The final days of the 2025 Major League Baseball regular season are here, with teams facing hugely-important games in the battle for playoff spots.
For some teams, like the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies, the theme is much more about keeping on track during impressive seasons. Much of the National League playoff picture is settled, with five of six spots claimed already.
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For others, these last few days of the regular season will feel an awful lot like an early start to the postseason. Entering play Sept. 26, there were ties atop two American League divisions, with the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays level in the AL East while the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers duke it out for the AL Central crown. There’s also a wild battle for that last NL wild-card berth, with the New York Mets hoping to hold off the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Here’s what to know about when the 2025 MLB season ends, as well as a look at the looming playoff picture:
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Andruw Monasterio of the Milwaukee Brewers is dunked with gatorade after a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on Sept. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. The win clinched a 2025 MLB postseason berth for the Brewers.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Andruw Monasterio of the Milwaukee Brewers is dunked with gatorade after a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on Sept. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. The win clinched a 2025 MLB postseason berth for the Brewers.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Brandon Marsh and Walker Buehler of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate clinching the NL East division with a win over Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
David Robertson and Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate clinching the NL East division with a win over Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
First baseman Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after clinching the NL East division title at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sept. 15, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber celebrates clinching the NL East division with a win over Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Harrison Bader after clinching the NL East division title after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrates with teammates after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates to secure a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs at PNC Park on Sept. 17, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch celebrates with a victory cigar after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates to secure a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sept. 17, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Outfielder Seiya Suzuki and manager Craig Counsell of the Chicago Cubs celebrate the team’s 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, in Pittsburgh.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs poses for a photo as he celebrates the team clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, after an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell celebrates the team clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, after an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Justin Turner of the Chicago Cubs smokes a cigar to celebrate the team clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, after an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw waves to fans as he exits the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers clinched a postseason berth in the win over the Giants but honored Kershaw instead of celebrating.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates clinching the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Abner Uribe of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates clinching the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates clinching the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
A photo of former broadcaster Bob Uecker is displayed in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse after the Brewers clinched the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Kevin Gausman and George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with teammates after they clinched a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Toronto Blue Jays players celebrate with manager John Schneider in the locker room after clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Toronto Blue Jays players celebrate in the locker room after clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Trey Yesavage and teammates celebrate in the locker room after clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres celebrates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers to clinch a berth in the 2025 MLB playoffs at Petco Park on Sept. 22, 2025, in San Diego.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres celebrates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers to clinch a berth in the 2025 MLB playoffs at Petco Park on Sept. 22, 2025, in San Diego.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez and catcher Freddy Fermin celebrate after the Padres clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado and infielder Jose Iglesias celebrate after the Padres clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt celebrates with players after the Padres clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees celebrates in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees celebrates with Jose Caballero in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Jasson Dominguez of the New York Yankees celebrates in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
The New York Yankees celebrate in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after beating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Victor Robles of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after beating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson celebrates after defeating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners smokes a cigar after beating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Third baseman Eugenio Suarez, manager Dan Wilson and outfielder Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners celebrate after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Julio Rodriguez and Victor Robles of the Seattle Mariners celebrate after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
The Seattle Mariners celebrate after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.
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Must-see photos as Mariners, Brewers, Yankees and more clinch MLB postseason berths
Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena douses catcher Cal Raleigh after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.
MLB playoff bracket: Wild card standings, 2025 AL and NL division standings
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When does MLB regular season end?
The 2025 MLB regular season is just about done, with only a handful of games left to play league-wide.
The scheduled end date for the regular season is Sunday, Sept. 28. The final game on the schedule will see the Chicago Cubs host their NL Central rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, with a 3:20 p.m. ET start time on the docket.
That said, diehard baseball fans should keep Monday, Sept. 29 open. In the event of a tie atop a division, a one-game tiebreaker would be needed to settle the issue. While such occasions are somewhat uncommon, as of Friday evening, there are ties atop two divisions: the AL East (with the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays both holding 91-68 records) and the AL Central (both the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers are 86-73).
