The 2025 MLB Playoffs will showcase some of the best starting pitcher matchups that could ever possibly be conceived. Except for Pittsburgh Pirates’ phenom Paul Skenes, virtually every Cy Young candidate and frontrunner from both leagues will take to the mound to lead their team’s aspirations for a World Series title. Typically, throughout the duration of a 162-game 6-month season, MLB teams strive to maintain the structure of a 5-man starting pitcher rotation.
The teams that can keep their rotations intact, avoiding prolonged injuries and other adversities, are usually the ones that find themselves on the cusp of securing a playoff berth in the final days of the season. There are some exceptions, where teams have a dominant ace at the front end of the rotation who is able to put in a quality start every time he takes the ball, seemingly offsetting and improving an otherwise fragmented and mediocre rotation beyond that.
It would be tough, if not impossible, for one starter, regardless of his level of effectiveness, to carry a team for a full playoff run and a World Series appearance. There has to be a supporting cast of a workhorse or two that will help take the load in a short, best-of-two-of-three, or three-of-five series.
Every team has its established ace, but there are some, within this playoff bracket, that can boast three front-end starters. All of whom have elite, dominant stuff. Here are the rankings that profile the teams with a firm 3-man rotation, heading into the playoffs. Here also, are teams that rely too heavily on their ace in an attempt to make a deep playoff run.
The Phillies have plenty of options to build the very best playoff rotation, even without perennial ace Zack Wheeler. Cy Young candidate Christopher Sanchez has emerged as an overpowering, innings-eater with impeccable control. No team in recent memory has entered the playoffs with three dominant left-handers leading their rotation. If manager Rob Thomson wants to throw a righty into the mix, which is very likely if they reach the NLCS, then former ace Aaron Nola is more than capable. Nola has just come off from a masterful, 8-inning, 9K win over the Minnesota Twins.
Starting pitching has always been the hallmark and emblem of Seattle’s success. Now that they have a turbo-charged offence to support their dominant pitching staff, the Mariners have to be considered a serious World Series contender. Gilbert is the obvious choice to take the ball in game one of the Divisional Series (DS), but after that, options are abundant. It will be challenging to justify keeping Bryan Woo from starting, and the Mariners’ brass will wait until he has a bullpen session and faces live hitters during intrasquad games this week to decide where he ultimately fits.
The Dodgers’ rotation hasn’t been quite as decimated by injuries this season, as it has been in seasons past, but there are still some health concerns with a rotation that otherwise would have been the clear choice for tops in MLB. There are options, ranging from one through three, that are simply dominant, and the decision to potentially place frontline starters such as Tyler Glasnow and even Clayton Kershaw in the bullpen for the DS speaks to how special their top three really are.
Will this playoff rotation for the Padres be up for the task of shutting down their SoCal nemesis in another DS clash? Some feel that Pivetta might be the X-factor who will give the Padres the elusive game one victory. The Padres aren’t forced to go with veteran Yu Darvish as one of their playoff starters, but he is an option if needed, as is reliable lefty JP Sears.
The Blue Jays have possibly the American League Pitcher of the Month with Gausman taking the ball in Game 1. The fact that Gausman looked shaky in his final start might lead manager John Schneider to opt for 2020 Cy Young winner Shane Bieber instead. Yesavage has been impressive beyond his rapid climb to the show, with three quality starts since being called up.
The fact that opposing hitters are already having a hard time making contact against Yesavage’s unique and deceptive delivery would suggest that the Jays have a weapon and an ace in the hole heading into the playoffs. This rotation is, of course, not set in stone, and it will be hard to justify relegating bulldog starter Chris Bassitt or future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer to the bullpen.
The injury and absence of Garret Cole were initially seen as crippling for the Yankees’ starting rotation. Fried has replaced Cole as the established ace of this Yankees staff. The 19-game winner is a proven playoff performer and will be expected to pitch deep into his starts in the high-stakes, grudge-match of a three-game series against the Red Sox. The same can be said for Rodon, who is now absolutely delivering a return on the Yankees’ investment in him. Similar to the Blue Jays, the Yankees have a young stud in Schlittler, who has shown elite stuff to the point that the Yankees can now beef up their bullpen by putting Will Warren into a relief role.
The Reds have depth and numerous options for building a solid three-person rotation. Greene has been dominant lately, and when he is on, with full command of his overpowering fastball, he is genuinely one of the game’s very best. Lodolo will turn lineups around as a crafty lefty. Singer has been good, but manager Terry Francona might go with more of a veteran presence, with Zack Littell against the Dodgers in the short series. Can the Reds take down the mighty Dodgers? They have the pitching to compete anyway.
Boyd is one of the best left-handed starters in the game and has earned one start in the playoffs. Rea can be relied upon to deliver a quality start, while Imanaga has been highly effective, keeping hitters baffled to the tune of a .218 opposition batting average. Like the Reds, the Cubs have depth and options with Javier Assad and Jameson Taillon waiting to hear what their role will be for the 2025 playoffs. The Cade Horton injury could be costly for the Cubs, heading into the playoffs, but they should have the depth to compete very well against the Padres in the Wild Card (WC) series.
Crochet takes the mound with the intention of downright embarrassing opposing hitters. The Yankees’ lineup boasts serious right-handed power, but Crochet will have the upper hand in almost every matchup. He is the top-shelf ace that looks to carry a team through a playoff run. Bello has been steady but can crumble if the defence behind him makes errors or fundamental mistakes. Giolito has shown flashes of brilliance, but he can get hit very hard. Walker Beuhler will be readily available for a spot start if necessary.
Milwaukee has overcome and silenced all negativity and doubt that has been sent its way this season. They are a great team, and Pat Murphy has built a system that they have bought into, with outstanding results. Their starting pitching, though, will rely heavily on NL Cy Young contender Freddy Peralta to win his divisional series starts. Beyond Freddy, the Brewers will look to Quinn Priester, who has been amazingly consistent. Chad Patrick and/or Robert Gasser are hittable, but they have made a habit of surprising everyone and shattering oddsmakers’ expectations.
The Tigers are vulnerable beyond Skubal, and the Guardians will look to capitalize on their lack of starting pitching depth. That said, Flaherty has proven that he can perform in high-leverage, playoff situations. If Skubal shows up with his best stuff, and there is no reason to believe that he won’t, then the pressure is significantly reduced for either Mize or Flaherty to seal the deal in the WC series.
The Guardians have defied all expectations and are a dangerous team heading into the playoffs. Bibee and Williams are competent, but what the staff is missing is a proven ace who gives them the clear upper hand in any matchup. They aren’t expected to go deep into the playoffs, but the staff is healthy and the bullpen is among the best in MLB. Those two factors could move the projected valuation of this Guardians staff further up this list, especially if they can quickly dispose of the Tigers in the WC series.
It goes without saying, that without an ace, the chances of advancing deep into the MLB playoffs are slim. Some of the teams listed here are entering the playoffs with a front-end loaded, three-man rotation where each of the three could probably be the ace on most of the remaining teams, who will be watching the MLB playoffs at home. Some intense rivalries are about to be revisited, beginning on Tuesday, and the pitching matchups are looking to be legendary.
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