Note: This article was written on Oct. 10, 2026, before the Championship Series began.
The road to the World Series is heating up as just four teams remain in the hunt for the championship. After an exciting Division Series round, the American and National League Championship Series are set to determine who will compete for baseball’s biggest prize. With each series now a best-of-seven, pitching depth, timely hitting and postseason experience could make all the difference. Here is a look at both matchups, what each team needs to do to advance and my predictions for who will reach the World Series.
Tampa Bay Rays (1) vs Cleveland Guardians (2)
The Rays come into the ALCS red-hot after making quick work of the New York Yankees, sweeping their AL East rivals in three games to advance to the Championship Series. Cleveland is also on a roll, winning three straight to overcome a 2-0 deficit, beating the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in five games. Both teams have relied on strong pitching during the regular season, and that was no different during the division series. With a trip to the World Series on the line, the series could come down to which lineup can find success against the opposing pitching staff. 4
How the Rays can Win
Tampa Bay enters this series with plenty of momentum and more importantly, plenty of rest. Cleveland, on the other hand, will have just two days to recover from a grueling Division Series, leaving its already taxed pitching staff with little time to rest. This could give the Rays’ offense an advantage, especially if the Guardians’ pitchers struggle with fatigue and command. Another advantage for Tampa Bay is their ability to avoid strikeouts, finishing the regular season with the fewest in the MLB. That could prove especially important against a Cleveland pitching staff that relies heavily on striking hitters out. If the Rays can consistently put the ball in play, they could neutralize one of Cleveland’s biggest strengths.
The Rays’ postseason pitching has also been solid so far. Game one starter Drew Rasmussen had a stellar outing in the Division Series, pitching a scoreless eight innings while allowing just one hit. Tampa Bay’s relief pitching was also solid, allowing only 2 runs across the series. MLB saves leader Bryan Baker recorded a save in all three games of the Division Series without allowing a hit. If Tampa Bay’s pitching can maintain that level of success, which seems possible against a Cleveland lineup that lacks the offensive firepower of New York, the Rays will be in a strong position to punch their ticket to the World Series.
How the Guardians can Win
In my Division Series predictions, I said that if Gavin Williams could deliver one of his signature 10 strikeout performances, Cleveland would have a major advantage. Sure enough, that is exactly what happened. Williams struck out 12 batters in the decisive Game 5 against Chicago, tying a franchise record and helping the Guardians advance to the ALCS. As a team, Cleveland’s pitchers combined for 21 strikeouts in Game 5, setting an MLB record for a nine inning postseason game.
While Williams probably won’t be pitching in the first two games of the series, it is an encouraging sign that he can perform on the biggest stage. Foster Griffin will make his first postseason start in Game 1. He was solid in the Division Series, racking up seven strikeouts in just two and third innings. Parker Messick didn’t have his best stuff against Chicago, but he was still able to punch out eleven across two starts. Cleveland’s strength has been the ability to strike hitters out, but Tampa Bay presents a different challenge than Chicago. If Cleveland’s pitchers can continue to throw at a high level and limit Tampa Bay’s offensive opportunities, the Guardians will have a legitimate chance to upset the number one seed.
My Prediction
It will be interesting to see whether Cleveland’s pitching staff can slow down Tampa Bay’s bats. While the Guardians have some of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball, the Rays have a lineup that consistently puts the ball in play, making this a difficult matchup for Cleveland. Tampa Bay also enters the series with a significant advantage in rest, while the Guardians will have little time to regroup. I expect Clevleand’s pitching to be competitive, but ultimately, Tampa Bay’s stronger offense and fresher pitching staff will be too much for the Guardians to overcome.
Result: Rays win in 6
Milwaukee Brewers (1) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (2)
For the second consecutive year, the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers will meet in the NLCS. Milwaukee will be looking for revenge after getting swept in four games last year, while the Dodgers are seeking their third straight trip to the World Series. Both teams won the Division Series in four games, setting up a rematch between the two winningest teams in baseball this season.
How the Brewers can Win
Milwaukee enters this series with a chip on their shoulder. This Brewers team has shown once again this season that they can compete with baseball’s best, but they will need their stars to step up if they want to give the Dodgers a run for their money. 22-year-old Jackson Chourio had a big NLDS, most notably hitting a two-run walk off single off Padres closer Mason Miller in Game 2. Chourio has shown up when it matters most, batting .313 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 17 career postseason games. If he can have a big series, it could give Milwaukee the offensive boost it needs to compete with the Dodgers.
Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson will need to bring their A+ stuff to counter this Dodgers lineup, who hit eight home runs against Atlanta in the Division Series. If Misiorowski and Henderson can put the Dodgers in a hole to begin the series, it will be difficult for Los Angeles to regain the momentum against a talented Milwaukee team.
How the Dodgers can Win
The Dodgers’ pitching was stellar in the Division Series, combining for an ERA of 2.05 across three games and I expect the pitching staff will continue their solid pitching in the Championship Series. However, the key to this series is whether their stars on the offensive side can deliver when it matters most. The Dodgers are going to need production out of Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani has not looked like himself as of late, evident by the decision to move him down in the order from leading off to fifth in the lineup during the Division Series.
Fortunately, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Kyle Tucker have been productive. They combined for six of the Dodgers nine homers during the Division Series. If Ohtani can break out of his slump and the rest of the lineup can continue to produce, the Dodgers will be difficult to beat. With the pitching staff continuing to perform at an elite level, a strong offensive showing may be the final piece LA needs to return to the World Series.
My Prediction
I expect this to be a much more competitive series than last year. Milwaukee has the talent and pitching depth to put up a fight against Los Angeles, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a lot of back and forth in this series. However, I believe the Dodgers’ combination of strong pitching and a powerful lineup will ultimately send them back to the World Series. I expect a big series from Ohtani, along with the rest of the lineup continuing to produce. Milwaukee will not make it easy, but the Dodgers’ postseason experience and ability to deliver in clutch moments will make the difference.
Result: Dodgers win in 7
The Championship Series features two exciting matchups, with all four teams just one step away from the World Series. In the American League, I expect Cleveland and Tampa Bay to battle in a competitive series, with both teams having a legitimate chance to advance. In the National League, I expect the Dodgers and Brewers to battle it out, with Los Angeles ultimately coming out on top. With a trip to the World Series on the line, expect plenty of drama and excitement as the final two teams are decided throughout this next week.
