What do the Dodgers and Yankees need to advance to the 2025 MLB playoffs?
Both franchises face a crucial stretch with just over 30 games left to secure a path to October baseball.
The 2025 MLB season is reaching its boiling point, with teams fighting desperately to lock up a playoff berth. Clubs are looking to advance directly by winning their division – and with it, a guaranteed ticket – or else battle through the Wild Card.
Last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers captured the World Series in five games (4-1) over the New York Yankees. This year, the Californians once again rank among the leading contenders for the Commissioner’s Trophy, thanks to the massive investment made in top-level talent.
What the Dodgers need to clinch a playoff spot
Right now, the Dodgers are locked in a fierce fight with the San Diego Padres for the top of the NL West. As of Sunday, both clubs sit at 74-57, after Los Angeles salvaged the third game of their series at Petco Park with an 8-2 win.
From Sunday, August 24, the Dodgers have 31 games left on the calendar: Cincinnati Reds (3), Arizona Diamondbacks (3), Pittsburgh Pirates (3), Baltimore Orioles (3), Colorado Rockies (3), San Francisco Giants (3), Philadelphia Phillies (3), San Francisco Giants (4), Arizona Diamondbacks (3) and Seattle Mariners (3).
If the Dodgers manage to win the NL West, their postseason berth is guaranteed. But if the Padres finish stronger and take the division, Los Angeles will have to fight for a Wild Card. That means winning as many games as possible, as strong competition is brewing in the other two divisions: in the East, the Phillies (76-54), New York Mets (69-61), Miami Marlins (61-69) and Atlanta Braves (59-71) are all in the mix; while in the Central, the Milwaukee Brewers (81-50), Chicago Cubs (76-55), Cincinnati Reds (68-63) and St. Louis Cardinals (64-67) are battling for the crown.
What the Yankees need to advance to the 2025 MLB playoffs
The New York Yankees have slipped to third place in the AL East with a 70-60 record, trailing the Toronto Blue Jays (76-55) and the Boston Red Sox (71-60).
From Sunday, August 24, the Yankees have 32 games remaining: Washington Nationals (3), Chicago White Sox (4), Houston Astros (3), Toronto Blue Jays (3), Detroit Tigers (3), Boston Red Sox (3), Minnesota Twins (3), Baltimore Orioles (4), Chicago White Sox (3) and Baltimore Orioles (3).
If they can’t secure the AL East crown, the Yankees must fight for a Wild Card. Each league offers three Wild Card spots, awarded to the teams with the best overall records after the three division winners.
If the Yankees don’t win the division, they will need to return to winning form and, above all, beat direct rivals in head-to-head clashes, which could prove decisive in the race to October. To get there, they must shake off their recent slump and find a way to spark their offense.
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