After a thrilling conclusion to the regular season, the 2026 MLB playoff field is set!
Will Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers pull off a historic three-peat? Is this the year the Milwaukee Brewers or Tampa Bay Rays finally win it all as No. 1 seeds? Will the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox go from a wild-card meeting to the World Series? And whom should you root for in this year's field?
MLB experts Jorge Castillo, Bradford Doolittle, Alden Gonzalez, Jeff Passan and David Schoenfield get you ready with odds for every round, why every team could win it all -- or go home early -- and a name to watch for from all 12 World Series hopefuls.
Note: Doolittle's World Series and matchup odds come from a formula that uses power ratings as the basis for 10,000 simulations to determine the most likely outcomes. Team temperatures are based on Bill James' formula for determining how "hot" or "cold" a team is at any given point; the average is 72°.
Jump to a team:
TB | CLE | HOU | NYY| BOS | CHW
MIL | LAD | ATL | SD | CHC | PHI
Key links: Bracket | Schedule & more
American League
Tampa Bay Rays
No. 1 seed | 98-64 | AL East champs
ALDS opponent: Yankees (44.9% chance of advancing) or Red Sox (52.3%)
Doolittle's WS odds: 13.3% | DraftKings odds: +800
Team temperature: 84°
Why they can win the World Series: They do almost nothing poorly. No team strikes out as infrequently as the Rays (18.7% of plate appearances). They're hitting an MLB-best .283 with runners in scoring position. They turn batted balls into outs as well as anyone. They lead the AL in stolen bases. Drew Rasmussen is a legitimate frontline starter, and Nick Martinez and a resurgent Freddy Peralta backing him speaks to their rotation depth. Their bullpen is a grab-bag of fun options, from Kevin Kelly's sinker to Ian Seymour's slider to Bryan Baker's changeup to Cam Booser's fastball. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: World Series MVPs are just as often complementary players as stars. Junior Caminero would be the obvious choice here, but there's also the possibility that teams will pitch around him and make the next batter beat them. That's usually Liam Hicks, a trade deadline pickup from the Marlins, and he's a really good hitter (one of five regulars with more walks than strikeouts) and the kind of high-contact player who often comes up big in October. He'll have RBI opportunities to be a star. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because their big three hitters don't produce. The Rays finished the season tied for 11th in the majors in runs scored and tied for fifth in wRC+. They can wreak havoc with their speed and athleticism, which generated the second-most steals in the majors. But home runs are necessary to advance in October, when stringing together hits against the best pitching staffs is difficult, and Tampa Bay doesn't have a lot of power threats. Caminero (42), first baseman Jonathan Aranda (22), and designated hitter Yandy Diaz (22) combined to hit more than half of the Rays' 168 home runs. They'll need to fuel the offense against elite hurlers for Tampa Bay to reach its first World Series since 2020. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: The last time Caminero appeared in the playoffs, it was January 2025, in his native Dominican Republic, during Game 7 of the LIDOM championship. Caminero hit a ninth-inning, go-ahead home run, a 454-foot blast to straightaway center field, and then had the most epic trot around the bases. It was obvious then that Caminero is a superstar who lives for the big moments. He has since put together back-to-back All-Star seasons, the last of which might make him the American League MVP, and now we'll see what he can do on MLB's playoff stage. Yes, Caminero, 23, made a brief appearance in the 2023 wild-card round, but he's a different player now. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: Whatever facet of offense you most appreciate, the Rays have it to offer. No team puts the ball in play more often. No team is as aggressive in stealing bases. It's not a pure speed-based offense because no team with Caminero could be. At the same time, no team with Chandler Simpson could be a pure power-based team. To illustrate the diversity of the Rays' attack, consider this extreme: Caminero is one of just 12 players to hit at least 90 homers by age 22. Meanwhile, Simpson is the first player since Elvin Andrus in 2010 to roll up more than 600 plate appearances without going deep. -- Doolittle
Cleveland Guardians
No. 2 seed | 85-77 | AL Central champs
ALDS opponent: Astros (60.1% chance of advancing) or White Sox (57.4%)
Doolittle's WS odds: 8.5% | DraftKings odds: +1200
Team temperature: 98°
Why they can win the World Series: They can pitch with anyone. Gavin Williams has evolved into a legitimate No. 1 -- his xFIP, a predictive metric, was better than Cam Schlittler, Chris Sale and Dylan Cease's -- and Parker Messick has been every bit as good and deserves consideration for AL Rookie of the Year. Cleveland's relievers have the highest strikeout rate in the big leagues by a wide margin. Closer Cade Smith anchors that group after totaling 41 saves with a 1.95 ERA.
