The MLB regular season is coming to a close. And with the playoffs around the corner, it’s time to start looking at who could win the fall classic. Here’s my prediction for who will make the playoffs and win the world series.
The following teams have already clinched their spot in the playoffs,
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Chicago Cubs
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Seattle Mariners
- San Diego Padres
- Philadelphia Phillies
- New York Yankees
At the moment the wild card (3 teams from each league) looks like this,
American League
- New York Yankees (already clinched playoffs)
- Boston Red Sox- play Tigers in final series
- Detroit Tigers- play Red Sox in final series
- Houston Astros- play Los Angeles Angels in final series
National League
- Chicago Cubs (already clinched playoffs)
- San Diego Padres (already clinched playoffs)
- New York Mets- play Miami Marlins in final series
- Cincinnati Reds- play Brewers in final series
- Arizona Diamondbacks play Padres in final series.
Who takes the remaining spots?
I think the Tigers take the second wild card spot and the Astros take the final wild card spot in the AL. Although the Red Sox have a two game lead over the Tigers and a three game lead over the Astros, I think they get swept by the Tigers, allowing the Astros to sneak in. The Tigers had the best record in baseball at one point, and I trust them to get it done.
As for the NL, I think the Mets hold on to that last wild card spot. They have been very inconsistent throughout the season, but I think they can hold off the Reds and Diamondbacks. The Mets go to Miami for their last series, which they should win at least two of the three. The Reds have to play the Brewers, the best team in baseball, and the D-Backs play the Padres, one of the best teams in the NL. These tough series to end the year will hold them out of the playoffs.
Predictions:
Wildcard Series (best of 3)
- Yankees vs Tigers; Yankees win 2-1
- The Yankees home field advantage gets them a win. Tarik Skubal will most likely pitch game one for the Tigers, but after that the Yankees will dominate this series.
- Yankees will play the Blue Jays in the Divisional round
- The Yankees home field advantage gets them a win. Tarik Skubal will most likely pitch game one for the Tigers, but after that the Yankees will dominate this series.
- Guardians vs Astros; Guardians win 2-0
- The Astros were lucky to be in the playoffs in the first place. The Guardians were 11 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central, and they stormed all the way back to take the division. Also, the Astros have too many key injuries. Guardians sweep easily.
- Guardians will play the Mariners in the Divisional round
- The Astros were lucky to be in the playoffs in the first place. The Guardians were 11 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central, and they stormed all the way back to take the division. Also, the Astros have too many key injuries. Guardians sweep easily.
- Cubs vs Padres; Padres win 2-1
- Our first upset thus far. This is the first playoff appearance for the Cubs since the short 2020 season. On the other hand, the Padres were one game away from playing in last year’s NLCS. Give me the Padres and the playoff experience.
- Padres play the Brewers in the Divisional round
- Our first upset thus far. This is the first playoff appearance for the Cubs since the short 2020 season. On the other hand, the Padres were one game away from playing in last year’s NLCS. Give me the Padres and the playoff experience.
- Dodgers vs Mets; Dodgers win 2-0
- The Mets have been way too inconsistent today. They have the offensive talent to win this series, but their pitching is too much of a problem for me to trust them. I’m going for the defending champs.
- The Dodgers will play the Phillies in the Divisional round.
- The Mets have been way too inconsistent today. They have the offensive talent to win this series, but their pitching is too much of a problem for me to trust them. I’m going for the defending champs.
Divisional Round (best of 5)
- Yankees vs Blue Jays; Blue Jays in 5
- The Blue Jays have the best record in the American League this season for a reason. I think it will be a tight series but the home field advantage for the Blue Jays will be the difference.
- Guardians vs Mariners; Mariners in 3
- The Mariners are one of, if not the most, complete team in the American League. If I had an AL MVP vote it would go to Cal Raleigh. I don’t see this Cleveland team taking down Seattle.
- Brewers vs Padres; Padres in 5
- This will be the shock of the playoffs. Both teams have playoff experience, but the Padres have winning experience. The Brewers always find a way to lose in the playoffs. Last year it was the Pete Alonso homer, and now it will be the Padres upset.
- Dodgers vs Phillies; Dodgers in 4
- Despite their roller coaster of a season, the Dodgers are, in my opinion, still the best and most complete team in baseball. They won last year’s world series because they were the best overall team. But, the Dodgers HAVE to win this series in four by stealing a game in Philly. Zach Wheeler’s injury is enough for the Dodgers to win one away. It’s a rematch of last year’s NLDS in Cali.
League Championships (best of 7)
American League
- Blue Jays vs Mariners; Mariners in 6
- This is as simple as the Mariners being the better team. Everything is complete, the pitching, the fielding, the offense, and the star in Cal Raleigh. The winners of the trade deadline are the winners of the American League in 2025.
National League
- Padres vs Dodgers; Dodgers in 7
- Another playoff series between these two in-state rivals. I have the Dodgers winning again just like last season. The Padres will put up a good fight after beating the #1 seed Brewers, but it won’t be enough to beat the defending champs. Dodgers going back to the fall classic.
World Series
- Dodgers vs Mariners; Dodgers in 6
- Welcome the newest dynasty in baseball. Even if the Dodgers had injury problems this season, even if they weren’t always at their best, they are still the ultimate franchise in baseball. They could win the next 10 World Series and it would not surprise me one bit. The biggest Dodgers star of the last 20 years Clayton Kershaw gets his farewell gift, and the Dodgers are your 2025 world champions.
