The 2026 Major League Baseball postseason is underway, bringing with it the potential for a historic World Series. Staff predictions suggest that two teams that have never previously won a World Series — the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays — could meet this fall.
The Brewers enter the playoffs having completed their best regular season in franchise history. Milwaukee secured baseball's best record with its first-ever 100-win campaign in 2026. This performance earned the club a first-round bye in the National League postseason. The Brewers are slated to face the winner of the NL Wild Card Series between the Padres and Cubs.
The Tampa Bay Rays, another team without a World Series title, also made the playoff field. The Rays have a recent history of deep runs, making their World Series debut in 2008 where they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games. This year, the Rays won the American League East and are considered a dark horse contender, a label that often follows them.
Pitching depth could define the Rays' postseason run. Injured starter Shane McClanahan may return at some point. The team also bolstered its rotation by acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Mets at the trade deadline. This move provides crucial depth for the Rays as they facing the playoff bracket.
Several high-seeded teams face significant challenges. The American League's No. 2 seed, the Cleveland Guardians, won their division with 85 victories and a plus-11 run differential. However, FanGraphs data suggests the team played closer to a.500 club. While their pitching staff is equipped for close games, the Guardians' lineup lacks a single 20-homer batter, leaving little margin for error.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who won back-to-back titles and are pursuing a historic three-peat, are also a team to watch. Their roster, with an average age of 31, is the oldest in MLB. The Dodgers have played an extra 31 games over the prior two postseasons, and their age has occasionally shown this season, potentially impacting their performance.
The New York Yankees face their own uphill battle. The team struggles to score runs under pressure against strong playoff pitching, especially without Aaron Judge in the lineup. Facing superb Red Sox hurlers, the Bronx Bombers' chances of putting runs on the board diminish further.
In the National League, the Chicago Cubs, despite boasting baseball's best offense and defense, are considered a dark horse. Their leaky relief pitching is a clear vulnerability. The Cubs' lineup, featuring Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman, offers multiple ways to win games, but their bullpen must consistently keep the ball in the park for a deep run.
Other teams missed their playoff aspirations. The Seattle Mariners, the only active MLB team never to appear in a World Series, came within one win of ending that drought last October. They appeared poised for a deeper run in 2026 but finished with a 76-86 record, squandering a lineup that includes Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, and Randy Arozarena.
The Pittsburgh Pirates also failed to make the postseason. A healthy Konnor Griffin at shortstop and Paul Skenes on the mound could have energized the team. However, the Pirates dug too deep a hole in August, preventing them from contending.
Pete Alonso's "F-David Stearns" tour will not continue into the postseason, as the Orioles did not qualify. David Stearns, the Mets' president of baseball operations, did not offer Alonso a new contract. Alonso hit 43 home runs this season, arguably the second-best of his career. Stearns avoids postseason scrutiny for this decision until the 2027 season.