With as many low-strikeout hitters as they've got, the Guardians' offense is better than in recent seasons, but that isn't saying a lot. Cleveland is the only team in MLB without a 20-homer hitter. The Guardians finished 27th in the big leagues in home runs. The last time Cleveland reached the World Series, of course, it wasn't exactly replete with home run hitters, either. And in this AL field, anything is possible. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: Steven Kwan, who would be an MVP in the mold of Jeremy Pena in 2022 or David Eckstein in 2006 -- more of an ignitor than a slugger. Kwan had a terrible first three months but leads MLB in on-base percentage since the beginning of July. If he's getting on base and scoring runs, the Guardians can shock the world. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because the pitching staff falters. Cleveland, as always, is built around its pitching. The offense, though deeper than recent years with Kwan's bounce-back season and the emergence of rookies Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana, is near the bottom of the majors in runs scored this season. Jose Ramirez, an MVP-level metronome for the past decade, had the worst full season of his career. Cleveland will not win slugfests. The Guardians went 27-22 in one-run games. They'll need to continue winning tight, low-scoring affairs to avoid a short stay in October. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: In spring training, there were questions about whether Messick would be part of the season-opening rotation. He has since become an All-Star, a Cy Young contender and a Rookie of the Year candidate. Messick made an abbreviated start in the regular-season finale and seems like the logical pick to start Game 1 of the ALDS. His fastball-changeup combo is one of the best in the game. He misses bats, limits walks, avoids barrels and, at just 25 years old, is the pitcher the Guardians want on the mound with their season on the line. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: This is far from the best Cleveland team we've seen over the past decade but, then again, the Guardians have fielded a lot of contending teams during that span. Still, baseball's longest title drought endures, and a Cinderella Guardians run to finally land a title for the city and for future Hall of Famer Ramirez would be a heck of a story. -- Doolittle
Houston Astros
No. 3 seed | 81-81 | AL West champs
Wild-card opponent: White Sox (51.2% chance of advancing)
Doolittle's WS odds: 1.8% | DraftKings odds: +2500
Team temperature: 73°
Why they can win the World Series: They've got Yordan Alvarez. And though it's not that simple -- it's rare that a single player carries a team for a month -- he is the best hitter in baseball this season by a fair margin and the MVP of the AL. If anyone can, he's the guy. The rest of the Astros don't offer a lot. Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes can mash, Yainer Diaz is red hot and Jose Altuve is Jose Altuve. But the other spots in the lineup leave plenty to be desired.
The rotation, beyond Hunter Brown, is a mess. The bullpen isn't a lot better. There's a reason the Astros have the title of Worst Team Ever to Make the Postseason: Houston is not very good. And yet, this is baseball. Regular-season record doesn't matter anymore, and doubting the Astros in October is a fool's errand. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: Will teams even pitch to Alvarez? Ask the Mariners and Phillies how that worked out. Alvarez is the only player in postseason history with seven consecutive games with two or more hits. He has hit .294/.393/.551 in 60 playoff games (although he hasn't hit that well in three World Series, other than that clinching home run against the Phillies in 2022). It has to be Alvarez, right? Maybe. But if the Astros pull this off, someone on the pitching staff will have to step up, and Hunter Brown is the guy capable of throwing a couple World Series gems. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because Alvarez could carry them only so far. Alvarez was inarguably the best hitter in baseball this season, so much better than his peers that he's expected to become the second primary designated hitter to win an MVP award. And yet, the Astros stumbled into the postseason only because the AL West was historically dreadful.
Alvarez is a postseason menace, but teams will surely pitch around him. Jeremy Peña, Isaac Paredes and others will need to step up. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: By the end of July, Tatsuya Imai had made 15 major league starts and put up a 5.83 ERA. His first season in the United States -- after signing a three-year, $54 million deal, representing the Astros' first major foray into Japan -- had been a disaster. Imai has since transitioned into a multi-inning bullpen role and made himself really useful, putting up a 2.12 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 17 innings.
The Astros finished in the bottom 10 in getting innings from their starting pitchers. Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu will do a lot of heavy lifting in the playoffs. But Imai's presence will be critical, too. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: Alvarez has already done it all as an elite hitter in the regular season and the playoffs. Who could forget his dramatic homer over the batter's eye in Houston during the Astros' title-clinching win over the Phillies in 2022? Only Aaron Judge has a higher OPS since Alvarez broke into the majors in 2019 and, yes, that means Alvarez has a higher mark than Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto.
