BetMGM Bonus Code TOP150 for MLB Playoffs Saturday
BetMGM Bonus Code TOP150 New User Offer
Bet $10, Get $150 Bonus (MI, NJ, PA, WV Only)
$1,500 First-Bet Offer
In-App Promos CFB Odds Boost Token, CFB Parlay Boost Token, NFL First TD Second Chance, WNBA SGP Profit Boost Token, etc. Terms and Conditions New Players 21+ in Eligible States Bonus Last Verified On October 3, 2025 Information Confirmed By WTOP
There is sports overload this weekend, as October in general is one of the best sports months of the year. It is a beautiful thing, and you can get started on the right foot by taking advantage of this BetMGM welcome offer.
Those of you located in MI, NJ, PA or WV will receive the risk $10 to receive $150 with a win. That last part is very important, as it takes a winning wager in order to receive the $150 bonus. So, look for plays that you are confident in, such as San Diego State moneyline at -235 odds tonight against Colorado State. You could also take the Phillies moneyline against the Dodgers on Saturday at -120 odds.
The rest of you will receive a $1,500 first bet offer. With this one, BetMGM will back up your first wager on the app, up to $1,500, in the form of bonus bets if you lose your first wager on the sportsbook.
While you do not have to bet the full amount, of course, think of this as two opportunities to win big initially on BetMGM- either with your first wager or with the bonus bets if your first wager loses.
How to Register with the BetMGM Bonus Code
Take these steps on Thursday to score bonus bets or make your largest bet of the week.

Por César López y Pablo Antonio García Escorihuela, CNN en Español
El camino a la Serie Mundial sigue a paso apresurado y, en el horizonte, las series divisionales de las Grandes Ligas son la siguiente parada.
Los equipos con mejor marca en la temporada regular ahora aguardan a los ganadores de los emparejamientos de las series de comodines y este sábado 4 de octubre empiezan los duelos al mejor de cinco para avanzar a la serie de campeonato de cada liga.
En la Liga Nacional, el primer duelo divisional definido se asoma como una verdadera final adelantada.
Los Dodgers de Los Ángeles, que entraron por la vía del comodín barriendo a los Reds de Cincinnati, tendrán que aprovechar su momento cuando enfrenten al equipo con el segundo mejor récord de la liga, los Phillies de Filadelfia (96-66).
Debut histórico para Ohtani
El sábado, Shohei Ohtani comenzará en el montículo, en lo que será su primera aparición en postemporada como lanzador. Enfrente estará el último equipo contra el que inició en la temporada regular y al cual le lanzó cinco entradas sin permitir hits, ponchando a cinco de los 16 bateadores que midió.
Ohtani será el primer jugador en la historia de las Grandes Ligas que aparezca en una postemporada como lanzador y no lanzador en el mismo juego. Además de su prolijidad, los números le acompañan para optar por otro galardón consecutivo al mejor jugador de la temporada, o MVP por sus siglas en inglés.
El equipo de Filadelfia, por su parte, armó su ‘bullpen’ con tres lanzadores zurdos que pueden contrarrestar el poderío ofensivo de los Dodgers desde el inicio.
El dominicano Cristopher Sánchez, que viene con cuatro triunfos en sus últimos cinco juegos, uno de ellos justo frente a los Dodgers el 16 de septiembre, Jesús Luzardo y el venezolano Ranger Suárez, quien también salió airoso ante el conjunto angelino en la serie de mediados de septiembre.
Los Brewers registraron en la temporada regular la mejor marca de su historia, con 97 triunfos y 65 derrotas, asegurando el primer puesto de la Liga Nacional, apenas con un juego de ventaja sobre los Phillies. Sin embargo, esos números solo sirven para la estadística y los Brewers deberán luchar contra una racha de postemporada negativa en sus últimas apariciones.
El equipo de Milwaukee es uno de los tres conjuntos en esta postemporada (junto a Mariners y Padres) que no ha ganado la Serie Mundial. El único “Clásico de Otoño” que disputaron fue en 1982 contra los Cardinals de St. Louis y lo perdieron.
En 2018 ganaron su serie divisional ante los Rockies, pero cayeron en la serie de campeonato ante los Dodgers, mientras que en 2019 perdieron en el duelo divisional ante los Nationals de Washington. Ya en 2021, su última aparición en postemporada, cayeron también en el divisional ante los Braves de Atlanta.
Enfrente tendrán esta vez a un rival de división, los Cubs de Chicago, que aprovecharon el bateo oportuno de su ofensiva para dar cuenta de los Padres de San Diego en la Serie de Comodines. Será una serie reñida, con varios factores interesantes. Uno de ellos, el éxito de Craig Counsell, actual mánager de los Cubs, quien fue antes de tomar el mando de Chicago el dirigente más ganador en la historia de los Brewers.
Los Mariners de Seattle lograron armar un equipo lleno de poder ofensivo para llegar por primera vez en 25 años a los playoffs, y no pretenden irse temprano. El segundo mejor equipo del joven circuito llegó a la postemporada encendido, después de un arrollador mes de septiembre, inspirado en su estrella, el receptor Cal Raleigh, que con sus 60 cuadrangulares se encargó de ser una de las principales figuras de toda la liga.
Pero, además de Raleigh, los Mariners cuentan con una ofensiva letal, donde se destacan el venezolano Eugenio Suárez, que viene de conectar 49 jonrones esta temporada (eso sí, 37 de ellos en la Liga Nacional con los Diamondbacks de Arizona), y el dominicano Julio Rodríguez.
Al pitcheo le puede faltar experiencia en playoffs, pero no valentía. Y con un sólido cuerpo de relevistas, tienen la etiqueta de favoritos en esta Serie Divisional, donde se enfrentarán a unos Tigers que sufrieron en la última parte de la temporada, pero que, apoyados en Tarik Skubal y en la resurrección de su ofensiva, pudieron vencer a los Guardians de Cleveland en la Serie de Comodines.
Hace mucho tiempo que en Toronto no tenían esta sensación de felicidad por el béisbol. En realidad, ya luce lejano el recuerdo de Joe Carter y su cuadrangular ante los Phillies de Filadelfia para ganar la Serie Mundial hace más de 30 años. Sin embargo, este equipo tiene un aura combativa similar a ese que ganó todo en 1992 y 1993.
En 2025, la enorme fortaleza de los Blue Jays son sus brazos, con una rotación de cuatro potenciales abridores número 1: Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt y el veterano Max Scherzer. Tendrán, además, el soporte ofensivo de un ataque liderado por Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, y el venezolano Anthony Santander, que se recuperó a tiempo para los playoffs.
El rival de los Azulejos serán unos inspirados Yankees de Nueva York, que dejaron en el camino a los Red Sox de Boston, quitándose la espina de las tres eliminaciones previas en postemporada a manos de su eterno rival.
Los Yankees tendrán en su gran ofensiva a su arma principal, con Aaron Judge y Cody Bellinger a la cabeza, y con la esperanza que dejó el brazo del novato Cam Schlittler, quien tras abanicar a 12 rivales y blanquear a Boston en el crucial duelo de eliminación, fortalece una rotación de abridores que tendrá también a Carlos Rodón y al estelar Max Fried como sus principales figuras.

PHILADELPHIA – Bryce Harper was still an outfielder with the Washington Nationals. DH Kyle Schwarber was still a folk hero at Wrigley Field. The Philadelphia Phillies were in the midst of a 10-year postseason drought.
And Shohei Ohtani was making his major-league debut for the Los Angeles Angels.
It was March 29, 2018.
Now, seven years, six months and five days later (2,746 days, to be exact), Ohtani, the greatest show on Earth, will be making his first pitching appearance in a postseason game Saturday night (6:38 p.m. ET, TBS) when the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
This is the moment he has been awaiting his entire life.
Sure, he made history as the first player to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases last year. He helped lead the Dodgers to the World Series title over the New York Yankees as a DH. He pitched Japan to the championship in the World Baseball Classic, striking out Mike Trout for the final out.
But now, for the first time, he’ll be a two-way player in the postseason, leading off for the Dodgers as a DH Saturday, and then stepping onto the mound to be their starting pitcher.
The last time we saw a true two-way player like this in the postseason was Babe Ruth when he was a starting pitcher in Game 1 of the 1918 World Series, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
“The thing that’s aways so impressive to me with Sho,’’ Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy told USA TODAY Sports, “is to go out there, dominate on the mound, and then rushing into the dugout, putting his stuff on, and hopping in the batter’s box. I think about how well I sleep after I play a long game, because when you watch him after those games, he’s just absolutely gassed.
“I mean, that’s a lot to ask of somebody, and he does it every single day. You know he really loves (pitching). He really loves focusing on pitching. And he really loves everything that comes with preparing to pitch.
“The amount of work he puts in every day for pitching is just incredible to watch, and that’s obviously behind-the-scenes stuff that not everyone sees. When you look at just the amount of work he’s done, it’s incredible that he can still play the way he plays.’’
Ohtani, who normally keeps his emotions in check, didn’t try to disguise his excitement. Sure, he made 86 starts in six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, but never did they sniff the postseason.
Now, he’s finally in the postseason as a genuine two-way player.
“Just really looking forward to it,’’ he said. “I’m sure I’ll be nervous at times. But more than that, I’m just really grateful that I get to play baseball at this time of the year. And just being healthy is really important to me, so I’m just grateful for that.’’
He’s even anxiously awaiting the hostile atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park, which can make life a bit uncomfortable for opposing players, to put it mildly.
“They’re known to be very passionate fans,’’ Ohtani says. “The atmosphere, I’m sure, is going to be passionate and rocking, as well. And one thing I do know is that they serve really good (Philly) cheesesteaks at the clubhouse.’’
Ohtani, who made his way back to pitching in mid-June after recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, says he feels normal once again.
It was validated when the Dodgers took off the gloves Sept. 16 against these same Phillies at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani merely pitched five no-hit innings against the Phillies, showing for the first time that he was out of rehab mode, and was now a starter with no health concerns. For an encore, he pitched six shutout innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, throwing a season-high 91 pitches, in his last regular-season start.
“I think even right before that start he said he was out of the rehab mode,’’ Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And obviously you’re playing a very talented team in the Phillies at that point in time. So you saw a really good Shohei that night.’’
Good?
How about sensational?
“He was phenomenal,’’ Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “It’s the combination of power and control, command, stuff. He was really good. He was pumping strikes, and it was 98-, 99-mph. And the secondary pitches are all way above-average. So if he’s doing that, it’s a tough task.’’
Said Ohtani: “I’m very glad that I was able to end the rehab progression at that moment.’’
It was a moment in time where the Dodgers morphed from a powerful contender to perhaps the World Series favorite, with their starting rotation becoming a three-headed beast with Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Ohtani.
Phillies pitcher Walker Buehler, who saw Ohtani’s progress firsthand last season while with the Dodgers, had a feeling this day was coming. He just wished it was delayed a bit … like into next season.
“Having gone through the second surgery, it’s a different monster,’’ Buehler said. “Him being active and playing, it’s probably helpful in a lot of ways. I think there’s some aspects of him playing that help him physically in terms of this rehab process. The flip side is the load, and the load managing, and stuff like that because he’s doing both.
“Crazy body, with crazy work ethic, and crazy talent. And the ability to put them all together is what makes him really special. It’s a hard thing to deal with to have that second surgery, but if there’s anyone that there was very little doubt about him being successful, it was him.’’
The Phillies are hoping that their recent familiarity with Ohtani, seeing him just three weeks ago, could pay off, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm said. This was the first time they had ever faced him in their careers, so this time around, they won’t be surprised watching him throw five different pitches, all for strikes.
They vow to be more patient, more selective, trying to get into the Dodgers’ flawed bullpen, which yielded a 10.38 ERA in their two-game wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds. If not, well, it could be an awful long evening, which could turn into an early winter.
“I think our goal, doesn’t matter who we’re facing, try to get the starter out of the game as soon as we can,’’ Thomson says. “So that’s really what our game plan is. I don’t think it’s a secret. …. What we really want to do is keep the ball in the strike zone. That’s really the goal. If you can do that, you’ll build pitch counts.’’
And to that, well, Ohtani says good luck.
“I’m sure there’s pros and cons on both sides as a pitcher and hitters facing me,’’ Ohtani says. “Having the history provides a little more context.’’
Ohtani paused, broke into a smile, and said: “We’re going to find out.’’

