The postseason gauntlet has delivered its cruellest and most dramatic twists yet, and now — finally — just four titans remain in the chase for the World Series. But this isn’t just another October — it’s a seismic collision of powerhouses, drought-busters, and revenge stories that will divide fanbases for generations.
In the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays averted a postseason curse two decades in the making, punching their ticket to the ALCS by sweeping the New York Yankees, while the Seattle Mariners shocked the league with a cinematic walk-off win in 15 innings over the Detroit Tigers, their first trip to this stage since 2001. Over in the National League, Milwaukee Brewers ended their playoff heartbreak by knocking out the rival Chicago Cubs, while defending champs Los Angeles Dodgers sent the Philadelphia Phillies home in extra innings.
“This is where legends are born — and curses die,” one MLB insider remarked this morning.
ALCS: Blue Jays vs. Mariners
It’s not just a clash of titans — it’s two starving fanbases desperate to end their agony. Toronto hasn’t tasted the World Series since 1993, while Seattle is still chasing its first pennant since “Refuse to Lose.” And with dynamic young stars like Bo Bichette and Julio Rodríguez leading their charges, neither side is backing down.
NLCS: Brewers vs. Dodgers
The rivalry is far older — and bloodier. Milwaukee swept its 2025 season series against the Dodgers and is desperate to avenge its crushing 2018 NLCS defeat. Los Angeles, however, aims to make history as the first back-to-back champions in the National League since 2017-2018. With both starter rotations at full strength, this series could go the distance.
Toronto’s 32-year drought: The Blue Jays’ charge is more than a playoff run; it’s a chance to break nearly a generation of World Series heartbreak. If they win, it will be a defining moment bigger than any single star.
Seattle’s ghost of 2001: “Mariners don’t choke in October”—that’s the line fans chant, but it’s one they’re desperate to make true.
Milwaukee’s Revenge Tour: After repeated heartbreaks at the hands of the Dodgers, the Brewers’ young core is the most fearsome group the NL’s playoff landscape has seen in years.
L.A.’s dynasty dream: The reigning champions are hunting history — back-to-back pennants — a feat they haven’t accomplished in two decades. The Dodgers’ depth might just be unmatched.
Final Four Odds (per ESPN’s playoff simulations):
Blue Jays vs. Mariners: 53% Toronto
Brewers vs. Dodgers: 52% Los Angeles
Champion odds: Brewers (-140) | Dodgers (-130) | Blue Jays (+150) | Mariners (+250)
The Road to the Fall Classic
ALCS Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 12 (Rogers Centre, Toronto)
NLCS Game 1: Monday, Oct. 13 (American Family Field, Milwaukee)
World Series opener: Friday, Oct. 24 — if you thought this October was brutal, that’s just the whisper before the scream.
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