (DET) vs. RHP Luis Castillo (SEA)
Game 2 - LHP Tarik Skubal (DET) vs. RHP Logan Gilbert (SEA)
Game 3 - RHP Casey Mize (DET) vs. RHP George Kirby (SEA)
Game 4 (if necessary) - RHP Jack Flaherty vs. RHP Bryce Miller (SEA)
Game 5 (if necessary) - LHP Tarik Skubal (DET) vs. RHP Luis Castillo (SEA)
Series Prediction: Mariners win 3-1
The Tigers are just too up-and-down with their bats for me to side with them. Yes, Skubal is great, and Seattle doesn’t have an arm like him, but they have more quality than Detroit. The Mariners also have more thump in the lineup. Because of this, T-Mobile Park could be rocking early and often.
Last Postseason Meeting: Never
New York’s Outlook: The Yankees beat their archrivals, the Red Sox, in the WCS, and they surprisingly didn’t rely on the longball. They lead the league with 272 total homers hit as a team, but they won both of their games via speed and by keeping the lineup going. New York also played really good defense, something that they struggled with in the regular season. They played as a team very well. LHP Max Fried delivered 6.1 innings of scoreless ball in Game 1, though the bullpen blew it in that contest. The Yanks have the lineup and rotation, and their bullpen looked good aside from the first game. It looks like they are coming together at the right time.
Team X-Factor: RHP David Bednar (2.30 ERA, 86 K, 27 SV)
Acquired from the Pirates at the deadline, Bednar assumed the closer role soon after. He did give up a run in Game 1, but he is the most reliable option for manager Aaron Boone out of the pen. Bednar must stabilize their bullpen if New York is to advance further.
Toronto’s Outlook: The Jays came out of nowhere to take the AL East crown. However, their expected record is 88-74, which means they have more flaws than most division winners. A big reason for their success this year was OF George Springer. He exploded in his age-36 season, hitting .309 with 32 homers and 84 RBIs. Of course, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr had a good season with 23 bombs and 84 plated. However, a nice surprise was SS Bo Bichette returning to form. After hitting just 4 HR in 2024, he batted .311 with 18 taters this year. However, it seems like the Blue Jays will be without him in the ALDS due to a knee injury he sustained in September. They have struggled to score runs without him at the top of the order.
Their pitching is more of a question. Toronto has a plethora of options like RHP Kevin Gausman (3.59 ERA), RHP Chris Bassett (3.96 ERA), and rookie righty Trey Yesavage (3.21 ERA in 14 innings), but the most intriguing option to me is former Guardians ace, RHP Shane Bieber. Cleveland traded him at the deadline while he was rehabbing from Tommy John. He has thrown in 7 games, putting together a 3.57 ERA along the way. If he can pitch like that in the postseason, it will be a huge boost for the Blue Jays.
Team X-Factor: OF George Springer (.309 AVG, 32 HR, 84 RBI)
With Bichette out for the ALDS, Springer will be tasked to be a table setter for Vladdy and the middle of the order. The Jays have struggled since Bo went down. Can Springer bring some stability and pop to their lineup? He must if they want to continue their magical run.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
Game 1 - RHP Luis Gil (NYY) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (TOR)
Game 2 - LHP Max Fried (NYY) vs. RHP Shane Bieber (TOR)
Game 3 - LHP Carlos Rodon (NYY) vs. RHP Chris Bassit (TOR)
Game 4 (if necessary) - RHP Cam Schlittler (NYY) vs. RHP Trey Yesavage (TOR)
Game 5 (if necessary) - LHP Max Fried (NYY) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (TOR)
Series Prediction: Blue Jays win 3-1
Are the Yankees a better team? Yes, they are. However, the Blue Jays have had an outstanding season, and their fans will show up and show out. They are too good of a team to keep on losing in the playoffs. I have more trust in the Toronto bullpen too. In October, the best team doesn’t always win the series, especially when you expect them to. I’ll go out on a limb here and ride with the Jays.
National League:
Last Postseason Meeting: Never
Chicago’s Outlook: The Cubs proved me wrong in a big way, as their pitching, which I criticized, dominated the Padres, and got them here. The offense wasn’t great, but they put pressure on the Padres arms very early. Timely homers from OF Seiya Suzuki, C Carson Kelly, and 1B Michael Bush were key in building leads for their staff. Their primary relievers (pitchers who were strictly relievers in the regular season), gave up just 2 runs and 8 hits in the Wild Card. Is it sustainable over a longer series? No, but it was a great sign. Now, they need more support from the bats.
Team X-Factor: OF Ian Happ (.243 AVG, 23 HR, 79 RBI)
Happ went 1-11 against the Padres. If he can’t get it going in a longer series against the Brewers, the Cubs offense will be dead in the water. They need him to produce at the top of the lineup.