Skip Schumaker, the 2023 National League Manager of the Year, will replace Bruce Bochy as the head of the Texas Rangers MLB team.
The Rangers announced the hire Friday night, three days after announcing Bochy’s departure.
Skip Schumaker replaces Bochy
The latest:
Schumaker, 45, has agreed to a four-year contract for the 2026-2029 seasons. He will be the 21st full-time manager in team history.
He joined the team in November 2024 as Senior Advisor, Baseball Operations, and managed the Miami Marlins the two seasons prior, the Rangers said in their release. He earned his 2023 title during that tenure.
Schumaker also has an 11-year history of playing in the major league.
According to the Rangers, Schumaker never faced the Texas team in a regular season game as a player.
Schumaker and his wife, Lindsey, have a son, Brody, and a daughter, Presley. They live in California in the offseason.
‘Excited for this opportunity’
What they’re saying:

In 2023, Craig Counsell piloted the Brewers to 92 wins along with the third division title and fifth playoff appearance in his eight years at the helm. Counsell, however, became a free agent after that season, and the Cubs swooped in quickly.
Just two years later, Counsell is preparing to defeat Milwaukee in the 2025 NLDS. That’s tied for the fewest seasons between a manager leaving one club and then facing said club in the playoffs. Here is a list of other managers — including a couple of Hall of Famers — who matched up against their previous team in October soon after moving off of their bench. The list is ordered by the number of seasons between the manager’s departure from a team and when they saw that team in the postseason.
McNamara took over the the reigning AL West champions in 1983, but the club faltered that season (70-92) and worked its way up to only .500 in 1984. With his contract expired, McNamara decided to move on to Boston, which hadn’t been to the postseason in 10 years. In his second season, McNamara got the team all the way to the World Series. On the way there, the Red Sox ran into the Angels in the ALCS. Boston climbed out of a 3-1 series deficit in a matchup that will be forever remembered for Dave Henderson’s go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning of Game 5, with the Red Sox one strike away from elimination.
The ’86 pennant gave McNamara his only trip to the Fall Classic in 19 seasons as a manager with six franchises. He returned to the Angels as an instructor in the early ’90s and went 10-18 as their interim manager in 1996, his final year as a big league skipper.
Martin helmed the A’s from 1980-82, a period that is sandwiched between the five times he either resigned or was fired as Yankees manager. He won the World Series with New York in 1977 and soon after he was fired in ’79, he latched on with Oakland. The A’s finished in first place during the shortened 1981 season, which would be their only postseason appearance between 1976-87. They swept the Royals in the Division Series, but the Yankees returned the favor in the ALCS, outscoring Oakland 20-4 in the three-game set.
McCarthy got good results in his five seasons with the Cubs as he transformed what had been an also-ran franchise for the better part of 15 years into a contender. He won 91 games in 1928 and an NL-best 98 games the following season. That club ultimately lost the 1929 World Series in five games to the Philadelphia Athletics. McCarthy was let go by the Cubs after the 1930 season and hired by the Yankees, with whom he would turn what had been a good managerial career into a legendary one.
McCarthy’s Yankees captured eight pennants, seven World Series titles and recorded a .627 winning percentage in his 16 seasons on the job. Those Bronx Bombers faced the Cubs twice in the Fall Classic. The first meeting in 1932 is known for Babe Ruth’s

The first managerial changes of the 2025-26 MLB offseason came on the first day after the season, when the San Francisco Giants dismissed Bob Melvin, the Minnesota Twins fired Rocco Baldelli, and the Texas Rangers announced that Bruce Bochy will not return.
Tuesday brought the news that manager Ron Washington and interim manager Ray Montgomery both will not return to the Los Angeles Angels and Brian Snitker informed the Atlanta Braves he won’t return as manager.
Which major league teams will change managers next? And who could be next in line?
ESPN will track all of the managerial hirings and firings — and provide potential top replacements for every opening as they happen.
San Francisco Giants
>2025 manager:Bob Melvin (Sept. 29)
Melvin is out after two seasons in San Francisco as the Giants opted to fire him even after picking up his option for the 2026 season in July.
It was an up-and-down season for the Giants, who ultimately finished third in the National League West and went a combined 161-163 in Melvin’s two seasons. San Francisco has not finished with a winning record or in higher than third place in the division since its 107-win 2021 season.

EVENTTIMETVMLBChi. Cubs at Milwaukee1:08TBSNY Yankees at Toronto4:08Ch. 4LA Dodgers at Philadelphia6:38TBSDetroit at Seattle8:38Ch. 4NBA preseasonNew York vs. Philadelphia10 amNBAOrlando vs. Miami7:00NBASE Melbourne vs. New Orleans10:00NBABoy’s high school basketballProlific Prep vs. Mega Mis1:30NBANotre Dame vs. Blair Academy3:00NBANCAA footballWisconsin at Michigan11 amCh. 4Boston College at Pittsburgh11 amACCAir Force at Navy11 amCh. 11Illinois at Purdue11 amBigTenOhio at Ball State11 amCBSSNClemson at North Carolina11 amESPNIowa State at Cincinnati11 amESPN2Army at UAB11 amESPNUKansas St. at Baylor11 amESPN+Kentucky at Georgia11 amCh. 8Wake Forest at Va. TechNoonCh. 33Oklahoma St. at Arizona2:00TNTBoise St. at Notre Dame2:30Ch. 5Syracuse at SMU2:30ACCPenn State at UCLA2:30Ch. 11Washington at Maryland2:30BigTenFlorida Int’l at Connecticut2:30CBSSNTexas at Florida2:30ESPNVirginia at Louisville2:30ESPN2Vanderbilt at Alabama2:30Ch. 8Texas St. at Arkansas St.3:00ESPNUMichigan St. at Nebraska3:00FS1Kent State at Oklahoma3:00SECJackson St. vs. Alabama A&M4:00Ch. 21UNLV at Wyoming6:00CBSSNTexas Tech at Houston6:00ESPNColorado at TCU6:30Ch. 4Minnesota at Ohio State6:30Ch. 5Miami at Florida State6:30Ch. 8Kansas at UCF6:30ESPN2Mississippi St. at Texas A&M6:30SECTulsa at Memphis7:00ESPNUNevada at Fresno St.9:30CBSSNDuke at California9:30ESPNGolfDP World: Alfred Dunhill Links Championship6 amGolfKorn Ferry: Compliance Solutions Championship11 amGolfPGA Champions: Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS1:00GolfPGA: Sanderson Farms Championship3:00GolfLPGA: Lotte Championship6:00GolfDP World: Alfred Dunhill Links Championship5:30a (Sun)GolfNHL preseasonNY Rangers at Boston1:00NHLColorado at Stars5:00Ch. 27, NHLSan Jose at Utah8:00NHLHorse racingAmerica’s Day At the Races11 amFS1Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes3:00CNBCMotor racingFormula 1 Singapore Grand Prix qual.7:55aESPN2Extreme E Off-Road Desert X Prix I8 amFS1NASCAR Cup Bank of America ROVAL 400 prac. & qualifying1:00truTVARCA Menards Owens Corning 2003:00FS2NASCAR Xfinity Blue Cross NC 2504:00Ch. 33Motorcycle racingPertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia1:30a (Sun)FS1RugbyWomen: Sydney vs. Brisbane11:58FS2Men: Melbourne vs. Brisbane3:28a (Sun)FS2Men’s soccerBlackburn vs. Stoke City6:30aCBSSNLeeds Utd vs. Tottenham6:30aUSABruk-Bet Termalica vs. Widzew Lódz7:40abeINManchester United vs. Sunderland9 amUSAFC Metz vs. Marseille9:50abeINChelsea vs. Liverpool11:30aCh. 5Galatasaray vs. Besiktas11:55abeINAJ Auxerre vs. RC Lens2:00beINFC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy3:30AppleTVU-20 World Cup:Argentina vs. Italy5:48FS2León vs. Toluca7:30Ch. 23América vs. Santos Laguna10:00Ch. 23NWSLNorth Carolina vs. Louisville6:30Ch. 68Portland vs. Bay FC9:00Ch. 68
TODAY’S RADIO
NCAA football: Kansas St. at Baylor, 11 a.m., KWRD-FM 100.7 The Word; Syracuse at SMU, 2:30 p.m., KTCK-AM 1310/KTCK-FM 96.7 The Ticket; Texas at Florida, 2:30 p.m., KRLD-AM 1080 NewsRadio; Texas Tech at Houston, 6 p.m., KFXR-AM 1190; Colorado at TCU, 6:30 p.m., KZPS-FM 92.5 Lone Star
NHL preseason: Colorado at Stars, 5 p.m., KTCK-AM 1310/KTCK-FM 96.7 The Ticket
Sports Roundup
Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, Kevin Sherrington’s A La Carte.
Or with:
Google
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
MLS: FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy, 3:30 p.m., KFXR-AM 1190 Talk Radio; KFLC-AM 1270 TUDN Radio (Spanish)
For more sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News, click here.
Advertisement
To view subscription options for The News and SportsDay, click here.

We have reached the Division Series round of the 2025 postseason, and with an epic Saturday ahead on which Game 1 of each series will be played, it’s time to predict which four clubs will advance to the League Championship Series.
The matchups are intriguing, including three Division Series featuring teams that will meet in the postseason for the first time: the Cubs and Brewers (Game 1 at 2 p.m. ET on TBS), the Yankees and Blue Jays (4 p.m. ET on FOX) and the Tigers and Mariners (8:30 p.m. ET on FS1).
And then there’s the heavyweight bout: Dodgers and Phillies (6:30 p.m. ET on TBS).
As we prepare for a huge day of baseball, we conducted an MLB.com staff poll in which 32 voters predicted the winners in each series:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Yankees (4) vs. Blue Jays (1)
The pick: Yankees
About two-thirds of our panel has the Yankees emerging victorious in this unprecedented matchup. While the Jays have home field advantage and the No. 1 seed in the AL, it seems they’ll be without star shortstop Bo Bichette for the ALDS as Bichette continues to work his way back from a knee injury.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are coming off a Wild Card Series win over the rival Red Sox in which rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler made history with an overpowering performance in the Bronx on Thursday night. Schlittler complements ace lefties Max Fried and Carlos Rodón, as well as right-hander Luis Gil (who gets the ball in Game 1) in what amounts to a formidable rotation for Toronto’s lineup to solve.
Add to that a combination of big bats and extensive postseason experience in the lineup, and the Yankees seem to have the edge.
“The Yanks’ trio of Fried-Rodón-Schlittler is a championship-caliber playoff rotation.” — Jacob Gurvis, content producer
“If Cam Schlittler is all of a sudden a postseason ace, the Bombers’ rotation advantage becomes too much to overcome.” — Ismail Soyugenc, supervising editor
“Even if he’s back, Bo Bichette won’t be at 100%, depriving the Blue Jays of one of their two most essential offensive players.” — Andrew Werle, supervising editor
The dissenting view
“The Blue Jays won the AL East because they won eight of 13 against the Yankees during the regular season — including that four-game sweep at the start of July that put Toronto in first place to stay.
“Rogers Centre will be rocking this weekend, and I think the Blue Jays ride that to at least a split of the first two. I don’t think they’ll be intimidated in New York, either.” — Dan Cichalski, senior manager
Tigers (6) vs. Mariners (2)
The pick: Mariners
The Mariners were the overwhelming pick here, with all but three votes going to Seattle. Why? Well, many answers prominently involved two words: Big Dumper.
As the Year of Cal Raleigh continues, the next logical step would be a big postseason following his epic 60-homer campaign. While Raleigh is going to be the headliner as the M’s look to make a deep October run and reach their first World Series in franchise history, there are other reasons our voters like Seattle.
The Mariners’ rotation, even sans Bryan Woo if he isn’t able to pitch in the series, is going to be tough to beat. With Game 1 starter George Kirby, Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert at the front, scoring runs will be a tall order for Detroit.
And then there’s the home field factor — the Mariners were an MLB-best 51-30 in their home ballpark, and T-Mobile Park will be electric.
“A Mariners lineup that posted the highest runs per game total in MLB in September will be rested and ready to take on a Tigers pitching staff rolling straight out of the Wild Card Series. The key to the whole thing is avoiding a Game 5 against Tarik Skubal.” — Anthony Castrovince, senior national reporter
“The Mariners are a dominant home team (51-30), and their home-field advantage will carry the day.” — Matt Meyers, vice president of content
“Two words: Big. Dumper.” — Mark Sheldon, senior club reporter
The dissenting view
“Manager A.J. Hinch figures out a way to steal Game 1, and then Tarik Skubal creates a 2-0 lead the M’s can’t overcome.” — Mike Siano, vice president of programming, streaming and partnerships
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cubs (4) vs. Brewers (1)
The pick: Brewers
This one was close, with Milwaukee edging out Chicago in this upcoming battle of NL Central foes by just a handful of votes.
In the Cubs’ favor, according to our panel, are factors such as being battle tested in a tough Wild Card Series against the Padres, as well as the power in Chicago’s lineup — particularly if Pete Crow-Armstrong heats up.
On the other side, the Brewers’ pitching staff, from top to bottom, will be tough to beat (even without the injured Brandon Woodruff, though that’s no insignificant loss for Milwaukee). Meanwhile, Chicago’s bullpen had to work hard to help the Cubs get past San Diego in the Wild Card Series, which could further give the edge to the Crew.
Get the Latest From MLB
Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball.
“The Cubs’ power gives them an edge in an otherwise evenly-matched series.” — Benjamin Hill, senior reporter
“I’ve got to go with the team with the best regular season record. Some of the names don’t jump out at you, but the Brewers do the little things right and will just outplay the Cubs fundamentally.” — David Venn, senior national reporter
“I’m never underestimating the Brewers again.” — Alan Rittner, editorial producer
The dissenting view
“Ball go far, team go far. The deeper we get into the postseason, the tougher it is to string hits together.” — Matthew Leach, supervising club reporter
Dodgers (3) vs. Phillies (2)
The pick: Phillies
Given the strengths of these two clubs, this was another close vote, but it was Philadelphia that our panel picked to move on to the NLCS.
Both clubs have big power — with Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Trea Turner anchoring the Nationals’ lineup, and Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman the familiar trio atop the Dodgers’ batting order, these teams are pretty evenly matched when it comes to offense.
Ditto with starting pitching. The Dodgers have Ohtani — who is scheduled to make his first career postseason start on the mound in Game 1 — followed by a deep rotation featuring Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow.
The Phillies’ rotation is headed by a pair of dominant lefties, Cristopher Sánchez (who will get the nod in Game 1) and Ranger Suárez. Even without ace Zack Wheeler (season-ending shoulder surgery), Philadelphia’s staff is formidable.
Where our voters see separation in favor of the Phils is the bullpen. While both bullpens finished with identical ERAs of 4.27 in the regular season, the Dodgers’ ’pen has been particularly shaky lately, even in the Wild Card Series sweep of the Reds. Philadelphia’s relief corps actually had its best month of the season in September, when it posted a 3.59 ERA.
There’s also the matter of the Phillies’ notable home-field advantage with that raucous Citizens Bank Park crowd.
“The Dodgers’ bullpen issues will catch up with them, even with their lineup firepower.” — Adrian Garro, editorial producer
“The Phillies probably won’t contain Shohei Ohtani at the plate, and they may not even figure out Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound, but they’ll steal two games from LA’s shaky bullpen.” — Tom Vourtsis, supervising editor
“The Phillies have been much more consistent than the Dodgers, though facing Ohtani in Game 1 could determine the series. This one should go the distance.” — Mark Feinsand, senior national reporter
The dissenting view