Alvarez is still only 29, and it feels like if he can stay on the field, he will build a solid case for Cooperstown. Leading a flawed Astros team to an unexpected title would certainly be a nice line on his Hall of Fame résumé. -- Doolittle
New York Yankees
No. 4 seed | 93-68 | AL wild card
Wild-card opponent: Red Sox (57.9% chance of advancing)
Doolittle's WS odds: 10.8% | DraftKings odds: +850
Team temperature: 87°
Why they can win the World Series: Their rotation can shut down every lineup in baseball, and their hitters regularly leave the yard. Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon are capable of navigating playoff lineups and pitching deep into games. If the Yankees' starters afford manager Aaron Boone the ability to shorten his bullpen to Brent Headrick, Paul Blackburn and David Bednar -- -- combined ERA over 232â…” innings: 2.09 -- they'll be in an envious spot.
The Yankees outhomered every team in MLB this year, and considering Aaron Judge missed more than half the season, that's saying something. With perfectly OK defense and baserunning, they're susceptible to the same miscues that doomed them in the 2024 World Series. They also have the highest upside of any team in the league -- particularly if Judge returns from a calf strain later in October. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: Let's go chalk here and pick Schlittler. Similar to Yoshinobu Yamamoto last year or Stephen Strasburg in 2019, Schlittler has the big-time stuff that wins games in October. His late-season performance, on his way to the AL Cy Young Award, has been otherworldly: 5-0 over an 11-start span with a 1.46 ERA, a .143 average allowed and just one outing in which he allowed more than one earned run before a three-inning tuneup appearance Thursday night. He has also been efficient enough to pitch deeper into games, although it will be difficult to match Yamamoto's two complete games from last postseason. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because the offense goes silent without Judge. News flash: The Yankees are significantly better when Aaron Judge is in their lineup. Judge was hampered for many of his 66 games this season, playing with a rib fracture or coming back from it without a rehab assignment, and the Yankees still went 41-25 when he played. They went 52-43 without him. The difference? They recorded 5.1 runs per game and a .764 OPS with him in the lineup. Without him, those numbers sunk to 4.2 runs and a .685 OPS. The drop-off is significant.
Judge's postseason status remains a question after he suffered a calf strain Sept. 19 that sidelined him for the final week of the regular season. Without him, the Yankees could have Heliot Ramos start in right field against left-handers and Spencer Jones start there against right-handers. Most teams don't have that level of depth -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: Regardless of whether Judge can find a way to contribute in the playoffs, it's clear he will be limited. And it's probably also clear that Ramos, another right-handed-hitting corner outfielder acquired from the Giants before the trade deadline, will play a much bigger role than anticipated.
Ramos would be Judge's replacement, essentially, against left-handed pitching. And given the presence of Payton Tolle and Ranger Suarez atop the Red Sox rotation, the Yankees will see a pair of really good lefties in the wild-card round. Ramos has struggled mightily all year, especially since arriving in the Bronx. Since Judge first went down at the start of June, the Yankees have been one of the worst in the sport against left-handed pitching. Ramos might need to step up. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: For most fans, it's a lot easier to formulate reasons to root against the Yankees, despite the massive size of their fan base. But if you are not an owner of a classic "NY" cap and just like to watch baseball games for baseball reasons, the Yankees have plenty to offer.
The Judge injury situation is a drama by itself, whether or not he's on the field, but he's a lot more fun to watch when he's playing. Beyond that, the Yankees' postseason rotation of Schlittler, Cole, Fried and Rodon is a smorgasbord of elite starting pitching, and they all go about it a little differently. Great starting pitching is always worth watching. -- Doolittle
Boston Red Sox
No. 5 seed | 87-75 | AL wild card
Wild-card opponent: Yankees (42.1% chance of advancing)
Doolittle's WS odds: 4.9% | DraftKings odds: +1500
Team temperature: 70°
Why they can win the World Series: They've been the best team in the AL since late June, including a September in which they've had the worst run-scoring offense in baseball. The power of Boston's pitching is undeniable. Sonny Gray is ageless, Payton Tolle is as good a practitioner of the three-fastball approach as anyone not named Schlittler, and they've got the best bullpen ERA in baseball.
What's most exciting about the Red Sox is the knowledge that there is plenty more in the tank. Their Jekyll-Hyde offense is problematic, particularly considering the sort of pitching they'll face in the Bronx and, if they emerge victorious, against the Rays in the division series. But if the offense gets working, that's one heck of a complement to the staff that has allowed the fewest home runs in MLB. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: Acquired from the Astros in a 2022 lopsided trade for Christian Vazquez (thank you, Chaim Bloom), Wilyer Abreu has been the team's best all-around player, capable of beating you with his bat or his glove (he should win his third straight Gold Glove as he leads all position players in defensive runs saved). Finally allowed to play every day against left-handers, he has hit better against them than against righties, so bringing in a lefty reliever isn't the automatic move it once was. He has also hit well in "late and close" situations this season. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because the offense doesn't rebound from an ugly September. The Red Sox went on a historic tear over the summer to vault into the postseason field, but they staggered down the stretch, going 12-12 over the final month with an offense that scored the fewest runs in the majors.
