The MLB playoff picture has been set after the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros snuck in at the expense of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers.
Twelve teams will battle it out to be crowned World Series champions, with the top two teams each from the American and National Leagues receiving byes to the Division Series while the other four meet in the Wild Card Round.
2026 MLB Playoffs Tips Summary
Best Bet - Milwaukee Brewers to win the World Series @ 11/2
Alternative Bet - Tampa Bay Rays to win the American League @ 27/10
Alternative Bet - San Diego Padres to beat the Chicago Cubs in NL Wild Card Round @ 4/5
2026 MLB Playoffs Prediction
Best Bet - Milwaukee Brewers to win the World Series @ 11/2
The big question for bettors in this year's MLB playoffs is whether to stick with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
They are aiming to become the first National League team ever to win three World Series titles in a row, but could it be wise to look elsewhere?
The biggest spenders in baseball have been favourites all season, but backing fellow National League outfit the Milwaukee Brewers could be worth it.
The Brew Crew finished the regular season 103-59, the best record in the league and the Dodgers have question marks.
LA have lost 14 of their last 16 games against fellow playoff teams and their ageing lineup has shown signs of wear and tear this season. Shohei Ohtani can't pitch and their bullpen has been disappointing.
The Brewers may lack the position-player star power of their adversaries, but a 3.51 ERA, second-best in the majors, paired with a National League-leading .341 on-base percentage makes them huge contenders.
In Jacob Misiorowski, they have arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball. He and his over-100-mile-per-hour fastball lead the league in strikeouts (252), ERA (1.80) and WHIP (0.80).
In a league increasingly dominated by big arms, the Brewers have the biggest.
This team are fancied to make history and win a first championship.
Alternative Bet - Tampa Bay Rays to win the American League @ 27/10
The last few years have been tales of near misses for the Tampa Bay Rays, who have reached the playoffs in six of the last eight campaigns.
A repeat of their 2020 World Series defeat could be on the cards again, with Tampa Bay fancied to win the American League.
They came through the toughest division in baseball, the AL East, with a 98-64 record. Their 55-26 home record will be even more crucial, considering their bye gives them homefield advantage in the playoffs.
They dished out the fewest walks in the majors and have one of the best defences, two things which could have a massive impact on tight playoff series.
They have a majors-best record of 25-14 in one-run games and could well grind their way to an American League title.
Alternative Bet - San Diego Padres to beat the Chicago Cubs in NL Wild Card Round @ 4/5
The Chicago Cubs knocked the San Diego Padres out at the Wild Card stage of last year's MLB playoffs but there are plenty of reasons to think San Diego can prevent a repeat.
The Padres will have homefield advantage in this series, something which they did not have 12 months ago.
They also have Fernando Tatis Jr and Manny Machado, two of the game's best players.
The Cubs' pitching staff also get hit hard, giving up the second-most home runs in the majors, 231, this year.
Take the Padres to atone for last year's loss and progress from this three-game series.
Key Stats
The Los Angeles Dodgers have won three of the last five World Series titles
The Milwaukee Brewers had a 103-59 record this year, the best in the MLB
National League teams have won five of the last seven World Series titles
Read more MLB betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
