2025 MLB playoffs: Our predictions for every round

After an exhilarating finish to the regular season, the 2025 MLB playoffs kick off Tuesday afternoon with 12 teams vying to hoist this year’s World Series trophy.

The Dodgers look to further cement their dynasty by becoming the first repeat World Series champions since 2000, while the Yankees will try to go on another October run to return to the Fall Classic. The powerhouse Phillies will look to capitalize on their contention window to win their first title since 2008 — and don’t forget about the Brewers, Blue Jays and Mariners, who all also hold first-round byes and hope to make deep runs. However, this is the year without a superteam, so don’t expect wild-card teams to go down without a fight. Anyone can get hot in October.

Who will win each round? And which squad will be the last standing at the end of the postseason? We asked 25 of our MLB experts — from ESPN Digital, TV, Research and more — to give us their predictions.

Below are their picks for the wild-card winners (two teams will make it out of each league), division series winners, league championship series winners and World Series champion.

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American League wild-card games

ALWC: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians

Detroit Tigers 14
Cleveland Guardians 11

Our voters are pretty evenly split between Cleveland and Detroit. Why are the Tigers your pick? It’s really not any more complicated than taking the coldest team in September and projecting a run. Perhaps it lasts one series, but when you can nearly count on at least one win behind Tarik Skubal, I’ll take my chances with the Tigers. Yes, the Guardians beat him twice in the final weeks — all the more reason to bet on him this time. If any team can point to a restart in the playoffs as an energy lift, it’s Detroit. The team’s 7-17 record in September will be long forgotten with just two wins this week. — Jesse Rogers

And why…