2025 MLB Playoff Predictions: Best Bets for the Final Week of the Season

By: Devin Erickson-Sheehy Published 09/23/2025, 04:19 PM ET
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With just one week remaining in the 2025 MLB regular season, the playoff race has reached a fever pitch.

For bettors sizing up MLB picks for the last week of the season, this is the perfect window to find value before the odds move dramatically in response to clinching scenarios and late-season results.

MLB futures markets remain volatile, and three wagers stand out as sharp value plays for those looking to cash in during the stretch run.

Top 2025 MLB Playoff Picks:

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  • Reds to Make the Playoffs (-124)

  • Astros to Miss the Playoffs (+148)

  • Guardians to Win the AL Central (+128)

Reds to Make the Playoffs at -124

Cincinnati enters the final week of the season in excellent shape for a National League Wild Card berth. The Reds not only sit tied or slightly ahead in the standings but also own crucial tiebreakers over fellow contenders like the Mets and Diamondbacks. Their schedule advantage is another key factor, finishing against sub-.500 opponents while other contenders face tougher slates.

The Reds have been one of September’s most clutch clubs, showing resilience in high-leverage situations. Analytics models back their postseason case, with projections placing their playoff probability firmly above the implied odds of -124. Add in a bullpen that has quietly become a strength and a young core peaking at the right time, and this “Yes” ticket offers a strong value play before Cincinnati clinches outright.

Astros to Miss the Playoffs at +148

The Houston Astros, long a postseason staple, are teetering on the brink of collapse. After relinquishing control of the AL West to the Mariners, they’ve stumbled into a crowded Wild Card battle against the Guardians and Red Sox. Houston’s problem is twofold: they lack tiebreakers in key matchups, and their final week schedule is far more punishing than their competitors’.

Recent losing streaks have exposed their lack of depth, and the pressure has only mounted as they trail or sit tied for the last postseason slot. The +148 price is especially appealing, as many markets still underestimate just how precarious Houston’s position truly is. Models increasingly suggest their odds of missing October are higher than implied, making this “No” wager one of the best value futures on the board.

Guardians to Win the AL Central at +128

Few teams have been hotter than the Cleveland Guardians, who stormed back into contention with an incredible 15-2 stretch that erased what was once an 11-game deficit. Heading into the final week, they’ve positioned themselves just one game back with a favorable schedule and a pivotal head-to-head series against Detroit.

The Tigers, who have faltered badly in September, face the uphill battle of both fading form and tougher matchups. Cleveland, meanwhile, boasts elite pitching and owns superior tiebreaker leverage, giving them multiple paths to secure the division crown. At +128, the Guardians represent excellent value for bettors eyeing an underdog surge to cap off the regular season.

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