MLB Predictions: Round-by-Round Playoff and 2024 World Series Picks | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Isabella Ramos
Published Mar 24, 2026
Predicting the AL Playoff Field
- Houston Astros (AL West Champions)*
- Minnesota Twins (AL Central Champions)*
- Baltimore Orioles (AL East Champions)
- Seattle Mariners (Wild Card 1)
- Toronto Blue Jays (Wild Card 2)
- Texas Rangers (Wild Card 3)
*First-round byes.
Why These Teams?
The Astros and Twins are the layup picks here.
Both are heavily favored to win their divisions at FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus, and it should help that both teams' schedules are on the easy side. The Twins, especially, should have as many as four punching bags lined up in the AL Central.
For the Orioles, not having Kyle Bradish and John Means in their rotation for the start of the season or Félix Bautista in their bullpen for the whole year isn't conducive to another 100-win season. But especially once they promote Jackson Holliday, they still stand to be the most balanced team in the AL East.
As to the other contender in that neck of the woods, the Blue Jays are the safest bet for a 90-ish-win season. They're bringing back what was an elite pitching staff in 2023, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made it that much easier to be bullish on him by hitting .463 this spring.
Toronto Blue Jays @BlueJays💥 113 MPH 💥<br><br>Vladdy gets us on the board with a LASER! <a href="">
The Mariners are also a solid bet for a 90-ish-win season after spending the winter renovating their offense. The Rangers could struggle to get there after effectively punting on the first half, but no team is better positioned to surge in the second half than they are.
Most Notable Omission
The New York Yankees, obviously.
They could be elite if they avoid injury trouble, but that beast has already swallowed Gerrit Cole and DJ LeMahieu and it remains a threat to consume Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes.
