MLB rivalries renewed in the postseason

Everyone’s favorite time of year is here: Postseason baseball.

The stage is set for the best of the best to compete and see who comes out on top. Yet this postseason seems to be filled with more familiar matchups than in previous years.

Let’s break down the potential division rival matchups that are already set and those that could ensue in this year’s postseason.

AL Wild Card Series 1: Tigers vs. Guardians

The very first game of the 2025 postseason came from an American League Central division rivalry – the Tigers and Guardians.

Earlier this year, the Tigers had sole possession of the AL Central, once having a 15.5 game lead over the trailing Guardians.

But Clevland did the impossible, propelled by top offensive production from José Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo. Their miracle run took everyone by surprise as they rallied in the last few weeks of the season to win the division, including a 10-game winning streak in this span.

Although they may have lost control over the division, the Gritty Tigs are still very much in this Wild Card Series. With their ace Tarik Skubal leading their starting rotation and having an absolutely dominant outing on the mound in game one, they solidified the win for Detroit.

AL Wild Card Series 2: Red Sox vs. Yankees

Arguably the greatest rivalry in all of sports faces off in the second AL Wild Card Series coming out of the AL East division.

Every Yankees/Red Sox game already holds postseason suspense, but now it is truly October.

The Bronx will be buzzing tonight for game one as both clubs have their aces on the mound in Garrett Crochet and Max Fried.

CY Young contender Crochet has been dominant against Yankees hitters this season, and Fried has been solid against the Sox.

The Yankees are hoping that their big guys, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, will step up and propel this offense. For the Red Sox, it will be Trevor Story and Wilyer Abreu that they look toward.

This highly anticipated series is just one of two AL East division matchups that will happen this postseason, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.

Potential Division Rival Matchups: Cubs vs. Brewers, Padres vs. Dodgers, and Red Sox/Yankees vs. Blue Jays

As of right now, there are no division rivalries in either of the National League Wild Card Series, but a few could ensue in later rounds of the postseason.

If the Cubs beat the Padres in that Wild Card Series, they would meet their NL Central division rival and No. 1 seed Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS.

However, if the San Diego Padres win the series and also get past the red-hot Brewers, they could meet their NL West division rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

For this to happen, the Dodgers would have to beat the Cincinnati Reds in their Wild Card Series and then the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.

Finally, the AL East domination continues on their side of the bracket. No matter who wins the Wild Card Series between the Yankees and Red Sox, they will meet the Toronto Blue Jays for the ALDS.

Many of these rivalries already contain a playoff atmosphere and feel, but this just adds to the chaos that October baseball brings to the sport.

Gina Scarpa is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email gfs5427@psu.edu.