CBS Sports analysts predict Division Series as 2026 MLB playoffs start

CBS Sports analysts predict Division Series as 2026 MLB playoffs start

CBS Sports analysts issued their predictions for each of the four League Division Series as the 2026 MLB playoffs began on 2 October in the United States. Earlier in September, analysts noted that division leaders and wild-card contenders were solidifying their positions, with the Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres poised to clinch spots while six clubs had already secured postseason berths.

The Philadelphia Phillies later clinched a wild-card berth and the Houston Astros captured the AL West division title. Power-ranking releases placed the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers as the top contenders, and MLB announced the Division Series pairings and game times for early October.

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October 02, 2026
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MLB experts issue division series predictions as playoffs begin
MLB experts issue division series predictions as playoffs begin

CBS Sports • 02 Oct 14:28

CBS Sports analysts have shared their picks for each of the four League Division Series, highlighting strengths and concerns for the competing teams.

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MLB postseason schedule released for 2026 ALDS and NLDS matchups
MLB postseason schedule released for 2026 ALDS and NLDS matchups

Yahoo Sports • 02 Oct 03:06

The 2026 American and National League Division Series pairings and game times were announced, with the first games set for Oct. 3 and the potential championship rounds outlined through the World Series.

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September 30, 2026
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Phillies' Game 1 win falters as Braves rally in eighth inning, Astros extend home postseason losing streak
Phillies' Game 1 win falters as Braves rally in eighth inning, Astros extend home postseason losing streak

MLB.com • 30 Sep 15:29

The Phillies held a lead into the seventh inning of Game 1 but a misplaced fastball allowed the Braves to come back, while the Astros suffered their eighth straight postseason home loss.

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September 29, 2026
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2026 MLB Wild-Card Round Kicks Off with Eight Teams Competing
2026 MLB Wild-Card Round Kicks Off with Eight Teams Competing

Yahoo Sports • 29 Sep 20:53

The MLB wild-card series began Tuesday, featuring eight teams in best-of-three matchups while the top two seeds in each league received first-round byes.

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MLB Playoff Matchups Begin with Four Series Across League
MLB Playoff Matchups Begin with Four Series Across League

foxnews.com • 29 Sep 15:19

Four postseason series start today, featuring the White Sox vs. Astros, Yankees vs. Red Sox, Braves vs. Phillies and Padres vs. Cubs, with analysts noting key pitching matchups and home-field factors.

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MLB releases 2026 postseason power rankings, outlining each team's strengths and weaknesses
MLB releases 2026 postseason power rankings, outlining each team's strengths and weaknesses

Sports Illustrated • 29 Sep 12:00

Baseball analysts ranked the 12 clubs that qualified for the 2026 playoffs, noting key assets and concerns for each squad ahead of the Wild Card round.

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Tom Verducci outlines ten postseason trends to watch in MLB playoffs
Tom Verducci outlines ten postseason trends to watch in MLB playoffs

Sports Illustrated • 29 Sep 11:15

Baseball analyst Tom Verducci identifies ten patterns that are likely to shape this year’s MLB postseason, from the importance of Game 1 in short series to the growing role of home runs and walk rates.

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MLB Playoff Outlook Highlights Dodgers' Vulnerabilities and Dark-Horse Candidates
MLB Playoff Outlook Highlights Dodgers' Vulnerabilities and Dark-Horse Candidates

theguardian.com • 29 Sep 08:30

Analysts assess the postseason field, noting the Dodgers' aging roster, potential upsets from the Cubs and Rays, and the impact of upcoming labor negotiations on MLB's future.

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September 28, 2026
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Cubs rank highest among 2026 MLB playoff offenses
Cubs rank highest among 2026 MLB playoff offenses

CBS Sports • 28 Sep 15:00

Analysts ranked the 12 postseason teams by offensive performance, placing the Chicago Cubs at the top and the Cleveland Guardians at the bottom.

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Top 26 players ranked for the 2026 MLB postseason
Top 26 players ranked for the 2026 MLB postseason

CBS Sports • 28 Sep 14:02

A ranking of the 26 most impactful players from the 12 teams in the 2026 MLB playoffs highlights current performance, health and recent form, noting several notable injuries.

