MLB playoff power rankings: All 12 teams by chances to win World Series

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers' ace duo of Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to dominate the playoff series. In addition, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell have been performing well. Teoscar Hernandez, Mookie Betts, and Kyle Tucker have been performing at an exceptional rate in the September OPS rankings. Their three-peat appearance would be less dependent on Shohei Ohtani's contributions.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

While the Rays had a challenging playoff history in the past, they have advanced beyond the wild-card round and are now set to face the winner of the Red Sox-Yankees series. Their strong performance against both teams in the season series could be their toughest challenge for entering the World Series. Questions remain regarding their ability to translate their performance on the home turf and their offense's effectiveness against stronger pitching.

3. Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers have shown significant improvement this season, making it their eighth postseason in nine years. Jacob Misiorowski, an impending Cy Young Award winner, is ready to make an impact from the first game. The team's pitching staff, from 2 through 13, will play a crucial role in determining the success of their 103-win season. Their young players, including Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana, will need to hold up under the pressure of the playoffs.

4. New York Yankees

For the Yankees, the pitching rotation may be their strongest suit, with four deep starters. Cam Schultzer, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodón are expected to lead the way, followed by Will Warren. Aaron Judge is unlikely to be available during the wild-card round, or any stage of the playoffs, making the pitching staff even more critical. The bullpen's effectiveness in multiple appearances will be crucial for their success.

5. Cleveland Guardians

Unlike their competitors, the Guardians have a first-round bye in the playoffs. Their pitching staff is their backbone, and they will need it as they face the survivor of the White Sox-Astros series. The Guardians have a solid lineup, but their home run and OPS rankings indicate room for improvement. Their young players, Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana, may need to step up under playoff pressure.