Here is why each playoff team could win the World Series

Major League Baseball enters its 2026 postseason with 12 teams competing for the World Series championship. The Los Angeles Dodgers enter October seeking a third consecutive title after securing back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025. Contenders across the American League, including the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Guardians, and Houston Astros, feature strong cases to mount their own championship runs.

Tampa Bay earned home-field advantage behind a balanced roster featuring Junior Caminero, Drew Rasmussen, and Freddy Peralta. Cleveland showcases improved offensive depth with rookies Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana supporting a pitching staff led by Gavin Williams and Cade Smith. Meanwhile, Houston relies on slugger Yordan Alvarez, who led the American League in multiple major offensive categories.