As a fan of a team who seems predestined to finish every season at or around .500, I have grown accustomed to have to find different teams to cheer for during October. Even with an expanded field, most teams finish every season without the glory of experiencing the playoffs, sometimes even when they spend like drunken sailors and have the best record in the league through June. Baseball can be cruel, as we all know, but the playoffs tend to be fun even if your favorite team is not part of the festivities.
With this in mind, it is nice to take stock of how the twelve playoff entrants head into this critical month, from both their likelihood to go all the way and their likability as a whole. With five new teams in the mix compared to 2024, and plenty of long-suffering franchises having a chance to redeem themselves, there is plenty of goodwill to throw around, especially after a year when two of the biggest franchises in baseball reached the World Series. With no 100-win teams looking dominant and star power being balanced by well-rounded squads, we could be heading for a wide open month full of upsets.
As the old ad said, there is nothing like October, and it is time to enjoy it, regardless of who you root for.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Power Ranking: #2
Rootability Ranking: #12
In a year where they were supposed to break baseball, the Dodgers had to face several hardships in terms of injuries and regression, seeing many of their non-Ohtani stars struggle in one way or another. Mookie Betts had the worst season of his career, Freddie Freeman was uneven for the most part, Roki Sasaki’s transition was far from smooth, while most of his fellow rotation mates saw the IL for large chunks of the season. Having said all this, LA was never at risk of missing out on October, which speaks volumes regarding their status as this decade’s juggernaut, winning their 12th division title in the past 13 seasons.
In many ways, it became clear that the Dodgers were simply playing with the goal of making the playoffs regardless of the process, as manager Dave Roberts was able to mix and match his roster while handling the workload of his pitchers. The defending champions now have health and talent on their side, but a shaky bullpen could prove costly as they face tougher competition. From a neutral fan’s perspective, it is hard to root for LA, especially now that Ohtani has a ring and there is a league-wide perception that they are enjoying from a competitive advantage based mostly on money.
The possibility of seeing Shohei start a playoff game on the mound adds some intrigue to their chances, but that could be almost offset by the bad karma of leaving franchise legend Clayton Kershaw off the first round roster. While Kershaw is clearly far from his prime, he was still one of the team’s steadiest performers in 2025. Depriving him of a proper goodbye in the playoffs is the kind of thing that angers the baseball gods.
New York Yankees
Power Ranking: #6
Rootability Ranking: #11
The Yankees once occupied their position as the most-disliked team in baseball, with their unbridled spending gathering many headlines and generating heartburn for other front offices. When they stopped winning World Series, though, that sentiment tempered down a bit, as New York may still be seen as the Evil Empire by some, while there may be several neutral fans that wish to see Aaron Judge overcome his playoff struggles. The slugger may well be on his way to another MVP trophy, but that is still insufficient for a player who has seen a marked performance decline under the brightest lights, as evidenced by his costly error during last year’s World Series.
2024’s pennant was a step in the right direction in New York’s quest towards breaking a now 16-year title drought, but the 2025 season was far from a smooth ride for the Bombers. The season-long absence of Gerrit Cole weakened the rotation and deprived the fans in the Bronx of a true one-two punch with Max Fried, while the offense was again too Judge-dependent through several stretches of the season. Not winning the AL East now has forced the Yankees to play their biggest rivals in the wild card round, which should at least be a nice callback to the memorable series of the start of this century. Alas, things have quieted down since then, while the Yankees remain a villain in many people’s minds, making them a tough sell in a year in which several upstarts appear better equipped to win it all.
Chicago Cubs
Power Ranking: #4
Rootability Ranking: #10
After years of not acting like the big-market behemoth they are supposed to be, the Cubs went full bully and pried Craig Counsell away from the Brewers to start 2024. When that was not enough to return to the playoffs, the front office traded for Kyle Tucker to start 2025 and went back to running a top-10 payroll, finally breaking through to regain relevancy and take advantage of the many factors at their disposal, including a soft division and a profitable TV contract. While it was not enough to overtake the frugal Milwaukee team in the standings, the Cubs did at least turn into a fun team that won constantly in 2025, with the caveat that they don’t have nearly enough charm as their 2014-16 version that finally broke the curse.
