The 2026 MLB playoffs will officially advance to the next round on Saturday with four games scheduled to be played. The American League Division Series and National League Division Series will both kick off on Saturday, and each clash is quite enticing.

In the ALDS matchups, the AL's best team in 2026, the Tampa Bay Rays, will square off against the New York Yankees. A couple of AL Central rivals will go head-to-head in the other ALDS matchup with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox playing.

Over in the NLDS battles, the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the Atlanta Braves, while MLB's best 2026 regular season squad, the Milwaukee Brewers, are set to play the San Diego Padres.

Without further ado, here are my predictions for the winner of each series.

Yankees vs. Rays (ALDS)

The Yankees cruised to an AL Wild Card Series win over the Boston Red Sox and will now face another AL East opponent in the Rays. Tampa Bay was the better team all season long, but New York still performed well despite Aaron Judge missing a significant amount of time due to an injury. Judge's status for the series is currently uncertain.

Regardless of whether or not Judge plays, the fact is that New York features one of the best starting rotations in the sport. Gerrit Cole and Cam Schlittler are set to pitch in Games 1 and 2, while Carlos Rodon and Max Fried can handle Games 3 and 4.

The Rays have a complete team, though. They are not going to lose any series in the MLB playoffs without a fight. However, the Yankees should be able to prevail.

Prediction: Yankees win in four games

White Sox vs. Guardians (ALDS)

The Guardians narrowly won the AL Central over the White Sox and ultimately earned a first-round bye. Chicago did not have too much trouble in the AL Wild Card Series, however, as the White Sox defeated the Houston Astros in two games.

This series will be one of the most thrilling matchups of all the division series. There is not a clear favorite, but Cleveland's home field advantage does provide a boost. The Guardians' pitching is also better than the White Sox, especially with star hurlers Parker Messick and Gavin Williams starting Games 1 and 2.

In a series that may require five games to determine a champion, look for Cleveland to advance to the ALCS.

Prediction: Guardians win in five games

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Brewers vs. Padres (NLDS)

Over in the National League, the Brewers will play the Padres. Milwaukee was incredible all season but San Diego performed especially well late in the season. The Padres defeated the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card round at home and now they are prepared to potentially pull off an upset in these MLB playoffs.

This may be the most difficult series to predict. The idea that it is finally the Brewers' year after consistent regular season success and postseason failures in the past is realistic. There is also a chance that the Padres can carry their momentum all the way to the World Series.

While San Diego upsetting Milwaukee would not surprise me, I will predict Milwaukee will win the series in five games.

Prediction: Brewers win in five games

Braves vs. Dodgers

This is another series where an upset is quite possible. The Dodgers have one of the deepest rosters in baseball, but the Braves are resilient and they have legitimate talent on the roster. Atlanta needed a third game to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Wild Card Series, but the Braves still managed to get the job done.

The biggest question for Atlanta is the starting pitching. Chris Sale is a superstar and Tyler Mahle has impressed since being traded to Atlanta earlier in the season, but the Braves' pitching simply doesn't compare to the Dodgers.

Atlanta will make things interesting, but look for LA to advance to the next round.

Prediction: Dodgers win in five games