On paper, the lineup should be better in October. Willson Contreras and Ceddanne Rafaela missed chunks of time in September because of injuries. Roman Anthony and Trevor Story could find their rhythm after returning from long absences in late August. Curtis Mead could return from a fractured wrist at some point. But they won't have it easy against the Yankees' elite pitching staff in the wild-card series. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: This stage was made for Tolle, Boston's hugging, dancing, smiling, hilarious, loquacious, burly, mustachioed left-hander. He's so fun, even Yankees fans have grown to like him. By the end of this week, that might be a different story.
Tolle will soon step on the mound at Yankee Stadium and look to befuddle hitters with his array of devastating fastballs -- four-seamer, cutter, sinker -- from an unusually low arm slot with a ridiculously long extension. The Red Sox jumped in the standings once their offense finally woke up, but this is a team built on pitching and defense. And nobody has become more crucial to that foundation than Tolle. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: How about the rags-to-riches saga of the temporary manager made good? Boston's Chad Tracy has already had his interim label removed, but he still has a chance to become the 10th manager to take over a team during a season and advance to the World Series. Only two have won it all: Bob Lemon with the Yankees in 1978 and Jack McKeon with the Marlins in 2003.
It would make for quite an auspicious MLB debut for someone who toiled in the minors for 20 years as a player, manager and coach before reaching The Show. And it would be a family first. Tracy's father, Jim, was a manager of the year winner for Colorado in 2009, but he lost both playoff series he participated in as a big league skipper. -- Doolittle
Chicago White Sox
No. 6 seed | 84-78 | AL wild card
Wild-card opponent: Astros (48.8% chance of advancing)
Doolittle's WS odds: 2.5% | DraftKings odds: +4000
Team temperature: 83°
Why they can win the World Series: The power is real and plentiful, and the vibes are strong. Championships aren't won on feelings, of course, but Chicago is young, talented and together. Miguel Vargas is real, Munetaka Murakami can find his early-season self and Colson Montgomery is a threat every time he steps to the plate. They're an enormous part of how, over just two years, a team can go from a record 121 losses to a postseason berth. Going even further won't be easy.
The White Sox lack a frontline starter. Their staff is on fumes. They're not a good defensive team. As much as all of those things matter in the postseason, they've also got the easiest route of any postseason team, and that is wild considering they're the last seed. First, they face Houston. Then, it's the Guardians, whom they nearly beat in the AL Central. The path is obvious. The question is: Can they walk it? -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: The White Sox rely on home runs for their offense, so we'll go with one of the sluggers. Given the propensity for Murakami and Montgomery to strike out, Vargas is the choice. He has better contact skills to go with elite plate discipline (96th percentile chase rate), and he launched 33 home runs. He runs well and will steal a base as well (20 for 22). The White Sox will need all three to make a run, but Vargas is the best bet to have consistent production. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because the front office didn't adequately improve the rotation at the trade deadline. The White Sox approached the deadline with one clear need: starting pitching. General manager Chris Getz addressed it by acquiring Luis Castillo from the Mariners in the midst of a down year. The move proved disastrous. Castillo, who was moved to the bullpen, posted an 8.42 ERA across 31 innings while Chicago's starting rotation ranked near the bottom of the majors in ERA after the trade deadline. Sean Burke and Davis Martin, the club's top two starters, had strong but not elite seasons. Beyond that, quality depth is lacking. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: Murakami spent most of this season appearing to be one of the great contract bargains in free agency, finishing July with a .935 OPS and 24 home runs. Since then, though, it has been a struggle for the Japanese first baseman. Murakami slashed .184/.328/.423 in the second half. He has added 15 home runs, but he has also struck out a whopping 108 times. The holes in his swing that made many teams pause this offseason have started to show. The White Sox desperately need the Murakami from April, May and July to reemerge. They hope he does in October. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: This year's White Sox are easily the most root-worthy team in the playoffs. You can scoff at the AL's mediocrity, but when it comes to Chicago, you have to remember that entering this season, even mediocrity felt like a long way away.
