The MLB postseason begins today, unfortunately sans Mets following their loss to the Marlins on Sunday, which completed a slow, stunning three-month long slide from best record in the sport to cleaning out their lockers for the winter. It would be understandable if any Mets fan wanted to sit out October, but we are still baseball fans at heart, and we still enjoy, to some degree, watching playoff baseball.
If you can stomach watching this year’s postseason, there are some really interesting storylines
to monitor heading into October. Linus Lawrence looked at all the ex-Mets participating in October, if that sways your rooting interests. Beyond enjoying the company of old friends, there are some fun teams and some intriguing plot lines that could help you determine whom to root for this fall. Here’s a look at every team duking it out for the title.
National League
Milwaukee Brewers (97-65, 1 seed)
The Brewers rode a franchise-record 14-game winning streak to a franchise-best 97-win campaign. As a result, Milwaukee has locked up not just the best record in the NL, but the best record in the sport. They will enjoy a first round bye before facing the winner of the Cubs vs. Padres Wild Card series. This is their third consecutive NL Central title, and it will be their first trip to the NLDS since 2021.
Reasons to root for the Brewers: For starters, Milwaukee has never won the World Series and have only won the pennant once—the AL pennant, back in 1982. That year, they lost in seven games to the Cardinals, so our two teams can bond over losing a heartbreaking seventh game to St. Louis. Personally, it’s hard to root against a team that hasn’t won, unless you’re of the belief that misery loves company. Bob Uecker also passed away in 2025, and it would be a truly touching tribute to Uecker’s legendary career if this team can go all the way.
Aside from that, Mets fans don’t really have much personal beef with the Brewers. The Mets beat them in the Wild Card round in their only head-to-head October match-up last year, and the Mets clinched a playoff spot in 2022 at Milwaukee. So, no hard feelings there?
Reasons to root against the Brewers: The Brewers could have sent the undeserving Mets to the postseason by taking one extra win against the Reds in that final weekend, but some Mets-like sloppy baseball helped Cincinnati claim the first two games. They also allowed Cincinnati to celebrate on their field following their clinch on Sunday. Yuck.
Rooting Score: 8/10
Philadelphia Phillies (96-66, 2 seed)
The Phillies won their second straight division title in pretty easy fashion. The Braves never got going and the Mets…well, you know. Kyle Schwarber will likely garner serious MVP consideration, and their pitching staff is primed to make a deep October run. After their disappointment in losing to the Mets last year, they look to be in annoyingly good position.
Reasons to root for the Phillies: I suppose if you believe that the embarrassment of Philadelphia winning would drive Steve Cohen mad and lead to a revenge-fueled offseason, then that could be a reason. Otherwise…yeah, I’ve got nothing.
Reasons to root against the Phillies: How much time ya got? I mean, it’s the Phillies. Enough said.
Rooting Score: -100000/10
Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69, 3 seed)
For the first time since the new playoff format was unveiled, the Dodgers will not have a direct bye straight into the NLDS. This team is not quite as fearsome as last year’s World Series-winning squad, but make no mistake: They are still a very dangerous club.
Reasons to root for the Dodgers: This connection has faded, but there is still the ol’ Brooklyn Dodgers bloodline. Plus, Freddy Freeman and Mookie Betts are still two of the most enjoyable and likable talents in the sport. That Shohei Ohtani guy isn’t bad either, if you’re not sick of him by now.
Reasons to root against the Dodgers: This team did end the OMG Mets’ hopes and dreams in 2024, and it’s largely the same club, which is good enough reason for any Mets fan to hate them. Plus, they won last year, so them winning again would just be the rich getting richer. No team should win back-to-back titles unless it’s the Mets (though I would settle for just one win in my lifetime, at this rate).
Rooting Score: 2/10
Chicago Cubs (92-70, 4 seed)
The Cubs looked to be in excellent position to win their first NL Central title since 2020, but Milwaukee’s second-half surge dropped them to the Wild Card. Still, they’ve got some excellent young talent after retooling following their World Series win in 2016, and they could be a dangerous club in the NL for years to come.
