The MLB regular season has officially reached its conclusion, as the postseason bracket is set. The Los Angeles Dodgers remain the team to beat, but a number of ball clubs are intriguing and could upset the Dodgers in this year's MLB playoffs. Today, I am going to share my predictions for the entire postseason, from the Wild Card round through the World Series. Without further ado, here are my 2026 MLB playoff predictions.
AL, NL Wild Card round
The American League and National League Wild Card rounds will begin on Tuesday. The best-of-three series often go by quickly, so winning Game 1 is of the utmost importance.
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
Beginning with the Yankees and Red Sox series, New York will have the advantage with Cam Schlittler leading the way. The Red Sox's offense has endured its share of struggles in recent weeks. Home field advantage will give the Yankees a crucial boost.
Prediction: Yankees win series over Red Sox 2-0
Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros
The White Sox have been one of the best stories in baseball. Chicago had been one of the worst teams in the sport in recent years, but the White Sox bounced back and fell just short of winning the AL Central. Still, the ball club is in the MLB playoffs as the No. 6 seed.
Their opponent? An Astros ball club that has no shortage of playoff experience. Houston will know what to expect while Chicago's lack of playoff experience is going to factor into this series. Look for the White Sox to win one game, but the Astros will take the series.
Prediction: Astros win series over White Sox 2-1
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves
The Phillies narrowly reached the postseason as the No. 6 seed despite a late-season surge by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Philadelphia did not clinch its postseason spot until Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Braves are poised for a big postseason. Their pitching has some questions aside from Chris Sale, but the Braves were one of the better teams in the sport this year. They have to play in the Wild Card round since the Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers clinched byes, but Atlanta shouldn't have too much trouble with this version of the Phillies.
Prediction: Braves win series over Phillies 2-1
Cubs vs. Padres
The Padres have been one of the hottest teams in the sport in recent weeks. It wasn't all that long ago that there were serious questions about whether or not San Diego would even reach the playoffs. The Padres turned on the jets in the final weeks of the season and clinched the top NL Wild Card spot.
This will likely be the most competitive series in the Wild Card round. It is not difficult to envision the Padres or Cubs winning the series. While Pete Crow-Armstrong will give the Cubs an opportunity to win, look for the Padres to get the job done.
Prediction: Padres win series over Cubs 2-1
ALDS, NLDS
The American League Division Series and National League Division Series will feature enticing matchups this year. According to my MLB playoffs predictions, the Rays will host the Yankees, the Guardians will host the Astros, the Dodgers will host the Braves and the Brewers will host the Padres.
New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees have more recognizable names than the Rays, but this Tampa Bay ball club has been incredibly consistent this year despite being overlooked. Tampa Bay's depth will make them especially challenging to defeat in a best-of-five series.
The availability of sluggers such as Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will impact matters. The Rays' Junior Caminero-led offense is more than capable of doing damage.
I almost selected the Rays to win the series, but New York's strong starting pitching should be able to give the team an opportunity to win the series.
Prediction: Yankees win series over Rays 3-2
Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians will be rested and ready to go against an Astros ball club that now holds the worst record ever for a playoff team in a 162-game season. I expect Houston to defeat Chicago in the Wild Card series due to experience. Cleveland does feature a young roster, but it also has a number of veterans with postseason experience. The Guardians' pitching is a strength as well.
Cleveland should be able to advance to the ALCS in a competitive series.
Prediction: Guardians win series over Astros 3-1
Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
While surprising fans by predicting the Dodgers to be eliminated in the NLDS sounds intriguing, I just don't believe the Braves have enough starting pitching depth to compete with the Dodgers. LA's roster is incredibly deep, the team will be rested for the series, and the Dodgers should be able to advance to the NLCS once again.
Prediction: Dodgers win series over Braves 3-1
San Diego Padres vs. Milwaukee Brewers
The Padres have upset potential. Milwaukee has been consistently good in regular seasons over the years, but the postseason has given them trouble. In 2026, though, it's difficult to envision the best regular season team in the sport being eliminated in the NLDS. Look for Milwaukee to get the job done, especially since Jacob Misiorowski is now entering the playoffs with previous postseason experience.
Article Continues BelowBrewers win series over Padres 3-0
ALCS, NLCS
Moving forward to the American League Championship Series and National League Championship Series, I have the Yankees and Guardians going head-to-head and the Dodgers and Brewers squaring off.
Yankees vs. Guardians
To win a best-of-seven series in the MLB playoffs, a team needs legitimate depth on its roster. The Guardians have depth but are also inexperienced aside from its proven veterans. Meanwhile, the Yankees feature many veteran players who can make an impact off the bench.
Both teams have strong pitching. The Guardians are one of those ball clubs that find ways to score runs. New York gets the job done with the home run ball, though.
For Cleveland, it will be interesting to see how their young star starting pitchers, Parker Messick and Gavin Williams, hold up deep into October. The same can be said for Yankees star Cam Schlittler.
This series will go seven games. Anything can happen in a Game 7. The Guardians have found their rhythm in recent weeks, and I expect it to continue in the ALCS. It's a bold prediction, but I have Cleveland reaching its first World Series since 2016.
Prediction: Guardians win series over Yankees 4-3
Dodgers vs. Brewers
The Brewers won 103 games this season. In most scenarios, the idea of a 103-win team reaching the Fall Classic in the MLB postseason wouldn't be surprising. However, it is when the Dodgers stand in your way.
LA won 100 games and the ball club has earned back-to-back championships. This Dodgers team is deep, but there are some questions. The offense has had some ups and downs, and Shohei Ohtani is currently struggling.
In 2025, the Dodgers narrowly defeated the Brewers in the NLCS. This season, I believe the Brewers will shock the Dodgers and end the defending champions' postseason early.
Prediction: Brewers win series over Dodgers 4-3
World Series
The Guardians and Brewers in the World Series? Really?
Look, I get it's bold. The reality of the situation is that Cleveland and Milwaukee are two of the best organizations in this sport, though. Despite playing in small markets, the Brewers and Guardians have consistently produced winning teams over the years. While it hasn't led to World Series wins, these teams are both always in the conversation.
In 2026, I am expecting a thrilling battle between two scrappy teams in the Fall Classic. So, which team will win?
The Brewers found more regular season success. Jacob Misiorowski is going to win the National League Cy Young and the bullpen is capable of closing the door. Milwaukee's lineup sometimes gets overlooked, but it knows how to get the job done.
There is something about this 2026 Guardians team, though. They are not as talented as some other ball clubs, but their ability to come through in clutch situations is remarkable. Their No. 9 hitter in the lineup, Brayan Rocchio, has emerged as one of the best clutch hitters in the sport.
In a series that will require seven games, I am expecting the Guardians to win their first World Series since 1948 in what will be a memorable Fall Classic.
Prediction: Guardians win series over Brewers 4-3