The Texas Rangers hired former MLB player and manager Skip Schumaker for their managerial role Friday.
Schumaker became the 21st full-time manager in Rangers history and signed a four-year contract that will run through 2029. Schumaker spent one year serving as the senior advisor of baseball operations, assisting Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young.
Prior to joining the Rangers, Schmaker was the manager of the Miami Marlins for two seasons, guiding them to the postseason as an NL wild card in 2023. Schumaker was named 2023 National League manager of the year but was relieved of his duties after Miami went 62-100 in 2024.
Schumaker takes over for Bruce Bochy, who guided Texas to its lone World Series championship in 2023. Bochy and the Rangers parted ways earlier this week.
Rangers ‘Thrilled’ To Announce Skip Schumaker As Manager
Texas may have finished 81-81 but was in the hunt for the No. 3 American League wild card until it came unglued over the final two weeks.
The Rangers closed the season with a 2-11 stretch over their final 13 games, finishing six games back of the No. 3 AL wild card Detroit Tigers and nine games behind the AL West-champion Seattle Mariners.
It was the second straight year the Rangers finished .500 or worse after their five-game World Series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, which led to the managerial change.
Though Bochy, 70, still seems to have some fire in his belly — and has won four World Series titles over his legendary managerial career — Schumaker, 45, is one of the brightest managers, helping the financially deficient Marlins win 84 games — their most in 14 years — in 2023.
Schumaker has World Series pedigree as a player, helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series in 2011 and earning two World Series rings in St. Louis. He also helped coach both the San Diego Padres (2020) and Cardinals (2019, 2022) before taking over as Miami manager.
Plus, Young has seen his talent in action during his year in the front office.
“Over his past year, Skip has proven to be driven, passionate and thorough in everything he does,” Young said. “He has a winning spirit and energy, and we are fortunate that someone so highly regarded in the industry has agreed to become our manager.
“His perspective, his wisdom, he was around and available a lot. I think we probably talked to him every few days, if not daily, throughout the course of the year and bounced ideas off him and [got] his perspective.”
Schumaker ‘Honored and Excited To Manage The Rangers’
The Rangers intend to introduce Schumaker as their manager in the coming days, where he surely will say he was rejuvenated by his year away from managerial duties. But until then, Schumaker announced his excitement for again holding one of the 30 major-league manager roles.
I am honored and excited for this opportunity to manage the Rangers,” said Schumaker in a press release. “While I attained a good understanding of the organization through my front office role this past season, the conversations with Chris Young, [Rangers VP/assistant general manager] Ross Fenstermaker and others this week have only intensified my interest in this opportunity.
“I can’t wait to begin the work for 2026.”

The October stage is set, and with it comes fresh debate over MLB’s controversial playoff rule that often punishes the top seed instead of rewarding them. Under the current format, the No. 1 seed must face the winner of the 4 vs. 5 Wild Card matchup, while the No. 2 seed gets the winner of the 3 vs. 6 series. That setup has created an awkward imbalance in this year’s American League Division Series.
The Seattle Mariners, the AL’s No. 2 seed, will host the Detroit Tigers. The M’s earned a bye after winning 90 games and the AL West division title, and their opponent, the Tigers, won 87 games and upset the Cleveland Guardians to advance.
On the other side, the Toronto Blue Jays, who claimed the No. 1 seed with 94 wins and a first-round bye, must face the New York Yankees, who also won 94 games and just knocked off the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card round. Game 1 of this best-of-five series begins on October 4. For many Jays fans, though, the picture feels all wrong.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fans argue Toronto is being punished for being the best. After grinding through 162 games to secure the top spot, their path looks far tougher than the Mariners’. Ryan Garcia summed it up on X: “The Blue Jays’ reward for winning 94 games and finishing as the no. 1 seed is the Yankees, while the Mariners, who finished as a lower seed, got the Tigers. Totally incentivizes winning regular season games, great format.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The system was originally designed so that the No. 1 seed avoids playing another division winner. But the flaw is clear — the top Wild Card team (No. 4 seed) is often stronger than the weakest division champion (No. 3 seed). This season provides a perfect example, as the Blue Jays now face the powerhouse Yankees while the Mariners get the less formidable Tigers.
Controversy and MLB’s playoff system are inextricably linked. From deciding World Series home field through the All-Star Game, to the one-game Wild Card knockout that ended 95-win seasons overnight, to today’s seeding format that punishes the No. 1 seed, nearly every tweak has sparked backlash. Even the loss of the dramatic Game 163 and the refusal to reseed keep the debate alive. In October, baseball drama isn’t just on the field — it’s in the format itself.
The Blue Jays are just the latest victims of this format, forced to play another 94-win team.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
“What the hell is the point?”… Fans sound off on the system
The first thread of reaction came from fans who felt that the season-long effort to secure the top seed had been made meaningless. “It’s insane this isn’t more of a talking point. What the hell is the point of getting the No. 1 seed if you have to pay an objectively better opponent?” While some fans research deeper and point to the specific rule that causes this mess, writing, “We’re even playing the higher seed too lmfao. How does it make sense that the #2 seed plays the worst division winner or the worst wild card team, while the #1 seed gets the two best wild card teams, who, like 90% of the time, are better than the worst division winner.”
An analysis of MLB records from 2012-2022 shows the fans are right, as the top Wild Card team (the #4 seed) averaged 93.2 wins, while the weakest division winner (the #3 seed) or maybe the toughest competitor the #2 seed can face averaged only 91.8 wins in that period. This is definitely an imbalance.
Beyond the opponent, some argue the main reward can be a curse, not a blessing. “I’ve been saying this for days, plus the fact that your lineup is now a week out of actual baseball action. Absolutely ridiculous.” If you claim it’s Brian Snitker’s fake account, we’ll not argue as they sound the same. For these fans, the five-day bye isn’t an advantage rather a momentum killer.
But not everyone thinks the system is broken. As one put it: “The thinking is sound. It just didn’t work out this year. The thinking is that the #1 seed doesn’t have to play a division winner. Turns out that the Yanks are better than the Tigers, who won their division. It worked out in the N.L. for the Brewers.” Yes, this fan has a point. But the “It just didn’t work out this year” claim is wrong. Because it almost did not work almost every next year since its implementation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Then there’s the traditionalist take: the playoffs are supposed to be hard. As one fan said, “No… their reward for winning 94 games was advancing right to the ALDS. They got the bye and home-field advantage. Like, does the team just need a ticket straight to the World Series for you to be happy?” And we can’t argue that..
Then the solution? One fan wrote, “Let the #1 seed pick their ALDS matchup, the drama would be cinema.” Sounds interesting, right? What’s your take on it?

One AL East team down, one to go.
After eliminating the archrival Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series on Thursday night, the New York Yankees now turn their attention to the team that won the AL East title.
The Toronto Blue Jays are next for the Yankees as the best-of-five American League Division Series begins Saturday.
The Yankees and Blue Jays had the same record at the end of the regular season (94-68), but Toronto won the tiebreaker by winning the season series over the Yankees.
Here’s a look at the schedule:
Yankees vs Blue Jays schedule for ALDS
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4
Yankees at Toronto, 4:08 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 5
Yankees at Toronto, 4:08 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 7
Toronto at Yankees, Time TBA
Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 8 (if necessary)
Toronto at Yankees, Time TBA
Game 5: Friday, Oct. 10 (if necessary)
Yankees at Toronto, Time TBA
What channel are Yankees vs Blue Jays games on?
Games will be televised by FOX and FS1.
How to buy Yankees playoff tickets
Here’s how you can still buy tickets for playoff games at Yankee Stadium:
Buy Yankees tickets on StubHub

NEW YORK – Depth was the theme of the 2025 Red Sox.
It earned their farm system a top ranking in the winter, made spring training a heated competition, and above all, sustained them as the injuries piled up during the regular season and got them back to October.
Their depth made them resilient. It made them thrilling. It made them fiery and fearsome and fun. It made them, first a winning team, and then a postseason team, both for the first time in four years.
But when it came time to dig deep on Thursday night, the Red Sox listed in the shallows.
And then they went quietly into the offseason.
In the coming months of cold, Boston baseball-less winter, the decisions that defined this series will be dissected to the particle level: Alex Cora turning Game 2 over to the bullpen after Brayan Bello had thrown just 2.1 innings and 28 pitches, third-base coach Kyle Hudson telling Nate Eaton not to break for home, Cora leaving Garrett Whitlock on the mound even though it was clear the righty had run out of gas at least one batter prior. Having Ceddanne Rafaela bat fifth in Game 3.
Yet ultimately, what cost the Red Sox this series were the things that cost them winnable games throughout the regular season and the last several years: sloppy defense, poor situational hitting, and inexperience.
Boston demolished New York consistently throughout the regular season. Yet when October rolled around – truly October, as the Red Sox won Game 1 of this series on Sept. 30 – the Yankees had something the majority of their rivals did not:
A road map.
The Yankees were here last year. They’re here every year, really. It is not a surprise when the Yankees make the playoffs. It is a shock when they do not.
They knew how to win in October, and so they did.
They knew how to protect their rookie starter, rather than damage his pitching line and shorten his night.
And they knew that if they were patient enough, the Red Sox would shoot themselves in the foot, as they had done far too often throughout the regular season, and in Game 2.
The Red Sox brought knife to a gun fight: a 26-man roster with 17 players who had never played in the postseason before, to go up against their biggest rivals, who happen to be the winningest franchise in postseason history by far, on the road in the most difficult venue. Of the 185 career postseason games’ worth of experience on the Boston roster entering this series, 99 belonged to Alex Bregman and 44 belonged to Aroldis Chapman. Steven Matz was the only pitcher on the team with at least one career postseason start, and he was in the bullpen.
The Red Sox, more than the Yankees, spoiled rookie left-hander Connelly Early’s promising postseason debut on Thursday night. With an odd throw by Jarren Duran that put Giancarlo Stanton on second with a leadoff double in the third, and with a disastrous fourth inning that forced Alex Cora to go to his bullpen far too soon for the second night in a row. Ceddanne Rafaela took an odd route on a Cody Bellinger fly ball that had a 90% catch probability, and it became a leadoff double and the Yankees’ first run. Nathaniel Lowe’s error on Austin Wells’ grounder led to two runs scoring.
“I thought Early threw the ball great tonight,” said Garrett Crochet. “We were asking a lot of some really young guys with, you know, little major league service time, to compete in the postseason at a really high level, in a really hostile environment, and ultimately they answered the call.”
At the plate, the Red Sox looked lost, frustrated, overwhelmed, and over it. They had no answer for Cam Schlittler, who shut them out for eight innings. The Walpole, Ma. native’s 12 strikeouts are the most by a Yankees rookie in a postseason game, and he became the first pitcher in MLB postseason history to go eight innings with zero walks and a dozen punchouts.
“We needed to be perfect,” said Cora, “because he was perfect.”
And they were decidedly not.
If not for Crochet’s 117-pitch masterpiece in Game 1, the series likely would have been over on Wednesday. Boston’s new ace carried the Red Sox through the peaks and valleys all season long, but he could not pitch them through October on his own (though he sat in the bullpen on Thursday night ready to try his darnedest). He will not be able to do it alone next year, either; something to keep an eye on as the Red Sox head into another offseason bearing a long to-do list.
But there will be ample time to discuss the future and problem-solve so that the Red Sox do not find themselves here again next year. Thanks to this first-round exit, much more time than the Red Sox hoped.
For now, here’s just one takeaway:
The Red Sox need a big bat, and they need one badly.
Dating back to the start of 2004, the Red Sox were 15-4 in potential clinching postseason games. The common thread was the proven Boston champions they carried from one October roster to the next.
This year, for the first time since that magical season, they attempted a postseason run without a previous Red Sox World Series champion on the team. Specifically, a champion who consistently tormented the team that pummeled them into this early exit; Rafael Devers’ 18 career home runs at Yankee Stadium are his most at any ballpark not located at 4 Jersey Street, Boston. Trevor Story hit the only Red Sox home run in this series. And while the trade may have afforded them more financial and lineup flexibility, de-escalated a tense clubhouse situation, and may even be the reason they got to October, the fact remains that he was the only one who knew what it took to win in a Red Sox uniform.
If David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez felt that mattered, who are we mere mortals to argue?
It will take the better part of a decade to truly know if the trade was worth it. But on Thursday night, as zero after zero went up on the Red Sox end of the box score and their October run came to an end before it could really begin, it was hard not to think about his greatest hits.
In the immediate aftermath, there are only the dualities.
It is admirable that the Red Sox came this far with so many injuries and so little experience. It is frustrating that they came this far to only come this far.
It is sad to think that we will never see this particular Red Sox team again. It is exciting to think that we will see a new, and hopefully deeper and more successful Red Sox team built upon the promising foundation laid by this year’s squad.
The Red Sox have so much going for them as they force themselves to look ahead. They have young talent here and in their farm system, the front office has money to spend, and a city full of riled up Red Sox fans already champing at the bit to start anew. And now, as Bregman and Story said their respective postgame scrums, these previously-inexperienced players have a very painful experience to use as fuel to ensure they do what it takes to never feel this way again.

