As autumn descends upon the diamond and the 2025 MLB postseason begins in earnest, a handful of squads stand out as the clear favorites to hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy. While baseball’s postseason always thrives in uncertainty, the betting markets, expert polls, and front-office whispers have already begun forming a pecking order. Here’s a sharper look at the most favored teams entering October—and what makes (or breaks) their chances.
The front-runners
Philadelphia Phillies
By the time the playoffs rolled around, the Phillies had overtaken previous frontrunners in many betting markets. Their +425 odds via DraftKings reflected broad confidence in their balance of pitching strength and bullpen discipline. Philadelphia dominated the NL East, winning 96 games and finishing 13 games ahead of second place. Their rotation depth and late-game relief options have been cited repeatedly as the edge they’ll lean on in close October contests.
Seattle Mariners
In the American League, the Mariners have become impossible to ignore. They earned an AL West title and a first-round bye, and in sportsbooks were tagged with +450 odds to win the World Series. Analysts argue Seattle’s depth—in both pitching and offense—is peaking at precisely the right time. Their stars like Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh, provide offensive punch, while their supporting cast has shown resilience. ESPN’s playoff preview even names them a “clear favorite” in the AL when firing on all cylinders.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers, perennial October threats, have again drawn heavy backing. Their +500 odds (or neighboring values, depending on bookmaker) place them among the top three in many markets. October prognosticators point to roster depth, power hitting, and a veteran-laden core as reasons to never count them out. That said, their bullpen has drawn scrutiny—analysts warn that a short list of relievers could become a vulnerability in tight matchups.
Milwaukee Brewers
Though less elevated in pre-playoff hype, the Brewers earned serious consideration from insiders. With an MLB-best 97 wins and the No. 1 seed in the National League, they enter the postseason with home-field advantage and a reputation for steady, disciplined play. In ESPN’s insider poll, many ranked Milwaukee over even Philadelphia or Los Angeles—thanks to consistency across the lineup, rotation, and the ability to turn to versatile arms in bullpen roles. Their team-wide approach, rather than flash, is viewed by some as uniquely postseason-appropriate.
Dark horses & wild cards
Beyond those four, a few other clubs are getting notice as longshots or wild-card sleepers.
- The New York Yankees sit highest among wild cards in many odds lists (+700–+850 range). Their offense can carry games, but bullpen depth and defensive inconsistency are recurring concerns.
- The Toronto Blue Jays earned first-round byes in the AL and hold moderate odds in many futures boards (+750 in several estimates). In simulations and expert brackets, some favor them to emerge from the AL East and go deep.
- Other clubs like the Cubs, Padres, or Guardians are also present in conservative long-shot slots on many odds boards, though few analysts seriously peg them as favorites.
What will decide the favorite?
What most separates the favored teams is strategic balance. In a postseason landscape with no dominant 110–win club, advantages in bullpen health, starter depth, in-game flexibility, and matchups may be decisive. ESPN and other prognosticators suggest this October could reward teams that can ride timely performances more than regular-season dominance.
In that light, Philadelphia’s bullpen savviness, the Mariners’ surging depth, the Dodgers’ star power, and Milwaukee’s consistent blueprint are all plausible pillars for a World Series run.