The 2023 Orioles had a bigger two-year leap than the White Sox, going from 52 wins to 101. But before that, you have to go back to the 1930s to find anything similar. But it's more than the rags-to-riches angle. The White Sox are a young, power-hitting, selfless group that is a gas to watch. -- Doolittle
National League
Milwaukee Brewers
No. 1 seed | 103-59 | NL Central champs
NLDS opponent: Padres (63.8% chance of advancing) or Cubs (62.0%)
Doolittle's WS odds: 21.4% | DraftKings odds: +600
Team temperature: 116°
Why they can win the World Series: They ran roughshod through a 162-game season, and they're as well-balanced a team as there is in MLB. Milwaukee, similar to Tampa Bay, does everything well, except hitting home runs. And in September, the Brewers were a middle-of-the-pack team in long balls, so it's not as if they're incapable. Homers aren't necessary for Milwaukee's offense to cook. The Brewers put the ball in play, they run like cheetahs and they're excellent in clutch situations.
The real answer to this, however, might be as simple as they've got Jacob Misiorowski, Logan Henderson and one of the two best bullpens in baseball. With at least four relievers topping out at 100 mph, the Brewers, it turns out, have power. It's just in the pitchers whom they'll need to deliver Milwaukee's first World Series championship. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: Sometimes, the obvious answer is the right one. The Brewers need to win Misiorowski's starts, and they need him to pitch deep into games, so they can lean heavily on the bullpen when the other starters pitch.
But to maximize his usage throughout the postseason, Misiorowski will have to pitch at times on four days' rest, which he has done just four times (and one of those was a three-inning stint late in the season). Three of those four starts came after six rest days in his previous outing. Can he sustain his same level of pitching on shorter rest?
If they go home early, it will be because the offense flounders again. The Brewers scored four runs in four games in the NLCS against the Dodgers last year. They again wouldn't face the Dodgers until the NLCS this year, but they'll be tested in the National League whether they face them or not. Scoring runs wasn't a problem for Milwaukee during the regular season. The Brewers were second in the majors, but they were third last season and still couldn't solve the Dodgers when it mattered. Similar to the 2025 Brewers, the 2026 Brewers don't hit many home runs. Last year, they ranked 22nd with 166 homers. This year, they finished last. Time will tell whether the formula will produce better results in October. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: Henderson worked through a flexor strain late last season and ultimately wasn't included on the Brewers' postseason roster despite dominating in his brief introduction to the major leagues. Then, Henderson came back and was even better, going 11-3 with a 2.47 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 98â…“ innings. His 0.84 WHIP was the lowest ever for a rookie who made at least 15 starts, according to research by the Elias Sports Bureau.
The Miz might have absorbed all of the attention, but Henderson was almost as good. And if you're looking for reasons to believe this Brewers team won't come up short, as it did against a premier opponent last fall, look no further than those two. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: This organization does everything right. Sure, you can claim the Brewers could be more aggressive with payroll, but even without spending big, Milwaukee wins year in and year out. The version of the Brewers from the past couple of years has won with an aesthetically pleasing style of play built around excellent athletes who put the bat on the ball. The Brewers are worth watching for their outfield defense alone. That was true even before top prospect Luis Lara was summoned from the minors, and it's even more true now.
The Brewers draw more than 34,000 fans per game in baseball's smallest market. If your team isn't in the bracket, this is the bandwagon on which to jump. -- Doolittle
Los Angeles Dodgers
No. 2 seed | 100-62 | NL West champs
NLDS opponent: Braves (62.1% chance of advancing) or Phillies (63.5%)
Doolittle's WS odds: 21.9% | DraftKings odds: +200
Team temperature: 105°
Why they can win the World Series: They won the past two and are greedy for more. It's nice to start with a rotation of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. It's even nicer to feature a lineup with Shohei Ohtani, who, even though he isn't expected to pitch all postseason, is plenty capable of carrying the Dodgers. Andy Pages and Edwin Diaz are back from the injured list, too, giving Los Angeles its full complement of main characters.
More than anything, though, the Dodgers understand the vagaries of October baseball. They've learned to take punches, weather them and respond. It's one thing to be the most talented team in the game. It's something different altogether to supplement that with the wherewithal and know-how to navigate a month of peril. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: Face it, Dodgers haters, this has Kyle Tucker's name written all over it. He had a miserable regular season, but then got hot in September, looking like the hitter the Dodgers expected when they gave him that controversial four-year, $240 million contract. One thing Tucker has maintained throughout his struggles is a good approach (90th percentile walk rate) and contact ability (77th percentile strikeout rate). With Ohtani potentially not at full strength and Freddie Freeman playing through some injuries as well (one home run the final two months), Tucker might have to carry the Dodgers. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because age, injuries and their back-to-back World Series runs caught up with them. The Dodgers have the oldest roster in the majors, with an average age of 31.1 years old. Most of their important players are on the wrong side of 30. Then, there are the injuries. Ohtani was banged up for most of the season and won't pitch in October. Pages (hand), Roki Sasaki (blister), DÃaz (neck), Blake Treinen (elbow), Will Smith (neck), Justin Wrobleski (forearm), Glasnow (back), Brock Stewart (shoulder), and Snell (elbow) all returned from injuries after the trade deadline.
