Detailed 2025 MLB Playoffs: Bracket, TV Schedules, and Matchups Overview

2025 MLB Playoff Schedule: Key Dates and Broadcast Details

Published: august 18, 2025

The eagerly anticipated 2025 Major League Baseball Playoff schedule has been officially released. Fans can now mark their calendars for a thrilling postseason journey culminating in the World series. The competition begins with the Wild Card Series on September 30th, 2025, leading to the ultimate championship showdown.

Playoff Round Breakdown

The playoff structure consists of four distinct phases: The Wild Card Series, Division Series, Championship Series, and the World series.Each round intensifies the competition, showcasing the best teams in baseball as they battle for the coveted title. The Wild Card Series, a best-of-three-game affair, will be hosted by the teams with the superior regular-season records.

Following the Wild Card round, teams advance to the division Series, a best-of-five competition. This is succeeded by the championship Series, which is a best-of-seven contest. Ultimately, the two remaining teams will compete in the World Series, also a best-of-seven series, to determine the MLB champion.

Detailed Schedule and Television Coverage

Here’s a breakdown of the key dates and broadcasting networks for each stage of the 2025 MLB Playoffs:

Round	Dates	Broadcasting Networks
Wild Card Series	September 30 – October 2, 2025	ESPN Platforms
Division Series	October 4-11, 2025	FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes, TBS, truTV, HBO Max
Championship Series	October 12-21, 2025	FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes, TBS, truTV, HBO Max
World Series	October 24 – November 1, 2025	FOX

Did You Know? The MLB Playoffs have evolved over the years, with the Wild Card format being introduced in 1994 to increase postseason excitement and opportunities for more teams.

wild Card Series TV Schedule

The Wild Card Series will kick off with games broadcast across ESPN platforms starting September 30th. Specific game times and matchups will be announced closer to the start of the playoffs.

Division Series TV Schedule

The Division Series will be split between FOX, FS1, FOX Deportes, TBS, truTV, and HBO Max, offering fans numerous options to catch the action.Games are scheduled between October 4th and October 11th, 2025.

League Championship Series TV Schedule

The League Championship Series will be broadcast on FOX, FS1, FOX Deportes, TBS, truTV, and HBO Max between October 12th and October 21st, 2025.

World Series TV Schedule

The World Series, the pinnacle of the baseball season, will be exclusively broadcast on FOX, starting October 24th and potentially running through November 1st, 2025. The team with the better regular season record will host the initial games.

pro Tip: Download the MLB app for real-time scores,news,and exclusive content throughout the playoffs.

understanding the MLB Playoff System

The MLB playoff system is designed to determine the best baseball teams in the American League and National League, ultimately crowning a World Series champion. the system rewards regular-season success while also providing opportunities for teams to make a run through the playoffs. Understanding the format enhances the viewing experience for fans and provides insight into the strategies employed by teams.

The playoff format has undergone adjustments throughout its history to maintain competitiveness and fan engagement. Recent changes have expanded the playoff field, giving more teams a chance to compete for a championship.These adjustments aim to keep the playoffs exciting and unpredictable.

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2025 MLB Playoffs

• What is the MLB playoff schedule for 2025? The Wild Card Series begins September 30th, 2025, followed by the Division Series, Championship Series, and the World Series concluding on or before November 1st, 2025.
• Where can I watch the 2025 MLB Playoffs? Games will be broadcast on ESPN, FOX, FS1, TBS, truTV, HBO Max, and FOX Deportes.
• What is the format of the MLB Wild Card Series? The Wild Card Series is a best-of-three game series played at the home stadium of the team with the better regular-season record.
• How many teams make it to the MLB Playoffs? twelve teams qualify for the MLB Playoffs: six from the American League and six from the National League.
• When does the 2025 World Series start? The 2025 World Series is scheduled to begin on october 24th, 2025.
• What channels will broadcast the World Series? All world Series games will be broadcast exclusively on FOX.
• Is there a printable bracket available for the 2025 MLB Playoffs? Yes, a printable bracket is available for download to track the playoff progress.

What are your predictions for the 2025 MLB Playoffs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Which teams are competing in the American League Wild Card Series, and what is the potential schedule if a third game is needed for the Yankees vs. Guardians series?

Wild Card Series (October 7-10,2025)

The 2025 MLB Playoffs kick off with the Wild Card Series,a best-of-three showdown determining who advances to the Division Series. This year’s format features six teams per league – three in each Wild card bracket.

American League Wild Card Series Matchups:

(1) Baltimore Orioles vs.(6) Toronto Blue Jays: ESPN/ESPN2 – Oct 7 (BAL), Oct 8 (TOR), Oct 10 (BAL – if necessary)

(2) New York Yankees vs. (5) cleveland Guardians: TBS – Oct 7 (NYY),Oct 8 (CLE),Oct 10 (NYY – if necessary)

(3) Houston astros vs. (4) Minnesota Twins: MLB Network – Oct 7 (HOU), Oct 8 (MIN), Oct 10 (HOU – if necessary)

National League Wild Card Series Matchups:

(1) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (6) Miami Marlins: FS1 – Oct 7 (LAD), Oct 8 (MIA), Oct 10 (LAD – if necessary)

(2) Philadelphia Phillies vs. (5) San Diego Padres: ESPN – Oct 7 (PHI), Oct 8 (SDP), Oct 10 (PHI – if necessary)

(3) Atlanta braves vs. (4) Chicago Cubs: TBS – Oct 7 (ATL), Oct 8 (CHC), Oct 10 (ATL – if necessary)

Note: All times are eastern. Schedules subject to change.

Division Series (October 11-17, 2025)

The winners of the Wild Card Series advance to the Division Series, a best-of-five series. The higher seed hosts Games 1 & 2, and Game 5 if necessary.

American League Division Series:

(1) Baltimore Orioles vs. Wild Card Winner (AL): ESPN/FS1 – Oct 11-17

(2) New York Yankees vs. Wild Card Winner (AL): TBS/MLB Network – Oct 11-17

National League division Series:

(1) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Wild Card Winner (NL): FS1/TBS – Oct 11-17

(2) Philadelphia Phillies vs.Wild Card Winner (NL): ESPN/MLB Network – Oct 11-17

League Championship Series (october 18-24, 2025)

The Division Series winners battle it out in the League Championship Series (LCS), a best-of-seven series.The LCS determines who represents each league in the World Series.

American League Championship Series:

(ALDS Winner 1) vs. (ALDS Winner 2): Fox/FS1 – Oct 18-24

National League Championship Series:

(NLDS Winner 1) vs. (NLDS Winner 2): TBS/Fox – Oct 18-24

World Series (October 25 – November 1, 2025)

The ultimate showdown! The American league Champion faces the National League Champion in a best-of-seven series to determine the 2025 MLB World Series Champion.

AL Champion vs. NL Champion: Fox – Oct 25 – Nov 1 (Schedule TBD)

Key Playoff Dates & Notable Information

October 7: Wild Card Series Game 1

October 11: Division Series Game 1

October 18: League Championship Series Game 1

October 25: World Series Game 1

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