The MLB regular season is officially in the books, which means that the league’s playoff field is finally complete. The Milwaukee Brewers have clinched the top seed in the National League, while the Tampa Bay Rays did the same in the American League.
After 162 games, 12 teams will battle it out to determine who will win the World Series later this fall. Which teams are best positioned to capture baseball’s ultimate prize?
Below, we’ll highlight some MLB World Series futures, predictions, and sleepers, including PrizePicks payouts for team outcomes in the 2026 MLB playoffs.
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MLB World Series Favorites, Winner Payouts on PrizePicks
The table below features the payouts for all 12 teams to win the World Series, via PrizePicks, beginning with the teams with the lowest payouts.
The top MLB World Series picks return the lowest payouts, meaning a higher chance of the outcome occurring, according to user picks. Higher payouts mean a larger potential payout, but those picks carry a lower probability.
Payouts show potential returns on correct Team Picks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.
World Series Predictions for 2026 MLB Playoffs
There’s no doubt that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorite to win the Commissioner’s Trophy after winning 100 games during the regular season. Los Angeles is looking to become the first team to win three consecutive titles since the New York Yankees achieved the feat from 1998 to 2000.
However, it’s a deep field of MLB teams during the 2026 postseason. In the NL, the Brewers had the most wins (103) in baseball, while the Atlanta Braves won the NL East with a 94-68 record.
The AL will have a new World Series representative after the Toronto Blue Jays failed to qualify for the postseason. The Rays will aim to win the World Series for the first time after appearing in the Fall Classic in 2008 and 2020 (losses to the Philadelphia Phillies & Dodgers).
Additionally, the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians also could pose a threat.
The Wild Card Round features the following matchups:
- #3 Houston Astros vs. #6 Chicago White Sox
- #4 New York Yankees vs. #5 Boston Red Sox
- #3 Atlanta Braves vs. #6 Philadelphia Phillies
- #4 San Diego Padres vs. #5 Chicago Cubs
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Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodgers to win World Series: Yes 2.94x | No 1.38x
The Dodgers boast an impressive pitching staff that features SPs Tarik Skubal (2.94 xERA & 2.70 xFIP), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.94 xERA & 3.28 xFIP), Tyler Glasnow (2.86 xERA & 2.89 xFIP), and Blake Snell (2.17 xERA & 3.06 xFIP) at the top of their rotation.
Shohei Ohtani tallied a 2.73 xERA in 85.2 innings but likely won’t pitch again this season.
Los Angeles had the lowest xERA (3.56), third-lowest xFIP (3.56), and fourth-best K/9 (9.50) in 2026, according to FanGraphs. The Dodgers’ bullpen also posted a 3.71 ERA, ranking eighth in the majors.
Offensively, the Dodgers’ lineup offers an absurd amount of firepower, including Ohtani (.286 xBA & 30 home runs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.290 xBA & 16 homers), OF Andy Pages (.274 xBA & 23 home runs), and SS Mookie Betts (.278 xBA & 23 jacks).
In 2026, Los Angeles registered the second-highest wRC+ (111) and scored the fourth-most runs (801) while owning the fourth-lowest strikeout rate at 20.4%.
The deep lineup, combined with a dominant pitching staff, has all the makings of a team that can make another World Series run. Moreover, this is an experienced group that is used to the bright lights.
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Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers to win World Series: Yes 5x | No 1.16x
For the second consecutive season, the Brewers finished the regular season with the best record in baseball. The Brewers were swept by the Dodgers in the NLCS in 2025; they'll be looking for a better result this time around.
Milwaukee’s rotation has played a big role in the team’s success. The Brewers finished second in xERA (3.60) and strikeouts (1,544) while ranking third in xFIP (3.76). SP Jacob Misiorowski was arguably the most dominant starter in baseball, leading the league in ERA (1.80) and strikeouts (252).
According to Baseball Savant, Misiorowski held opposing hitters to a .174 xBA (99th percentile), produced a 37.9% strikeout rate (100th percentile), and tallied a 2.13 xERA (99th percentile).
SP Logan Henderson also registered a 2.74 xERA & a 29.6% strikeout rate across 98.1 innings. The combination of Misiorowski and Henderson gives the Brewers an impressive one-two punch, which looms large come playoff time.
Milwaukee also has a dangerous lineup that sits third in wRC+ (107), first in batting average (.258), and second in runs (788). OF Jackson Chourio paces the offense with a .265 xBA (76th percentile) and a 47.0% hard-hit rate (83rd percentile).