Milwaukee’s Outlook: The Brewers finished the season with the best record in the Majors. They don’t have a true superstar, but don’t let that fool you, Milwaukee has a very good roster and guys who know their roles. OF Christian Yelich (29 HR) showed flashes of his MVP self, while young star OF Jackson Chourio (21 HR) had another nice season. 1B Andrew Vaughn hit .308 with 9 homers and 46 RBI in just 64 games after being acquired from the White Sox. RHP Freddy Peralta had a great season with a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts, while RHP Quinn Preister went 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA. Those two will have to set the tone to start the series. The Brewers have not won a playoff series since 2018. Their manager then, Craig Counsell is now the Cubbies manager. I know this series will be electric, and the Brew Crew will need better pitching than what Counsell received when he ran their ballclub.
Team X-Factor: RHP Jacob Misiorowski (5-3, 4.36 ERA, 15 G)
The Brewers likely 3rd starter, Brandon Woodruff, is on the IL with a lat injury. The rookie Misiorowski could take his spot. His 100-mph heater catapulted him to the All-Star game after just 5 career starts, creating shockwaves around the league. Milwaukee has had iffy pitching in their recent postseason heartbreaks. Misiorowski will be a big part of righting that ship.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
Game 1 - RHP Collin Rea (CHI) vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (MIL)
Game 2 - LHP Matthew Boyd (CHI) vs. RHP Quinn Priester (MIL)
Game 3 - LHP Shota Imanaga (CHI) vs. RHP Chad Patrick (MIL)
Game 4 (if necessary) - RHP Jameson Taillon (CHI) vs. RHP Jacob Misiorowski (MIL)
Game 5 (if necessary) - LHP Matthew Boyd (CHI) vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (MIL)
Series Prediction: Brewers win 3-2
The Brewers were a great team this season. Yes, they have struggled in October in the past, but they have the arms to get past their rival Cubs. The lack of Chicago offense in their series vs. the Padres did give me major concerns, especially their inability to blow open Game 3 early. In a longer series, flaws get amplified. I think Milwaukee has enough firepower to advance.
Last Postseason Meeting: 2008 NLCS (PHI won 4-1)
Los Angeles’ Outlook: The Dodgers might have the deepest rotation in the playoffs. Considering that many have succumbed to injury over the course of the season, and since their bullpen has struggled, that is a blessing. DH/P Shohei Ohtani came back from his second Tommy John operation and in 14 games, had a 2.87 ERA. LHP Blake Snell threw 7 innings of 2-runs in Game 1 of the Wild Card. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto tossed 6.2 innings of shutout ball in the clinching Game 2. RHP Tyler Glasnow (3.19 ERA in 18 games) is another possible option for manager Dave Roberts. The Phillies have an explosive offense that thrives via big hits and the longball. If LA is to continue their title defense, their staff has to make the bullpen’s life easy.
Team X-Factor: LHP Blake Snell (5-4, 2.35 ERA, 11 G)
The Dodgers never really had their “A” squad all year due to the injury bug. Snell missed most of the year, but is healthy now. Considering that he had a dominant Game 1 and was trusted to be the chucker in that game, he is Roberts’ ace. It is a good choice, since Snell is a 2x Cy Young Award winner. He will have to have a similar performance against the Phils.
Philadelphia’s Outlook: The Phillies pack a punch offensively. DH Kyle Schwarber (56 HR), 1B Bryce Harper (27 HR), and SS Trea Turner (.304 AVG, lead NL), are all explosive players who have shined in October. However, their path to postseason success in 2025 is very simple. It's up to their pitching. Ace RHP Zach Wheeler (2.71 ERA in 24 games) is out due to having surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, which for some players is a career-ender. Lefties Christopher Sanchez (2.50 ERA), Ranger Suarez (3.20 ERA), and Jesus Luzardo (3.92 ERA) will have to pick up the slack in the absence of Wheeler.
Team X-Factor: LHP Christopher Sanchez (13-5, 2.50 ERA, 202 IP)
Sanchez is slated to be the Phils' ace in October. He must throw like he did in the regular season, or it will put even more pressure on the rest of the rotation.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
Game 1 - RHP Shohei Ohtani (LAD) vs. LHP Christopher Sanchez (PHI)
Game 2 - LHP Blake Snell (LAD) vs. LHP Ranger Suarez (PHI)
Game 3 - RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs. LHP Jesus Luzardo (PHI)
Game 4 (if necessary) - RHP Tyler Glasnow (LAD) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (PHI)
Game 5 (if necessary) - LHP Blake Snell (LAD) vs. LHP Christopher Sanchez (PHI)
Series Prediction: Dodgers win 3-2
LA is finally fully healthy, and while Philly has some big bats, the loss of Wheeler is just too much in my opinion. They fight to the end, but the depth and talent of the Dodgers rotation is able to tame the Phillies offense.
Final Thoughts:
I did very similar coverage last season for the College Football Playoff, and I loved it. So naturally, doing the same for my favorite sport, even though my Red Sox were eliminated from the postseason picture, it was a blast writing this one. Make sure to check out my coverage all postseason long!
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