Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge going for history as AL playoff picture continues to form
USA TODAY Sports’ Gabe Lacques breaks down the storylines to watch in the AL as the MLB seasons winds down.
Sports Pulse
With about 10 games remaining in the 2025 Major League Baseball season, the pennant races are heating up with several divisions and both wild-card races going down to the wire.
The red-hot Seattle Mariners briefly overtook the Houston Astros atop the American League West, with the two teams squaring off in a season-defining series at Daikin Park that begins Friday, Sept. 19.
The Los Angeles Dodgers try to continue fighting off the San Diego Padres for the NL West lead, while a six-game winning streak for the Toronto Blue Jays may have put the AL East to bed. In the NL wild-card standings, the New York Mets’ eight-game skid opened the door for the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants to get back into contention.
Here’s the latest look at the 2025 MLB playoff picture:
Entering play Thursday, Sept. 18
MLB playoff bracket if season ended todayAmerican LeagueByes: Blue Jays, TigersAL wild card seriesMariners at YankeesRed Sox at AstrosNational LeagueByes: Brewers, PhilliesNL wild card seriesMets at DodgersPadres at CubsAL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
New York Yankees (85-67): +2 gamesSeattle Mariners (83-69)Boston Red Sox (83-69)Cleveland Guardians (80-71): 2.5 games backTexas Rangers (79-74): 4.5 GBKansas City Royals (76-76): 7 GBNL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
Chicago Cubs (88-64): +10 gamesSan Diego Padres (83-69): +5 gamesNew York Mets (78–74)Arizona Diamondbacks (77-76): 1.5 GBCincinnati Reds (76-76): 2 GBSan Francisco Giants (76-76): 2 GBSt. Louis Cardinals (74-79): 4.5 GBAL EastToronto Blue Jays (89-63)New York Yankees (85-67): 4 games backBoston Red Sox (83-69): 6 GBAL CentralDetroit Tigers (85-67)Cleveland Guardians (80-71): 4.5 GBKansas City Royals (76-76): 9 GBAL WestHouston Astros (84-69)Seattle Mariners (83-69): 0.5 GBTexas Rangers (79-74): 5 GBNL EastPhiladelphia Phillies (91-62) – clinched NL East title on Sept. 15NL CentralMilwaukee Brewers (93-59) – clinched playoff berthChicago Cubs (88-64): 5 GB – clinched playoff berthNL WestLos Angeles Dodgers (85-67)San Diego Padres (83-69): 2 GB