As the 2025 MLB season heads into the dog days of August, the playoff picture is becoming clearer, yet remains filled with surprises. Here’s a breakdown of the teams vying for postseason glory, categorized into tiers based on their current standings and recent performances.

Tier I: The Locks

Milwaukee Brewers

• Biggest Surprise: Andrew Vaughn’s emergence as a power hitter after being acquired from the White Sox.
• Injury to Watch: Jacob Misiorowski’s shin contusion and Jackson Chourio’s strained hamstring.
• Player to Watch: Brandon Woodruff, who has returned to form with a 2.29 ERA in six starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers

• Biggest Surprise: The Dodgers’ ability to stay in first place despite a rotation riddled with injuries.
• Injury to Watch: Relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates are on the IL.
• Player to Watch: Freddie Freeman, who needs to regain his early-season form to boost the offense.

Toronto Blue Jays

• Biggest Surprise: Eric Lauer’s resurgence as a key starter after a year out of the majors.
• Injury to Watch: Anthony Santander’s shoulder injury, which has kept him out since May.
• Player to Watch: Shane Bieber, acquired at the trade deadline, could be a game-changer in the playoffs.

Tier II: Should Get In

Detroit Tigers

• What They Need to Do: Stabilize the bullpen, which ranks 19th in ERA.
• Injury to Watch: Alex Cobb’s hip inflammation, which has kept him off the mound all season.
• Player to Watch: Riley Greene, who needs to overcome his strikeout tendencies to lead the offense.

San Diego Padres

• What They Need to Do: Ride their deep bullpen and hope the rotation can step up.
• Injury to Watch: Michael King’s shoulder injury, which has limited his starts.
• Player to Watch: Jackson Merrill, who needs to regain his rookie form to bolster the lineup.

Tier III: Have Work to Do

Seattle Mariners

• How They Make the Playoffs: Improve their hitting with runners in scoring position.
• Injury to Watch: Bryce Miller’s elbow inflammation, which could impact his return to the rotation.
• Player to Watch: Josh Naylor, whose speed on the bases has been a surprising asset.

Boston Red Sox

• How They Make the Playoffs: Continue their strong pitching, led by Garrett Crochet and Lucas Giolito.
• Injury to Watch: Aroldis Chapman’s back tightness, which could affect his role as closer.
• Player to Watch: Roman Anthony, who recently signed a massive extension and needs to show his power.

Tier IV: The Long Shots

Texas Rangers

• How They Get In: Ride Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom in the rotation and figure out the closer situation.

Cleveland Guardians

• How They Get In: Continue their hot streak and take advantage of a soft schedule.

Tier V: The Really Long Shots

Cincinnati Reds

• How They Get In: Get the rotation back on track and hope for some help from other teams.

San Francisco Giants

• How They Get In: Overcome bullpen and rotation issues to make a late push.

Kansas City Royals

• How They Get In: Leap past multiple teams with a hot streak, led by Bobby Witt Jr.

Tampa Bay Rays

• How They Get In: Find consistency on offense and hope for a late-season surge.

St. Louis Cardinals

• How They Get In: Improve both the rotation and offense to make a late push.

Miami Marlins

• How They Get In: Hope for a miracle, possibly led by Sandy Alcantara’s Cy Young-caliber performances.