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Despite clinching the National League West title last Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers had an eye on the chaos that was the final day of Major League Baseball's regular season. Before the games started, the Dodgers knew when they would be playing this week, but who they would be playing was yet to be determined. It was either going to be the New York Mets or the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds were in the driver's seat to be the No. 6 seed in the National League, as a win against the Milwaukee Brewers would have clinched their spot. Instead, the Reds dropped their season finale 4-2 and put their fate in the hands of the Mets.
The Mets, despite having one of baseball's highest payrolls, have been a disaster for several months, and it culminated in a shutout loss to the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon. Despite having the likes of Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso in their lineup, it was a lifeless showing for New York, as they were eliminated from contention with their loss. Lindor, rapping into a double play, made the final two outs.
The Dodgers' 2025 MLB playoff bracket is now set, and they will host the Reds to open their postseason run.
The 12 playoff teams are set. Here’s how it all looks.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 28, 2025
Wild card round, which starts Tuesday on ESPN:
BOS at NYY
DET at CLE
CIN at LAD
SDP at CHC
Division series
SEA hosts winner of DET/CLE
TOR hosts winner of BOS/NYY
MIL hosts winner of SDP/CHC
PHI hosts winner of CIN/LAD
Mets collapse throws Dodgers’ 2025 playoff fate into complete chaos
Credit to the Reds for finding a way to sneak into the playoffs in Terry Francona's first year as the team's manager, but the Mets' collapse is certainly the main story. During the final three and a half months of the season, the Mets had a record of 38-55. Say what you want about the Dodgers' 2025 season not exactly being what was outlined at the start of the season, but the defending World Series champions still found a way to punch their playoff ticket.
Dodgers fans now know the team's path to the World Series. If the team can get the best of the Reds this week, they will face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. From there, if the Dodgers return to the NLCS, it will be against one of the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, or Milwaukee Brewers.