Before I get to my 2026 MLB Postseason Predictions, I should revisit my predictions for the regular season, just to show how bad I am at this.
2026 Pre-Season Predictions and Results
AL East
Prediction:
New York
Toronto (WC)
Boston
Baltimore
Tampa Bay
Actual:
Tampa Bay
New York (WC)
Boston (WC)
Baltimore
Toronto
Comments:
My 5th place team had the best record in the AL, and last year’s Wild Card runner-up finished 5th. At least I correctly predicted that the Yankees would make the postseason.
AL Central
Prediction:
Detroit
Kansas City (WC)
Cleveland
Chicago
Minnesota
Actual:
Cleveland
Chicago (WC)
MInnesota
Detroit
Kansas City
Comments:
I think I can forgive myself for being wrong about the White Sox, but what was I smoking to think Kansas City would make the Wild Card? I also should stop underestimating the Guardians, who I even called the AL version of the Brewers earlier this year. Although, it might be the Tampa Bay Rays who are the AL version of the Brewers. Or maybe they are all just small market teams who find a way to win.
AL West
Predicted:
Houston
Seattle (WC)
Texas
Los Angeles
Athletics
Actual:
Houston
Texas
Seattle
Athletics
Los Angeles
Comments:
Well, I was close to being right here. The Astros just barely snuck into the top spot. But the Mariners, who most predicted to win the division, were a huge disappointment.
NL East
Predicted:
New York
Philadelphia (WC)
Atlanta
Miami
Washington
Actual:
Atlanta
Philadelphia (WC)
Miami
Washington
New York
Comments: The Mets? That prediction had blown up less than a month into the season. Meanwhile, a more health Atlanta team showed that they are still a force. I was right about the Philly Wild Card, at least.
NL Central
Predicted
Milwaukee
Chicago (WC)
Cincinnati (WC)
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
Actual:
Milwaukee
Chicago (WC)
Pittsburgh
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Comments: I will predict the Brewers to win the NL Central until they don’t. And I was correct about that this year. The Cubs did make the Wild Card, but I was way off on the Reds, who were a big disappointment after their Wild Card run in 2025.
NL West
Prediction:
Los Angeles
San Diego
Arizona
San Francisco
Colorado
Actual:
Los Angeles
San Diego
Arizona
San Francisco
Colorado
Comments: This is the only division where I was spot on, but I really should have put the Padres in the Wild Card over the Reds, to at least get 4 of the playoff teams correct. It really was not difficult to have the Rockies last and the Giants fourth (only because the Rockies would be last).
Division winners correct: 3 of 6
Playoff teams correct: 6 of 12
2026 Playoff Predictions
Wild Card:
- Yankees over Red Sox – Too much pitching, and can win without Judge
- White Sox over Astros – Astros barely made the playoffs, and White Sox should have just enough to beat them
- Padres over Cubs – As much as I want the Cubs to win, I can’t pick them due to their pitching. And the Padres offense has been good enough to compliment their bullpen
- Braves over Phillies – Maybe the Phillies pitching can step up, but having to use Wheeler in game 162 does not help their chances. The Braves are a bit thin for starters after Sale, but have a great bullpen.
Division Series
- Brewers over Padres – Misiorowski can pitch in games 1 and 5, and I think they can get another win in this series from Henderson or Gasser – or from a bullpen game.
- Dodgers over Braves – the Dodgers were last beaten in the playoffs by the Diamondbacks a couple of years ago. The Braves could beat them, but with Yamamoto, Skubal, Glasnow, and Snell, I would not bet on it.
- Ray over Yankees – I think the Rays have the pitching to do it. It should be an epic series, which really should be the ALCS
- Guardians over White Sox – I don’t think either team is that good, but they are here, so one of them has to win. The Guardians have been better lately, so I guess I’ll choose the
Champion Series
- Dodgers over Brewers – a rematch of last season. I don’t think this will be a sweep, but Misiorowski will probably only be able to pitch twice. Maybe this is the season the Brewers magic carries into the postseason, but I can’t pick against the Dodgers
- Rays over Guardians – a battle of the bottom 5 payroll teams for a trip to face the Dodgers. Maybe I’m over-valuing the Rays, as I really have not seen much of them this year. But if they get past the Yankees, I think they can get past the Guardians.
World Series
- Dodgers over Rays – what a boring, “chalky” pick. A three-peat by the Dodgers would be an appropriate way to go into a work stoppage where the owners are pushing for a salary cap and no more deferred contracts. Now if we get Brewers vs Rays or Brewers vs Guardians, and attempts to paint the salary cap as being for competitive balance will not hold as much water.
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