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MLB has left open one day between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs in case there needs to be a one-game tiebreaker to settle the postseason qualifiers or to cover for any potential rainouts during the season’s final weekend.
MLB playoff race: Will Tigers and Mets complete collapses? Dissecting MLB’s dramatic finale
When do MLB playoffs start?
The four-round MLB playoffs are scheduled to start with the American League and National League Wild Card Series, which will be best-of-three battles that begin on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
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From there, the four Division Series are all scheduled to start on Saturday, Oct. 4.
How does MLB playoff bracket work?
The MLB playoffs do not re-seed, with the bracket set in stone once the playoffs start.
Here’s how the bracket works in both the American League and the National League:
Wild Card Series
Third-best division winner (3) vs. third-best wild card (6)
Best wild card (4) vs. second-best wild card (5)
Division Series
Best division winner (1) vs. winner of 4-5 Wild Card Series
Second-best division winner (2) vs. winner of 3-6 Wild Card Series
Championship series
Two Division Series winners (higher seed gets four home games)
World Series
ALCS winner vs. NLCS winner (team with best regular-season winning percentage gets four home games)
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is congratulated by teammates Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodriguez after hitting a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on March 31, 2025, for his first home run of the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is congratulated by teammates Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodriguez after hitting a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on March 31, 2025, for his first home run of the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is congratulated by Randy Arozarena after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on April 6, 2025. It was Raleigh’s second home run of the 2025 season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh rounds the bases after his two-run home run during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on April 11, 2025, for his third home run of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh celebrates in the dugout with teammates after hitting his fourth home run of the 2025 MLB season, a solo home run against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on April 12, 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners gestures after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on April 13, 2025. The two-run blast marked Raleigh’s fifth home run of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. It was Raleigh’s sixth home run of the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. Raleigh’s second home run of the night marked his seventh on the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh rounds the bases after hitting a home run during against the Cincinnati Reds on April 17, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, for his eighth home run of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on April 20, 2025. The two-run round-tripper was Big Dumper’s ninth home run in 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his solo home run against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on April 27, 2025, for his 10th long ball of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners runs the bases after a home run in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on May 2, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. The solo shot was Raleigh’s 12th homer of the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with teammates at the dugout after hitting a grand slam against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on May 2, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Raleigh’s second home run of the game was also his 12th on the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a home run against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on May 12, 2025. The two-run blast marked Raleigh’s 13th homer of the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by Julio Rodriguez after hitting a two-run home run — his 14th homer of the year — against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Petco Park on May 16, 2025, in San Diego.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh celebrates after hitting a solo run home run during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 17, 2025. Raleigh tallied his 15th homer of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners hits a solo home run — his 16th homer of the 2025 MLB season — off Brandon Eisert of the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Rate Field on May 21, 2025, in Chicago.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning at Daikin Park in Houston on May 23, 2025, for his 17th homer of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits his 18th home run of the 2025 MLB season, a solo homer during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on May 27, 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh celebrates in the dugout after hitting his second solo home run of the night against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on May 27, 2025. The two-homer game put Raleigh at 19 on the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on May 30, 2025, giving the Seattle Mariners catcher 20 home runs in the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on May 30, 2025. Raleigh’s second homer of the night marked his 21st of the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on May 31, 2025, to give Raleigh 22 homers in 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at T-Mobile Park on June 1, 2025, in Seattle, marking his 23rd homer of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners reacts to hitting his 24th home run of 2025 after hitting a two-run homer during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on June 5, 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on June 7, 2025. The three-run blast marked Raleigh’s 25th homer of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh circles the bases after hitting his second home run of the night against the Los Angeles Angels on June 7, 2025, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The multi-homer game gave Raleigh 26 home runs on the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Fans and the Seattle Mariners dugout watch a grand-slam home run by catcher Cal Raleigh against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on June 17, 2025, for his 27th home run in 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a home run — his 28th of the season — against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on June 20, 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on