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MLB 2026 Playoffs Bracket and Predictions Outline
MLB 2026 Playoffs Bracket and Predictions Outline

Bleacher Report • 28 Sep 12:16

Analysts project outcomes for each Wild Card series, ALDS, NLDS, ALCS, NLCS and the World Series, highlighting key matchups and player factors.

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MLB Power Rankings Predict Playoff Favorites Among the 12 Qualified Teams
MLB Power Rankings Predict Playoff Favorites Among the 12 Qualified Teams

MLB.com • 28 Sep 09:43

MLB.com contributors released a power ranking of the twelve teams that clinched postseason berths, highlighting the Brewers, Dodgers and Rays as the top three prospects.

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MLB playoff power rankings list all 12 teams by World Series odds
MLB playoff power rankings list all 12 teams by World Series odds

USA Today • 28 Sep 09:31

A ranking of the 12 postseason teams shows the Los Angeles Dodgers as the top favorite, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, with the Chicago White Sox placed last.

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Yahoo Sports releases MLB playoff bracket predictions through World Series
Yahoo Sports releases MLB playoff bracket predictions through World Series

Yahoo Sports • 28 Sep 03:06

Yahoo Sports analysts have outlined their picks for each round of the 2026 MLB postseason, forecasting which teams will advance from the wild-card series to the World Series.

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MLB postseason power rankings rank Dodgers and Brewers as top contenders
MLB postseason power rankings rank Dodgers and Brewers as top contenders

Yahoo • 28 Sep 01:56

A new power ranking evaluates the 12 teams in the 2026 MLB playoffs, placing the Los Angeles Dodgers first and the Milwaukee Brewers second, while noting strengths and weaknesses of each club.

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September 27, 2026
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Phillies clinch wild-card spot as Astros secure division title
Phillies clinch wild-card spot as Astros secure division title

Fox News • 27 Sep 23:06

The Philadelphia Phillies earned a postseason wild-card berth with a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, while the Houston Astros clinched the AL West by defeating the Oakland Athletics 9-0.

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CBS Sports analysts outline 2026 MLB playoff bracket and World Series predictions
CBS Sports analysts outline 2026 MLB playoff bracket and World Series predictions

CBS Sports • 27 Sep 21:50

CBS Sports writers present their picks for every round of the 2026 MLB postseason, with two analysts favoring the Dodgers and two backing the Brewers to win the World Series.

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September 25, 2026
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MLB postseason outlook as regular season concludes
MLB postseason outlook as regular season concludes

Bleacher Report • 25 Sep 16:14

All National League division titles are decided while wild-card races tighten, and the American League sees a close battle for the AL West and Central titles as the regular season ends.

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September 24, 2026
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MLB playoff picture tight as regular season winds down
MLB playoff picture tight as regular season winds down

NBC Sports • 24 Sep 16:45

With four games remaining for most clubs, division winners are set while several wild-card spots and seeding positions remain undecided in both leagues.

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MLB Playoff Race Tight as Five Teams Await Thursday Outcomes
MLB Playoff Race Tight as Five Teams Await Thursday Outcomes

Bleacher Report • 24 Sep 14:17

Five Major League Baseball clubs remain on the playoff bubble, with Thursday's games set to determine which teams clinch postseason spots and wild-card berths.

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September 23, 2026
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Five Teams Poised to Clinch 2026 MLB Playoff Spots Ahead of Wednesday Games
Five Teams Poised to Clinch 2026 MLB Playoff Spots Ahead of Wednesday Games

bleacherreport.com • 23 Sep 18:08

The Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres could secure postseason berths on Wednesday, while six clubs have already qualified and 13 have been eliminated.

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September 22, 2026
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MLB postseason picture shapes up as regular season winds down
MLB postseason picture shapes up as regular season winds down

sports.yahoo.com • 22 Sep 13:03

With less than a week left in the regular season, division leaders and wild-card contenders are positioning for the 2026 playoffs, while several teams have already been eliminated.

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