The Dodgers remain the favorites to become the first NL team to win three consecutive World Series titles with the most talented -- and expensive -- roster in the sport. The Dodgers did, after all, have the second-best record in baseball, with seven more wins than last season. And yet rivals believe they're vulnerable. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: Skubal is no stranger to the postseason stage, but this time, it will be different. He'll be pitching for a Dodgers franchise hated by every fan base outside of L.A., on the eve of what could be a record-setting free agency, with the chance of helping his new team become the first from the National League to win three straight championships, and he'll headline a rotation that will be counted on heavily once again.
The Dodgers rode four starting pitchers to a title last fall. And this year, with questions surrounding the health of Ohtani at the top of their lineup and the effectiveness of Diaz at the end of games, they're primed to do so again. All eyes will be on Skubal, as usual. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: Let's face it, you probably shouldn't.
OK, OK. Some people really are Dodger fans, especially certain celebrities who can't stop letting us know it. There are countless fans who root for L.A. because of Ohtani, and you can understand being enthralled with an all-time great. The Dodgers' collective excellence is baseball in a higher form, and that, too, can be appreciated. A first NL three-peat champion, that's fodder for the history-obsessed. There are reasons to root for MLB's marquee franchise. Then again, anyone who subscribes to the "evil empire" narrative can find just as many reasons not to. -- Doolittle
Atlanta Braves
No. 3 seed | 94-68 | NL East champs
Wild-card opponent: Phillies (56.4% chance of advancing)
Doolittle's WS odds: 4.4% | DraftKings odds: +1500
Team temperature: 70°
Why they can win the World Series: Sometimes all it takes is a couple of good starters, a great bullpen and a lineup full of home run hitters. And that's exactly what the Braves are. As snakebitten as their rotation has been, they've still got Chris Sale at the top and Tyler Mahle -- and his 1.28 ERA over 49.1 innings with Atlanta -- behind him. With Robert Suarez back, the Braves' bullpen is right there with San Diego's and Milwaukee's in terms of depth and excellence. And that lineup? It finished the season with more than 200 home runs, and from Matt Olson to Ronald Acuna Jr. to Drake Baldwin to Michael Harris to Ozzie Albies and beyond, the Braves are loaded with damage-doing bats. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: Ronald Acuña Jr. is due for a big postseason. He missed the Braves' World Series run in 2021 and was also injured for the wild-card loss in 2024. Acuña has struggled in the postseason, however, with three home runs in 29 career playoff games and just one RBI in his past 17 playoff games. He didn't have his best season, but he did hit for much more power in the second half and September was his best month with seven home runs and an OPS over 1.000. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because the starting pitching behind Chris Sale doesn't hold up. Chris Sale continued defying Father Time this season, pitching to a 2.16 ERA across 162 â…” innings at 37 years old. The rest of the rotation defied expectations, no one more so than Mahle. Acquired at the trade deadline, Mahle went from a 5.13 ERA in 18 starts with the Giants to that 1.28 ERA in eight starts for Atlanta. The sample size is too big to ignore, but October is a different beast. Mahle, Grant Holmes, and MartÃn Pérez will decide if the Braves return to the World Series for the first time since winning it all in 2021. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: To nobody's surprise, a veteran starting pitcher became the most important trade-deadline acquisition this season. To everybody's surprise, that person is Mahle, not Tarik Skubal. When Mahle came to the Braves, the storyline then was about how Jacob deGrom used his no-trade clause to nix a trade to Atlanta and longtime general manager Alex Anthopoulos didn't pivot to land a legitimate No. 2 starter behind Chris Sale. And yet, Mahle has been that and more, pitching like a bona fide ace over these last two months. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: When the Braves won the 2021 World Series, Acuña was out with his first knee injury and Eddie Rosario was taking a star turn in the playoffs. When Acuña enjoyed his historic 41-homer/73-steal season in 2023, the 104-win Braves were knocked out in the NLDS by the Phillies. Thus, Acuña is still looking to lead the Braves to a title for the first time, at least one in which he's in the spotlight.
For most of this season, he looked nothing like peak Acuña before reportedly altering his stance in late August. Since then, he's been one of the best offensive players in the game. He's not quite peak Acuña because he doesn't steal bases like he once did after the knee injuries. But the more we get of him in October, the more fun it will be. -- Doolittle
San Diego Padres
No. 4 seed | 91-71 | NL wild card
Wild-card opponent: Cubs (49.9% chance of advancing)
Doolittle's WS odds: 3.5% | DraftKings odds: +2000
Team temperature: 109°
Why they can win the World Series: Their stars are playing like stars, and their bullpen is as deep and nasty as any. And with Nick Pivetta back and carving and Michael King one of the most consistent starters in the game, they've got the goods to capture the franchise's first championship. Of course, that depends on Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill continuing their second-half surges.