Reasons to root for the Cubs: At their heart, they’re still lovable losers, much like our Mets, and they’re potentially the least-offensive NL club in the field. Plus, how about that Wrigley Field? What a beautiful ballpark.
Reasons to root against the Cubs: Can you imagine the takes if the Pete Crow-Armstrong led Cubs win the World Series? Sports talk radio will have a field day. No, thank you.
Rooting Score: 6/10
San Diego Padres (90-72, 5 seed)
The Padres are heading to the postseason for the fourth time in six years, and looking to get back to the NLCS after suffering that defeat to the Phillies in 2022. They have a really strong squad this year and could be an underrated bet to make it out of the NL. They at least have a solid path to the NLCS, with the Cubs and Brewers standing in their way—preferable, in my opinion, to having to face the Dodgers and Phillies.
Reasons to root for the Padres: Like the Brewers, they have never won the World Series. They’ve lost it twice—in five games back in 1984 against the Tigers, and in a sweep to the Yankees in 1998. Rooting for the Tony Gwynn-led Padres in 1998 was one of my earliest childhood memories as a Mets fan, and I remember feeling devastated when the Yankees beat them that year. If the Padres were to win, I would like to be in a year where they didn’t have to get through the Mets to do it.
Reasons to root against the Padres: I don’t know about you, but I still have not gotten over 2022. Yes, that Mets team is to fault for another September slide, but San Diego coming into Citi Field and beating the Mets in the Wild Card round still hurts. Joe Musgrove’s name still sends chills down my spine.
Rooting Score: 3/10
Cincinnati Reds (83-79, 6 seed)
This one physically hurts to write. The Reds went 25-26 down the stretch and still clipped the Mets due to New York’s own incompetence. It’s hard to be mad at the Reds, as falling backwards into success is kind of the dream for anyone, in sports or in life in general. They became the only team ever with no 25-home run hitter, no qualifying hitter batting over .270, no 200-strikeout pitcher, and no 15-game winner to make the playoffs. It’s astounding, really, how mid this team was. And yet…
Reasons to root for the Reds: It’s hard to hate them, aside from them surpassing the Mets. They’re pretty harmless, and they’re one of baseball’s pillar franchises. I mean, they’ve been around since the 1880s! And they’re looking for their first playoff victory in general since 2012 and their first World Series win since 1989, the year I was born. They’re a historic franchise that’s been down on its luck for a while.
Reasons to root against the Reds: I’ll be real with you all, seeing the Reds go on a run in place of the Mets here would ruin me mentally. I just don’t think I could stomach it. Hell, if they were to just beat the Dodgers, I think I’d be apoplectic. Their quick exit is probably for the best for my sanity.
Rooting Score: 4/10
American League
Toronto Blue Jays (94-68, 1 seed)
The Blue Jays valiantly held off the Yankees to capture their first AL East title since 2015, and only their second since their back-to-back division (and World Series) crowns in 1992 and 1993. It all came together for Toronto this year, as they rode strong home record to the best record in the AL. However, after a first-round bye, they are staring down either the Yankees or Red Sox in the ALDS, which won’t be an easy task.
Reasons to root for the Blue Jays: I can’t think of a lot of reasons to not root for the Blue Jays. Vlad Guerrero Jr. is a lot of fun, their team overall is fairly likable, and they beat the Yankees to win the AL East. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and the Blue Jays are a great story. Plus, with the Yankees winning eight straight down the stretch, watching them go win-for-win with the Bronx Bombers to hold onto the division lead was pretty admirable.
Reasons to root against the Blue Jays: If you care about keeping the World Series title in America, then you may not be fond of a Canadian team holding the trophy for the next year. Beyond that, I can’t think of a lot of good reasons, unless you’re sickened by the thought of Max Scherzer winning his second title in three years since being traded by the Mets.
Rooting Score: 10/10
Seattle Mariners (90-72, 2 seed)
The Mariners rode a truly historic year from Cal “Big Dumper” Raleigh to take home the fourth AL West crown in franchise history and their first since their 116-win 2001 campaign. This is, incidentally, only their second postseason appearance since 2022—they were swept in the ALDS in 2022 after sweeping the Blue Jays in the Wild Card round. Seattle entered the month three back of the Astros but won 17 of 18 to steal the title from Houston. These types of seasons don’t come around too often, so the Mariners will look to capitalize on their success.
