One of the most exciting times in American sports has arrived, as Major League Baseball’s postseason is underway. Twelve teams are competing to win a title, with some looking to break long droughts. The Scout Sports Staff has selected who they believe will win this year’s World Series.
Philadelphia Phillies
By Ethan Diamond
This has to be the Phillies year.
After years of World Series aspirations, the Philadelphia Phillies enter these playoffs with arguably their best chance to win since they rose to contention in 2022. Kyle Schwarber had a season that would’ve been MVP-worthy if not for Shohei Ohtani. Bryce Harper and Trea Turner had strong seasons, with the latter winning the NL batting title.
Pitching-wise, the Phillies have a major loss with Zack Wheeler out due to injury. Even still, they have one of the best playoff rotations Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez and Jesus Luzardo. Sanchez had one of the most underrated seasons this year and may finish second in NL Cy Young voting. Their bullpen is also strong, with deadline acquisition Jhoan Duran giving the Phillies a flame-throwing closer that they lacked after Jose Alvarado’s PED suspension.
With Schwarber a pending free agent and their offensive core aging, Philadelphia is all-in on a title this year. They’ll face the winner of Dodgers-Reds in the NLDS, and then either the Brewers, Cubs or Padres in the NLCS should they advance. I think this is their year to finally get over the hump and bring home their first title since 2008.
Los Angeles Dodgers
By Jake Aimone
Is an explanation even needed? Not only are they the defending champs, but they’ve improved their rotation from last season with the additions of Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell.
To put it in perspective, the Dodgers rotation for starting pitchers includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, Sasaki and Clayton Kershaw. Additionally, this staff had the best ERA over the last month of the season; it’s impossible to put any other playoff team’s rotation above this one.
On the other side, the Dodger offense is nothing to be scoffed at. Over the 2025 regular season, L.A. finished top five in batting average, runs scored, home runs, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. It’s pretty easy to attain this stat line when three MVP-caliber players lead your batting order in Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
Finally, this organization’s playoff experience is overwhelming. 2025 marks the 13th consecutive season in which the Dodgers have been featured in October. With these three components combined on paper, it’s incredibly difficult to even consider that any other postseason team can dethrone the champs.
Chicago Cubs
By Cristina Solano
With a powerful and balanced lineup featuring players like Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong, who are putting up MVP-level numbers, there are nothing but high expectations that the Chicago Cubs will be able to bring another trophy home.
Despite not having been in the postseason since 2020, the team utilized its time to find its flow and team dynamic. With arms like Shota Imanga and Matthew Boyd, they will definitely be carrying the team’s momentum and energy. On top of that, having an elite defense featuring players such as Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner can definitely help them challenge these other teams.
The mix of young talent along with team veterans is a needed ingredient to cook up a championship team.
Detroit Tigers
By Carolina Martinez
The Detroit Tigers finished second in the AL Central with a record of 87-75. They also entered May, June, July, and August with the best record in the AL.
Despite coming into the MLB playoffs as the No. 6 seed, they have the potential to keep rising with their team leaders. Their depth starts with pitcher Tarik Skubal, who has been the best pitcher in baseball the past two seasons. The Guardians will have to do their homework to bat against an arm like Skubal’s. Riley Greene, hitting .258 with the most home runs on the team, and Spencer Torkelson, batting .240, spotlights their depth in performance.
Their Wild Card opponent is the Guardians, whom they played on Tuesday afternoon. Winning their first game in the three-game series will be all the momentum they need to keep advancing. From the words of Skubal, “It’s the postseason. This is what you prepare for.” A team like the Tigers will evaluate and stay ready for what’s to come.
Toronto Blue Jays
By Ian Manley
The Blue Jays are the most complete team in baseball.
They have a deep roster full of solid talent that ensures they bring their A-game no matter what. Their defense is especially elite, bolstered by outfielder Daulton Varsho and catcher Alejandro Kirk. It’s nearly impossible to get any amount of offensive momentum going against them, allowing the Jays to win games where it counts: pitching. Their bullpen consistently puts in good performances, especially late in games when it matters most.
In terms of regular season dominance, they rank first in the American League and third in the MLB overall. Their top rank in the AL means they skip the wild card round entirely, a massive advantage. With the roster as good as it is and the easiest possible path to the playoffs, the Blue Jays have nothing but a horizon ahead of them.
Milwaukee Brewers
By Mark Wagner
The team with the best record in the sport has a great chance to win the pinnacle of professional baseball for the first time since their inception in 1969.
After winning the NL Central for the third year in a row, the Brewers get a pass straight into the National League Division Series. A well rested Milwaukee team under manager Pat Murphy has all the makings of a World Series-caliber squad, from the starting rotation to the offensive unit.
On the mound, starting pitchers Jacob Misiorowski and Freddy Peralta and closer Trevor Megill have had amazing regular seasons while designated hitter Christian Yelich, catcher William Contreras and second baseman Brice Turang bring their skills to the plate and the field. They will have a tough road to get to the World Series, facing either the Cubs or Padres in the NLDS and the Phillies, Dodgers or Reds in the NLCS if they advance, but they are the number one seed in the National League for a reason.
It will be dangerous to take on the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers in the playoffs.
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