The 2025 MLB Postseason is here and so are our staff's predictions!
First, this article will list all of Henri's predictions up to the World Series, then it will go to Eric's predictions.
Click here for all MLB Postseason details.
Now, on to the predictions!
Henri's Predictions
- American League Wild Card Series -
(5) Detroit Tigers vs. (4) Cleveland Guardians
Winner: Guardians in three games
The Wild Card Round kicks off with an absolute bang. The Tigers face the Guardians shortly after their regular season series that helped lift the latter to an AL Central title for the second straight season.
I expect a close head-to-head race here. Detroit will take Cleveland to three games, but the Guardians continue to roll their way to the division round, contrary to my personal preference.
(6) Boston Red Sox vs. (3) New York Yankees
Winner: Red Sox in two games
It will be similarly exciting when “The Rivalry” between the Red Sox and the Yankees decides the second spot in the ALDS.
Boston has proven that they don't need Rafael Devers - going 53-27 without him this season. They finished the year fourth in hitting and fifth in pitching. Meanwhile, the Yankees barely entered the top 10 in hitting and the top 15 in pitching to finish off the season.
I think the Red Sox will prevail and sweep the Yankees to set up a duel with the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS.
- National League Wild Card Series -
(6) Cincinnati Reds vs. (3) Los Angeles Dodgers
Winner: Dodgers in two games
On paper, this should be a clear series win for LA, who are considered World Series favourites for the title for many good reasons. They out-hit and out-pitch the Reds in almost every hitting statistical category.
Cincinnati had a great run, but it ends here. The Dodgers will sweep.
(5) San Diego Padres vs. (4) Chicago Cubs
Winner: Cubs in three games
This could be the matchup of this Wild Card round. Looking at the last few games and Michael Busch, who is back in top form after a weak start to September, I think the Cubs have some upside.
San Diego are tied with Cinci for the worst road record (38-43) out of all the teams in the postseason and eventually split the season series 3-3.
I think Chicago will ultimately triumph in a close three games.
- American League Divisional Series -
(4) Cleveland Guardians vs. (2) Seattle Mariners
Winner: Mariners in four games
In the Divisional Series, however, I have clearer thoughts. Seattle and Cal Raleigh will have no trouble securing their spots in the Championship Series against Cleveland.
They'll seal the deal in four games and end the Guardians' historic run.
(6) Boston Red Sox vs. (1) Toronto Blue Jays
Winner: Blue Jays in five games
Toronto is too well-rounded not to win, but I think the Red Sox have what it takes to force a Game 5. Toronto is the No. 1 hitting team in baseball with a lineup that has at least six batters who hit above .260 (min. 200 at-bats).
- National League Divisional Series -
(4) Chicago Cubs vs. (1) Milwaukee Brewers
Winner: Brewers in five games
In the National League, the Brewers are one of the franchises of the moment, which will put both the Padres and the Cubs in their place. I might even expect a sweep here, but I guess it will take five games.
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (2) Philadelphia Phillies
Winner: Phillies in five games
If Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper bring their A-game, it should be enough to win a close series against the Dodgers. However, it is important that Philadelphia does not rely solely on its studs, but that Kepler and company continue to perform at their best.
In the end, it will be a victory in five games for the “Fightin' Phils.”
- American League Championship Series -
(2) Seattle Mariners vs. (1) Toronto Blue Jays
Winner: Blue Jays in six games
I see Toronto as the strongest team in the American League, which will ultimately advance to the World Series in six games. Their lineup is ridiculously loaded right now.
If one hitter goes cold, another will take their place and dominate at the plate.
- National League Championship Series -
(2) Philadelphia Phillies vs. (1) Milwaukee Brewers
Winner: Phillies in six games
Philadelphia will prevail in a close six-game series against the Brewers to produce an incredibly exciting duel for the title. Despite the Brewers being the all-around powerhouse that they are, I think the Phillies' bats will overwhelm Milwaukee's pitchers.
- World Series -
(2) Philadelphia Phillies vs. (1) Toronto Blue Jays
Winner: Blue Jays in six games
I'm going with my gut feeling here and believe that the Blue Jays are stronger in close, competitive matches in their current constellation and will win it in six games.
The World Series will go to Canada this year, allowing countless Blue Jays fans to celebrate their first title in over 30 years.
Eric's Predictions
- American League Wild Card Series -
(5) Detroit Tigers vs. (4) Cleveland Guardians
Winner: Guardians in three games
Tarik Skubal has only given up two earned runs in 28 innings against Cleveland this year. Giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the series could prove to be all they need.
However, the Guardians are 8-5 against the Tigers this year (2-3 at home), who are coming off a brutal September after hitting a season-low .238 at the plate as a team - opposite of the Guardians, who hit a season-best .242.