Thursday night didn’t exactly draw parallels to the Yankees’ collapse in the 2004 ALCS, yet the pinstripers did extract some odds-defying revenge over the Red Sox with their decisive 4-0 victory in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series.
A best-of-three set, the hosting Yankees didn’t have to conjure the same magic Boston did 21 years ago when it became the only major league club to overcome a 3-0 series deficit in the playoffs. But with Bucky Dent throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on the 47th anniversary of his famous home run at Fenway Park, perhaps there was some voodoo working in the Yankees’ favor Thursday, as they became the first team to advance past the Wild Card round after losing Game 1 since MLB officially expanded its playoff format to include 12 teams in 2022.
“I guess you guys didn’t believe us, but [we have] a lot of belief in each other. We know what type of team we have,” Aaron Judge said after going 4-for-11 in the series. “There’s a lot of belief in each other.”
“We knew we had the chance to come back and win the series,” Austin Wells added. “I think it’s just resilience of the team and not giving up.”
The Yankees accomplished the feat — and avoided early elimination — hours after the Guardians and Padres, losers of Game 1, came up short against the Tigers and Cubs, respectively, in their own do-or-die games. With small-sample history made — thanks in large part to rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler, who had a postseason debut for the ages, and a four-run fourth — the Bombers threw themselves a boozy bash in the Bronx.
“I woke up, and I was locked in,” Schlittler, soaked in champagne, said after the Boston area native threw eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts, the most ever by a Yankees rookie in a playoff game. “I knew exactly what I needed to do out there, especially against my hometown team. As I told Andy [Pettitte] yesterday, I wasn’t going to let them beat me. I was just overconfident in that fact.”
Another opportunity for revenge now awaits, as the Yankees will head north of the Canadian border for an ALDS showdown with the well-rested Blue Jays.
It was Toronto that came in first place in the AL East, taking hold of the division in early July as the Yankees stumbled through their annual summer swoon. Even with months of poor play, the division race came down to the final day of the regular season, as both teams went 94-68 this year.
But with the Jays owning the tiebreaker thanks to an 8-5 record in head-to-head play, the Yankees missed out on a coveted bye despite outpacing the Jays at the plate and in the rotation.
The Yankees’ slugging offense ranked first in terms of runs scored and wRC+, while Toronto, pesky and prone to putting the ball in play, finished fourth in both categories. Yankees starters also ranked fourth in rotation ERA while their Jays counterparts finished 20th, though Toronto had the superior bullpen as New York’s relief corps stumbled throughout the season.
“They’re a complete team,” Judge said. “They don’t strike out a lot, so they’re going to put the ball in play and force your hand on defense. But we’re looking forward to it.”
The Rogers Centre, in particular, was a house of horrors for the Yankees this year, as they lost 6-out-of-7 games there over two series in late June and July. The Yankees were playing some of their worst baseball at that point in the season, though, and they took 2-out-of-3 from Toronto at Yankee Stadium in early September.
That series coincided with an end-of-season surge that made the Yankees one of baseball’s hottest teams heading into the postseason. They were able to ride that wave — and lean on some of the adversity they faced over the summer — in the Wild Card series, coming back from a Game 1 defeat that had folks questioning a few of Aaron Boone’s decisions.
Able to rebound in Games 2 and 3 — Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice starred in the middle contest — the Yankees managed to survive and advance, keeping their campaign and their championship hopes alive.
They are still several wins away from capturing their first title since 2009, but that dream lives on just a few days after their season appeared to be in jeopardy.
“Toronto is going to be rocking,” Judge said as the Yankees’ celebration winded down. “We love that, and the Bronx is rocking, so it’s gonna be fun.”

One AL East team down, one to go.
After eliminating the archrival Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series on Thursday night, the New York Yankees now turn their attention to the team that won the AL East title.
The Toronto Blue Jays are next for the Yankees as the best-of-five American League Division Series begins Saturday.
The Yankees and Blue Jays had the same record at the end of the regular season (94-68), but Toronto won the tiebreaker by winning the season series over the Yankees.
Here’s a look at the schedule:
Yankees vs Blue Jays schedule for ALDS
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4
Yankees at Toronto, 4:08 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 5
Yankees at Toronto, 4:08 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 7
Toronto at Yankees, Time TBA
Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 8 (if necessary)
Toronto at Yankees, Time TBA
Game 5: Friday, Oct. 10 (if necessary)
Yankees at Toronto, Time TBA
What channel are Yankees vs Blue Jays games on?
Games will be televised by FOX and FS1.
How to buy Yankees playoff tickets
Here’s how you can still buy tickets for playoff games at Yankee Stadium:
Buy Yankees tickets on StubHub

NEW YORK — Rookie Cam Schlittler struck out 12 in eight innings during a stellar postseason debut as the New York Yankees eliminated the Boston Red Sox with a 4-0 victory in Game 3 of the American League wild-card series on Thursday night.
The Yankees, who won the final two games of the best-of-three set, advance to the AL Division Series to face the Blue Jays. Game 1 of the best-of-five series is scheduled for Saturday in Toronto.
New York capitalized on shaky Boston defense in a four-run fourth inning. That was more than enough for Schlittler (1-0), who allowed five hits and no walks while throwing consistently in the upper 90s. The 24-year-old right-hander fired 75 of his career-high 107 pitches for strikes.
Cam Schlittler’s performance was historic
Schlittler joined Roger Clemens (15 in 2000), Gerrit Cole (13 in 2020) and Orlando Hernandez (12 in 2000) as the fourth player in Yankees history with at least 12 strikeouts in a postseason game. He is the only rookie in that group.
Schlittler ended the seventh by fanning Wilyer Abreu on his 100th pitch as Fernando Cruz warmed up. He needed seven more pitches to finish the eighth, which was aided by third baseman Ryan McMahon falling into the Boston dugout to catch a foul pop by Jarren Duran.
Amed Rosario hit an RBI single and Anthony Volpe added a bases-loaded single off Boston rookie Connelly Early (0-1). The last two runs scored when first baseman Nathaniel Lowe misplayed Austin Wells’ grounder.
In the postseason for the first time since 2021, the Red Sox got short starts from Brayan Bello and Early after Garrett Crochet’s 117-pitch masterpiece on Tuesday.
Early allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits in 3 2/3 innings. The left-hander struck out six and walked one.
Cody Bellinger started the fourth-inning rally by hustling for a double when Abreu could not make a diving catch in right field. Giancarlo Stanton followed with a walk. One out later, Rosario drove in Bellinger with a single to left, Jazz Chisholm Jr. loaded the bases with a hit, and Volpe stroked a single to right for a 2-0 lead.
Wells fell behind 0-2 in the count but capped a nine-pitch at-bat by hitting a grounder off Lowe’s glove that trickled into right field and allowed Rosario and Chisholm to score.
New York closer David Bednar pitched around a walk in the ninth inning.
–Larry Fleisher, Field Level Media

It’s fair to call Max Scherzer a winning player. Besides his 221 regular-season victories, he has finished just three of his 18 MLB seasons on a team with a sub-.500 record. He has also reached the playoffs with six of those seven franchises, including the Blue Jays this year.
The two-time World Series champion is now looking to collect his third ring as Toronto begins its postseason on Saturday in the American League Division Series. If Scherzer gets into a game this month, he will become a member of a very small group of well-traveled players with an enormous amount of playoff experience.
The Blue Jays would be the sixth team that Scherzer has played for in October along with the Tigers (2011-14), Nationals (2014, 2016-17, 2019), Dodgers (2021), Mets (2022) and Rangers (2023). Only four other players in MLB history have appeared in the postseason with that many clubs.
Here’s a look at that short list as well as the collection of players who have played in the playoffs for five franchises. Red Sox reliever Aroldis Chapman joined that group when he closed out Boston’s victory in Game 1 of its American League Wild Card Series against the Yankees.
The 2015 AL MVP collected three homers and six extra-base hits in 11 playoff games for Toronto that season. Donaldson was even better the following year, slashing .417/.462/.667 with seven XBHs through nine games. Alas, the Blue Jays’ World Series hopes were thwarted in the League Championship Series by Kansas City and Cleveland, respectively. Donaldson, who never reached the Fall Classic, couldn’t replicate that level of production with any of the other clubs he played for in the postseason. Outside of those two trips with Toronto, he batted .193 (21-for-109) with one homer and 38 strikeouts in the playoffs.
Rodney’s postseason résumé is pretty spotty: 5.71 ERA, 5.46 FIP and a 2.02 WHIP over 17 1/3 innings (20 games). He also went 0-for-2 in save opportunities after racking up 327 saves during the regular season. But he did get the final out in two win-or-go-home games, first for the Rays in their 2013 American League Wild Card Game at Cleveland and then for the D-backs in their 2017 National League Wild Card Game versus Colorado. Two years later — Rodney’s final one in MLB — he was merely a low-leverage reliever during the playoffs for the Nationals, but he was able to retire as a World Series champion.
Wells’ ERA was nearly a full run better in the playoffs (3.17) than it was during the regular season (4.13). Granted, some of that can be credited to when he was in the Blue Jays’ bullpen in 1989, ’91 and in their ’92 World Series title year. He allowed only two earned runs across 13 October innings over those three seasons. But once Wells was a part of a playoff rotation, first with the ’95 Reds, he was often reliable as a starter, too. The left-hander allowed one unearned run and struck out eight batters over 6 1/3 innings in his first postseason start as Cincinnati triumphed in Game 3 of the 1995 NLDS against the Dodgers.
His greatest playoff successes came with the Yankees, especially during their dominant run in 1998. Wells finished third in the AL Cy Young voting that season and was then named ALCS MVP after tossing 15 2/3 innings through two starts and striking out 18 Cleveland batters. His 11 K’s in Game 5 were his personal best in the postseason.
Lofton was playoff-bound in all but two years from 1995-2007. A prolific speedster, his 34 stolen bases in the playoffs are the most by any player, and his 11 bags for Cleveland in 1995 matched Rickey Henderson’s total for the 1989 A’s as the most in a single postseason. In Game 6 of the ’95 ALCS, Lofton’s speed put the finishing touches on Cleveland’s first pennant since 1954 as he scored from second base on a passed ball in the eighth inning against Randy Johnson and the Mariners. But his most impactful postseason moment arguably came with the Giants seven years later. That’s when Lofton lined a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth of NLCS Game 5 to send San Francisco to the World Series.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Get ready for fall baseball and the road to the World Series.
After the conclusion of the Wild Card Series, the MLB playoffs bracket is set for the Division Series in both the American and National Leagues. Which of these teams will be lifting the Commissioner’s Trophy?
MLB Playoff Bracket
Wild Card Round
The four Wild Card Series began on Tuesday, Sept. 30 with four Game 1s. Game 22 were on Wednesday. The three Game 3s are on Thursday. Each series are hosted at the higher seed.
American League
No. 6 Detroit Tigers at No. 3 Cleveland Guardians – Tigers win series, 2-1
(Tigers will play the No. 2 seed Seattle Mariners)
Game 1: Tigers 2, Guardians 1
Game 2: Guardians 6, Tigers 1
Game 3: Tigers 6, Guardians 3
No. 5 Boston Red Sox at No. 4 New York Yankees – Yankees win series, 2-1
(Yankees will play the No. 1 seed Toronto Blue Jays)
Game 1: Red Sox 3, Yankees 1
Game 2: Yankees 4, Red Sox 3
Game 3: Yankees 4, Red Sox 0
National League
No. 6 Cincinnati Reds at No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers – Dodgers win series 2-0
(Dodgers will play the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Phillies)
Game 1: Dodgers 10, Reds 5
Game 2: Dodgers 8, Reds 4
No. 5 San Diego Padres at No. 4 vs. Chicago Cubs – Cubs win series, 2-1
(Cubs will play No. 1 seed Milwaukee Brewers)
Game 1: Cubs 3, Padres 1
Game 2: Padres 3, Cubs 0
Game 3: Cubs 3, Padres 1
Divisional Series
The four division series will be a five-game format.
To avoid having four games on Sunday, MLB has adjusted the schedule for the Division Series. The American League Division Series will have Games 1 and 2 on Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 5, before an off-day on Monday. The National League Division Series will get the day off on Sunday with Game 3 taking place on Monday, Oct. 6.
Start times for the Division Series have not been announced.
American League
No. 4 New York Yankees vs. No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays
(Winner advances to the AL Championship Series)
Game 1: Yankees at Blue Jays; Saturday, Oct. 4 (4:08 p.m. ET, FOX)
Game 2: Yankees at Blue Jays; Sunday, Oct. 5 (4:08 p.m. ET, FS1)
Game 3: Blue Jays at Yankees; Tuesday, Oct. 7 (TBD, FOX)
Game 4: Blue Jays at Yankees; Wednesday, Oct. 8 (TBD, FOX)*
Game 5: Yankees at Blue Jays; Oct. 10 (TBD, FOX)*
No. 6 Detroit Tigers vs. No. 2 Seattle Mariners
(Winner advances to the AL Championship Series)
Game 1: TIgers at Mariners; Saturday, Oct. 4 (8:38 p.m. ET, FOX)
Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 5 (8:08 p.m. ET, FS1)
Game 3: Tuesday, Oct. 7 (TBD, FOX)
Game 4: Wednesday, Oct. 8 (TBD, FOX)*
Game 5: Friday, Oct. 10 (TBD, FOX)*
National League
No. 4 Chicago Cubs at No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers
(Winner will advance to the NL Championship Series)
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 (2:08 p.m. ET, TBS)
Game 2: Monday, Oct. 6 (9:08 p.m. ET, TBS)
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8 (TBD, TBS)
Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 9 (TBD, TBS)*
Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 11 (TBD, TBS)*
No. 3 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies
(Winner will advance to the NL Championship Series)
Game 1: Saturday, Oct. 4 (6:38 p.m. ET, TBS)
Game 2: Monday, Oct. 6 (6:08 p.m. ET, TBS)
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 8 (TBD, TBS)
Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 9 (TBD, TBS)*
Game 5: Saturday, Oct. 11 (TBD, TBS)*
League Championship Series
The two championship series will be a seven-game format.
ALCS
Game 1: Oct. 12 (TBD, FOX)
Game 2: Oct. 13 (TBD, FOX)
Game 3: Oct. 15 (TBD, FOX)
Game 4: Oct. 16 (TBD, FOX)
Game 5: Oct. 17 (TBD, FOX)*
Game 6: Oct. 19 (TBD, FOX)*
Game 7: Oct. 20 (TBD, FOX)*
NLCS
Game 1: Oct. 13 (TBD, TBS)
Game 2: Oct. 14 (TBD, TBS)
Game 3: Oct. 16 (TBD, TBS)
Game 4: Oct. 17 (TBD, TBS)
Game 5: Oct. 18 (TBD, TBS)*
Game 6: Oct. 20 (TBD, TBS)*
Game 7: Oct. 21 (TBD, TBS)*
World Series
The World Series will be a seven-game format.
Game 1: Oct. 24 (TBD, FOX)
Game 2: Oct. 25 (TBD, FOX)
Game 3: Oct. 27 (TBD, FOX)
Game 4: Oct. 28 (TBD, FOX)
Game 5: Oct. 29 (TBD, FOX)*
Game 6: Oct. 31 (TBD, FOX)*
Game 7: Nov. 1 (TBD, FOX)*
* If necessary
Who’s in?
American League
1. Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays clinched the AL East for the first time since 2015. They will earn a first-round bye, and have home-field advantage through the ALCS.
2. Seattle Mariners – The Mariners clinched the AL West crown for the first time since 2001, and will have a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the ALDS.
3. Cleveland Guardians – The Guardians’ improbable season comeback garners them the AL Central title and will host the team they leaped over, the Tigers, in a wild-card series.
4. New York Yankees – The Yankees clinched a wild-card spot and will now host the Red Sox in a blockbuster first-round series.
5. Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. They will take on their bitter Yankees rivals in the wild-card round.
6. Detroit Tigers – The Tigers salvaged an AL Wild Card berth after a stunning late-season collapse. They will take on the AL Central champions Guardians in the wild-card series.
National League
1. Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers secured their third straight NL Central title. They earned a bye in the first round, the NL’s overall No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the postseason (including the World Series).
2. Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies clinched the NL East title for the second straight year. They also have a first-round bye, the NL’s overall No. 2 seed and home-field advantage in the NLDS.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers clinched the NL West title for the 12th time in the past 13 years. They will be the No. 3 seed in the NL and host the Reds in the wild-card series.
4. Chicago Clubs – The Cubs will be making their first playoff appearance since 2020 and the first in a full-length season since 2018. They will have home-field advantage in their wild-card series with the Padres.
5. San Diego Padres – The Padres clinched their fourth postseason trip in six years and head to Chicago to meet the Cubs in a wild-card series.

