2026 World Series Contenders
The current World Series favorites by projected win total: Los Angeles Dodgers (102 projected wins, 99% playoff odds), Milwaukee Brewers (100 projected wins, 88% playoff odds), Tampa Bay Rays (97 projected wins, 65% playoff odds), Atlanta Braves (94 projected wins, 67% playoff odds), and New York Yankees (91 projected wins, 95% playoff odds).
AL Wild Card
| Team | W | L | Playoff % |
|---|---|---|---|
 New York YankeesWC1 | 54 | 42 | 95% |
 Chicago White SoxWC2 | 50 | 45 | 75% |
 Minnesota TwinsWC3 | 48 | 49 | 46% |
 Seattle Mariners | 48 | 49 | 54% |
 Houston Astros | 47 | 51 | 34% |
 Boston Red Sox | 46 | 48 | 52% |
 Baltimore Orioles | 46 | 51 | 33% |
 Toronto Blue Jays | 45 | 51 | 27% |
 Detroit Tigers | 44 | 52 | 28% |
 Athletics | 41 | 55 | 5% |
 Kansas City Royals | 38 | 59 | 1% |
 Los Angeles Angels | 38 | 59 | 1% |
NL Wild Card
| Team | W | L | Playoff % |
|---|---|---|---|
 Philadelphia PhilliesWC1 | 54 | 43 | 71% |
 Chicago CubsWC2 | 54 | 42 | 81% |
 Miami MarlinsWC3 | 52 | 45 | 61% |
 St. Louis Cardinals | 50 | 45 | 39% |
 Pittsburgh Pirates | 50 | 47 | 36% |
 Arizona Diamondbacks | 49 | 47 | 26% |
 Washington Nationals | 48 | 49 | 18% |
 San Diego Padres | 48 | 48 | 16% |
 Cincinnati Reds | 43 | 52 | 2% |
 San Francisco Giants | 41 | 55 | 1% |
 New York Mets | 40 | 57 | 1% |
 Colorado Rockies | 39 | 59 | 1% |
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2026 MLB Playoff Race
The 2026 MLB playoff race features 12 postseason berths split evenly between the American League and the National League. Each league sends its three division winners and the next three teams by record, with the top two seeds in each league earning a bye through the Wild Card Series. Every game in the 162-game season shifts the playoff picture, which is why we update probabilities daily.
Win pace is the single best predictor of playoff position. Teams projecting for 90 or more wins are typically in strong shape; teams in the 85–89 range are squarely in the wild card conversation; below 80 wins the playoff path usually requires a hot streak combined with collapses ahead. The cut lines move throughout the season — our model projects both the division-winner threshold and the third wild card threshold for each league and takes the higher of the two paths for each team's playoff probability.
Run differential is the under-appreciated tiebreaker. Teams with strong run differentials tend to sustain their record over a long season, while teams overperforming in one-run games often regress. Pair the standings above with our team trackers for Yankees, Dodgers, Braves, Astros, Phillies, or any of the other 30 MLB teams for 5-game set analysis, win-pace tracking, and matchup-by-matchup projections.
MLB Playoff Odds FAQ
Which MLB teams will make the playoffs in 2026?
Twelve MLB teams qualify for the 2026 playoffs — six per league. The three division winners and the next three teams by record in each league advance. Live playoff probability for all 30 MLB teams is shown above, updated daily based on current standings.
How are MLB playoff odds calculated?
Each team's playoff probability is calculated by projecting their current win pace over 162 games, then comparing that projection to two cut lines: the projected division-winner total and the projected third wild card total. A logistic curve converts the gap between projected wins and each cut line into a probability, and the higher of the two paths is shown. Confidence in the projection grows as the season progresses.
How does the MLB playoff format work?
The MLB postseason features 12 teams in a four-round bracket. The three division winners and three wild card teams from each league qualify. The top two seeds in each league earn a first-round bye; the other four teams play a best-of-three Wild Card Series. Winners advance to the best-of-five Division Series, the best-of-seven League Championship Series, and ultimately the World Series.
What is the MLB wild card race?
The MLB wild card race determines the final three playoff spots in each league for teams that do not win their division. Wild card teams are ranked by total wins regardless of division, with the top three from each league qualifying. The third wild card cut line is the typical bubble that decides who advances and who goes home.