MLB The Show postseason sim: Yankees finally champs again

Major League Baseball's postseason is set to begin, and that means it's time to continue our annual tradition of simulating the playoffs on MLB The Show 25 to see how things could shake out. We've had some hits (2023 and 2021) and some misses. Let's have some fun, and as we always say: Don't get mad, it's only a video game.

Wild-card series

The Yankees battle back to take the series from the rival Red Sox after dropping Game 1 to Garrett Crochet. Boston's offense is completely shut down, scoring just four runs over three games as Trevor Story, Jarren Duran, and Alex Bregman combine to go 4-for-36 (.111).

The Tigers get revenge over the Guardians after choking away the AL Central title. Detroit rides Tarik Skubal to a win in Game 1 (6 1/3 IP, 1 ER) and gets another great start from Jack Flaherty (7 IP, 0 ER) in Game 3.

Chicago stuns San Diego with a sweep. Seiya Suzuki and Kyle Tucker each drive in a pair of runs in Game 2 to give the Cubs their first postseason series win since 2017.

Down go the reigning champs! After dropping the opener, the Reds win the next two to eliminate the Dodgers in one of the biggest upsets in recent postseason history. Four different Cincinnati players drive in two runs in Game 3, while Andrew Abbott allows one run over six innings.

League Division Series

The Yankees knock off the AL East champion Blue Jays in four games as New York's potent offense scores 22 runs. Aaron Judge goes 3-for-16 in the series but gets help from his supporting cast: Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Giancarlo Stanton combine to drive in 14 runs.

It clearly doesn't matter how you finish the regular season as the Tigers follow their series win over the Guardians with a stunning sweep of the Mariners. Kerry Carpenter homers twice to go with a series-high six RBIs, while Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh combine to go 2-for-23 in a losing effort.

The Reds are really doing this. After knocking off the Dodgers, Cincinnati completes another shocker by eliminating the Phillies in four games. It's the first time the Reds have reached the NLCS since 1995. The series loss represents another enormous missed opportunity for this core in Philadelphia.

Milwaukee's playoff demons show up once again as the Brewers get swept by the rival Cubs. Chicago starts its postseason a perfect 5-0 against some excellent opposition. Pete Crow-Armstrong rediscovers some of his magic at the plate from the first half of the season as he drives in nine runs over the three games.

League Championship Series

The Yankees sweep the Tigers to return to the World Series for a second straight season. Chisholm takes home ALCS MVP honors after going 6-for-17 with three home runs.

Cincinnati is so close to pulling off a miracle run but blows a 3-1 series lead to the Cubs to fall short of the World Series. It's the first time Chicago's reached the Fall Classic since breaking the curse in 2016. Kyle Tucker wins NLCS MVP with two home runs and nine RBIs in the series.

World Series

The Evil Empire is fully functioning once again. The Yankees win their first World Series since 2009 by beating the Cubs in five games. Stanton's named MVP after hitting the game-winning home run in Game 5. It's the first championship for Judge and cements his legacy as one of the greatest players in history. Start spreading the news.

And for whatever it means, our preseason simulation from March also had the Yankees beating the Cubs in the World Series.