The biggest example of this may just be Pete Crow-Armstrong, who played like an MVP for three months before turning into a pumpkin in the second half, drawing plenty of ire online and “o-ver-ra-ted” chants in visiting parks. That doesn’t mean that the Cubs don’t feature plenty of endearing qualities, like the prodigious power of Michael Busch and the aforementioned Tucker, or the delightful approach to pitching of Shota Imanaga, but as a whole, this group does not appear to have the same natural chemistry and likability of previous Chicago teams, which hampers its chances of being cheered for by casual fans. That does not take away from their chances of a deep run, especially with the experience of Counsell in the dugout and a very complete roster. Facing the Padres in the first round seems a bit anti-climactic, but the winner of that series has the chance of becoming the team to beat in the NL.
Boston Red Sox
Power Ranking: #8
Rootability Ranking: #9
The Red Sox will end up being the most balanced team in these rankings, as they are not particularly likable but also don’t appear to have a real shot at glory. In Boston, that may be by design, as the most recent era of this franchise has been defined by stops and starts, far from the financial giant they were at the turn of the century, but also without many recognizable and charismatic stars that made you forget that fact. With a strong field manager in Alex Cora, the Red Sox were able to navigate a turbulent start that included the Rafael Devers controversy and eventual trade, taking full advantage of a weakened American League to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
There are some nice wrinkles to this Red Sox team, including the revival of former stars like Trevor Story and Aroldis Chapman, the emergence of Garrett Crochet as a true ace, and having Alex Bregman gives them a legit October performer. At the same time, it is kind of comforting to know that either Boston or the Yankees will have a quick exit, with a maximum of three games between them coming during this week. The Devers saga reminded the industry that this is a team that has voluntarily burned bridges with its homegrown stars, and it is hard to root for a team like that,
Philadelphia Phillies
Power Ranking: #1
Rootability Ranking: #8
It is really hard to place the Phillies in this exercise. On the one hand, they remain part of Philadelphia, a city famous for its entitled and sometimes obnoxious fans, even as their fandom is genuine. On the other, this Phillies team has managed to remain relevant and fun, with a nice balance of power pitching, power hitting, and enough fundamentals to be considered among the favorites to win the championship. The fact that they are carrying the third-highest payroll in the sport seems forgotten when you have a roster full of stars and solid players that look straight out of an NHL media guide.
However, rooting for any Philadelphia team will always be a tough sell for fans around the country. It is also important to consider that the Phillies have underachieved since their surprising 2022 World Series berth, and with Kyle Schwarber approaching free agency, this may be their last chance of breaking through with this aging roster. There should also be some bonus points for the mere presence of Bryce Harper, who has gone from somewhat annoying wunderkind to a true elder statesman of the game, with the consensus recognition as one of the best players of his generation.
Detroit Tigers
Power Ranking: #11
Rootability Ranking: #7
Last season, the Tigers were #2 in these rankings, based on their improbable run to a playoff spot and chaotic brand of baseball. For most of the 2025, they rode that momentum towards becoming a force in the American League, dominating the circuit with the brilliant pitching of Tarik Skubal, complementary hitting from their homegrown stars, and even an improbable resurgence of Javier Baez. It was all fun and games for the Tigers, as they cruised all the way into September towards an inevitable AL Central crown.
Their implosion from a 15.5-game lead to second in the division has been minimized as they at least managed to make the postseason, but it still speaks volumes of how hobbled Detroit is arriving to October. Poetic justice is giving them a chance to redeem themselves against the same Cleveland team that overcame them in the standings, but things do not seem optimistic for these Tigers. The same Skubal faltered last season in the playoffs in this very same matchup, and a bad outing just last week in Cleveland put Detroit in this awkward position. Even as the Tigers as a whole remain a nice story and a commendable rebuild, it is also hard to think they can do much following their improbable collapse.
