MLB Postseason review and recap

The 2025 MLB Postseason has concluded, with the Los Angeles Dodgers becoming the first team since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees to repeat as World Series champions.

Now, let’s review and recap the great Postseason that was.

Here’s a ranking of each series from the 2025 Postseason, ranked from worst to best.

No. 11: NL Wild Card, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Cincinnati Reds

Dodgers sweep Reds 2-0

This series was completely one-sided. The only bit of competitiveness came in Game 2 when Cincinnati had a 2-0 first-inning lead before losing it three innings later.

The Dodgers cruised with not a lot of moments to remember, but it was nice to see the Reds back in the Postseason.

No. 10: NLCS, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers sweep Brewers 4-0

Milwaukee let America down big time here.

After their seven-game NLCS matchup in 2018, many had high hopes that this series would deliver, but LA squashed those beliefs immediately.

There were some cool moments, though. Milwaukee’s near comeback in Game 1, Yoshinobu Yamamoto going the distance in Game 2, Shohei Ohtani’s three home runs and 10-strikeout performance in Game 4.

If only the Brewers could hang with the Dodgers.

No. 9: ALDS, Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees

Blue Jays defeat Yankees 3-1

Some say Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s grand slam still hasn’t landed.

This series was about one thing: Toronto telling the entire world that they were for real.

Besides a win from the Yankees, it was all Toronto, with most of their wins being blowouts.

No. 8: NLDS, Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers defeat Phillies 3-1

*Biggest sigh imaginable let out from my apartment as I write this*

As a Phillies fan, I really wanted this to be the year. I can’t even hate the Dodgers. Watching us go out the way we did is what bothers me.

Another year where the bats don’t show up and there’s a costly mistake on top of it, with it being Orion Kerkering’s misplay this time around.

In all seriousness, LA’s pitching and offense showed up, but the Phillies’ miscues kept this from being a better series.

No. 7: AL Wild Card, Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers

Tigers defeat Guardians 3-1

What a saga this was.

Toward the end of the season, it looked like the Tigers were dead, as they lost control of the AL Central to Cleveland in the final moments.

But it was Detroit that got the last laugh, taking two of three from the Guardians on their home field to get revenge for last year’s ALDS.

No. 6: NL Wild Card, Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres

Cubs defeat Padres 2-1

My big takeaway from this series is that the Cubs wanted it more, as Chicago prevailed with two 3-1 victories in Games 1 and 3.

A very little portion of the Padres’ offense showed up, Yu Darvish lost control in Game 3, and their manager, Mike Shildt, retired following the series. Pretty weird vibe from San Diego.

I still feel for Xander Bogaerts, though. That was not a strike.

No. 5: AL Wild Card, New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox

Yankees defeat Red Sox 2-1

There’s nothing better than seeing one of the best rivalries in sports on the playoff stage.

For the Yankees, this was revenge on Boston four years in the making, after the Red Sox embarrassed them in the 2021 AL Wild Card game.

This time, it was New York sending Boston packing, with the unlikeliest of heroes getting the job done. Of course, I’m talking about Cam Schlittler’s eight shutout innings and 12 strikeouts in Game 3.

This rivalry should be fun to watch next season.

No. 4: NLDS, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs

Brewers defeat Cubs 3-2

Speaking of rivalries in the Postseason, the first I-94 rivalry matchup on the playoff stage delivered and then some.

The Cubs looked done after dropping both of the first two games in Milwaukee, but they responded with two wins of their own in Wrigley Field, setting up Game 5.

The Brew Crew took the series on the backs of a great pitching performance from their bullpen in the clincher. The vibes were great in Milwaukee…until they weren’t, just about a week later.

No. 3: ALDS, Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers

Mariners defeat Tigers 3-2

Both teams split games in Seattle and Detroit to set up a winner-take-all Game 5. What could be better than that?

Only for that Game 5 to go FIFTEEN innings and feature a walk-off.

I’m proud to say I stayed up for the end of this one to see Jorge Polanco deliver and send the Mariners to their first ALCS since 2001.

This was an awesome series.

No. 2: ALCS, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners

Blue Jays defeat Mariners 4-3

Alright Seattle fans, sorry to change your moods that quickly.

I wrote an article about this series, so if you want a more extensive review, go check that out!

But like the Tigers-Mariners ALDS, this series was awesome.

The stars came to play, the games were exciting and we saw Max Scherzer get a win?!? What’s not to love about the 2025 ALCS, especially after their poor counterpart?

No. 1: World Series, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers defeat Blue Jays 4-3

You all knew what the top series would be.

From another Yamamoto complete game, to Game 3’s 18-inning marathon, to Trey Yesavage’s Game 5 masterpiece, to the historic moments from Games 6 and 7.

(I did not stay awake for the entirety of Game 3, by the way).

This was the greatest World Series in quite some time, and perhaps the greatest of our lifetime.

Here’s to congratulating the Dodgers on their historic accomplishment, and wishing the Blue Jays are back on this stage soon.

Adam Pietrzak is a fifth-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email app5940@psu.edu.