NEW YORK — Rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler struck out 12 as he shut down Boston with 100 mph heat, and the New York Yankees took advantage of a pair misplays in a four-run fourth inning to beat the Red Sox 4-0 on Thursday night for a 2-1 AL Wild Card Series win and a Division Series matchup against Toronto.
New York became the first team to lose the opener and advance from the expanded first round, which began in 2022. The Yankees start the best-of-five Division Series on Saturday at the AL East champion Blue Jays.
A 24-year-old right-hander who debuted July 9, Schlitter grew up a Red Sox fan in Walpole, Massachusetts, but said he wanted to play for the Yankees. He had pitched against the Red Sox only once before — as a freshman at Northeastern in a 2020 spring training exhibition game.
He outpitched Connelly Early, a 23-year-old left-hander who debuted on Sept. 9 and became Boston’s youngest postseason starting pitcher since 21-year-old Babe Ruth in 1916.
Schlittler struck out two more than any other Yankees pitcher had in his postseason debut, allowing five singles in eight innings and walking none. He threw 11 pitches of 100 mph or higher — including six in the first inning, one more than all Yankees pitchers had combined before previously since pitch tracking started in 2008.
Schlittler threw 75 of 107 pitches for strikes, starting 22 of 29 batters with strikes and topping out at 100.8 mph. David Bednar worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth as the Red Sox failed to advance a runner past second.
TIGERS 6, GUARDIANS 3
CLEVELAND — Dillon Dingler homered in the sixth inning, Wenceel Pérez drove in a pair of runs in a four-run seventh and Detroit defeated Cleveland to advance to the American League Division Series.
It is the second straight season the Tigers have won a Wild Card Series on the road. Detroit heads to Seattle for the Division Series with Game 1 on Saturday.
The AL West champion Mariners, the second seed, took four of the six regular-season meetings from the Tigers, who were the third wild card.
José Ramírez drove in Cleveland’s lone run. The AL Central champion Guardians were 15=1/2 games back in early July before completing the biggest comeback in division or league play in baseball history.
However, they ran out of steam in the best-of-three series as Detroit turned the page after posting the second-worst record in the majors in September (7-17).
The game was tied 1-all with two outs in the sixth inning when Dingler got an elevated changeup from Joey Cantillo on a 1-1 count and drove it 401 feet into the bleachers in left-center to put the Tigers on top.
It was also the first postseason hit and RBI for the Tigers catcher.
Detroit then broke it open in the seventh by sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring four times.
With one out and the bases loaded, Pérez lined a base hit to right off Erik Sabrowski to drive in Javier Báez and Parker Meadows. Hunter Gaddis came in and gave up RBI base hits to Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene, which brought in Kerry Carpenter and Pérez.
Kyle Finnegan got the win, retiring all four batters he faced. Cantillo took the loss.
CUBS 3, PADRES 1
CHICAGO — Pete Crow-Armstrong hit an RBI single off a shaky Yu Darvish, and Chicago shut down Fernando Tatis Jr. and San Diego for a clinching victory in Game 3 of their NL Wild Card Series.
Backed by a raucous crowd of 40,895 at Wrigley Field, Chicago used its stellar defense to advance in the postseason for the first time since 2017.
Michael Busch hit a solo homer, and Jameson Taillon pitched four shutout innings before manager Craig Counsell used five relievers to close it out.
After Brad Keller faltered in the ninth — allowing Jackson Merrill’s leadoff homer and hitting two batters — Andrew Kittredge earned the save by retiring Jake Cronenworth on a bouncer to third and Freddy Fermin on a flyball to center.
Next up for Chicago is a matchup with NL Central champion Milwaukee for a compelling NL Division Series, beginning with Game 1 on Saturday.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Two rookie starters made their postseason debut in the Bronx on Thursday night, but only one made MLB history in the end.
New York Yankees flamethrower Cam Schlittler didn’t just deliver the performance the home team needed to reach the ALDS, but one Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora called

On one of the most frenzied days of transactions in MLB history, they swung five trades involving 22 players in the hours leading up to the July 31 Trade Deadline. They felt they’d built a team capable of playing deep into October.
Which only made Thursday sting even more. At the end of a tight, tense series at Wrigley Field, the Padres were eliminated with a gut-punch of a 3-1 loss. The Cubs are headed to the National League Division Series. The Padres are facing an offseason’s worth of questions.
“I have not been waiting for this moment,” said a sullen Luis Arraez. “I know it’s my last year here. I’ll be a free agent. But, hey, this team’s special.”
Arraez, of course, represents one of a handful of Padres slated to become free agents. That list includes Dylan Cease and Deadline acquisition Ryan O’Hearn. Soon enough, it could include Robert Suarez and Michael King. Both have options in their contracts.
“Those are guys that we’ve been with together for a long time,” said Manny Machado. “It was an honor to put on the same uniform as them. Hopefully, they put it on again next year with the Padres.”
Make no mistake about the 2025 Trade Deadline: It helped set the Padres up beyond this season in a number of ways. Mason Miller owned the postseason stage — and is on board for four more seasons. Freddy Fermin, who was probably the Padres’ best offensive player in the Wild Card Series, looks ready to take the reins as the No. 1 backstop.
In the meantime, the loss of Ramón Laureano to a fractured right index finger, proved incredibly costly, given the left/right imbalance in the Padres lineup this week. Laureano, with a $6.5 million team option, should be the starting left fielder in San Diego next year.
The Padres will be reaping the rewards from those trades into the 2026 season and beyond. But only if they can piece their roster puzzle together again.
To a man, all of the Padres’ impending free agents spoke glowingly of their time in San Diego. To a man, all of them asked for time to process the disappointment of their elimination before they could make any decisions.
“I’ll let it digest for a little bit,” King said. “Then I’m sure it’s a conversation I’ll have with my family and my agent. I don’t even know. These guys have all been incredible the last couple years. … [General manager A.J.] Preller knows how to put together a team. We had everybody going for one goal, all pulling for each other. It was really fun to be a part of these last two years.”
King and the Padres have a $15 million mutual option for next season, with a $3.75 million buyout. Suarez, meanwhile, has player options for $8 million over the next two seasons.
The Padres would probably be happy to have both back at those prices. It seems likelier that both would hit the open market — King as one of the top available starting pitchers and Suarez as one of the top closers.
“I’ve got to think about all of those decisions I’m going to make,” Suarez said through interpreter Jorge Merlos. “And then we’ll move forward once I do. … I’m always going to be grateful for this organization. They gave me the opportunity to play here, be in the Major Leagues. I’m very grateful for them. Always will be.”
If Suarez were to decline his option, it seems highly unlikely he would be back with the Padres, given the bullpen they’ve built. Miller could take over as closer. If Miller were to be moved into a starting role — a rumor that hasn’t yet become an internal conversation, but might become one this offseason — Adrian Morejon could take over. Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada will be back. The Padres are not short on depth bullpen arms, either.
“I love San Diego a lot,” Cease said. “I really haven’t thought too much about [free agency]. It’s a special organization. I think it’s the most unique setup. You have an entire city — and it’s a big city — and it’s just a baseball city. The fans treat us extremely well. We sell out every game. It’s been a really, really cool experience.”
“It sucks,” Cease said. “Obviously, [saying] goodbye to everybody, investing so much time into this season and having it end abruptly like this.”

