The 2025 MLB postseason is less than three weeks away, and as we approach the end of the regular season, the teams that are headed to the playoffs are trying to round into form. Some squads are peaking at just the right time, while others appear to be limping into the postseason, hoping their luck will change before it’s too late.
Here’s how a few of those postseason hopefuls are faring as we enter the season‘s final stretch.
Trending up: Boston Red Sox
If you’d asked anybody three months ago if the Red Sox would be primed to go to the postseason, most would’ve told you no. After a tumultuous divorce from former franchise face Rafael Devers, nobody knew what lay ahead for the Sox. But after an adjustment period, this team has taken off and thrived since Devers’ departure, becoming a legitimate threat in the American League. With the help of rookie sensation Roman Anthony and a resurgence from shortstop Trevor Story, the Red Sox have the third-best record in baseball since the All-Star break.
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One of the biggest revelations for Boston has been the pure dominance of closer Aroldis Chapman. At age 37, Chapman appears to have found the fountain of youth and has been as electric as ever, with a 0.98 ERA and just one earned run allowed since May 28. The Cuban-born closer has been so strong that the Red Sox recently rewarded him with a two-year contract extension.
At this point, the American League looks wide open, but Boston has the feel of a team that could make a run to the World Series. Getting Anthony back healthy — he’s currently on the injured list due to an oblique injury — will be crucial. But this Boston squad has shown they’re resilient enough to get by until he returns. This just might be the team Red Sox fans have been waiting for.
Trending down: Los Angeles Dodgers
The road back to the World Series hasn’t been the easiest to navigate for the Dodgers, who, despite having the most talented roster in baseball, haven’t been able to find a rhythm all season. The Dodgers are 28-32 since July 1, which has put them in a battle with the Padres for the NL West crown with just three weeks to go.
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While injuries have played a significant role, the Dodgers’ starting pitching and bullpen have been two of the biggest unanswered questions. At this point, L.A.’s postseason position looks pretty much set, but knowing what players will be available and ready to deliver when they get that far is something the team still has to figure out.
The one thing that might be a saving grace for the Dodgers is the resurgence of superstar shortstop Mookie Betts. After a dreadful first half, Betts is slashing 277/.342/.429 with six homers and a .900 OPS over his past 30 games. When the Dodgers’ big three of Ohtani, Betts and Freeman are rolling, it’s tough to beat them. But for this team to make it back to the World Series, they need to find some consistency soon. Assuming they’ll eventually be able to flip the switch isn’t a great strategy.
Can Mookie Betts (bottom right) and the Dodgers get hot before it’s too late? (Henry Davis/Yahoo Sports)
Trending up: Philadelphia Phillies
Of all the teams that are in line to make the postseason, it’s the Phillies who are peaking at the perfect time. After learning of the loss of ace Zack Wheeler for the season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder, many teams would’ve scrambled and floundered. But not the Phillies. They’ve continued to thrive, with left-handers Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez delivering their best performances of the year so far.
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And offensively, Kyle Schwarber has been a man on a mission. His latest home run Tuesday notched just the second 50-homer season in franchise history as he continues to lead a Phillies lineup that also features two-time MVP Bryce Harper. October is when the Phillies usually shine, and after getting to the doorstep of a World Series title so many times, this could be the year they finally get it done.
Trending down: Chicago Cubs
It has been a tale of two halves for the Chicago Cubs. The first half saw their lineup produce at elite levels, with breakout performances from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch along with Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki providing plenty of power and production. But the second half has been a different story entirely. The Cubs’ quartet has gone cold since the All-Star break, sending Chicago tumbling from being a team that could get a first-round bye to being entrenched in the wild-card round.
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Now Tucker, who has been battling a calf injury, is on the 10-day injured list. PCA is slashing a paltry .183/.242/.252 with one homer since Aug. 1, and the Chicago offense, which led baseball in runs scored in the first half, ranks 28th since the break. Not to mention, the team lost closer Daniel Palencia to a shoulder injury.
The Cubs’ just aren’t trending upward, and regardless of where they land when the season ends, they don’t have the vibe of a team that will be able to do much in October.
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