The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League West title for a 12th time in the past 13 seasons and extended their postseason streak to the second-longest in MLB history, but face a bit of a new October path as they look to repeat as World Series champions.
Because the Dodgers had the third-best record among NL division winners, they are scheduled to start the playoffs in the Wild Card Series.
It’s just the third time in Dodgers franchise history they’ve played in any Wild Card scenario. The first instance came in 2020, when MLB implemented an expanded postseason field and format to accommodate for playing a shortened season due to the COVID pandemic.
The Dodgers then played in the now-defunct Wild Card Game in 2021 after finishing one win back of the San Francisco Giants in a competitive NL West that season.
As for the 2025 postseason, that begins Tuesday for the Dodgers. What’s not yet clear is who their Wild Card Series opponent will be, but it’s down to the Cincinnati Reds or New York Mets.
Who are Dodgers playing in Wild Card Series?
Current MLB postseason bracket
Entering the penultimate day of the regular season, the Reds occupy the final Wild Card spot in the NL bracket. They are tied with the New York Mets at 82-78, but the Reds hold the head-to-head tiebreaker and thus control their own destiny.
The Reds’ magic number to clinch a postseason berth is currently two. They are looking to earn their first playoff appearance since 2020 and first in a full season since 2013.
Potential scenarios for Dodgers
The Arizona Diamondbacks had been in the Wild Card picture as well but were eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the San Diego Padres on Friday night.
That’s left only the Mets joining the Reds in the running for the final Wild Card spot. Looming particularly large is the Reds holding the tiebreaker over the Mets.
“You know what, I honestly don’t care,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week when asked about being in a Wild Card scenario. “I don’t care where we play, I don’t care who we play. We’re prepared to play through October.
“That’s kind of how we’re wired. So whoever we play on Tuesday, we’ll be ready.”
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