[[File:Craig Counsell.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Craig Counsell]], Brewers manager from 2015-2023, now managing the Cubs.]]
[[File:Craig Counsell.jpg|right|thumb|150px|[[Craig Counsell]], Brewers manager from 2015-2023, now managing the Cubs.]]
The [[2025 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] (97–65) clinched their seventh postseason berth in the last eight seasons (third consecutive) on September 13,<ref>{{cite web|last=McCalvy|first=Adam|title=MLB-best Crew first to punch ticket to postseason|url=https://www.mlb.com/brewers/news/brewers-clinch-2025-postseason-berth|website=MLB.com|date=September 13, 2025|access-date=September 13, 2025}}</ref> won the [[National League Central]] and earned a first-round bye on September 21,<ref>{{cite web|last=McCalvy|first=Adam|title=Brew up a clinch! Crew wins 3rd straight NL Central title|url=https://www.mlb.com/brewers/news/brewers-cardinals-nl-central-race|website=MLB.com|date=September 21, 2025|access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref> and earned home-field advantage throughout the MLB postseason after the Philadelphia Phillies were defeated by the [[2025 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] on September 27.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCalvy |first1=Adam |title=Brewers clinch No. 1 seed, home-field advantage through World Series |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brewers-secure-top-seed-home-field-advantage-throughout-2025-playoffs |website=MLB.com |access-date=28 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref> This is just the second time Milwaukee has been a top seed in the NL, following their [[2018 Milwaukee Brewers season|2018 team]]. They will play their division rivals, the fourth seeded [[2025 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (92-70), who defeated the [[2025 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]] in three games in the [[2025 National League Wild Card Series|Wild Card Series]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bastian |first1=Jordan |title=Cubs hold off Padres, set up clash with Crew in NLDS |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-win-nl-wild-card-series-2025 |website=MLB.com |access-date=3 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The Cubs won the seasons series, 7-6.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kuhagen |first1=Christopher |title=Who do the Brewers play in the playoffs? Will it be the Chicago Cubs? |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2025/09/30/milwaukee-brewers-playoff-opponent-nlds/86446390007/ |website=Journal Sentinel |access-date=2 October 2025}}</ref> This is the first postseason meeting in the [[Brewers–Cubs rivalry|I-94 Rivalry]], although they did play a [[2018_National_League_Central_tie–breaker_game|Game 163]] in [[2018 Major League Baseball season|2018]] to determine the NL Central division, which the Brewers won 3–1 at [[Wrigley Field]]. In 2023, [[Craig Counsell]] left the Brewers to become the Cubs manager. In his introductory press conference, he admitted he underestimated the rivalry part of Brewers fans feeling like he just went to “the other side.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-13 |title=Craig Counsell Officially Arrives: Introductory Press Conference – Bleacher Nation |url=https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/11/13/craig-counsel-officially-arrives-introductory-press-conference/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The [[2025 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] (97–65) clinched their seventh postseason berth in the last eight seasons (third consecutive) on September 13,<ref>{{cite web|last=McCalvy|first=Adam|title=MLB-best Crew first to punch ticket to postseason|url=https://www.mlb.com/brewers/news/brewers-clinch-2025-postseason-berth|website=MLB.com|date=September 13, 2025|access-date=September 13, 2025}}</ref> won the [[National League Central]] and earned a first-round bye on September 21,<ref>{{cite web|last=McCalvy|first=Adam|title=Brew up a clinch! Crew wins 3rd straight NL Central title|url=https://www.mlb.com/brewers/news/brewers-cardinals-nl-central-race|website=MLB.com|date=September 21, 2025|access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref> and earned home-field advantage throughout the MLB postseason after the Philadelphia Phillies were defeated by the [[2025 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] on September 27.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCalvy |first1=Adam |title=Brewers clinch No. 1 seed, home-field advantage through World Series |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/brewers-secure-top-seed-home-field-advantage-throughout-2025-playoffs |website=MLB.com |access-date=28 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref> This is just the second time Milwaukee has been a top seed in the NL, following their [[2018 Milwaukee Brewers season|2018 team]]. They will play their rivals, the fourth seeded [[2025 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] (92-70), who defeated the [[2025 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]] in three games in the [[2025 National League Wild Card Series|Wild Card Series]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bastian |first1=Jordan |title=Cubs hold off Padres, set up clash with Crew in NLDS |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-win-nl-wild-card-series-2025 |website=MLB.com |access-date=3 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The Cubs won the series, .<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kuhagen |first1=Christopher |title=Who do the Brewers play in the playoffs? Will it be the Chicago Cubs? |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2025/09/30/milwaukee-brewers-playoff-opponent-nlds/86446390007/ |website=Journal Sentinel |access-date=2 October 2025}}</ref> This is the first postseason meeting in the [[Brewers–Cubs rivalry|I-94 Rivalry]], although they did play a [[-|Game 163]] in [[2018 Major League Baseball season|2018]] to determine the NL Central division, which the Brewers won 3–1 at [[Wrigley Field]]. In 2023, [[Craig Counsell]] left the Brewers to become the Cubs manager. In his introductory press conference, he admitted he underestimated the rivalry part of Brewers fans feeling like he just went to “the other side.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-13 |title=Craig Counsell Officially Arrives: Introductory Press Conference – Bleacher Nation |url=https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/11/13/craig-counsel-officially-arrives-introductory-press-conference/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>