San Diego Padres
Power Ranking: #7
Rootability Ranking: #6
The Padres are in a similar position as the Phillies, with a veteran roster full of recognizable players and a front office that has been transparent about its intent to win. Playing in one of the league’s prettiest stadiums and with a raucous home crowd, the Friars have become an October staple, which gives them bonus points in their quest. Alas, that quest may prove as elusive as ever before, as San Diego would need to navigate a true murderers’ row of teams only to reach the World Series.
An opening road meeting with the Cubs is daunting enough, but that would be followed by a trip to Milwaukee. If the Padres are able to advance, a likely series against the Dodgers or Phillies would represent the final step towards the pennant. Considering the Friars are tied with the Reds as the worst road team in these playoff field, it is unlikely that they can overcome several series as an underdog. That will not stop them from trying, though, as manager Mike Shildt will likely ride his formidable bullpen and rely on an offense that underachieved all season long but also features plenty of postseason experience. While the likes of Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Jackson Merrill will have plenty of chances, the window is slowly closing on Manny Machado, Yu Darvish, and Xander Bogaerts. This is not the best Padres team of recent vintage by any means, but they can still be likable and fun if they manage to overcome this tough NL bracket.
Toronto Blue Jays
Power Ranking: #9
Rootability Ranking: #5
Placing the AL’s top seed as only the #9 in terms of power rankings may seem harsh, but let’s consider where the Blue Jays stand as a whole. Their best offensive player has been George Springer, who at age 35 delivered a truly impressive campaign. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. finally signed an extension that makes him a Blue Jay for life, but he failed to deliver a season as good as 2024, hitting only 23 homers. Bo Bichette’s health status is unclear to start the playoffs, and their rotation is not exactly full of power arms, with Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Shane Bieber, and Max Scherzer capable of dominating or sputtering, with no in-betweens. Moreover, the Jays’ status as the top seed is a bit murky, as it came on the virtue of a tiebreaker, with the team losing six of seven in late September before recovering in the final weekend.
However, this is also a franchise that improved by 20 wins and is at this stage in what was supposed to be a transition year. Springer is literally one of the best postseason hitters of all time, and earning home-field advantage and a first-round bye bodes well for a team that needed some rest. Rogers Centre is also underrated as a playoff stadium, and you need only a few videos of Toronto’s mid-2010s playoff runs to remind you of how good it can look when the Blue Jays are playing in October. Even without the larger-than-life presence of a Jose Bautista, the Jays remain an easy team to root for, and they will have a whole country pushing for them. Knowing that they get an ALDS against a division foe only adds to the plot, as it seems as likely to see Toronto fading quickly as it is to see them going on a deep run.
Cincinnati Reds
Power Ranking: #12
Rootability Ranking: #4
Despite playing half their games in a bandbox, the Reds ranked in the bottom third in homers, with an offense that struggled to score runs consistently. Elly de la Cruz took a major step back offensively, while Austin Hays and TJ Friedl were the only other regulars to post an above-average season of at least 400 PAs. Nevertheless, the Reds found a way to make it work, taking full advantage of the Mets’ collapse to sneak into the playoffs, marking their first appearance over a full season since 2013. The odds are still against them as they will try to win their first postseason series since 1995, or even their first postseason game since 2012, which is probably why it is so easy to hope for good things for this team.
Cincinnati’s lack of offense is more than made up by an understated but effective pitching staff, highlighted by a rotation that will arrive at Dodger Stadium with nothing to lose. Hunter Greene missed some time due to injury, but he will make his postseason debut as arguably one of the best five starters in these playoffs, while Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott are no slouches if they get a chance to close out the short series. The Terry Francona factor adds a layer of instant credibility and likability for these Reds, as Tito came out of retirement precisely for situations like this. The Reds are also carrying a 35-year championship drought and the burden of a city full of playoff heartbreak, so any kind of success would be nice for a team that was not supposed to be here in the first place.
