Major League Baseball - 2026 Postseason Preview & Predictions

The 2026 Major League Baseball playoffs begin today with the Wild Card rounds in both the American League and National League. And this MLB postseason could be more wide open than in recent years, even with the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers once again in the mix. 

The Dodgers won 100 games and are the number two seed in the senior circuit, behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who won a franchise record 103 games this year and are the favorites to win it all. In the American League, the two teams getting the bye will be the top seeded Tampa Bay Rays and also the Cleveland Guardians, who won the A.L. Central division by one game over the Chicago White Sox, the surprise team of the 2026 baseball season. Just two years ago, the White Sox set the record for worst ever single season record with 121 losses and now here they are in the post season after three consecutive 100-loss seasons. 

There are always surprises once the playoffs begin and just three years ago, two of the lowest ever seeded teams faced off in the 2023 World Series with the Texas Rangers beating the Arizona Diamondbacks. So, the bottom line is, when it comes to sports, especially baseball, the unexpected can and likely will happen in October. 

The New York Yankees will take on the Boston Red Sox in The Bronx and the Houston Astros, winners of the American League West division with an 81-81 record, will host the White Sox. The National League wild card series will feature the Chicago Cubs against the host San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves, winners of the N.L. East division, hosting the Philadelphia Phillies. 

There are many questions once again this year, including teams having injured players who may or may not play once the action gets started, but taking into account where things are right now with the 12 teams involved, Heftyinfo will attempt to figure it out and take a guess at what happens.  

Over the years, the picks here haven't always been accurate when it comes to October baseball and the eventual Fall Classic, but here it goes anyhow with picks for what could unfold in the next month. 

Play Ball !  

AMERICAN LEAGUE 

Wild Card Round - Chicago White Sox over Houston (2-1); Boston over New York Yankees (2-1)

ALDS - Tampa Bay over Boston (3-1); Cleveland over Chicago White Sox (3-1) 

ALCS - Cleveland over Tampa Bay (4-3) 

NATIONAL LEAGUE 

Wild Card Round - San Diego over Chicago Cubs (2-1); Philadelphia over Atlanta (2-1) 

NLDS - San Diego over Milwaukee (3-1); Los Angeles Dodgers over Philadelphia (3-1)

NLCS - San Diego over Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2)   

 

 

                                                                WORLD SERIES 

 

                                      San Diego Padres over Cleveland Guardians (in  six games)