The 2024 World Series featured two giants of postseason baseball in the Dodgers and the Yankees, both of whom take pride in high-energy, even hostile hometown crowds for visiting clubs to contend with. Los Angeles proved worthy both at home and on the road, winning both games at Dodger Stadium in L.A. and taking two of three at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to win the Fall Classic in five games.
Historically, how much has home-field advantage in the postseason mattered? Let’s take a look by breaking down the top 10 ballparks that have produced the best home records for their teams in playoff history. Note: We’re using a 20-game minimum here, which narrowly excludes Truist Park, where the Braves have gone 13-6 (.684) since 2017.
Most of these playoff games came during the heyday of the Ryan Howard-Chase Utley-Jimmy Rollins core, including a magical 2008 run when the team finished 11-3 in the playoffs, culminating with a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay to clinch the Fall Classic at home. But since 2022, a new generation of players have created some October magic, as the ’22 team was the first No. 6 seed to reach the World Series, and the 2023 group was on the verge of making it to the Fall Classic. After losing three straight playoff games at CBP, the Phillies snapped that with a thrilling win in Game 2 of the 2024 NLDS against the Mets, although the team was later eliminated back at Citi Field.
With all due respect to the 1969 “Miracle Mets,” who clinched the World Series with a Game 5 home win over the Orioles, the most memorable Fall Classic event at Shea Stadium — and maybe at any stadium — took place in 1986. In the bottom of the 10th of a tied Game 6, the infamous Bill Buckner error gave the Mets a walk-off win to keep the series alive. Two days later, also at home, the Mets overcame a 3-0 lead to win Game 7 and finish off a classic series. (At their current home, Citi Field, the Mets have gone 8-8 in the playoffs.)
Many different Cardinals legends played October baseball here, with the list of names ranging from Bob Gibson to Ozzie Smith to Albert Pujols and many others. St. Louis reached the World Series six times during its tenure at Busch Stadium II, and remarkably, five went to seven games. The home team won Game 7 in three of those instances, including the Cardinals’ 6-3 win over the Brewers in 1982.
Led by the likes of the legendary Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr., the mid-to-late 20th century was the peak of Orioles history, largely coinciding with the team’s tenure at Memorial Stadium. Both the 1966 and 1970 World Series were clinched with home wins, including an epic 1-0 game in 1966 when Dave McNally outdueled the Dodgers’ Don Drysdale as both pitched complete games. However, Baltimore has struggled in home playoff games since Camden Yards was built, going just 7-13.
How ridiculous is it that the Yankees essentially played a full season’s schedule worth of playoff games at the original Yankee Stadium? Whatever you think the answer to that question is, amplify it even more, because the playoffs only consisted of the World Series until 1969. The Yankees’ 101 playoff wins are 36 more than the next-closest team at any playoff venue, the Dodgers’ 65 wins at Dodger Stadium. There could be thousands of words about the Yankees’ preposterous playoff dominance over the 20th century, but the 26 rings won while playing at the original stadium speak for themselves.
What’s now known as Oracle Park has had several names over the course of the 21st century, but one relative constant has been the Giants’ playoff success. Interestingly, all three of the team’s World Series wins this century were clinched on the road (one at Texas, one at Detroit, one at Kansas City), though the 2012 and 2014 NLCS were clinched at home.
That World Series loss to St. Louis came many decades before Comerica Park was built, as the Tigers have fared better in the postseason in the 21st century. Though Detroit has not yet won a World Series at the stadium, they clinched the 2006 and 2012 ALCS — both of which were sweeps — with wins at home, the former of which was sealed by a Magglio Ordóñez walk-off home run.
Dodger Stadium trails only the original Yankee Stadium for most postseason games hosted. It also leads active ballparks in that category (ahead of Fenway Park’s 89), including 29 World Series contests through the first two games of the 2024 Fall Classic. The team didn’t get to play at Dodger Stadium for most of its 2020 championship run, with the final three postseason rounds held at neutral sites. But the Dodgers did clinch the 1963 World Series against the Yankees at Chavez Ravine, and 25 years later, Kirk Gibson authored one of the most famous moments in postseason history there, in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Powered by Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in Game 1, the Dodgers won the first two games of the 2024 World Series at home before closing things out on the road.
The new Busch Stadium opened in St. Louis in 2006. The Cardinals won the 2006 World Series. Coincidence? OK, probably, but the Redbirds have played well in front of their home fans at Busch Stadium III as well as Busch II — which, as you might remember, is No. 3 on this list. The Cards won all three of their home games in the World Series in 2006 and closed out the 2011 Fall Classic with an unforgettable walk-off win in Game 6 and another victory in Game 7.
Before losing both home games to the Yankees in the 2024 ALDS, the Royals won seven straight games at

The 2025 Major League Baseball postseason kicked off on Tuesday with four wild-card round games, and some of the biggest stars in the league shined on the brightest stage. Here are some big takeaways from Tuesday’s action.
Tarik Skubal still makes the Tigers scary
Even though they backed into the playoffs and nearly blew it, you still have to fear the Detroit Tigers in a short series, and it’s because of the presence of Tarik Skubal. He showed why on Tuesday.
Skubal threw one of the games of his life when he went 7.2 innings in the Tigers’ 2-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians, allowing just one earned run on three hits and striking out 14 batters.
He helped steal Game 1 of the series, and now the Tigers just need to simply win one of the next two games to advance to the ALDS. Assuming they can get there, the possibility of being able to throw Skubal twice in a five-game series would still give them a chance to beat anybody. Bet against him — and them — at your own risk.
Cubs bullpen shined
The San Diego Padres are supposed to have one of baseball’s best bullpens. And they do. But it was the Chicago Cubs bullpen that shined in Game 1, slamming the door shut in a 3-1 win that was also highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly in the bottom of the fifth inning.
From that point on, it was the Cubs bullpen doing the job as they threw 4.2 perfect innings in relief of Matthew Boyd.
Yankees bats, not the bullpen, let them down in Game 1
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is going to be under a microscope again for his pitching decisions, and the bullpen is going to take its fair share of heat for giving up three runs, but all of those talking points are just noise for the Yankees’ biggest issue in their 3-1 Game 1 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
Their bats failed them.
That’s the story.
That’s the only takeaway that should be happening in New York going into Game 2 on Wednesday. Maybe Boone could have left in Max Fried longer. Maybe Luke Weaver needed to pitch better and not allow two runs. But even if you accept all those arguments as factual, the bottom line is the Yankees still only scored one run, off an Anthony Volpe home run in the second inning. They were completely shut down after that.
They missed a huge first-inning opportunity when Giancarlo Stanton hit into an inning-ending double play. They loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning with nobody out and did not score a single run. They went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Their only extra-base hit was Volpe’s home run.
New York can yell about Boone and the bullpen all it wants, but that’s not why the Yankees are down in the series.
One run is not enough to win games. The bats need to do more.
Shohei Ohtani shows why he’s the best
The Los Angeles Dodgers are massive favorites over the Cincinnati Reds, not only because of their huge payroll advantage, but also because they have far more star power and impact players.
At the top of that list is Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani delivered in Tuesday’s 10-5 win by hitting two home runs, including an absolutely massive 454-foot blast on what was actually a really good pitch.

The New York Yankees are great at putting runners on bases, it’s scoring them that poses a problem. The Yankees offensive stagnation was on full display in Tuesday’s American League wild-card game.
Paul Goldschmidt and Aaron Judge started the Yankees’ half of the first with back-to-back base hits against Boston Red Sox starter Garrett Crochet. However, nothing would come of it.
Crochet and Yankees starter Max Fried dueled in what had been a near-spotless rubber match, the lone run coming off an Anthony Volpe home run. After Fried departed in the seventh inning, struggling reliever Luke Weaver took the ball and gave up two runs without recording an out. David Bednar would allow another run on an Alex Bregman double in the ninth. In the bottom half, New York would make history against its former closer Aroldis Chapman, but not the good kind.
Yankees fail to capitalize on the game’s largest possible opportunity at the last second
In another last-minute comeback attempt, the Yankees managed to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning. Goldschmidt and Judge singled again, this time followed by a base hit from Cody Bellinger. With the bases loaded and no outs, the Yankees failed to score a single run, finishing the game with a 3-1 loss.
According to Opta Stats, it is the first time in postseason history where a team loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth and failed to score a run, losing the game.
For the Yankees, such a feat isn’t a very rare event. In fact, it is an elusive magic trick they rehearsed numerous times this year alone. Against elite arms such as Crochet and Chapman, the only two pitchers the Red Sox used on Tuesday, it isn’t too puzzling to imagine the Yankees struggling. But with a few prime opportunities on their doorstep, it still boggles the mind that such a potent lineup failed to inflict even minimal damage.
On the day, Judge, Goldschmidt and Volpe combined to go 6-for-11. The rest of the Yankees lineup went 1-for-22.

For information on submitting an obituary, please contact Reading Eagle by phone at 610-371-5018, or email at obituaries@readingeagle.com or fax at 610-371-5193.
Most obituaries published in the Reading Eagle are submitted through funeral homes and cremation services, but we will accept submissions from families. Obituaries can be emailed to obituaries@readingeagle.com.
In addition to the text of the obituary, any photographs that you wish to include can be attached to this email. Please put the text of the obituary in a Word document, a Google document or in the body of the email. The Reading Eagle also requires a way to verify the death, so please include either the phone number of the funeral home or cremation service that is in charge of the deceased’s care or a photo of his/her death certificate. We also request that your full name, phone number and address are all included in this email.
All payments by families must be made with a credit card. We will send a proof of the completed obituary before we require payment. The obituary cannot run, however, until we receive payment in full.
Obituaries can be submitted for any future date, but they must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to its running for it to be published.
Please call the obituary desk, at 610-371-5018, for information on pricing.
PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies push for a first-round bye in the MLB Playoffs has meant a week of debating the relative value of said bye … and, maybe not much else.
Strategically, securing the No. 2 seed to head directly into the National League Division Series means an extra week for the Phillies to set up their rotation and rest and recovery for, say, Trea Turner in his return from a hamstring strain.
Any other benefits or detriments are purely what they make of them.
“It’s just an excuse, one way or the other,” Turner said after Sunday’s season finale against the Twins. “You’ve got to show up, and you’ve got to win. I think Houston has had a bye for however many years, and they moved on to the CS for however many years. So you’ve got to win or you don’t.”
“I can’t speak for the group,” outfielder Nick Castellanos said. “I think I’m just going hash on what I said last year, which was, I think just really take pride in your work and don’t do it lackadaisically. Five days or six days without a game, it’s a long time. So whatever each of us have to do, just have the mindset of doing it as best you can.”
The Phillies didn’t get the bye in 2022 and went to the World Series, via a road Wild Card series in St. Louis. They didn’t get the bye in 2023 and made the NLCS after dispatching the Marlins at home in the Wild Card. They got the bye last year, then came out flat and got blasted in four games by the Mets in the NLDS.
That’s a lot of noise and little signal.
So the team is tweaking a few things here and there this week: more of the high velocity pitching machine, the same intrasquad scrimmage Wednesday night, this time with fans. But the responsibility players take to be ready to go from the first pitch on Saturday against either the Dodgers or Reds remains the same.
“I felt pretty good going into the series last year,” manager Rob Thomson said. “But it’s just a matter of how you play.”
That’s all it comes down to this week, and all it’s come down to all year. Much as the Phillies’ 96-win campaign and second straight NL East title was a gratifying continuation of success, the measuring stick is October. The team has backslid a round each of the last two years from the 2022 pennant.
A world title is the standard. It won’t be won or lost in an optional Thursday workout.
“You have to play well at the right time,” President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday. “You have to be in a position where you don’t want it to be three and done. It can happen to anybody, really. Even worse, when you play in a three-game series. You have to play well at the right time, but I think we’re more equipped.”
• • •
Dombrowski said that despite top prospect Andrew Painter not making it to the major leagues in 2025, he’s pleased with the right-handed pitcher’s progress after Tommy John surgery in 2023.
“I think Andrew had a solid year,” Dombrowski said. “He went out there every five days, basically all year long. He pitched over 100 innings. He felt good at the end of the year. His stuff was still good. His command wasn’t quite as good, so we thought it was a very solid season for him, and we’ll be in a position where we think he’ll come to camp next year and be in position where he can compete for a spot.”
Painter went 5-8 with a 5.26 ERA in 118 innings over 26 starts, the last 22 at Lehigh Valley, where he had a 5.40 ERA. He struck out 111 batters in 106.2 innings in Triple A, well down from the explosive 155 punchouts in 103.2 innings pre-surgery in 2022, and Triple-A batters hit .281 off him.
Dombrowski didn’t walk back the “July-ish” timeline the club had placed on Painter, saying that they wanted him to be ready to make the jump to the bigs by then. He was physically ready, but not performing well enough then or afterward, with limited opportunities in the rotation.
• • •
As for the other top Phillies prospect not part of this October run, Dombrowski said that as early as June, he “would’ve felt very comfortable” calling up Justin Crawford.
The acquisition of a right-handed bat in Harrison Bader at the deadline, though, closed the path to the regular playing time the team wanted Crawford to get. Dombrowski characterized the deadline as a time when, “we’re not coming out of here without a right-hand hitting outfielder. We’re going to get somebody, because we need to get that help for us in the postseason.”
Crawford, the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2022, hit .334 with seven homers, 47 RBIs, 88 runs scored and 46 stolen bases for Lehigh Valley. He slashed .334/.411/.452, despite a drastically downward swing.
• • •
NOTES >> Dombrowski said, “Everything went well. Every went very efficient,” in Zack Wheeler’s thoracic decompression surgery on Sept. 23. The team expects him in town this week to be with his teammates. He has a check-up with doctors in St. Louis in a month. He faces a rehab of six to eight months, by early estimates. … Six members of the stay-hot camp will join the Phillies for Wednesday’s scrimmage: Pitchers Seth Johnson, Nolan Hoffman and Alan Rangel; catcher Caleb Ricketts; and infielders Rafael Lantigua and Donovan Walton. Among that group but unable to play is Johan Rojas, who is rehabbing a quad issue. He won’t be in contention for the NLDS roster. … Dombrowski announced that Matt Strahm, who hit a vesting option threshold for his contract for 2026, passed a physical required as part of that option. His 2026 contract is guaranteed. … The Phillies have sold 29,500 tickets for Wednesday’s “On-Deck” Game at $10 a pop, benefitting Phillies Charities.
Originally Published: September 30, 2025 at 7:58 PM EDT

Ron Washington is out in Anaheim.
The Angels manager won’t have his 2026 option picked up, the team announced Tuesday.
Washington, 73, had been away from the team since June to undergo quadruple bypass heart surgery.
Interim manager Ray Montgomery will not be returning either, The Athletic added.
In an interview on Tuesday, Washington told The Athletic that the decision was based on the Angels’ play — not his health.
“You know, when you’re a competitor, and you’re in charge, none of that stuff comes into play,” Washington said. “Sometimes you’ve got to make chicken salad out of chicken s–t.”
Washington told the outlet that he didn’t get a chance to speak with Angels owner Arte Moreno before his managerial decision.
“I have to accept that,” Washington added. “I can’t go back to argue with them to try and tell them different when they’ve made a decision. … We were starting to perform better.”
Washington became the Angels’ manager before the 2024 season.
That year, the Angels went 63-99.
When Washington, who previously led the Rangers to World Series appearances in 2010 and ’11, left the team this season, the Angels were sitting at a respectable 36-38.
They faded down the stretch, finishing 72-90.
“I think I had the team going in the right direction — I really did,” Washington said. “And it was just too bad that my health came into play. There’s nothing that I can do about that.
“It was my team. I think the team took on my personality. We were definitely showing that. In this business, this is the kind of stuff that happens to you. When everything goes not the way people wanted, you take the blame for it. And I’m OK.”
Former Angels stars Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter, who are both currently special assistants for the team, are expected to be candidates for the job.

