With the conclusion of Sunday’s games, Major League Baseball now enters its most glorious and pressure-packed time of the year — the postseason.
In all, 12 teams (six from the American and National Leagues) will battle throughout the next four-plus weeks to determine which of them will earn the World Series trophy. It all begins on Tuesday, Sept. 30, when the wild-card round kicks off in both leagues.
With the postseason just hours away from starting, here are some tidbits to know about what should be a wild month ahead.
So who’s the favorite?
Just last week, the Philadelphia Phillies (the NL’s second seed) became the betting favorites on BetMGM to win the World Series at +425. The reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers (the NL’s third seed) was the favorite for much of the regular season but now stands at +550.
The Seattle Mariners (the AL’s second seed) have the best odds on the other side of the bracket at +500.
Wait, you didn’t mention the two top seeds.
True, because neither of the top seeds is getting much credit in the eyes of the betting world for being the best in their leagues. The NL’s top squad, the Milwaukee Brewers, is at +800 on BetMGM while the Toronto Blue Jays, with the best record in the AL, are at +900.
So does being the best regular-season team really matter?
Yes and no. The top two teams in each league won’t have to play in the wild-card round, so that can provide some rest after a mad dash to end the final month of the regular season. However, teams coming off byes have lost in six of 12 Division Series over the last three years (including the second-seeded Phillies last year).
The Dodgers and Yankees were their respective leagues’ top seeds in 2024, and both made it all the way to the World Series, proving that a first-round bye isn’t always a curse.
What’s the most interesting wild-card matchup?
It’s hard to go against the AL Central rematch happening in Cleveland between the third-seeded Guardians and sixth-seeded Detroit Tigers. Detroit looked to be in complete control of the division until the Tigers cooled off in August and September, and the Guardians just kept winning. A 10.5-game lead on Sept. 1 evaporated, and Cleveland claimed the division crown and home-field advantage in the wild-card round.
Can Detroit prove it wasn’t just a team built for the early season? Can Cleveland continue its comeback story and make it to the Division Series? It’s going to be a fascinating series at Progressive Field.
What’s the most interesting potential matchup in the later rounds?
Things could get very spicy if the San Diego Padres face off against the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. The two intense rivals met in the NLDS last season, and Los Angeles survived in five games before going on to win the World Series.
If you watched one of their regular-season matchups this season, it was clear there is no love lost between the Interstate-5 rivals, thanks to hit batters and pointed words. A SoCal series with a World Series berth on the line would be must-watch television.
You mentioned when the wild-card round started. When would the World Series begin?
The crown jewel of October sports is scheduled to begin on Friday, Oct. 24, inside the home field of the remaining team with the best record. The first two games would be played there before moving to the other team’s home field for games three through five.
If the World Series were to go seven games, the final game would be played on Nov. 1 at the home field of the team with the best record.
Which city would have the biggest party if its team won the World Series?
It’s a sure bet every city would love to host a championship parade, but the celebration might be a little sweeter in Milwaukee, San Diego or Seattle, a trio of cities that have never claimed a World Series champion. Also, Cleveland hasn’t won the World Series since 1948, so the northern Ohio fans are ready to celebrate as well.
Who will win it all?
The Phillies will defeat the Blue Jays in six games.