Television ratings also saw a significant rise across the board. FOX averaged 2.04 million viewers, its highest since 2022, while ESPN, TBS, and MLB Network recorded double-digit growth. Games broadcast in Japan also experienced increased viewership, reflecting the global appeal of the sport.

In the postseason, the American League features a compelling wild-card matchup between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers in Cleveland. The National League showcases the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers facing the Cincinnati Reds, and the Chicago Cubs returning to the playoffs to meet the San Diego Padres.

The Seattle Mariners have clinched the American League West title for the first time since 2001, ending a 24-year drought and reigniting baseball enthusiasm in the city. This milestone was achieved after a dominant 9-2 win against the Colorado Rockies, highlighted by Cal Raleigh’s historic 59th and 60th home runs, placing him among just seven players in MLB history to achieve that feat. Following a mid-season slump, the Mariners staged a remarkable turnaround, winning 16 of their last 17 games. This victory has not only energized fans but also brought the city together in celebration.

In managerial news, New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza will return for the 2026 season despite the team's underwhelming 2025 performance. Entering the season with World Series hopes bolstered by the addition of Juan Soto and MLB’s second-largest payroll, the Mets started strong but faltered significantly, finishing with an 83-79 record and missing the playoffs after losing a tiebreaker to the Cincinnati Reds. Mendoza, who led the Mets to the 2024 National League Championship Series in his debut season, holds a two-year managerial record of 172-152. While Mendoza's role is secure, the returning status of the rest of the coaching staff remains undecided.

Looking ahead, Major League Baseball will introduce the Automated Ball/Strike System , commonly referred to as "robot umpires," starting in the 2026 season. This system will not fully replace human umpires but will allow teams to challenge ball and strike calls up to two times per game, with additional challenges available in extra innings. Challenges must be initiated by players and will be reviewed using digital graphics on stadium videoboards. This decision comes after extensive testing in the minor leagues and spring training, where the challenge format was favored by players for retaining the game's human elements, like pitch framing. ABS uses Hawk-Eye technology and defines the strike zone based on a vertical point at the plate relative to batter height. Players and managers expressed mixed feelings about the change, but most acknowledged the system’s potential to improve call accuracy and reduce contentious ejections.

As the postseason unfolds, fans can look forward to a series of high-stakes games, with teams vying for the ultimate prize in baseball. The combination of increased fan engagement, managerial decisions, and technological advancements promises to make the 2025 MLB postseason a memorable one.