2026 MLB Playoff Preview: Breaking Down All 12 Teams + World Series Picks

The 2026 MLB Playoffs are set! DVR and Eno break down all 12 postseason teams, examining the strengths, weaknesses, pitching staffs, offenses and underlying numbers that could determine who survives October.The Milwaukee Brewers enter as the NL's No. 1 seed after a franchise-record 103 wins, but will their lack of home-run power matter in October? The Los Angeles Dodgers are chasing a third straight World Series title with another loaded roster, while the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies round out a fascinating National League playoff field.In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays earned the No. 1 seed behind elite run prevention, speed and roster depth. The Cleveland Guardians once again bring pitching and contact to October, while the Houston Astros somehow won the AL West at 81-81 despite major questions behind Hunter Brown in their rotation.The New York Yankees may have the most imposing starting rotation in the AL, but Aaron Judge's availability looms over their Wild Card matchup against the Boston Red Sox. Boston counters with a deep bullpen and a healthier lineup, while the surprising Chicago White Sox bring legitimate power — and plenty of questions about how their young pitching will handle October.Finally, DVR and Eno make their first postseason predictions: AL champion, NL champion, World Series winner and World Series MVP.Who are you picking to win the 2026 World Series?Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsRates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: McEnroe FrancisEditor: McEnroe Francis00:00 2026 MLB Playoff Preview00:49 Does the Regular Season Matter in October?05:42 Breaking Down All 12 Playoff Teams06:05 Milwaukee Brewers: The NL’s No. 1 Seed10:58 Can Milwaukee Handle Premium Velocity?13:18 Why the Brewers’ Offense Works17:14 Los Angeles Dodgers: Can They Three-Peat?20:27 The Dodgers’ Ridiculous Pitching Depth23:43 Atlanta Braves: How Dangerous Are They?29:47 BREAK30:28 San Diego Padres: Built for a Short Series?31:51 Does San Diego Have the Worst Playoff Rotation?34:26 The Padres’ Bullpen Can Shorten Games38:11 Chicago Cubs: Elite Offense, Pitching Questions41:06 Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 40-40 Season43:44 Philadelphia Phillies: Can the Offense Wake Up?46:54 Philly’s Problem Against Premium Velocity49:14 How Do the Phillies Handle Game 1?51:51 BREAK52:13 Tampa Bay Rays: The AL’s No. 1 Seed56:15 Why Tampa Bay’s Lineup Is So Pesky1:01:32 Cleveland Guardians: Better Than Last Year?1:05:58 Houston Astros: An 81-81 Division Champion1:08:05 Can Houston’s Rotation Survive October?1:11:01 New York Yankees: The AL’s Best Rotation?1:13:51 The Aaron Judge Question1:17:04 Boston Red Sox: Can the Lineup Score Enough?1:20:36 How Good Is Boston’s Rotation Without Crochet?1:23:19 Boston’s Bullpen Might Be Its Biggest Weapon1:24:47 Chicago White Sox: October’s Surprise Team1:26:07 Can Chicago’s Young Pitching Hold Up?1:29:46 DVR & Eno Make Their Playoff Predictions1:30:20 Who Wins the AL Pennant?1:30:50 Who Wins the NL Pennant?1:31:38 World Series Picks1:32:25 World Series MVP Picks1:33:47 Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.