Tank's 2025 Division Series Preview

American League

ALDS

• 1. Toronto Blue Jays vs. 4. New York Yankees
• Yankees in 4

It's a battle of the American League East as the Blue Jays and Yankees meet in the ALDS. The two teams finished tied for the best record in the American League, with Toronto winning the tiebreaker because it had won the season series 8-5. The Yankees needed three games to beat the Red Sox in the Wild Card, becoming the first team to advance to the Division Series after losing the opener. The Yankees finished the season strong and are playing their best baseball of the season, as their pitching has begun clicking. 

The Blue Jays were sputtering, but held off the Yankees with a sweep of the Rays to end the season tied. The first game will be crucial for Toronto, which has not played in six days. The wild-card teams that have advanced have been helped by teams that were able to shake off the rust. Pitching will play a key role in this series, as the Jays must be able to get into the soft part of the Yankees' bullpen. Looking up and down the lineup, it is hard to see the Blue Jays being able to win this series, as the Yankees, with the momentum from the last month, advance to the ALCS in four games.

• 2. Seattle Mariners vs. 6. Detroit Tigers
  
• Mariners in 4

The Detroit Tigers reversed their season-ending skid by beating the Guardians in three games to advance to the Division Series, after blowing a fifteen-and-a-half game lead in the Central Division. The Mariners were sailing on high waters at the end of the season, as they finished strong to win the American League West, as Cal Raleigh cemented his case for the MVP with 60 home runs. The Mariners have an advantage over the Tigers in every category; they have a better lineup, a better bullpen, and, excluding Tarik Skubal, a deeper rotation. The Mariners move closer to their first trip to the Fall Classic by advancing in four games. 

National League

NLDS

• 1. Milwaukee Brewers vs. 4. Chicago Cubs
• Cubs in 5

The Cubs-Brewers rivalry is about to hit a new level as they meet for the first time in the postseason. Manager Craig Counsel is the centerpiece as he left Milwaukee for Chicago in 2024. The Brewers have become postseason regulars, but once they reach October, they have turned into a pumpkin, losing their last five postseason series, whether it be the Wild Card or Division Series. Neither team ended the season playing their best baseball, but the Cubs advanced past the Padres in three games. 

While the Brewers had the best record in MLB at 97-65, the Cubs won the season series. This could be the best match-up of the Division Series round, as the Cubs' bullpen was strong against the Padres. I expect this series to go five games, with more tears in the beer for the Brewers, as the Cubs advance to the NLCS in five games, with Chicago's deeper lineup proving to be the difference. 

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• 2. Philadelphia Phillies vs. 3. Los Angeles Dodgers
• Phillies in 5

The Dodgers' quest for a second straight World Championship now hits its biggest test to date as they face the Phillies in the Division Series. The Dodgers have the best lineup in baseball, as Shohei Ohtani had a big series in the two-game domination of the Reds in the Wild Card round. The Dodgers have the names and the weapons, but have a massive vulnerability in a struggling bullpen. The Dodgers' pen was terrible late in the season. Unless they can get their starters to go deep in games, they will not beat the Phillies. Philadelphia has a strong lineup, a solid rotation, and their bullpen was bolstered by the addition of Johan Duran at the deadline. The series will go the distance with the Phillies surviving in five.