MLB insiders predict the playoffs: Bold takes, dangerous teams and breakout stars — SkimNews
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- Buster Olney predicts the San Diego Padres will win their first World Series, citing their MLB-best bullpen and the built-in postseason off days that favor relief-heavy pitching over thin rotations
- Jeff Passan picks the Boston Red Sox (potentially the No. 5 seed) to win the American League pennant, noting they have the best AL offense since the All-Star break and lead MLB in fielding independent pitching
- The Los Angeles Dodgers remain favorites for a third straight title, but evaluators flagged vulnerabilities around Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages, and Blake Snell returning on the eve of the postseason with no rehab assignments
- The Milwaukee Brewers have more believers than ever, with Jacob Misiorowski's fastball potentially hitting 107 mph in the playoffs, per one evaluator, and Logan Henderson and Robert Gasser adding rotation depth
- Opinions on the New York Yankees without Aaron Judge are split — one front-office exec said they have "no chance" of a deep run, while another pointed to their pitching staff as a path forward against a softer AL draw
- The Philadelphia Phillies are a popular pick as a dangerous lower seed, but Jesus Luzardo's health is the swing factor — one rival exec said "If he's healthy, they're my answer" to win it all
- Under-the-radar names to watch include Rays outfielder Victor Mesa Jr., Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers, Padres first baseman Ty France, Cleveland left-hander Parker Messick, and Brewers right-hander Logan Henderson — Messick and Henderson both lean heavily on four-seam fastballs despite below-average velocity
Why it matters: With the Dodgers seeking a three-peat but showing late-season vulnerabilities, the 2026 playoff field features multiple credible alternatives — particularly in the National League, where one GM said he'd take every NL playoff team over every AL playoff team. Insider consensus now points to the Padres, not the Dodgers, as the most likely NL threat to reach the World Series.
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