They are the alpha and omega of the Padres, and though everyone in between has improved, from Ty France to Manny Machado to Xander Bogaerts, they can't rely exclusively on the home run. The Padres run well, and they'll need to. The Padres field well, and they'll need to do that, too. Teams are scared to play San Diego, and with good reason. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: Can a relief pitcher win World Series MVP? It has happened four times, most recently with Mariano Rivera of the 1999 Yankees. Mason Miller, of course, has had a dominant season, although he has limited usage beyond one inning -- two appearances of two innings, two more of five outs, a handful of four-out ones. The Padres have a deep bullpen, but being ultra-aggressive with Miller and getting more than three outs from him, as Joe Torre often did with Rivera, seems to be a key to the Padres' title hopes. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because their starters don't pitch deep enough for their dominant bullpen to take over. San Diego has one of the top relief corps in the majors. Miller is the best closer in baseball. Adrian Morejon, Bradgley Rodriguez, and Yuki Matsui were elite this season. Getting Jason Adam back Wednesday could provide another boost.
The question is, can the rotation pass the baton to that group with a lead, or at least without facing a significant deficit? Robbie Ray and Casey Mize struggled after being acquired at the Aug. 3 trade deadline, but the Padres' rotation was better down the stretch anyway. Before Aug. 4, San Diego starters ranked 27th in the majors with a 4.66 ERA. After that, they were tied for 11th led by No. 1 starter Michael King. If that improvement doesn't carry over to October, the Padres could be in trouble. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: Ethan Salas came up in September as a 20-year-old who had played just 24 games above Double-A. Now, it seems he'll be behind the plate when it matters most. Salas has always impressed the Padres with his ability to manage a staff, but now they know it can transfer to the major league level. Just as important, he has impressed with his approach and production as a left-handed hitter.
On the night the Padres clinched, Salas navigated five Padres pitchers through nine innings of two-run ball against a loaded Dodgers lineup. He also broke up Tyler Glasnow's no-hitter with an opposite-field single in the sixth and drove in the game's third run with a base hit up the middle an inning later. "I'm impressed," Padres third baseman Manny Machado said moments later. "Not a lot of people impress me." -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: Just imagine the setting: The Padres are at home with a chance to close out the Dodgers in the NLCS (if the bracket allows it), leading by a run, with Miller's entrance cued up by the opening notes of Korn's "Blind" and the Petco Park crowd in a frenzy. Then, imagine that scenario repeating itself in the World Series against the AL champion, with the Padres' first title on the line. Your goosebumps would get goosebumps. -- Doolittle
Chicago Cubs
No. 5 seed | 89-73 | NL wild card
Wild-card opponent: Padres (50.1% chance of advancing)
Doolittle's WS odds: 3.9% | DraftKings odds: +1700
Team temperature: 67°
Why they can win the World Series: They've got the best offense and defense in baseball, meaning if the Cubs can muster even a reasonable performance from their pitching staff, they will be a tough out for any opponent, even ones as formidable as the NL offers.
Everything starts with NL MVP-to-be Pete Crow-Armstrong, who didn't log an extra-base hit in eight playoff games last year. If PCA falters again, plenty of Cubs can pick him up, including Alex Bregman, whose return from multiple facial fractures on an errant foul ball last week is just another shot in the arm.
Ultimately, though, the Cubs will go only as far as their pitching allows them. And that goes especially for a bullpen that gives up a lot of home runs and doesn't miss many bats. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: You want a pick other than PCA? Well, since the World Series MVP Award began in 1955, the best player in baseball (via Baseball-Reference WAR) has never won it.
The only players to lead their league in WAR and win it were Orel Hershiser of the 1988 Dodgers and Mike Schmidt of the 1980 Phillies. The only best hitter in baseball (via OPS+) to win was Frank Robinson of the 1966 Orioles (although Yordan Alvarez is the best hitter in 2026). Let's go with Seiya Suzuki, who hit three home runs in eight playoff games last year.-- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because the pitching doesn't carry its weight. The Cubs led the majors in runs scored and finished second in home runs behind the Yankees. Their defense is considered, by the metrics and eye test, the best in baseball. Crow-Armstrong will win NL MVP, perhaps unanimously.