The Los Angeles Dodgers face the Cincinnati Reds hoping to kick off this postseason with a win in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card series matchup as the 2025 MLB playoffs begin on Tuesday, September 30 at 6:08 p.m. PT/9:08 p.m. ET (8:08 p.m. CT) with a live broadcast on ESPN, and streaming live on demand.
• You can watch this Reds vs. Dodgers game live for free with Fubo (free trial)or with DirecTV (cheapest streaming plans, $25 off your first month) or see more streaming options below.
Dodgers ace Blake Snell will be on the bump to start the game for Los Angeles trying to put his team ahead in the series while Hunter Greene will be the starting pitcher for the Reds at home in Game 1 of this National League Wild Card matchup.
What TV channel is the Dodgers vs. Reds MLB playoffs game on today? Is is streaming free anywhere?
What: The Los Angeles Dodgers face the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Wild Card of the 2025 MLB playoffs.
Where: Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
When: A look at this best-of-three game series.
Game 1: Reds at Dodgers on Tuesday, September 30 at 6:08 p.m. PT/9:08 p.m. ET (8:08 p.m. CT).
Game 2: Dodgers at Reds on Wednesday, October 1 at 6:08 p.m. PT/9:08 p.m. ET (8:08 p.m. CT), ESPN.
*Game 3: Reds at Dodgers on Thursday, October 2 at 6:08 p.m. PT/9:08 p.m. ET (8:08 p.m. CT), ESPN.
*if necessary
TV channel: ESPN, streaming live with ESPN Unlimited.
How to watch streaming live without cable: There are several options to watch this game and more playoff games this season.
You can watch this game live for FREE with DirecTV (free trial) or by signing up for Fubo (free trial).
The best deal: If you sign up for ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/month), you will get all of the ESPN networks and channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN+, ESPN on ABC, SEC Network+, ACC Network Now and ESPN3.
If you already have cable, you can also watch this game live on Watch ESPN with your cable or satellite provider login information.
Dodgers vs. Reds spread, latest betting odds
Moneyline: LAD: -200 | CIN: +165
Point spread: LAD: -1.5 | CIN: +1.5
Over/Under: 7
Get promo codes, signup deals and free bets from our Oregon Betting News home page.

Imagine someone who walks into a room and instantly makes you curious, not just for what they do, but who they really are. The kind of person whose achievements are impressive, sure, but whose story behind the scenes is just as fascinating. From the choices they make to the life they lead off the spotlight, there’s always something surprising waiting to be discovered. Let’s dive in and uncover the layers that make them tick. You might just see a side of Blake Snell, you never expected.
What is Blake Snell’s Religion? Everything you need to know
Blake Snell is a bit of a mystery when it comes to his personal beliefs. And that’s exactly what makes him interesting. Unlike some athletes who openly share their faith or religious routines, Blake has kept this part of his life largely private. He hasn’t publicly identified with any particular religion. And there are no interviews or social media posts suggesting that religion plays a central role in his daily life. Fans who follow his career closely will notice that his public persona revolves around baseball, family, and his personal passions rather than spiritual practices.
Some might point to moments in his career that hint at a more secular or individualistic approach to life. For example, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Blake made headlines with a frank statement about prioritizing his financial security and career. The remark caused some controversy at the time. However, it also revealed a straightforward, practical mindset, one focused on tangible concerns rather than spiritual guidance.
Outside of the controversies, Blake’s life gives glimpses of what he values most. His marriage to Haeley Mar is often highlighted in media coverage. Showcasing a couple enjoying life together in a grounded, relatable way. Their social media posts, holiday celebrations, and even little moments with their dogs show a life full of simple joys and family bonds. Religion doesn’t appear to play a major role in these moments. This might suggest that Blake’s approach is more personal and individual rather than aligned with formal faith.
Thus, while he can’t definitively be assigned a religion, it seems clear that he is private about it. What matters more to him, and what fans notice, is his dedication to his craft, his love for family, and living life on his own terms. For some, that in itself is a guiding principle, even if it doesn’t fit into traditional religious categories.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Is Blake Snell American? Finding answers through his ethnicity and nationality
Yes, Blake Snell is very much American. And his story is a classic example of chasing the American dream through sports. Born on December 4, 1992, in Seattle, Washington, Blake grew up in the nearby city of Shoreline, where he attended Shorewood High School. From an early age, baseball was a central part of his life. Additionally, his talent was evident almost immediately. By the time he graduated, he was already being scouted by Major League Baseball teams. Furthermore, in 2011, Tampa Bay Rays drafted him in the first round. This was a huge milestone that set him on the path to professional success.
Blake’s heritage is white American, and he comes from a close-knit family that played a key role in his upbringing. His mother, Jane Snell, worked as a hairstylist. On the other hand, his father, Dave Snell, was a coach and mentor. Growing up alongside three brothers, including a twin named Tyler, Blake experienced a family environment that emphasized support, competition, and encouragement, all factors that helped shape the athlete he would become.
His American identity isn’t just about where he was born; it’s reflected in the way he grew up and the opportunities he pursued. From playing in local leagues in Washington to competing in Major League Baseball, his journey is deeply rooted in American sports culture. Even now, Blake continues to celebrate his life and career in ways that feel authentically American: enjoying time with his family, sharing moments on social media, and engaging with fans in a straightforward, down-to-earth manner.
Blake’s story resonates not just because of his talent but because it’s relatable. Many Americans can connect with the themes of hard work, family support, and pursuing one’s passion. He embodies a version of the American dream: someone who grew up with modest roots, honed his skills, and made a name for himself on a national stage, all while maintaining his own personality and values.

Major League Baseball has announced the complete broadcast schedule for the 2025 Wild Card Series. The 2025 postseason will have four Wild Card Series games scheduled each day from Tuesday through Thursday under a best-of-three format, all available on ESPN’s family of networks.
The MLB Wild Card Series will be available in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App. ESPN Radio will also provide live national coverage of all 2025 MLB Postseason games, beginning with the Wild Card Series. In addition, MLB Network will have extensive studio coverage of the Wild Card Series.
The 2025 postseason schedule, subject to change, can be viewed in its entirety at MLB.com/postseason and below.
WILD CARD SERIES
All times ET
Tuesday, Sept. 30
LIVE on ESPN: Reds @ Dodgers, NL Wild Card Series Game 1
Tigers 2, Guardians 1 (DET leads, 1-0)
Cubs 3, Padres 1 (CHC leads, 1-0)
Red Sox 3, Yankees 1 (BOS leads, 1-0)
Wednesday, Oct. 1
Tigers @ Guardians, AL Wild Card Series Game 2: 1 p.m. on ESPN
Padres @ Cubs, NL Wild Card Series Game 2: 3 p.m. on ABC
Red Sox @ Yankees, AL Wild Card Series Game 2: 6 p.m. on ESPN
Reds @ Dodgers, NL Wild Card Series Game 2: 9 p.m. on ESPN
Thursday, Oct. 2
Tigers @ Guardians, AL Wild Card Series Game 3*: 1 p.m. on ESPN
Padres @ Cubs, NL Wild Card Series Game 3*: 3 p.m. on ABC
Red Sox @ Yankees, AL Wild Card Series Game 3*: 6 p.m. on ESPN
Reds @ Dodgers, NL Wild Card Series Game 3*: 9 p.m. on ESPN
*(if necessary)
FOR ANY THREE-GAME SCENARIOS ON THURSDAY, OCT. 2:
If the DET @ CLE series is over, then there are no changes to the original schedule.
If the SD @ CHC series is over, then:
DET @ CLE moves to 3:08 p.m. ET on ABC (instead of 1:08 p.m. ET on ESPN).
BOS @ NYY remains at 6:08 p.m. ET on ESPN.
CIN @ LAD remains at 9:08 p.m. ET/6:08 p.m. PT on ESPN.
If the BOS @ NYY series is over, then:
DET @ CLE moves to 3:08 p.m. ET on ABC (instead of 1:08 p.m. on ESPN).
SD @ CHC moves to 6:08 p.m. ET/5:08 p.m. CT on ESPN (instead of 3:08 p.m. ET/2:08 p.m. CT) on ABC).
CIN @ LAD remains at 9:08 p.m. ET/6:08 p.m. PT on ESPN.
If the CIN @ LAD series is over, then:
DET @ CLE moves to 3:08 p.m. ET on ABC (instead of 1:08 p.m. on ESPN).
SD @ CHC moves to 5:08 p.m. ET/4:08 p.m. CT on ESPN (instead of 3:08 p.m. ET/2:08 p.m. CT on ABC).
BOS @ NYY moves to 8:08 p.m. ET on ESPN (instead of 6:08 p.m. ET on ESPN).
FOR ANY TWO-GAME SCENARIOS ON THURSDAY, OCT. 2:
If the DET @ CLE and BOS @ NYY series end, then:
SD @ CHC remains at 3:08 p.m. ET/2:08 p.m. CT on ABC.
CIN @ LAD moves to 7:38 p.m. ET/4:38 p.m. PT on ESPN (instead of 9:08 p.m. ET/6:08 p.m. PT on ESPN).
If the DET @ CLE and SD @ CHC series end, then:
BOS @ NYY moves to 3:08 p.m. ET on ABC (instead of 6:08 p.m. ET on ESPN).
CIN @ LAD moves to 7:38 p.m. ET/4:38 p.m. PT on ESPN (instead of 9:08 p.m. ET/6:08 p.m. PT on ESPN).
If the DET @ CLE and CIN @ LAD series end, then:
SD @ CHC remains at 3:08 p.m. ET/2:08 p.m. CT on ABC.
BOS @ NYY moves to 7:38 p.m. ET on ESPN (instead of 6:08 p.m. ET on ESPN).
If the SD @ CHC and CIN @ LAD series end, then:
DET @ CLE moves to 3:08 p.m. ET on ABC (instead of 1:08 p.m. ET on ESPN).
BOS @ NYY moves to 7:38 p.m. ET on ESPN (instead of 6:08 p.m. ET on ESPN).
If the BOS @ NYY and SD @ CHC series end, then:
DET @ CLE moves to 3:08 p.m. ET on ABC (instead of 1:08 p.m. ET on ESPN).
CIN @ LAD moves to 7:38 p.m. ET/4:38 p.m. PT on ESPN (instead of 9:08 p.m. ET/6:08 p.m. PT on ESPN).
If the BOS @ NYY and CIN @ LAD series end, then:
DET @ CLE moves to 3:08 p.m. ET on ABC (instead of 1:08 p.m. ET on ESPN).
SD @ CHC moves to 7:38 p.m. ET/6:38 p.m. CT on ESPN (instead of 3:08 p.m. ET/2:08 p.m. CT on ABC).
FOR ANY ONE-GAME SCENARIO ON THURSDAY, OCT. 2:
If there is only one game, then it will be scheduled at 7:38 p.m. ET on ESPN.
DIVISION SERIES
Presented by Booking.com
Saturday, Oct. 4
BOS/NYY winner vs. TOR, Game 1 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
DET/CLE winners vs. SEA, Game 1 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
SD/CHC winner vs. MIL, Game 1 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
CIN/LAD winner vs. PHI, Game 1 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
Sunday, Oct. 5
BOS/NYY winner vs. TOR, Game 2 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
DET/CLE winners vs. SEA, Game 2 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Monday, Oct. 6
SD/CHC winner vs. MIL, Game 2 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
CIN/LAD winner vs. PHI, Game 2 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
Tuesday, Oct. 7
BOS/NYY winner vs. TOR, Game 3 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
DET/CLE winners vs. SEA, Game 3 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Wednesday, Oct. 8
SD/CHC winner vs. MIL, Game 3 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
CIN/LAD winner vs. PHI, Game 3 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
BOS/NYY winner vs. TOR, Game 4* (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
DET/CLE winners vs. SEA, Game 4* (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Thursday, Oct. 9
SD/CHC winner vs. MIL, Game 4* (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
CIN/LAD winner vs. PHI, Game 4* (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
Friday, Oct. 10
BOS/NYY winner vs. TOR, Game 5* (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
DET/CLE winners vs. SEA, Game 5* (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Saturday, Oct. 11
SD/CHC winner vs. MIL, Game 5* (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
CIN/LAD winner vs. PHI, Game 5* (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
*(if necessary)
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Presented by loanDepot
Sunday, Oct. 12
ALCS Game 1 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Monday, Oct. 13
NLCS Game 1 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
ALCS Game 2 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Tuesday, Oct. 14
NLCS Game 2 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
Wednesday, Oct. 15
ALCS Game 3 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Thursday, Oct. 16
NLCS Game 3 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
ALCS Game 4 (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Friday, Oct. 17
NLCS Game 4 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
ALCS Game 5* (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Saturday, Oct. 18
NLCS Game 5* (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
Sunday, Oct. 19
ALCS Game 6* (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Monday, Oct. 20
NLCS Game 6* (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
ALCS Game 7* (FOX/FS1/FOX Deportes)
Tuesday, Oct. 21
NLCS Game 7* (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
*(if necessary)
WORLD SERIES
Presented by Capital One
Friday, Oct. 24
Game 1, at better 2025 record (FOX/FOX Deportes)
Saturday, Oct. 25
Game 2, at better 2025 record (FOX/FOX Deportes)
Monday, Oct. 27
Game 3 (FOX/FOX Deportes)
Tuesday, Oct. 28
Game 4 (FOX/FOX Deportes)
Wednesday, Oct. 29
Game 5* (FOX/FOX Deportes)
Friday, Oct. 31
Game 6*, at better 2025 record (FOX/FOX Deportes)
Saturday, Nov. 1
Game 7*, at better 2025 record (FOX/FOX Deportes)
*(if necessary)
FOX Sports and FOX Deportes will present live telecast coverage of the World Series for the 28th time. All games telecast on TNT Sports platforms, FOX and FS1 will be available to MLB.TV subscribers who are authenticated subscribers to the applicable network through a participating pay TV provider. The Wild Card Series will also be available via the ESPN App. ESPN Radio will provide live national coverage of all 2025 MLB postseason games, beginning with the Wild Card Series.
In addition to coverage by FOX Deportes, 2025 postseason games will also be telecast in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and Univision, while Univision Radio will provide Spanish language audio coverage. The 2025 postseason will be broadcast to 203 countries by 44 media partners in 16 languages around the globe.

