MLB playoff power rankings 2026: From the Astros to the Dodgers, which teams are ready to go on a World Series run?

Key Points:

• The MLB postseason features 12 teams after a full 162-game regular season, with seeding and records influencing playoff paths and home-field advantage, though surprises are common in October.
• The Houston Astros won the AL West with an 81-81 record, their worst since 2014, relying on star hitter Yordan Alvarez and a less deep pitching staff; the Chicago White Sox made the playoffs after a significant rebuild, led by three 30+ home run hitters.
• The Boston Red Sox secured a wild-card spot with strong midseason play but struggled offensively late, while the Philadelphia Phillies clinched a postseason berth on the final day despite recent poor form, facing the Atlanta Braves in the wild-card series.
• The Cleveland Guardians, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves all enter the postseason with varying strengths, including strong offenses (Cubs), deep pitching rotations (Yankees), and star power (Braves), though some teams face injury concerns.
• The top seeds include the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers (with the best record at 103-59), and Los Angeles Dodgers, who are favored due to their pitching depth and postseason experience despite some vulnerabilities.