The [[2025 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]] (96–66) clinched their fourth straight postseason berth on September 14,<ref>{{cite web|last=Casella|first=Paul|title=Phillies secure playoff spot but miss out on clinching NL East at home|url=https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/phillies-lose-to-royals-as-they-miss-chance-to-clinch-nl-east|website=MLB.com|date=September 14, 2025|access-date=September 14, 2025}}</ref>, won the [[National League East]] for the second consecutive season on September 15,<ref>{{cite web|last=Zolecki|first=Todd|title=Clutch moments from Harper, Realmuto clinch Phillies’ 2nd consecutive NL East title|url=https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/phillies-beat-dodgers-in-extra-innings-to-clinch-nl-east|website=MLB.com|date=September 15, 2025|access-date=September 16, 2025}}</ref> and earned a first-round bye via a September 24 victory against the [[2025 Miami Marlins season|Miami Marlins]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zolecki |first1=Todd |title=Phillies clinch first-round bye after setting single-game club record for HRs |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-clinch-first-round-bye-in-2025-playoffs |website=MLB.com |access-date=25 September 2025}}</ref> They will play the [[National League West]] champion [[2025 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] (93-69), who swept the [[2025 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinatti Reds]] in the [[2025 National League Wild Card Series|Wild Card Series]] to get to their thirteenth consecutive NLDS.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Sonja |title=Dodgers ride Yamamoto’s superb start to spot in NLDS |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-win-nl-wild-card-series-2025 |website=MLB.com |access-date=2 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The Phillies won the regular–season series, 4–2, which included winning a series just a few weeks ago at [[Dodger Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 15, 2025 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN202509150.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=2 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 16, 2025 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN202509160.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=2 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 17, 2025 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN202509170.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=2 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> This will be the sixth playoff meeting between the Phillies and the Dodgers, with their most recent match-up coming in the [[2009 National League Championship Series|2009 NLCS]], in which Philadelphia won in five games. This is their first playoff meeting prior to an [[National_League_Championship_Series#Frequent_matchups|NLCS]].
The [[2025 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]] (96–66) clinched their fourth straight postseason berth on September 14,<ref>{{cite web|last=Casella|first=Paul|title=Phillies secure playoff spot but miss out on clinching NL East at home|url=https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/phillies-lose-to-royals-as-they-miss-chance-to-clinch-nl-east|website=MLB.com|date=September 14, 2025|access-date=September 14, 2025}}</ref>, won the [[National League East]] for the second consecutive season on September 15,<ref>{{cite web|last=Zolecki|first=Todd|title=Clutch moments from Harper, Realmuto clinch Phillies’ 2nd consecutive NL East title|url=https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/phillies-beat-dodgers-in-extra-innings-to-clinch-nl-east|website=MLB.com|date=September 15, 2025|access-date=September 16, 2025}}</ref> and earned a first-round bye via a September 24 victory against the [[2025 Miami Marlins season|Miami Marlins]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zolecki |first1=Todd |title=Phillies clinch first-round bye after setting single-game club record for HRs |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-clinch-first-round-bye-in-2025-playoffs |website=MLB.com |access-date=25 September 2025}}</ref> They will play the [[National League West]] champion [[2025 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] (93-69), who swept the [[2025 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinatti Reds]] in the [[2025 National League Wild Card Series|Wild Card Series]] to get to their thirteenth consecutive NLDS.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Sonja |title=Dodgers ride Yamamoto’s superb start to spot in NLDS |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-win-nl-wild-card-series-2025 |website=MLB.com |access-date=2 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The Phillies won the regularseason series, 4–2, which included winning a series just a few weeks ago at [[Dodger Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 15, 2025 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN202509150.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=2 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 16, 2025 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN202509160.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=2 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 17, 2025 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN202509170.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=2 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> This will be the sixth playoff meeting between the Phillies and the Dodgers, with their most recent match-up coming in the [[2009 National League Championship Series|2009 NLCS]], in which Philadelphia won in five games. This is their first playoff meeting prior to an [[National_League_Championship_Series#Frequent_matchups|NLCS]].
