MLB Playoffs: As the 2025 MLB playoffs approach, every contender is finalizing its starting rotation in hopes of making a deep October run. In the postseason, pitching depth often defines success — and the ability to rely on elite arms can be the difference between an early exit and a World Series championship.
We’ve ranked the 14 playoff pitching rotations based on projected usage in a seven-game series. Naturally, the No. 1 and No. 2 starters carry the most weight, since teams tend to ride their aces and adjust as the series progresses.
While two of the teams listed may not ultimately qualify, this ranking gives a clear picture of where each contender stands heading into October.
Tier 1: The Elite Rotations
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Rotation candidates: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, Emmet Sheehan
The Dodgers rotation leads the field. After early doubts about Yoshinobu Yamamoto, he has proven himself as a legitimate ace, posting sub-3.00 ERA metrics and ranking seventh in pitcher WAR this season. He’s been the workhorse of L.A.’s staff, throwing 60 more innings than any other Dodgers starter.
Glasnow and Snell slot comfortably behind him, while Kershaw remains a reliable postseason option. The Dodgers also have Ohtani and Sheehan as versatile weapons. Add in potential bullpen impact from Roki Sasaki, and this staff is loaded with talent.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Rotation candidates: Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker
Even without Zack Wheeler, the Phillies’ pitching rotation is among the best. Sanchez, Suarez, and Luzardo have been strong enough to headline most staffs, while Aaron Nola’s playoff experience makes him a trusted arm despite some homer struggles this season.
According to FanGraphs, both the Phillies and Dodgers rank among the top three favorites to win the 2025 World Series, largely because of their elite rotations.
3. Seattle Mariners
Rotation candidates: Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller
The Mariners round out the top tier thanks to a mix of steady veterans and rising stars. Gilbert has quietly emerged as one of the league’s most improved pitchers, adjusting his fastball and splitter to boost his strikeout rate. While Kirby and Miller have regressed, the overall talent of this Seattle rotation makes them a dangerous October opponent.
Tier 2: Strong but Flawed
4. Detroit Tigers
Rotation candidates: Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Troy Melton, Keider Montero
The Tigers’ rotation is top-heavy, with Tarik Skubal carrying true ace potential. Behind him, Flaherty and Mize provide depth, though Flaherty’s postseason track record is shaky. Rookie Troy Melton offers intrigue as a possible Game 3 starter, giving Detroit flexibility after moving on from veteran Charlie Morton.
5. Milwaukee Brewers
Rotation candidates: Freddy Peralta, Jacob Misiorowski, Brandon Woodruff, Quinn Priester, Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, José Quintana
Milwaukee’s strength lies in depth. While Peralta is the likely Game 1 starter, both Misiorowski and Woodruff are capable when healthy. Add in emerging arms like Priester, and the Brewers’ rotation reflects the organization’s reputation for maximizing talent despite payroll limitations.
Tier 3: Competitive but Inconsistent
6. Cincinnati Reds
Rotation candidates: Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Chase Burns, Zack Littell, Nick Martinez
The Reds’ rotation is one of the season’s surprises. Greene has grown into a legitimate ace, while Abbott and Lodolo bring reliability. The wild card is Chase Burns—if he regains his pre-injury dominance, he could be a postseason X-factor.
7. Houston Astros
Rotation candidates: Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, AJ Blubaugh, Jason Alexander
With Brown and Valdez, Houston has two frontline arms who could carry them. However, rotation depth is shaky, meaning the Astros’ bullpen may be leaned on heavily. That could work in short series but poses risks for a deep playoff run.
8. San Diego Padres
Rotation candidates: Dylan Cease, Nick Pivetta, Michael King, Yu Darvish, Randy Vasquez, Kyle Hart, Nestor Cortes
San Diego has talent but lacks consistency. Cease and Pivetta have been steady, while King and Darvish have battled injuries and uneven results. If the veterans click in October, this staff could outperform expectations.
9. Boston Red Sox
Rotation candidates: Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, Connelly Early, Lucas Giolito, Dustin May, Payton Tolle, Kyle Harrison
The Red Sox rotation is built around Garrett Crochet, one of the most dominant lefties in the league. Beyond him, Bello and Early provide serviceable options, but depth remains questionable. A bullpen-heavy approach may be Boston’s best strategy.
10. Chicago Cubs
Rotation candidates: Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, Jameson Taillon, Michael Soroka, Aaron Civale, Colin Rea
The Cubs rotation is deep but lacks a true ace. Horton’s late-season surge offers promise, while Imanaga and Boyd bring stability. Still, Chicago’s success may hinge on keeping games short and relying on bullpen support.
11. New York Yankees
Rotation candidates: Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren
Without Gerrit Cole, the Yankees rotation takes a hit. Fried and Rodón are proven lefties but carry some postseason inconsistency. Young arms like Gil and Schlittler add upside but come with risk. To contend, New York will need its bullpen to shoulder a heavy load.
Tier 4: Outside Contenders
12. Toronto Blue Jays
Rotation candidates: Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt, Max Scherzer, Trey Yesavage, José BerrÃos
The Blue Jays rotation is veteran-heavy with Gausman, Bassitt, and Scherzer bringing experience. Bieber is a wild card post-surgery, while rookie Yesavage could thrive in a relief role. If Bieber returns to form, Toronto’s ceiling rises significantly.
13. New York Mets
Rotation candidates: Nolan McLean, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, Brandon Sproat, Jonah Tong, Sean Manaea
The Mets’ pitching staff lacks a proven ace but has intriguing young talent. McLean has impressed since debuting, and Tong provides upside, though both are untested in October. Veterans like Peterson and Manaea bring stability, but New York feels a step behind the top contenders.
14. Cleveland Guardians
Rotation candidates: Tanner Bibee, Parker Messick, Gavin Williams, Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, Slade Cecconi
Cleveland rounds out the rankings. Bibee is steady but lacks overpowering stuff, while rookie Parker Messick doesn’t project as a postseason difference-maker just yet. Gavin Williams brings velocity but has command issues, leaving the Guardians’ rotation one of the weakest in the playoff field.
Final Thoughts
As always, October baseball is about more than just talent on paper. Matchups, health, and bullpen usage often determine success. Still, teams like the Dodgers, Phillies, and Mariners enter the 2025 MLB playoffs with clear pitching advantages, while others will need breakout performances to keep their World Series hopes alive.
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