It is difficult enough to reach the postseason, and even harder, once you’ve made it there, to win. Postseason wins should never be taken for granted. Because you never know how long it will take you to get another one.
So today, we step into the wayback machine -- some teams go further back in the machine than others -- and look at the last postseason victory for every MLB team. Only one current team, the Dodgers, has the ideal last postseason victory -- a dramatic win in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series. For almost every other team, the wait has lasted longer than it had hoped. Winning only makes you want more winning. The waiting is the hardest part.
AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST
Blue Jays -- Oct. 29, 2025, World Series Game 5
The ending of the 2025 Fall Classic will sting in Toronto for a long while to come. But, just a few days before a crushing Game 7 loss, the Blue Jays seized a 3-2 series lead behind a dominant performance from Trey Yesavage in Game 5. The rookie righty tossed seven innings of one-run ball with 12 strikeouts, while Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opened the game with back-to-back home runs off Blake Snell, fueling a 6-1 win. (Box score)
Orioles -- Oct. 5, 2014, ALDS Game 3
The Orioles wrapped up a sweep over the Tigers behind 6 1/3 shutout innings from Bud Norris, and then Andrew Miller and Zack Britton finished off Detroit, outdueling David Price. The only Orioles runs in this 2-1 triumph came from a two-run homer from Nelson Cruz, who we all thought was old even then. The O’s were subsequently swept by the Royals in the AL Championship Series and have lost 10 straight postseason games through 2024. (Box score)
Rays -- Oct. 7, 2021, ALDS Game 1
After a electrifying run to the World Series in 2020, the Rays opened up their quest to the '21 Fall Classic in thrilling fashion once again. Randy Arozarena continued his postseason dominance in the series opener, swatting a solo homer and stealing home in their 5-0 win. Unfortunately for Arozarena and the Rays, it would be their only win in the '21 postseason, as they fell to the Red Sox in four games. (Box score)
Red Sox -- Sept. 30, 2025, ALWC Game 1
Fueled by a dominant performance from Garrett Crochet and a heart-pounding ninth inning from Aroldis Chapman, the Red Sox stole Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series over the Yankees, 3-1. Crochet pitched like an ace -- allowing one run over 7 2/3 innings with 11 strikeouts -- and handed the ball directly to Chapman. The Bombers loaded the bases off Chapman with nobody out in the ninth inning, but the lefty escaped, punctuated by a game-ending strike out. But New York got the last laugh, taking the next two games to win the series. (Box score)
Yankees -- Oct. 7, 2025, ALDS Game 3
The Yankees had been waiting for Aaron Judge to have his signature moment, and the two-time MVP delivered in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game 3. Judge launched a majestic three-run shot that caromed off the foul pole down the left-field line, inciting pandemonium in the Bronx. Behind their captain, the Bombers erased a five-run deficit and secured a 9-6 win to stay alive for another day. But the Blue Jays, on their way to an eventual AL pennant, would close out the series the next day. (Box score)
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL
Guardians -- Oct. 1, 2025, ALWC Game 2
Brayan Rocchio has developed a surprising knack for clutch postseason moments, and the shortstop came through again in the eighth inning against the Tigers. His solo home run shook Progressive Field and broke a 1-1 tie, propelling a five-run frame and a 6-1 win. The Tigers, however, took the winner-take-all Game 3 the next day, eliminating their AL Central counterparts. (Box score)
Royals -- Oct. 7, 2024, ALDS Game 2
For eight straight seasons after winning the 2015 World Series, the Royals stayed home for October. Finally, in 2024, they made it back -- one year after losing 106 games. The Kansas City magic lasted through a Wild Card Series sweep of the Royals, but after evening the ALDS against the Yankees at 1-1, the Royals finally ran out of steam and were eliminated in four games. (Box score)
Tigers -- Oct. 8, 2025, ALDS Game 4
The Tigers went 11 years without winning a playoff game, from the 2013 AL Championship Series to the '24 AL Wild Card Series, and then won a playoff series in consecutive years in '24 and '25. The offense roared to life in a 9-3 win to even up the ALDS, forcing a Game 5. But that series would end in true heartbreak, with a 15-inning loss to the Mariners. (Box score)
Twins -- Oct. 8, 2023, ALDS Game 2