==Matchups==
==Matchups==
The 2025 National League Division Series (NLDS) will be the two best-of-five playoff series in Major League Baseball (MLB) to determine the participating teams of the 2025 National League Championship Series (NLCS). These matchups are:
The team with the better regular season record (higher seed) of each series hosted Games 1, 2, and (if necessary) 5, while the lower seeded team hosted Game 3 and (if necessary) 4.[1][2]
The top two division winners (first two seeds) are determined by regular season winning percentages. The final two teams are the winners of the National League Wild Card Series, played between the league’s third to sixth-seeded teams.
The Milwaukee Brewers (97–65) clinched their seventh postseason berth in the last eight seasons (third consecutive) on September 13,[3] won the National League Central and earned a first-round bye on September 21,[4] and earned home-field advantage throughout the MLB postseason after the Philadelphia Phillies were defeated by the Minnesota Twins on September 27.[5] This is just the second time Milwaukee has been a top seed in the NL, following their 2018 team. They will play their divisional rivals, the fourth seeded Chicago Cubs (92-70), who defeated the San Diego Padres in three games in the Wild Card Series.[6] The Cubs won the regular season series, 7–6.[7] This is the first postseason meeting in the I-94 Rivalry, although they did play a Game 163 in 2018 to determine the NL Central division, which the Brewers won 3–1 at Wrigley Field. In 2023, Craig Counsell left the Brewers to become the Cubs manager. In his introductory press conference, he admitted he underestimated the rivalry part of Brewers fans feeling like he just went to “the other side.”[8]
The Philadelphia Phillies (96–66) clinched their fourth straight postseason berth on September 14,[9], won the National League East for the second consecutive season on September 15,[10] and earned a first-round bye via a September 24 victory against the Miami Marlins.[11] They will play the National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69), who swept the Cincinatti Reds in the Wild Card Series to get to their thirteenth consecutive NLDS.[12] The Phillies won the regular season series, 4–2, which included winning a series just a few weeks ago at Dodger Stadium.[13][14][15] This will be the sixth playoff meeting between the Phillies and the Dodgers, with their most recent match-up coming in the 2009 NLCS, in which Philadelphia won in five games. This is their first playoff meeting prior to an NLCS.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs
[edit]
Series tied, 0–0.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 4 | Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers | American Family Field | – | – |
| 2 | October 6 | Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers | American Family Field | – | – |
| 3 | October 8 | Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field | – | – |
| 4 | October 9† | Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field | – | – |
| 5 | October 11† | Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers | American Family Field | – | – |
† If necessary
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
[edit]
Series tied, 0–0.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 4 | Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies | Citizens Bank Park | – | – |
| 2 | October 6 | Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies | Citizens Bank Park | – | – |
| 3 | October 8 | Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers | Dodger Stadium | – | – |
| 4 | October 9† | Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers | Dodger Stadium | – | – |
| 5 | October 11† | Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies | Citizens Bank Park | – | – |
† If necessary
Milwaukee vs. Chicago
[edit]
This is the first postseason match-up between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs.
Philadelphia vs. Los Angeles
[edit]
This is the sixth playoff match-up between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, tying Cincinnati–Pittsburgh and Los Angeles–St. Louis for most frequent playoff meetings in the National League.[16] Los Angeles won the first two match-ups in 1977 and 1978, while Philadelphia have won the last three, in 1983, 2008, and 2009.
- ^ “2025 Postseason schedule announced”. MLB.com. August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ Anderson, R.J. (August 12, 2025). “2025 MLB playoff schedule: Dates set for full postseason, including World Series start”. CBS Sport. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ^ McCalvy, Adam (September 13, 2025). “MLB-best Crew first to punch ticket to postseason”. MLB.com. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
- ^ McCalvy, Adam (September 21, 2025). “Brew up a clinch! Crew wins 3rd straight NL Central title”. MLB.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ McCalvy, Adam. “Brewers clinch No. 1 seed, home-field advantage through World Series”. MLB.com. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ Bastian, Jordan. “Cubs hold off Padres, set up clash with Crew in NLDS”. MLB.com. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ^ Kuhagen, Christopher. “Who do the Brewers play in the playoffs? Will it be the Chicago Cubs?”. Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ “Craig Counsell Officially Arrives: Introductory Press Conference – Bleacher Nation”. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ Casella, Paul (September 14, 2025). “Phillies secure playoff spot but miss out on clinching NL East at home”. MLB.com. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
- ^ Zolecki, Todd (September 15, 2025). “Clutch moments from Harper, Realmuto clinch Phillies’ 2nd consecutive NL East title”. MLB.com. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Zolecki, Todd. “Phillies clinch first-round bye after setting single-game club record for HRs”. MLB.com. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
- ^ Chen, Sonja. “Dodgers ride Yamamoto’s superb start to spot in NLDS”. MLB.com. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ “Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 15, 2025”. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ “Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 16, 2025”. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ “Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 17, 2025”. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ Langs, Sarah. “The 14 most common postseason matchups”. MLB.com. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
