Latest World Series 2026 Predictions from MLB Fans, Experts amid Playoff Bracket

Five MLB teams still have a mathematic chance of winning the 2026 World Series.

So, it's just 20 percent chances all around, right?

Nope. Not according to...well, just about anyone you ask. From oddsmakers to experts, everyone sees favorites in this field, whether that's an actual favorite or maybe a favorite sleeper.

Before the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox square off in Saturday's win-or-go-home Game 5 of their ALDS series, let's see what number-crunchers of all kinds think is about to happen.

Who Likes L.A. To Win a Third Straight Title?

Plenty of folks are backing the Los Angeles Dodgers, which makes sense given the talent they've assembled and the achievements they've already realized. Remember, this group claimed both of the past two championships and has since added two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, three-time All-Star closer Edwin Díaz and four-time All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker.

MLB on Fox's Dontrelle Willis backed the Dodgers for "that rotation, timely hitting, and most important, experience." His colleague, David Ortiz, also took the Dodgers, noting simply, "We've been watching the Dodgers whooping everybody every year, man, and I still don't get enough of it."

The Athletic's Austin Green also backed L.A., opining that the club "just won 100 games while appearing to be in second gear for most of the season." Rotoworld's Matthew Pouliot went L.A., too, saying that improved performance from the bullpen has removed "their biggest weakness."

Experts still aren't overwhelmingly taking the Dodgers the way the oddsmakers say they probably should, but the two-time champs aren't hurting for support.

If the Dodgers Aren't Favorites, Who Is?

Again, oddsmakers and experts are not aligned on the outcome of this MLB season. The Dodgers might have the best odds to pull this off, but the majority of experts are propping up two other teams.

The Milwaukee Brewers, for instance, claimed 56 percent of the vote when The Athletic polled "more than 20...MLB experts" before the playoffs started. For Dennis Lin, the decision came down to Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski being "the freakiest pitching talent" in the sport, and the team being "due to break through in late October."

Things were even simpler for The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen, who noted that "this year's version (of the Brewers) simply looks like the most well-rounded team there is." Rotoworld's Eric Samulski rationed his pick of the Brewers by writing their "consistency...will win the day here."

In that aformentioned Athletic poll, the Tampa Bay Rays were the second-most popular pick with 24 percent of the vote. Chad Jennings opined that Tampa Bay's "style of play is going to be too disruptive for our expectations." Will Sammon also crowned the Rays, calling them "one of the league's best teams all season" and noting they "got better at the trade deadline."

World Series 2026 Picks from MLB Experts