The Twins finally snapped a 19-year, 18-game postseason losing streak against the Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card Series, earning a two-game sweep to advance to the ALDS. They then won Game 2 in Houston to even the series but dropped the next two back at Target Field to fall short of the ALCS. (Box score)
White Sox -- Oct. 10, 2021, ALDS Game 3
Down 2-0 in the series against the Astros, the White Sox did exactly what they needed to with their backs against the wall in Game 3. After going down 5-1 following the top of the third inning, Chicago buckled down and scored five in the bottom half of the third and added three more runs in the fourth to stay alive. Their momentum ran out quickly, though, as they fell in Game 4. (Box score)
AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST
Angels -- Oct. 22, 2009, ALCS Game 5
This 7-6 win against the Yankees was, of course, a few years before Mike Trout arrived ... which allows us to remind you once again that Trout, amazingly, has still never won a postseason game. The Angels, of course, would lose Game 6 to the Yankees, who went on to win their most recent World Series crown. (Box score)
Astros -- Oct. 20, 2023, ALCS Game 5
In 2021, the Astros and manager Dusty Baker finished two wins short of a championship, falling to the Braves in six games. In 2022, they finished the job. In 2023, Houston made another spirited run, grabbing a 3-2 ALCS lead by taking three straight games on the road. But Baker's club couldn't finish the job back in Houston, and the beloved skipper announced his retirement afterward. (Box score)
A’s -- Oct. 7, 2020, ALDS Game 3
Losing to their division rivals in the ALDS was a difficult pill to swallow for the A’s, particularly since it happened at Dodger Stadium, a place that has been cruel to the A’s over the years. After falling behind 2-0, Oakland did rally to extend the series in Game 3, hitting five homers off five Astros pitchers. (Box score)
Mariners -- Oct. 17, 2025, ALCS Game 5
Mariners fans will never forget where they were for the eighth inning in Game 5 of the 2025 ALCS. Just minutes after Cal Raleigh launched a game-tying home run, Eugenio Suárez blew the roof off T-Mobile Park with a go-ahead grand slam. While the blast seemed season-altering -- and even franchise-altering -- the joy ride would soon come to an end. Despite seizing a 3-2 series lead, Seattle could not close out the pennant. (Box score)
Rangers -- Nov. 1, 2023, World Series Game 5
At long last, the Rangers won the World Series, in the franchise's 63rd season overall and 52nd in Texas. Previously one of six MLB teams to never capture a title, the Rangers shook off past playoff disappointments -- most notably in 2011 -- to go all the way. (Box score)
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
Braves -- Oct. 9, 2023, NLDS Game 2
Following their 2021 World Series title, the Braves lost the NLDS in four games to the Phillies two years in a row, both times winning only Game 2. While winning only one playoff game was not what anyone expected from a club that won 104 in the 2023 regular season, at least it was a memorable thriller. Atlanta made it back to October in 2024 but was swept by San Diego in the NL Wild Card Series. (Box score)
Marlins -- Oct. 2, 2020, NLWC Game 2
The story of this series was more the Cubs’ lack of offense than it was anything particularly powerful the Marlins did -- but that would also be selling Sixto Sánchez short. Sánchez was fantastic in shutting down the Cubs over five scoreless innings. Chicago would end up scoring just one run in the two games, and in Game 2, the homer Garrett Cooper hit off Yu Darvish in the seventh inning would prove to be more than enough. The two wins in this series were the Marlins’ first postseason wins in 17 years. (Box score)
Mets -- Oct. 18, 2024, NLCS Game 5
Few expected the Mets to return to the postseason in 2024, especially after a 22-33 start. They finally made it, however, one day after the regular season had been scheduled to end, and they weren't done. The Mets took out two division champions (the Brewers and Phillies) on their way to the NLCS and pushed the eventual champion Dodgers to six games, including a 12-6 blowout in Game 5, when the Mets tallied 10 runs over the first four innings at Citi Field. (Box score)
Nationals -- October 30, 2019, World Series Game 7
Nationals fans may have some vague recollection of this game. They were down 2-0 in the top of the seventh until they suddenly, gloriously, were not. Howie Kendrick’s go-ahead two-run homer is the one that everyone remembers the most, but it was Anthony Rendon who finally broke the shutout with a homer of his own just two batters earlier. The Nationals ended up with their first World Series title … which is the perfect way to have your most recent postseason game end. (Box score)
Phillies -- Oct. 8, 2025, NLDS Game 3