Their pitching does not reside near those levels. Chicago's 4.13 ERA was the highest ERA among the six NL playoff teams this season. Injuries were a significant factor, and the front office addressed the deficiency before the trade deadline by acquiring starters Clay Holmes, Kevin Gausman and David Peterson, and reliever Ryan Zeferjahn. Peterson was the only one of the additions with an ERA under 4.00 with the Cubs. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: Crow-Armstrong went 5-for-27 in last year's playoffs, striking out 12 times, drawing just one walk and not mustering a home run. He was on the heels of an otherwise productive season that made him an All-Star, would eventually net him a Gold Glove and ultimately prompted a ninth-place finish in NL MVP voting.
This year's version, though, is on a different level. PCA isn't just the obvious MVP; he has put together one of the greatest seasons of the 21st century, a dazzling display of defense, power and speed. The Cubs can hit and field better than anyone. It's what makes them so scary in the playoffs. And PCA is at the center of it. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: If you want to see greatness at its apex, you can't afford to miss what PCA does on an almost daily basis. What Crow-Armstrong has accomplished this season in overhauling his approach at the plate is virtually unprecedented. Depending on how you set the parameters, you have to go back to early-career Al Kaline to find someone on par, and Kaline never had a season like PCA did in 2026. The Cubs are a fun team to watch because of their multifaceted offense and best-in-baseball defense. But Crow-Armstrong is why you tune in. -- Doolittle
Philadelphia Phillies
No. 6 seed | 88-74 | NL wild card
Wild-card opponent: Braves (43.6% chance of advancing)
Doolittle's WS odds: 3.1% | DraftKings odds: +2000
Team temperature: 61°
Why they can win the World Series: They've got the frontline talent to do it. Perhaps only the Dodgers can match Philadelphia's quintet of Cristopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. They were enough to paper over the Phillies' deficiencies, and if Luzardo's return from a shoulder issue goes well, their rotation can go toe-to-toe with any, including the Dodgers and Yankees. Alec Bohm's second-half surge helps their offensive prospects, and with Luis Arraez after spraining his left ankle Thursday night, they need every bit of help they can get.
At the end of the day, though, the Phillies' fortunes might come down to their bullpen and whether any of the hard-throwing relievers they've turned to -- Jonathan Bowlan, Chase Shugart and especially Alex McFarlane -- can serve as a proper bridge to Jhoan Duran. -- Passan
If they win it all, the 2026 World Series MVP will be: Kyle Schwarber has played 38 postseason games with the Phillies and hit 14 home runs while slugging .567. When he hits a home run, they're 8-4; when he doesn't, they're 13-13. Their only win in the NLDS last year against the Dodgers came when Schwarber homered twice.
Given that this is the worst offensive Phillies team of this five-year playoff run, it feels more imperative than ever for Schwarber to come up big. If he does that, and the rotation delivers as expected, that MVP trophy could be his. -- Schoenfield
If they go home early, it will be because their bullpen isn't deep enough. The Phillies have the October-tested stars to make a deep playoff run. Their rotation took a hit when Luzardo went on the injured list because of shoulder inflammation Sept. 15, too late for him to return for the wild-card series as a starter, but the Phillies still have Wheeler, Sanchez and a resurgent Aaron Nola to take the ball in the three-game set.
Offensively, acquiring Arraez deepened the lineup behind Bryce Harper and Schwarber. But outside of closer Duran and rookie Alex McFarlane, the relief corps is a concern. Orion Kerkering, one of their high-leverage pitchers the past two seasons, did not rebound from his rough 2025 postseason and won't be eligible for the first two rounds of the playoffs after being recently demoted. Jose Alvarado has been wildly inconsistent. Brooks Raley has an 8.71 ERA since he was acquired from the Mets.
The answer to overcoming that weakness could be taking a page from the championship runs of the 2018 Red Sox and 2019 Nationals and relying heavily on a small group of pitchers, including starters pitching out of the bullpen. -- Castillo
Ready for his October close-up: Nola is no stranger to the postseason stage, of course, but this year, the circumstances are vastly different. At the end of June, his ERA was 6.04. He was three months into his age-33 season, on the heels of going 5-10 with a 6.01 ERA in 2025. It seemed as if Nola's best days were behind them. Then, he turned it on. Over his next 15 starts -- before a desperation short rest start on Saturday, during which he lasted one inning and allowed three runs -- Nola put up a 3.12 ERA, striking out 90 batters in 89â…“ innings. Given Luzardo's uncertain status, Nola will be crucial. -- Gonzalez
Why you should root for them: The Phillies of recent vintage have been knocking on the door, with a roster led by some of the most distinctive talents of the era. From Schwarber's moonshot home runs, to Harper's unmistakable power stroke to the electric baserunning of Trea Turner, Philadelphia casts an indelible image. But this is baseball's oldest team, and that aforementioned trio, as well as ace righty Zack Wheeler, are all 33 or older. Enjoy the Phillies' stars still playing at star level while you can. -- Doolittle
