Brewers, Yankees Picked as MLB Playoff Favorites by Insiders — SkimNews
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- Milwaukee Brewers were named NL team to beat by 6 of 16 insiders, edging the Dodgers (5) and Phillies (4), with voters citing the top of their rotation — Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson — plus a bullpen insiders called as good as anyone's in baseball.
- San Diego Padres were the consensus NL sleeper (7 votes), with their pitching staff compiling the best NL ERA since the trade deadline acquisitions of Casey Mize and Robbie Ray.
- New York Yankees were an overwhelming AL pick (9 of 16 votes) following Aaron Judge's return from a more than three-month injury absence, with the Rays (4) and Red Sox (3) trailing.
- Houston Astros drew 7 votes as AL sleeper, though several insiders admitted the pick felt reluctant, with one calling it "if you force me to pick a team" given limited conviction outside the AL East's top three.
- Chicago Cubs drew votes in both NL polls (1 as team to beat, 4 as sleeper), reflecting insider views that they can be "really good" — like during their record August — or "really subpar," as during their 10-game May losing streak, depending on the day.
- Seattle Mariners, last year's consensus October sleeper who fell one game short of the 2025 World Series, didn't receive a single vote this year because they're unlikely to make the postseason in 2026.
Why it matters: The Dodgers and Phillies drew 9 combined NL votes to the Brewers' 6 — meaning insiders are split on whether Milwaukee can break through after losing the 2025 NLCS to Los Angeles. In the AL, the Yankees' near-unanimous selection (9 of 16) hinges on Aaron Judge staying healthy through October after a three-month absence that defined their regular season.
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