The 2026 MLB playoff lineup is finalized, and by Halloween, a new World Series champion will be crowned. The Wild Card Series kicks off on Tuesday afternoon with four best-of-three matchups. The winners from these matchups will advance to the League Division Series, where the top two teams from each league, who received a first-round bye, will join in.
Teams that win the best-of-five Division Series will move on to the best-of-seven League Championship Series, which leads to the best-of-seven World Series showdown.
Here’s the playoff setup:
American League
- First-round byes: No. 1 Rays, No. 2 Guardians
- Wild Card Series: No. 3 Astros vs. No. 6 White Sox; No. 4 Yankees vs. No. 5 Red Sox
National League
- First-round byes: No. 1 Brewers, No. 2
- Wild Card Series: No. 3 Braves vs. No. 6 Phillies; No. 4 Padres vs. No. 5 Cubs
Below are the postseason predictions from CBS Sports MLB writers, covering every stage from the Wild Card round to the World Series.
Mike Axisa’s Picks
- World Series winner: over Yankees
- Reasoning: Mike bases his bracket on picking the strongest teams. Despite Aaron Judge’s absence, the Yankees have potent offense and strong pitching, though the bullpen’s workload is a concern. The appear more vulnerable than in recent years, partly due to Shohei Ohtani’s less-than-full health, but they have a formidable rotation and enough offense to compensate. Josue De Paula is expected to play a crucial role by making a significant impact.
Dayn Perry’s Picks
- World Series winner: Brewers over Rays
- Reasoning: Dayn acknowledges the unpredictability of the MLB postseason, especially given the NL’s stacked lineup and a comparatively weaker AL. Although he questions the Brewers’ power, he praises their balanced roster and run prevention. Injuries and aging affect the , while Judge’s health limits the Yankees’ chances. The Rays could make it to the World Series, but Dayn favors the Brewers winning in a tight seven-game series thanks to their deep bullpen.
Matt Snyder’s Picks
- World Series winner: Brewers over Rays
- Reasoning: Matt views the AL as weak but recognizes the Rays as a top-tier team that could advance. He believes an NL team will take the championship this season. Although the are favorites, multiple factors must align perfectly to win, and a three-peat is rare. He predicts the Brewers will rebound from last year’s sweep to win the World Series, highlighting Jackson Chourio as a breakout star who clinches the Series MVP and brings home Milwaukee’s first title.
Fan Take: This postseason preview highlights the exciting depth and unpredictability of MLB’s current landscape, with many strong contenders on both sides. For fans, it’s a reminder that October baseball can always surprise, featuring breakout stars and underdog stories that continue to enrich the sport’s drama and legacy.
Source: www.cbssports.com