1B Jake Bauers provides a significant amount of power after leading the team in home runs (26) and registering a 51.9% hard-hit rate (94th percentile), too.
The Brewers might not quite have the pitching depth that the Dodgers do, but boasting one of the top pitchers in baseball certainly doesn’t hurt. With an offense that can rake, this group could make some serious noise in the postseason.
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Tampa Bay Rays
Rays to win World Series: Yes 7.14x | No 1.08x
The Rays have always been the bridesmaid, but never the bride. However, this year’s group may offer one of the franchise’s best chances to achieve postseason glory.
The AL appears more open than the NL, and the Rays did win the rugged AL East with the third-most wins (98) in the sport. Tampa Bay boasts a lineup that is extremely lethal after being tied for first in batting average (.258), tallying the second-most hits (1,405), and ranking sixth in wRC+ (104).
That’s to be expected when a team has a batting orderthat includes 3B Junior Caminero (.273 xBA & 42 home runs), DH Yandy Diaz (.281 xBA & 22 homers), and 1B Jonathan Aranda (.254 xBA & 22 jacks).
If that weren’t impressive enough, the Rays can be a terror on the base paths. Tampa Bay had the second-most stolen bases (164), with OF Chander Simpson pacing the unit with 46 swipes.
Tampa Bay’s rotation may not feature many household names, but it's been quite impressive nonetheless. SP Drew Rasmussen led the team in wins (16), ERA (2.67), and strikeouts (174) while also showing incredible command with just a 4.8% walk rate (97th percentile).
In addition, SPs Nick Martinez (3.06 xERA & 3.6% walk rate) and Shane McClanahan (3.36 ERA) also excel.
The Rays have the perfect combination of pitching and hitting to make a deep postseason run. With the AL seemingly up for grabs, Tampa Bay might just be playing in the Fall Classic.
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World Series Sleepers for 2026 MLB Playoffs
The following squads may not be the clear-cut favorites to win it all, but they shouldn't be ignored given their advantages at one spot or another.
Atlanta Braves
Braves to win World Series: Yes 11.11x | No 1.03x
It might seem a little wild to call a 94-win team a sleeper, but that speaks to how loaded the 2026 postseason field is.
The Braves captured the NL East crown and have bounced back from an underwhelming season in which they missed the playoffs in 2025. Atlanta likely won’t have the services of SP Spencer Strider throughout its postseason run, which means that the rotation will be anchored by 2024 NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale.
Sale remains one of baseball's most dominant arms, posting a 2.97 xERA (89th percentile) and a 30.9% strikeout rate (94th percentile).
Atlanta’s lineup may have what it takes to carry the team throughout the postseason. After all, 1B Matt Olson (41 home runs, 52.0% hard-hit rate), OF Michael Harris II (.290 xBA & 26 homers), and OF Ronald Acuna Jr. (.261 xBA & 20 home runs) make up a formidable group of hitters.
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Cleveland Guardians
Guardians to win World Series: Yes 11.11x | No 1.03x
Much like the Braves, it’s hard to fathom the Guardians in this category, especially considering that they’re the #2 seed. The Rays may not make life easy for any AL squad this postseason.
The Guardians have reached the ALCS in two of the past three seasons and did capture the AL Central crown to clinch a bye in the Wild Card Round.
If Cleveland is going to make a World Series run, the starting rotation will likely play a huge role in the team's success after recording the eighth-lowest ERA (3.77) in the majors.
SP Gavin Williams leads the group following a regular season in which he finished second in MLB in strikeouts (248) and has held opposing hitters to a .219 xBA (77th percentile). SP Parker Messick was also impressive with a 3.15 xERA (85th percentile) and just a 6.6% walk rate (81st percentile).
It doesn’t hurt that RP Cade Smith tied for the league lead in saves (41), suggesting late-inning situations could favor the Guardians.
The Guardians ranked 21st in wRC+ (97) and 24th in runs scored (678) on offense. This team might have to win quite a few low-scoring affairs, but given its pitching staff, it’s not too wild to think Cleveland can pull it off.
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Make 2026 MLB World Series Predictions on PrizePicks
The Dodgers are aiming to become the first team to three-peat as World Series champions in nearly three decades. Can Los Angeles hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy in 2026, or will another team capture it in the Fall Classic?
Make your MLB World Series predictions on PrizePicks this fall! Call your shot on which teams will advance in each round, as well as who could emerge as the champion by the time it's al said and done. You can also pick More or Less on player stats and earn real money if you're right.
Stay locked in on Playbook for daily MLB predictions, picks, and news all the way through the 2026 MLB season.
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