World Series, LCS and Division Series predictions

After an exciting wild card round, the Major League Baseball playoffs continue on Saturday with the best-of-five Division Series.

The LDS winners advance to their respective best-of-seven League Championship Series. If both LCS tournaments end by October 19th – meaning neither series lasts longer than five games under the current schedule – the World Series will begin on October 22nd, with a possible Game 7 taking place on October 30th .

Eight teams remain. Who will be the last team standing?

The only thing we know for sure this October is that a new team will be crowned champions since the reigning 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers are not in the postseason.

Here's how USA TODAY Sports baseball writers and editors see the rest of the postseason unfolding:

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Bob Nightengale

• ALDS winners: Yankees, Guardians
• NLDS winner: Phillies, Padres
• AL champion: Yankees
• NL champions: Padres
• World Series winner: Padres – Mark your calendars. San Diego will defeat the Yankees in a rematch of the 1998 World Series.

Gabe Lacques

• ALDS winner: Royals, Guardians
• NLDS winner: Phillies, Padres
• AL champion: Guardian
• NL champions: Padres
• World Series Winner: Padres – Rotation, bullpen, lineup – no one is better in all three phases