June 20, 2025. Raleigh’s second homer of the game gave him 29 on the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with teammate Jorge Polanco hitting a home run during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 21, 2025, in Chicago, for his 30th home run of the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh celebrates with shortstop J.P. Crawford after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on June 22, 2025. The two-run blast marked Raleigh’s 31st home run of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning at Target Field on June 23, 2025, in Minneapolis, for Raleigh’s 32nd homer in 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run — his 33rd homer of the year — against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on June 30, 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on July 4, 2025, to give Raleigh 34 homers in the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on July 4, 2025. Raleigh’s second homer in the game marked his 35th on the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners watches his eighth-inning two-run home run against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 8, 2025, in New York, giving “Big Dumper” 36 long balls in 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his home run with teammates while playing against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 11, 2025, in Detroit. The eighth-inning blast marked Raleigh’s 37th homer of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh hits a grand slam against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on July 11, 2025. Raleigh’s second home run of the game was his 38th of the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on July 22, 2025, for the Seattle Mariners catcher’s 39th homer of the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh hits a home run — his 40th in 2025 — against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on July 26, 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a home run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on July 27, 2025. The seventh-inning solo shot marked Raleigh’s 41st home run of the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits his 42nd home run of the 2025 MLB season, a solo homer against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on July 31, 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Aug. 8, 2025. The eighth-inning blast was Raleigh’s 43rd homer in 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a three-run home run — his 44th homer of the season — against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Aug. 9, 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park on August 10, 2025, in Seattle. The first-inning homer marked Raleigh’s 45th of the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning at Citi Field in New York on Aug. 15, 2025, giving the Seattle Mariners catcher 46 homers on the year.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a two-run home run against the New York Mets in the 2025 Little League Classic at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 17, 2025. It was Raleigh’s 47th home run of the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a two-run home run during the first inning against the Athletics at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Aug. 24, 2025, to give Raleigh 48 homers on the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Athletics at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Aug. 24, 2025. Raleigh’s second homer of the game marked his 49th of the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a solo home run against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The home run is the 50th of the season for Raleigh.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hits a home run during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 2, 2025, to give “Big Dumper” 51 long balls in 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners hits a solo home run in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Sept. 6, 2025, in Atlanta, for his 52nd homer of the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners runs to second base after hitting a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Sept. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. The ninth-inning homer was Raleigh’s 53rd of the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners hits a two-run home run, tying him with Mickey Mantle at 54 for the most hit by a switch hitter in a season, during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 14, 2025, in Seattle.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 16, 2025. Raleigh’s 55th home run broke Mickey Mantle’s 1961 single season home run record by a switch hitter.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is congratulated by left fielder Randy Arozarena after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sept. 16, 2025. It was Raleigh’s 56th homer of the season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston on Sept. 20, 2025. The solo shot gave Raleigh 57 homers in the 2025 MLB season.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston on Sept. 21, 2025. Raleigh’s 58th home run of the season broke Ken Griffey Jr.’s single season franchise home run record.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners flips his bat and watches his solo home run, his 59th of the season, during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.
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Every Cal Raleigh home run from Seattle Mariners catcher’s 2025 MLB season in photos
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his solo home run, his 60th of the season and second of the game, during the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 24, 2025, in Seattle.
MLB playoff format, explained
The 2025 MLB playoff format is a familiar one for baseball fans. Twelve teams in total will qualify for the postseason, with six teams each coming from the American League and National League.
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Each league is divided into three divisions: Central, East and West. The top three playoff seeds in both leagues will go to the teams that finish atop those divisions at the end of the 162-game regular season. The three division winners all advance to the playoffs, joined by the three remaining teams with the best record (regardless of division).
The two division winners with the best records will get a bye directly to the Division Series, while the third division winner and the other three clubs have to play in a Wild Card Series. The two Wild Card Series winners will take on the top two division winners in the Division Series round, with the winners of those pairings advancing to the Championship Series.
The two teams to come out on top at that stage will meet in the 2025 World Series.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When does MLB regular season end? Schedule, playoff format