Cleveland Guardians
Power Ranking: #10
Rootability Ranking: #3
The Guardians’ formula to get to these playoffs seems almost impossible to recreate. They had the 19th-best run differential in the league, with a -6 mark that says mediocrity more than playoff contender. Cleveland’s offense ranked only above Colorado and Pittsburgh in terms of run scored, while their pitching staff was a top-five unit despite only having one primary starter with an ERA below 4. And oh yeah, their all-world closer was suspended after an still-unresolved gambling probe, which may see him barred from MLB for life. It just doesn’t make any sense, but here we are with the Guardians trying to break their infamous streak of no World Series titles since 1948.
Instead of questioning Cleveland for what they lack, maybe we should embrace what they are. After all, this is a team that at one point had playoff odds hovering 0.0% and needed to overcome a 15.5-game deficit in the AL Central. While Detroit’s collapse played a major role, the Guardians also needed to be clutch day in and day out, riding a 20-7 September to get to this point. It is also important to remember that last season, they reached the ALCS and still have Jose Ramirez, who could benefit from another signature playoff run to cement his Hall of Fame resumé. Similar to Terry Francona, who will always be remembered in Cleveland, manager Stephen Vogt is quietly carving a solid case as a great manager for this franchise, as evidenced by the team’s excellent record in one-run and extra-inning games. While earning an improbable division title is nice enough to hang a banner in the rafters, these Guardians still have a lot to play for, with virtually nothing to lose.
Seattle Mariners
Power Ranking: #3
Rootability Ranking: #2
As one of three teams that enter these playoffs with no World Series titles to their name, and the only one with not even a Fall Classic appearance, the Mariners are an easy target for casual fandom. However, barren history is not the only factor making Seattle a popular pick to surprise a lot of people. In many respects, the Mariners have become a model franchise when it comes to contention, with a payroll that ranks middle of the pack but also an aggressive front office that showed how good things can be when you go all-in at the trade deadline.
After missing the playoffs by a game each of the past two seasons, the Mariners recognized that they needed something extra to finally vanquish the Astros in the AL West. Trading for Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez may have not been as decisive as expected, with Suarez even posting marginal gains after arriving in Seattle, but the message was clear enough for the roster and the fanbase that the M’s were finally ready to embrace their moment. Going 32-20 in August and September is a reflection of that shift in mentality, and now Seattle heads into the playoffs as a favorite for many.
Of course, having Cal Raleigh and an excuse to say “Big Dumper” in national broadcasts is a nice touch, but it is also a plus when you surround him with Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena, who is a true playoff showman if you ever saw one. If the team manages to recoup Bryan Woo at his best, the rotation is clearly the best in the AL, as Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert look like perfect complements for a short series, while the M’s also can boast of a true shutdown closer with Andres Muñoz handling the ninth. After waiting 24 years for a division title, it is now to dream big for Seattle.
Milwaukee Brewers
Power Ranking: #5
Rootability Ranking: #1
The Brewers were #1 last year in these rankings, only to lose at home in the first round in truly heartbreaking fashion. It would have been easy to capitulate, especially after an offseason in which they lost their best hitter to free agency and their All-Star closer via trade. Through four games in March, the doomsday predictions appeared spot on, with Milwaukee dropping its first four contests with an unspeakable 15-47 combined score. And yet, no panic set in for this roster, instead slowly climbing towards the best record and best run differential in baseball despite playing in the top-heavy National League. So while the Brewers were #1 last season due mainly to their checkered history and lack of World Series success, this year they are here as a result of their excellent play and remarkable roster.
The Brewers ranked as one of the best run-scoring teams in baseball despite moderate power, instead relying on a combination of patience and speed that few teams can match, as Milwaukee ranked fourth in walks and second in steals. No Milwaukee hitter made the All-Star team and the rotation is light on star power outside of the ever-steady Freddy Peralta, but it would be nice if a deep playoff run introduces the likes of Brice Turang, Sal Frelick, and Quinn Priester to a wider audience. Even as the lack of star power and home run prowess could derail Milwaukee in a short series, last season’s experience could serve as a reminder of how the team can approach October in a different way. As a bonus, it is impossible not to like Christian Yelich, and the possibility of manager Pat Murphy pulling out pancakes from his pocket during a title celebration could really unite us all.