For the second consecutive season, a veteran Phillies team saw its season end earlier than anticipated. But their lone win in the 2025 NLDS sure was impressive. Philadelphia tagged Yoshinobu Yamamoto -- who was untouchable in every other postseason outing -- for three runs in four innings. Kyle Schwarber launched two home runs, including a 455-foot shot. But the season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion in an 11-inning Game 4 loss to the eventual World Series champions. (Box score)
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
Brewers -- Oct. 11, 2025, NLDS Game 5
Milwaukee entered the '25 season having lost 11 of its last 13 postseason games. But the Brewers exorcised those playoff demons when they eliminated the Cubs with a 3-1 victory in Game 5, winning their first playoff series since 2018. Still, one of the best seasons in franchise history came to a rather abrupt end with a four-game sweep at the hands of the Dodgers in the NLCS. (Box score)
Cardinals -- Sept. 30, 2020, NLWC Game 1
The Padres might have been one of the most exciting young teams in baseball, but it was the old stalwart Cardinals who won the Padres’ first playoff game in more than a decade. St. Louis jumped on San Diego early, too, scoring four runs in the first inning, spurred by a homer from Paul Goldschmidt. The Cards would race out to a quick lead in Game 2, as well, but Fernando Tatis Jr. would end up having a say in what happened next. (Box score)
Cubs -- Oct. 9, 2025, NLDS Game 4
The Cubs forced a decisive Game 5 against the Brewers behind Ian Happ, who had a signature moment with a tone-setting, three-run home run in the first inning of Game 4. While Wrigley Field rocked during the 6-0 win, the celebration wouldn't extend into Milwaukee, as the season ended in Game 5. (Box score)
Pirates -- Oct. 6, 2013, NLDS Game 3
It looked so glorious for the Pirates at this point after beating St. Louis, 5-3. The Bucs had a 2-1 series lead over the Cardinals, with a riotous PNC Park crowd ready to take them home in Game 4. But Michael Wacha was brilliant for the Cardinals in that game, St. Louis took Game 5, the Pirates lost two straight Wild Card Games the next two years, and that was it for that. (Box score)
Reds -- Oct. 7, 2012, NLDS Game 2
Imagine how the previous decade of baseball history might have been different if the Reds -- who cruised to a 9-0 victory here against the Giants -- had hung onto their 2-0 series lead rather than drop three straight at home to the eventual champs. (Box score)
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
D-backs -- Oct. 28, 2023, World Series Game 2
Just two years after going 52-110, the D-backs squeezed into the postseason field in 2023, then went on a shocking run all the way to the World Series. Once there, a scrappy Arizona club responded to an 11-inning, gut-punch loss to the Rangers in Game 1 by winning Game 2, 9-1, in Texas. But that's as far as the D-backs would get, going on to drop three straight games back at Chase Field. (Box score)
Dodgers -- Nov. 1, 2025, World Series Game 7
The Dodgers clinched their latest title with a jaw-dropping victory in one of the best baseball games you'll ever see. Despite falling in an early 3-0 hole, a resilient group crawled its way back into the game. Miguel Rojas emerged as the unlikeliest of heroes, launching a game-tying home run with one out in the ninth inning, rescuing L.A. from the brink. Speaking of heroes, Yoshinobu Yamamoto -- after hurling six innings in a Game 6 victory -- threw 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Yamamoto became only the fourth pitcher to win both Games 6 and 7 of a World Series. He induced the game-ending double play in the 11th inning, securing the team's second consecutive World Series title. (Box score)
Giants -- Oct. 11, 2021, NLDS Game 3
The Giants were the ultimate underdog story during the regular season in 2021, outlasting the 106-win Dodgers to take their first NL West title since 2012. Fate had it that the two would meet in the NLDS, where the series went down to the very last pitch. The Giants took a 2-1 series lead in Game 3, winning 1-0 thanks to Evan Longoria's solo homer off of Max Scherzer, but they dropped the next two to their division rival, ending their incredible season. (Box score)
Padres -- Oct. 1, 2025, NLWC Game 2
Facing elimination, the Padres relied on their stars to step up. Manny Machado launched a two-run home run, Mason Miller recorded five strikeouts in relief, and San Diego pitched a 3-0 shutout to keep its season alive. But that would be fleeting, as the Cubs took care of business in Game 3 to advance to the NLDS. (Box score)
Rockies -- Oct. 2, 2018, NL Wild Card Game
A joyous 2-1 upset of the Cubs at Wrigley Field in 13 innings set expectations for future success that, so far, have not been met. (Box score)