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The 2026 MLB Playoffs are finally here. The biggest question is, can the Los Angeles Dodgers complete the three-peat? They come into the postseason on a bit of a low, but we all know that the regular season is basically spring training for them. With Tarik Skubal now on the team, it’s going to be tough to beat this juggernaut.
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The good news for us fans is that there are plenty of contenders to challenge the Dodgers for the throne. The New York Yankees have Aaron Judge and an excellent pitching staff. The Tampa Bay Rays had a magical season led by Junior Caminero. The Boston Red Sox are better than their record, since they dealt with injuries. Don’t forget about the Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, or Chicago Cubs.
Needless to say, it’s going to be an interesting postseason. In this article, we’re going to preview the bracket, contenders, and odds, providing our predictions. So, without further ado, let’s break down the 2026 MLB Playoffs.
The Full Bracket
NOTE: No. 1 & No. 2 seeds in each league gets a bye through the Wild Card round.
AL: No. 3 Houston Astros vs. No. 6 Chicago White Sox
The Houston Astros (81-81) clinched the AL West with a 9-0 win over the Athletics on the last day of the season. The Chicago White Sox (84-78) shocked the world with a surprising season, locking in the final wild card with three days left on the schedule. The Astros won the season series 5-2.
AL: No. 4 New York Yankees vs. No. 5 Boston Red Sox
The New York Yankees (93-68) have been seemingly entrenched in the top AL Wild Card for a while now, as the Tampa Bay Rays had a chokehold on the AL East for most of the season. The Boston Red Sox (87-75) lost five of their last eight games coming into the playoffs, so they’re in poor form. The Yankees won the season series 7-6.
NL: No. 3 Atlanta Braves vs. No. 6 Philadelphia Phillies
The Atlanta Braves (94-68) dominated the NL East this season, led by a bounce-back from Matt Olson and a dominant season from Chris Sale. The Philadelphia Phillies (88-74) squeaked into the final NL Wild Card with a win over the Tampa Bay Rays on the last day of the year. The Braves won the season series 9-4.
NL: No. 4 San Diego Padres vs. No. 5 Chicago Cubs
The San Diego Padres (91-71) come into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning 17 of their last 20 games. They’ll go up against the Chicago Cubs (89-73), who aren’t nearly as hot, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. It should be an interesting case of whether regular season momentum matters in the playoffs. The Cubs won the season series 5-1.
2026 World Series Odds
Prediction Market Watch
You can get the Dodgers to win the World Series at 30¢ at Kalshi, followed by the Brewers (18¢) and Rays (11¢). Prices are the same at Polymarket.
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World Series Contenders
Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s going to be extremely difficult to beat the Dodgers in a series when you have to face Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow. Kyle Tucker finally showed signs of life at the plate down the stretch as well. While Edwin Diaz was disappointing, Tanner Scott has been an excellent closer. Needless to say, this is a superteam that looks like the clear-cut best team in baseball. Don’t be fooled by their underwhelming finish to the year.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers once again defied the odds and had another dominant season. There’s one key difference from this team compared to last: Jacob Misiorowski. Now cemented as the consensus top pitcher in baseball, Miz could make a major impact in the playoffs, whereas last year, he was sort of fizzling out as a rookie who exceeded expectations. Add in a pesky lineup led by Jackson Chourio, and it’s easy to see why the Brewers are the Dodgers’ biggest threat in the NL.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays are led by a legitimate superstar in Junior Caminero, along with an excellent pitching staff with Drew Rasmussen at the top. This is a world-class organization that has been able to unlock Freddy Peralta since acquiring him at the deadline. Add in a breakout closer in Bryan Baker, and the Rays have the pieces in place for a deep run. It also helps that they secured a bye, so they can avoid facing the Red Sox in the Wild Card round, unlike the Yankees.
New York Yankees
The Yankees are the consensus fourth-best team when it comes to pricing, but they’re in a tough spot taking on the Red Sox. That could be a series that goes right down to the wire. Aaron Judge is banged up with his status in question, so the Yankees will need to rely on their pitching, led by AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler, who had a phenomenal season. If Judge can return, this team is a major problem, especially since Ben Rice has developed into an elite power hitter.
X-Factors & Players to Watch
Aaron Judge (OF – NYY)
Aaron Judge is the biggest x-factor in the playoffs. Currently dealing with a rib injury, it’s unclear if Judge will play in the Wild Card round, although he’s trying to play through it. If Judge can get back for the Yankees, they’re going to be tough to beat in the AL. Remember, he missed a chunk of the season, so this team is clearly better than their record.
Roman Anthony (OF – BOS)
Roman Anthony had an injury-plagued season, but we can’t let that make us lose sight of the fact that he’s a potential superstar with advanced plate discipline. While his numbers were underwhelming, the tools are there, so if he can figure it out and catch lightning in a bottle in the playoffs, the Red Sox can go on a run.
Garrett Crochet (SP – BOS)
Yes, I’m picking two Red Sox as x-factors, highlighting how this team could be a sleeping giant. Garrett Crochet has been out for most of the season. Reports indicate that he’s hitting 96 MPH. There’s a chance that he’ll be back in action for the playoffs, where he can be a weapon out of the bullpen. Can you imagine facing Crochet for two innings before the Red Sox turn to Aroldis Chapman? Dangerous team.
Wild Card Predictions
Houston Astros over Chicago White Sox: Experience wins over youth.
Boston Red Sox over New York Yankees: Red Sox are getting healthy enough to pull off the upset.
Philadelphia Phillies over Atlanta Braves: Phillies have deeper pitching, especially with Jesus Luzardo back, albeit likely in the bullpen.
Chicago Cubs over San Diego Padres: I can’t trust the Padres’ starting rotation in the postseason.
Division Series Predictions
Cleveland Guardians over Houston Astros: With Gavin Williams and Parker Messick, the Guardians have the edge on the mound
Boston Red Sox over Tampa Bay Rays: Red Sox are a legitimate dark horse for Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet back
Los Angeles Dodgers over Philadelphia Phillies: Dodgers are a superteam that will be ready to roll now that it’s October
Milwaukee Brewers over Chicago Cubs: Brewers have the edge in pitching, especially with all-world Jacob Misiorowski
Championship Series Predictions
Boston Red Sox over Cleveland Guardians: Red Sox gave us a sneak peek of what they can do with their red-hot run earlier this season
Los Angeles Dodgers over Milwaukee Brewers: Brewers refusal to pay up for Tarik Skubal comes back to bite them in the NLCS
World Series Prediction
Los Angeles Dodgers over Boston Red Sox: For the third straight year, the Dodgers knock out an AL East opponent in the World Series
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FAQ
How many rounds are in the MLB playoffs?
There are four rounds in the MLB playoffs: the Wild Card, Divisional Series, Championship Series, and World Series. The top two seeds in the AL and NL get byes into the Divisional Series.
When do the MLB playoffs start?
The MLB Wild Card begins Tuesday, September 29.
How can I watch the MLB playoffs?
Wild Card and Division Series air on NBC, TBS, truTV, and HBO Max, while the League Championship Series and World Series air on Fox and FS1.
Photo Credit: REUTERS