Reasons to root for the Mariners: They are the only franchise to never even make it to the World Series, so it would be cool to see them do it. Plus, it’s hard to root against Big Dumper, who set a franchise record with 60 homers, a single-season record for homers by a switch hitter, and a single-season record for home runs by a catcher while becoming the first non-Yankees AL player to hit 60 home runs in a season.
Reasons to root against the Mariners: You’d have to really want the Mariners to remain the only team without a pennant in order to root against them. Hey, I respect that level of pettiness, but I don’t subscribe to it in this instance.
Rooting Score: 10/10
Cleveland Guardians (88-74, 3 seed)
Against all odds, the Guardians orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks we’ve seen in modern day MLB history. They trailed the Tigers by 15.5 games on July 8, by 12.5 games on August 25, and by 11 games on September 4. On that date, they were 69-70, and they went 19-4 over their final 23 games to clip Detroit and steal the division right out from under them.
Reasons to root for the Guardians: With the Red Sox winning in 2004, the White Sox winning in 2005, and the Cubs finally winning in 2016, the Guardians are now the club with the longest draught in MLB. They haven’t won since 1948 and have only been back four times since then, losing in 1954, 1995, 1997, and most recently to the Cubs in 2016. As a sports city, Cleveland may be the most down-on-its-luck of all, with just the Lebron-led Cavaliers winning in 2016 to break their long spell. As far as good stories go, Cleveland ending their draught would be up there.
Reasons to root against the Guardians: I’m not sure I’ll be able to stomach the takes if the team that traded Francisco Lindor wins a World Series before the team that has Lindor does. It’s not going to be a fun time, even if Cleveland is not benefiting from any of the players they acquired in said trade.
Rooting Score: 8/10
New York Yankees (94-68, 4 seed)
The Yankees ended the year on an eight-game winning streak to just narrowly miss out on their second consecutive AL East crown. They are the defending AL champs, so the league still needs to be wary. Even without Gerrit Cole, they put together a great campaign, and Aaron Judge is likely to win another AL MVP to go along with the batting title he secured this season.
Reasons to root for the Yankees: If you’re one of those “root for the New York team” people, then that’s it. Otherwise, no thank you.
Reasons to root against the Yankees: Too many to list, but I’ll just point out that them winning the year after Juan Soto left would create takes so nuclear it would probably annihilate the entire eastern seaboard.
Rooting Score: -1000000/10 (one more zero than the Phillies – I’m that serious)
Boston Red Sox (89-73, 5 seed)
The Red Sox did well to get this far, and picking up Garrett Crochet proved to be a huge boost. They may be without Roman Anthony for the postseason, as he is recovering from an oblique injury, and that would be a huge blow to their hopes. This is their first postseason appearance since losing to the Astros in the 2021 ALCS.
Reasons to root for the Red Sox: I’ve always felt a kinship with the Red Sox given our mutual hatred of the Yankees. As said in the Blue Jays portion, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Reasons to root against the Red Sox: I wasn’t alive in 1986 so not sure if there is any ill feelings remaining from that World Series. That’s the only thing I can imagine—well, that and New Yorkers generally feel a natural rivalry with Boston. The Red Sox have won four titles this millennium, which feels like a little too much universal overcorrection after going 86 years without winning a title. They’ve won enough, in my opinion. Give someone else a chance.
Rooting Score: 7/10
Detroit Tigers (87-75, 6 seed)
The Tigers ended up making the playoffs, which means that they avoided being talked about as the biggest collapse in MLB history. Of course, that means more people will focus on what the Mets did this year. All that is to say they blew 16 games in just under two months, and 11 games in 3.5 weeks, which is truly impressive and deserves its own place in the Hall of Shame.
Reasons to root for the Tigers: The Tigers winning after narrowly avoiding disaster would be kind of funny, in a morbid way.
Reasons to root against the Tigers: The Tigers winning after narrowly avoiding disaster would feel especially cruel, as a Mets fan, because we are never so lucky.
Rooting Score: 5/10
