MLB Playoff Power Rankings: Each team's World Series chances
Welcome to our playoff edition of the MLB Power Rankings, where we look at why each team could win the World Series and what could hold them back.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Why they could win it all: This is the most complete Phillies team in some time. Kyle Schwarber leads a potent offense that will only get better now that Trea Turner is healthy. A top-three of Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, and Jesús Luzardo is as good as it gets. And Jhoan Duran has finally given the bullpen some stability in the late innings.
Biggest weakness: At this point, the weakness is mental. The Phillies' core is aging fast, and after two years of playoff disappointments, the pressure to win has never been greater. The only team that can stop this year's Phillies is themselves.
2. Milwaukee Brewers
Why they could win it all: Because no one expects them to. The Brewers defied all expectations to post the best record in baseball, making them the rare favorites who are playing with house money. They have a balanced lineup that doesn't strike out and a top-tier pitching staff. Milwaukee will be a tough out.
Biggest weakness: There's a lack of playoff experience on this Brewers squad, and that could easily be exploited by an opponent who knows how to handle the pressures of October. Injuries could also impact Milwaukee, as it's unclear whether starters Brandon Woodruff and Jose Quintana will be available.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
Why they could win it all: Like the Brewers, they're playing with house money after exceeding expectations. The AL East champion Blue Jays are a plucky group that grinds out at-bats, strikes out less than any other team, and has gotten a ton of production out of their role players.
Biggest weakness: Parts of the bullpen have been inconsistent all season. Closer Jeff Hoffman can be lights out one night and hit hard the next. The Jays also need Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to step up - and for Bo Bichette to get healthy - if a deep run is in order.
4. New York Yankees
Why they could win it all: The Yankees' MLB-best offense is led by Aaron Judge, but he has plenty of help. Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, and Ben Rice are just a few of the powerful bats who support the two-time AL MVP. Power will get you everywhere in October, and these Yankees can slug their way past anybody.
Biggest weakness: The Yankees' bullpen put up a 4.86 ERA in the second half of the season, the highest among all playoff teams. No matter how many runs they score or how well the rotation pitches, this team's championship hopes hinge entirely on whether or not the volatile bullpen does its job.
5. Seattle Mariners
Why they could win it all: Unlike in past years, these Mariners can mash. Cal Raleigh will get all the attention, but he's supported by the likes of Julio Rodríguez, Randy Arozarena, Josh Naylor, and Jorge Polanco. Seattle's pitching staff is also among the best in baseball.
Biggest weakness: Offensively, the Mariners are a top-heavy team that strikes out a lot. Keep at least some of the star bats quiet and you can get them. The supporting cast will have to step up if Seattle is going to make a run.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers
Why they could win it all: Even though this wasn't the smoothest season for the Dodgers, the defending champions remain as dangerous as ever. Mookie Betts looks more like himself, Shohei Ohtani is back to being a two-way threat, and Blake Snell is healthy again. They'll be a very tough out.
Biggest weakness: The Dodgers' bullpen has been a sore spot for much of the season's second half. Even with the addition of a healthy Roki Sasaki, it could end up deciding their fate. The likely absence of starting catcher Will Smith, a key part of their lineup, will also be felt.
7. San Diego Padres
Why they could win it all: The Padres are a talented team that's hungry to make good on its promise and prove the doubters wrong. Relievers Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, and Robert Suarez lead a loaded bullpen that can shorten games and shut down opponents quickly after the offense goes to work.
Biggest weakness: San Diego doesn't hit a lot of home runs, and its contact-heavy approach could come back to bite the team against certain pitching staffs. Superstars Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. must show up and lead the way offensively.
8. Chicago Cubs
Why they could win it all: The Cubs' offense is lethal, featuring three 30-homer hitters who can strike quickly against any pitching staff. This makes them especially dangerous in a short series - and a threat to pull off an upset.
Biggest weakness: There are plenty of questions on the pitching side. The Cubs' staff posted the fourth-lowest K/9 (7.9) during the regular season, making their wild-card matchup against a contact-heavy Padres offense a potentially dangerous one. The Cubs are also missing Cade Horton due to a rib injury, while Shota Imanaga struggled down the stretch.
9. Boston Red Sox
Why they could win it all: Alex Cora's club has gelled since the shocking trade of Rafael Devers in June. The Red Sox have a legitimate ace in Garrett Crochet, an all-world closer in Aroldis Chapman, and a solid veteran-led lineup that includes Alex Bregman and Trevor Story.
Biggest weakness: The rotation behind Crochet has some question marks. Top prospect Connelly Early has impressed since being called up in September, but the playoffs are a different beast. The Red Sox will also miss Roman Anthony's bat during playoff games.
10. Cleveland Guardians
Why they could win it all: The Guardians just overcame a 15.5-game deficit to win the AL Central. If that's not a sign for a team of destiny, what is? Cleveland has a stellar pitching staff that's been on fire throughout September - posting an MLB-best 2.61 ERA - as well as superstars José Ramírez and Steven Kwan anchoring its lineup.
Biggest weakness: Aside from Ramírez and Kwan, the lineup doesn't strike much fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. Cleveland's .226 average is the lowest ever for a playoff team, four points lower than the 1906 Chicago White Sox - a team nicknamed the "Hitless Wonders." Ramírez and Kwan can't do it all by themselves.
11. Detroit Tigers
Why they could win it all: Led by reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, the Tigers have some of the best pitching in the playoffs. Casey Mize is a solid No. 2 starter behind Skubal, and manager A.J. Hinch has proven to be a wizard at managing his pitching staffs to get the best possible matchups in October.
Biggest weakness: As this last month made painfully clear, these Tigers can go cold in a hurry on both sides of the ball. It's an open question as to which version of the team will show up: the one that dominated the first half of the year or the one that settled for a wild-card spot after blowing the biggest division lead in history.
12. Cincinnati Reds
Why they could win it all: You need starting pitching in October, and the Reds' trio of Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Lodolo is perhaps the most underrated group of playoff starters. With little in the way of pressure, the starters could lead the way for this group to pull off an upset.
Biggest weakness: Cincinnati was a relatively average offensive team all season and boasts little in the way of power outside of Elly De La Cruz. The Reds could easily run into trouble against a good pitching staff with plenty of velocity.