Cleveland's staff is coming off a month of pitching their best all year with a 2.61 earned run average and 259 strikeouts - they were never below a 3.00 any other month. Meanwhile, Detroit are coming off their second-worst month of pitching with a 4.78 ERA and a year-low 201 strikeouts.
I'm going with the Guardians in three.
(6) Boston Red Sox vs. (3) New York Yankees
Winner: Yankees in three games
Arguably the greatest rivalry in all American sports and we get to witness it in the first round of the postseason, what more could we ask for?
It'll be a battle to the very end. I think matchups like this are where predictions and stats go out the window - for the most part. I see Boston taking Game 1 in a duel between Cy Young candidates Garrett Crochet and Max Fried.
But I think the Yankees' power in their home ballpark proves to be too much in the end.
- National League Wild Card Series -
(6) Cincinnati Reds vs. (3) Los Angeles Dodgers
Winner: Dodgers in three games
Cincinnati's top three of their rotation are filthy in the best ways possible. The Dodgers' lineup is laughable at how stacked it is, but I see Cinci pulling off a win at least once in this series off starting pitching alone.
The Dodgers and Reds bullpens are almost even in total ranking, so I doubt either team will take their starters out if they're rolling. But I think the Dodgers' bats will prevail in the end.
(5) San Diego Padres vs. (4) Chicago Cubs
Winner: Cubs in three games
I also have to go with the Cubs in three. They're 2-1 against San Diego at Wrigley Field this season, outscoring them 17-10, two games in which the Padres only scored one run.
Both teams ended the season on a three-game win streak. But I think Chicago's pitching, coming off their best month of the season, will handle the Padres.
- American League Divisional Series -
(4) Cleveland Guardians vs. (2) Seattle Mariners
Winner: Mariners in five games
The last time the Mariners were in the ALDS, they faced a Houston Astros team that went on to win the World Series. I don't think this year will be a replica of that.
Both teams will split each of their home stands, with the Mariners winning an emphatic Game 5 in front of the Seattle faithful. Cal Raleigh, Eugenio Suarez, and Julio Rodriguez all belt at least two home runs each in this series.
(3) New York Yankees vs. (1) Toronto Blue Jays
Winner: Yankees in five games
It'll be a battle of the bats in this divisional playoff matchup. I think the Blue Jays will actually falter in Game 1 on a rest as the Yankees will continue to be hot off their Wild Card win over Boston.
However, those arms for New York are going to be tired. So I see this going to five games with the Yankees playing spoiler in Toronto, despite the latter going 8-5 against the former during the regular season.
- National League Divisional Series -
(4) Chicago Cubs vs. (1) Milwaukee Brewers
Winner: Cubs in five games
Can't keep playing favourites here unless you want to read boring predictions. I think the Cubs have the upset of the postseason after taking the baseball's No. 1 team to five games.
Take this with a grain of salt, Brewers fans. I originally predicted the Baltimore Orioles to make the World Series before the season started - we all saw how that went.
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (2) Philadelphia Phillies
Winner: Dodgers in five games
This is going to be the series where the Phillies will miss having their ace in Zack Wheeler. LA's lineup is ridiculous and I think it'll carry them to the NLCS.
The Phillies' bats will undoubtedly be going inning to inning with the Dodgers'. It all boils down to the pitching, which both teams are basically neck and neck with each other. But I think Los Angeles eventually makes fewer mistakes.
- American League Championship Series -
(3) New York Yankees vs. (2) Seattle Mariners
Winner: Mariners in seven games
Sometimes, who wins in the postseason comes down to which team is everything clicking for. Seeing how much of a threat the Mariners have become to finish out the season, I think they take the reigning AL champs the distance.
It doesn't take long for the New York bats to get hot. So I definitely see them taking a pair of games back-to-back. But I could see Fried vs. Logan Gilbert in a Game 7 pitcher showdown with the Seattle ace getting the edge.
- National League Championship Series -
(3) Los Angeles Dodgers vs. (4) Chicago Cubs
Winner: Dodgers in five games
The Chicago Cubs run will be great. They'll have a bundle of highlights and we'll definitely have some late-night Wrigley Field madness, but it all comes to an end this series.
They got the best of the Dodgers in the regular season series, but that goes out the window come the postseason. Dodgers starters are healthy and now they have the game's greatest Swiss army knife in Shohei Ohtani who may even pitch out of the bullpen, let alone start.
- World Series -
(2) Seattle Mariners vs. (3) Los Angeles Dodgers
Winner: Dodgers in six games
I had the Dodgers winning it all at the beginning of the season and I have to stick with it, even if they don't make it this far. They did sweep the Mariners at the end of the season. So who's to say they can't win a series against them on the biggest stage?
I know I've been saying that all that goes out the window come postseason time, but I'm acknowledging my hypocrisy when it comes to this matchup. LA will prove to be too much for the M's in the end, defending their World Series title.
