By Anthony Gutierrez, September 30, 2025
The 2025 MLB regular season is entering its final stretch, with teams securing their respective divisions and battling for Wild Card spots.
As of September 24, the Blue Jays (91-68) and Guardians (86-73) lead their divisions, and the Mariners (90-69) have already clinched their division title. In the National League, the Brewers (96-63) and the Phillies (94-65) have secured their division titles, and the Dodgers (90-69) are leading, though the NL West crown remains unsettled. With multiple Wild Card races still in play, every game takes on playoff urgency.
The Blue Jays surged after the All-Star break, winning 25 of their last 35 games to secure a narrow AL East division lead, while Cleveland capitalized on a late-season seven-game win streak to pull away in the AL Central. The Mariners depended on their pitching staff, led by a rotation that posted a combined 2.90 ERA in September.
The Milwaukee Brewers clinched the NL Central behind a league-best 96–63 record, supported by a commanding pitching staff that has held opponents to the fewest runs in the league since August. Philadelphia secured the NL East behind a powerful offense led by two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres clinched postseason spots in the NL West, but the division title is still up for grabs as the two teams remain close in the standings. The Dodgers are hanging on to a two and a half game lead.
With a two and half game lead, business student Ozzy Cuellar said he’s hoping the Dodgers win the division.
“To be honest, it’s been frustrating seeing the Padres and Dodgers going neck and neck, but I think the Dodgers are going to finish on top,” Cuellar said.
Seeds and playoff positions are still not cemented till October, so the Dodgers are looking to make a rare late season push for the NL West, winning the last 11 of 13 games.
International business and Marketing student Dominic Santos, who is also a longtime Dodgers fan, wishes for a strong season close, especially after fan favorite Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement after 18 seasons Sept. 18.
“I hope the Dodgers make it all the way again, I want to see Kershaw go out on top in his last postseason,” Santos said.
As Wild Card races tighten, the American League picture now has the Yankees (90-68) holding the top Wild Card spot. Boston (87-71) is next, and the Tigers (85-73) currently cling to the final Wild Card berth. Meanwhile, the Astros remain just behind in the mix with a record of 84-74.
“The intensity and pressure make it much more intense,” kinesiology student Mike Hart said. “I’m a Red Sox fan and I’m hoping they sneak their way into a deep playoff run.”
In the National League, the Cubs (89-69) and Padres (87-72) have already clinched postseason berths, while the Mets (81-77) currently hold the third Wild Card spot, just ahead of the Reds (80-78) and Diamondbacks (80-78).
As the final week closes, several crucial games remain that could evidently determine the final playoff seedings.
The winner of the Tigers and Guardians matchup Thursday Sept. 25 could determine the AL Central Division, while the loser will have to force their way into the postseason in a Wild Card series. Thus far, Cleveland leads the season series 6-4, edging them in a potential tiebreaker.
The Mets and the Chicago Cubs’ also face off Sept. 25 could drastically impact New York’s playoff chances, as a loss would end New York’s chances in the wild card seeding, but a win could propel them into the top spot.
A three-game series between the Red Sox and Blue Jays Sept. 23-25 will affect both Wild Card spots and the AL East division title. Boston holds a single game lead above Toronto and the Yankees, while Toronto has a minimal lead over the New York Yankees.
The postseason will begin with the Wild Card Series Sept. 30, where teams will compete in a best-of-three format. Division winners will then enter the Division Series after receiving a first-round bye Saturday, Oct. 4.
Feature image courtesy of Cael Cross
