Dodgers and Brewers favored to advance as MLB Division Series begins

Key points

• The Division Series begins Saturday with Yankees vs. Rays, White Sox vs. Guardians, Padres vs. Brewers, and Braves vs. Dodgers.
• The Dodgers are favored to beat the Braves, with experts citing their healthy rotation and offensive firepower.
• The Brewers are favored to beat the Padres, despite San Diego's hot streak, due to Milwaukee's superior pitching depth.
• The Yankees are favored to beat the Rays, but the series is expected to be competitive, with Aaron Judge's return a key factor.
• The White Sox and Guardians are evenly matched, with experts split on the outcome, citing pitching depth vs. offensive power.

Background

The 2026 MLB regular season concluded with the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers as top contenders. The Los Angeles Dodgers are seeking a third consecutive title, while the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres are viewed as strong wild-card contenders. The Chicago White Sox made their first postseason appearance in franchise history after three straight 100-plus-loss seasons.

How outlets are covering it

CBS Sports experts are split on the White Sox-Guardians and Padres-Brewers series, with some favoring the White Sox and Padres due to offensive power and hot streaks, while others favor the Guardians and Brewers due to pitching depth. Sports Illustrated ranks the Dodgers as the top team, citing their experience and star power, while the Brewers are second due to their best record and elite pitching. The ESPN source is unavailable, so no additional perspectives can be synthesized from it.

Why it matters

The Division Series determines which four teams will compete in the Championship Series. The Dodgers and Brewers are favored to advance, but the Yankees and Rays could cause an upset. The outcome of these series will shape the path to the 2026 World Series, with the Dodgers seeking a historic three-peat and the Brewers aiming for their first title in decades.

What to watch

The Division Series will run from October 3 to 11, with the winners advancing to the Championship Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers are favored to advance, but the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays could cause an upset. The return of key players like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani will be crucial in determining the outcomes of these series.