MLB Wild Card Preview

Last Updated on septiembre 29, 2025 10:01 am by Erwin Noguera

The 2025 MLB postseason is just around the corner, and the spotlight is on the exciting battle for Wild Card spots. With the regular season coming to a close, every game takes on immeasurable value, as it determines who will keep their October dreams alive. Teams that failed to capture their divisions still have a chance to extend their season, but they will face a more demanding path from the first round.

The Wild Card series, scheduled to start on September 30, will be played in a best-of-three format, with no room for error. Every detail will be crucial for survival and advancement. Subsequently, the winners of these series will join the division leaders in the Division Series round, which begins on October 4 and will be played in a best-of-five format.

A key aspect since 2022 is that ties are no longer resolved on the field with extra games, but are determined through statistical criteria. The first tiebreaker is based on the head-to-head record between the teams involved during the season; if that does not decide the tie, additional parameters such as run differential and other indicators are used. This not only adds drama to the final weeks but also makes every regular-season matchup a crucial piece of the puzzle that defines the playoff picture.

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MLB Wild Card Preview: Cubs vs. Padres

Wrigley Field will be the setting for the Wild Card game between the Cubs and Padres, a matchup that brings back old memories of October in the National League.

It has been 40 years since that iconic 1984 Championship Series, in which the Cubs seemed to have everything under control until San Diego staged an unforgettable comeback, marked by Steve Garvey’s home run in Game 4. Now, although the context is different and it is a short best-of-three series, the historic rivalry once again gives this matchup a special flavor.

San Diego reaches the Wild Card after watching the Dodgers take the West crown, forcing them to start their journey from the playoffs. They will face the Cubs, who consolidated their position as the second-best wild card in the National League and could have home-field advantage.

In the regular season, both teams split the wins with a 3-3 record, each winning at home, which reinforces the idea that the stadium factor could tip the balance in such an even series.

As for the starting pitchers, the Padres have yet to finalize their rotation, although everything points to Nick Pivetta opening the first game. Behind him, Mike Shildt will have to choose between options such as Yu Darvish, Dylan Cease, or Michael King, decisions that could make the difference in a short series where there is no room for error.

The Cubs, on the other hand, arrive with a more stable rotation, which gives them an advantage in terms of consistency and preparation. For all these reasons, Chicago starts with a slight advantage in this duel steeped in history and tension.

Selección de apuestas para Cachorros vs Padres: Cachorros

MLB Wild Card Preview: Guardians contra Tigers

Progressive Field will be the scene of a matchup that few imagined weeks ago: the Cleveland Guardians against the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card Series. Detroit seemed to have secured control of the American League Central Division, but a collapse in the final stretch left them without the crown.Cleveland took advantage of that bad moment and, with a solid finish, took the division title, as well as gaining extra confidence heading into October.

The Tigers are reeling from losing 13 of their last 16 games, including four losses to Cleveland itself, which calls into question their ability to bounce back in a short series. Still, the talent on their roster gives them a chance to compete, especially with a rotation that, at its best, can give any opponent trouble. The question will be whether they can put that losing streak behind them in time.

In contrast, the Guardians arrive with the wind at their backs, bolstered by the momentum of having come back strong at the end of the season. Playing at home in such a high-pressure scenario could be decisive, although the odds favor Detroit as the slight favorite. The matchup promises to be intense, with two teams that know each other well and have no room for error in this direct battle to advance to the Division Series.

Guardians vs. Tigers Betting Pick: Tigers

MLB Wild Card Preview: Yankees vs. Red Sox

Yankee Stadium hosts one of the most intense classics in baseball history: Yankees vs. Red Sox in the Wild Card Round. New York finished the regular season with an identical record to Toronto, but lost in the tiebreaker and was forced to play this series. Boston, on the other hand, arrives with the confidence of having dominated the head-to-head matchups in 2025, winning nine of the thirteen games.

The rivalry between the two franchises spans decades, and October has been the scene of memorable battles. From the 2003 and 2004 Championship Series to the last Wild Card matchup in 2021, where Boston eliminated New York, each encounter has written a chapter full of drama. This time, the short series raises the stakes again, with two teams that need no extra motivation when they meet.

On paper, the Yankees have more depth in their roster, as well as home-field advantage, but Boston has proven in the past that it can prevail in these types of situations. The winner will have no rest, as it will face the Toronto Blue Jays, the top seed in the American League and one of the favorites to win the title, in the next round.

Yankees vs. Red Sox Betting Pick: Yankees

MLB Wild Card Preview: Dodgers vs. Reds

In the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers begin their postseason run with the advantage of opening the wild card series at home against the Cincinnati Reds. The Dodgers were crowned champions of the West, securing the third seed and home-field advantage in this best-of-three series. Cincinnati, on the other hand, clinched a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season in dramatic fashion, benefiting from the Mets’ loss.

During the regular season, the Dodgers imposed their dominance with a 5-1 record against Cincinnati, including a resounding sweep at Dodger Stadium. Their offense punished the opposing pitching with remarkable production, setting the tone for what could be repeated in this series. The Reds, aware of this disadvantage, will have to look for a coup if they want to surprise in such a difficult scenario.

The Los Angeles pitching staff will be key, with figures such as Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to open the series. The absence of Clayton Kershaw is significant, but the return of important players such as Max Muncy and Tommy Edman partially compensates for that loss. With experience, depth, and home-field advantage, the Dodgers appear to be heavy favorites to overcome this initial challenge and continue their march toward the World Series.

Dodgers vs. Reds Betting Pick: Dodgers