After a thrilling final day of the regular season, the 2025 MLB playoffs are finally here!
Entering Sunday’s Game 162, there were still two division titles and one wild-card spot up for grabs. The National League playoff picture was mostly set, though the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds were fighting for the final wild card. Both lost their respective games Sunday, so the Reds secured their spot in October via a tiebreaker. In the American League playoff picture, both the AL East and AL Central titles were undecided Sunday. The New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays were tied going into the final day, as were the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers. Toronto won its game Sunday to win the division and the AL’s top seed, and Cleveland took the Central title.
For the fourth year, the 12-team postseason will kick off with an action-packed wild-card round on ESPN and ABC, featuring eight teams battling for four spots to advance to the eight-team division series.
From the first pitch of the wild-card games to the last out of the World Series, we’ve got you covered with the postseason bracket, schedules, results and how to watch every game this October.
Latest news and analysis
MLB playoffs preview: World Series odds, why every team could win and each team’s fatal flaws
The 12-team playoff field is set
American League Wild Card Series
Best-of-three series
All times ET
Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians
Detroit leads 1-0
Game 1: Tigers 2, Guardians 1
Game 2: Wednesday at 1:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3*: Thursday at 1:08 p.m. (ESPN)
*if necessary
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
Boston leads 1-0
Game 1: Red Sox 3, Yankees 1
Game 2: Wednesday at 6:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3*: Thursday at 6:08 p.m. (ESPN)
*if necessary
National League Wild Card Series
Best-of-three series
All times ET
Cincinnati Reds at Los Angeles Dodgers
Game 1: Tuesday at 9:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 2: Wednesday at 9:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3*: Thursday at 9:08 p.m. (ESPN)
*if necessary
San Diego Padresat Chicago Cubs
Chicago leads 1-0
Game 1: Cubs 3, Padres 1
Game 2: Wednesday at 3:08 p.m. (ABC)
Game 3*: Thursday at 3:08 p.m. (ABC)
*if necessary
American League Division Series
Best-of-five series
Seattle Mariners vs. winner of Tigers-Guardians
Game 1: TBD at Mariners, Saturday, Oct. 4 (Fox/FS1)
Game 2: TBD at Mariners, Sunday, Oct. 5 (Fox/FS1)
Game 3: Mariners at TBD, Tuesday, Oct. 7(Fox/FS1)
Game 4*: Mariners at TBD, Wednesday, Oct. 8(Fox/FS1)
Game 5*: TBD at Mariners, Friday, Oct. 10(Fox/FS1)
*if necessary
Toronto Blue Jays vs. winner of Red Sox-Yankees
Game 1: TBD at Blue Jays, Saturday, Oct. 4 (Fox/FS1)
Game 2: TBD at Blue Jays, Sunday, Oct. 5 (Fox/FS1)
Game 3: Blue Jays at TBD, Tuesday, Oct. 7(Fox/FS1)
Game 4*: Blue Jays at TBD, Wednesday, Oct. 8(Fox/FS1)
Game 5*: TBD at Blue Jays, Friday, Oct. 10(Fox/FS1)
*if necessary
National League Division Series
Best-of-five series
Philadelphia Phillies vs. winner of Reds-Dodgers
Game 1: TBD at Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 4 (TBS)
Game 2: TBD at Phillies, Monday, Oct. 6(TBS)
Game 3: Phillies at TBD, Wednesday, Oct. 8(TBS)
Game 4*: Phillies at TBD, Thursday, Oct. 9(TBS)
Game 5*: TBD at Phillies, Saturday, Oct. 11(TBS)
*if necessary
Milwaukee Brewers vs. winner of Padres-Cubs
Game 1: TBD at Brewers, Saturday, Oct. 4 (TBS)
Game 2: TBD at Brewers, Monday, Oct. 6(TBS)
Game 3: Brewers at TBD, Wednesday, Oct. 8(TBS)
Game 4*: Brewers at TBD, Thursday, Oct. 9(TBS)
Game 5*: TBD at Brewers, Saturday, Oct. 11(TBS)
*if necessary
American League Championship Series
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 12(Fox/FS1)
Game 2: Monday, Oct. 13 (Fox/FS1)
Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 15 (Fox/FS1)
Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 16 (Fox/FS1)
Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 17 (Fox/FS1)
Game 6*: Sunday, Oct. 19 (Fox/FS1)
Game 7*: Monday, Oct. 20 (Fox/FS1)
*if necessary
National League Championship Series
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Monday, Oct. 13(TBS)
Game 2: Tuesday, Oct. 14(TBS)
Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 16(TBS)
Game 4: Friday, Oct. 17(TBS)
Game 5*: Saturday, Oct. 18(TBS)
Game 6*: Monday, Oct. 20(TBS)
Game 7*: Tuesday, Oct. 21(TBS)
*if necessary
World Series
Best-of-seven series
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24 (Fox)
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25(Fox)
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27(Fox)
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28(Fox)
Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 29(Fox)
Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 31(Fox)
Game 7*: Saturday, Nov. 1(Fox)
*if necessary
Copyright © 2025 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.

See Wednesday’s TV/radio listings below:
EVENTTIMETVMLB Wild Card SeriesDetroit at ClevelandNoonESPNSan Diego at Chicago Cubs2:00Ch. 8Boston at NY Yankees5:00ESPNCincinnati at LA Dodgers8:00ESPNWomen’s Australian Rules FootballHawthorn vs. Fremantle4am (Thu)FS2GolfLPGA: Lotte Championship6:00GolfNHL preseasonColorado at Vegas8:00NHLMen’s soccerUnion SG vs. Newcastle11:30aCh. 49Monaco vs. Man City1:50Ch. 49Bor. Dortmund vs. Bilbao2:00CBSSNU-20 World Cup: Spain vs. Mexico2:48FS2U-20 World Cup: Argentina vs. Australia5:48FS2U-20 World Cup: Brazil vs. Morocco5:55FS1Austin FC vs. Nashville SC7:00CBSSNNCAA: Cal Poly vs. UC Davis9:00ESPNUVancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Vancouver FC9:00FS2Sacramento vs. Orange Co.9:30CBSSN
For more sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News, click here.
To view subscription options for The News and SportsDay, click here.

Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain, hitting in the No. 9 spot in the team’s lineup, doubled for the first Cincinnati hit of the game off of Los Angeles Dodgers starter Blake Snell during the top of the 3rd inning of their National League wild-card Game 1 at Dodger Stadium.
Dating back to his no-hitter against the Reds with the San Francisco Giants in 2024, Snell didn’t allow a hit by the Reds in 11 2/3 innings before McLain’s double.

As the 2025 MLB postseason kicked off, it wasn’t a home run slugger or a flame-throwing ace that stole the spotlight. Instead, fans’ eyes went straight to something new sitting on every player’s helmet. Well, if you paid close attention during last year’s Yankees-Dodgers World Series, you might’ve caught a glimpse of it then, but this year, it’s for the entire postseason and here to stay through 2027.
Yes, we’re talking about a subtle little branding mark: “STRAUSS.” It’s what has fans buzzing. But what is it? Why is it there? And what does it mean for the game? Before Aaron Judge steps into the box or Shohei Ohtani dazzles on the mound, it’s this unexpected accessory that grabbed the first wave of MLB postseason chatter. Let’s dive in to know more about it….
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What is Strauss on MLB helmets?
Well, let’s rewind to 2024 for a second because that’s when MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced a big partnership with the German workwear company STRAUSS. And as part of the deal, the STRAUSS name and logo would show up on batting helmets throughout the playoffs, for four straight seasons.
Now, MLB has dabbled in this kind of thing before. Remember back in 2000 when the Mets and Cubs opened the season in Japan with am/pm logos on their helmets? But this time, it’s different, because this is the first time MLB has signed on a full-scale helmet branding partner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
And in case you’re wondering, no, STRAUSS doesn’t make helmets. They’re a German apparel company, known more for work gear. Still, they see the fit with MLB as a natural one. And the result? Every postseason game now comes with that little STRAUSS logo stamped on the helmets, and it’s here to stay for a while.
But this is baseball we’re talking about. Nothing new gets introduced without stirring up some debate. And sure enough, the STRAUSS branding has already sparked its share of controversy.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Controversy brews with the MLB-Strauss partnership
If you remember, when the STRAUSS logo first appeared in 2024, it stirred up plenty of debate. Some fans felt it cheapened the traditional look of the postseason. But if you’re unsettled by it, you might as well get used to it because the partnership runs through 2027.
Honestly, this shouldn’t come as a shock. MLB has been opening the door to sponsorships for a while now, and teams have been allowed to wear advertising patches on their uniforms since Opening Day 2023. So with the helmet branding now extending to the entire postseason, you can expect the controversy to continue.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
That said, MLB is making serious money from deals like this, and a little fan grumbling is just part of the package. While the exact financial details of the multiyear deal with STRAUSS haven’t been revealed, putting a logo on every player’s helmet across the league certainly isn’t cheap.
Nevertheless, a change is a change, and it shows MLB’s nascent proceedings towards more global standardization.

As the 2025 MLB postseason begins, the Rangers are not a part of the festivities for the second straight year. Their last postseason game was Game 5 of the World Series when Texas clinched its first World Series.
But some former Rangers, including some from the 2023 World Series team, are suiting up for other clubs this October. If you want to pull for any of them this postseason, you’ve got many options.
Here is every former Texas player in the postseason.
Toronto Blue Jays
Max Scherzer, Dillon Tate, Isiah Kiner-Falefa
A couple of guys who were involved in notable Rangers trade deadline deals are on the Blue Jays this year.
Tate was the fourth overall pick for the Rangers in the 2015 MLB draft, but he never suited up for Texas. He was dealt to the Yankees for Carlos Beltran in 2016 as the Rangers pushed for the playoffs that year.
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner, was acquired from the Mets as a key piece to the Rangers’ World Series run at the 2023 trade deadline.
Kiner-Falefa was drafted by the Rangers in 2013 and spent the first four years of his big-league career in Texas from 2018-21, winning the AL Gold Glove at third base in 2020. He was dealt to the Twins in a deal for Mitch Garver (more on him in a minute) in 2022.
Seattle Mariners
Luke Jackson, Mitch Garver
Jackson has had two stints with the Rangers, spending the 2015-16 seasons in Texas to start his career and spent part of the 2025 season with the Rangers before Texas designated him for assignment.
Rangers fans have much rosier memories of Garver, who spent 2022-23 in Texas was a key piece in the lineup during the 2023 World Series run. During the Rangers’ playoff run, he hit three home runs and notched 14 RBIs, including the go-ahead RBI single in the World Series-clinching game against Arizona.
Cleveland Guardians
Matt Festa, Austin Hedges
Festa’s career with the Rangers was brief, appearing in 18 games out of the bullpen for Texas in 2024, Hedges lives on in Rangers lore for Texas fans.
Hedges appeared in just 16 games for the Rangers in the 2023 World Series run, but was an all-time vibes guy in the clubhouse after he was acquired from the Pirates at the trade deadline.
“Every locker room needs an Austin Hedges,