Following an exciting wild-card round, the playoffs for Major League Baseball will continue this Saturday with the beginning of the best-of-five Division Series.

The winners of the Division Series will progress to their respective best-of-seven League Championship Series. If both League Championship Series conclude by October 19 — which means neither lasts more than five games — the World Series is set to kick off on October 22, wrapping up with a potential Game 7 on October 30.

There are still eight teams competing. Which one will emerge victorious?

This October, one thing is clear: a new World Series champion will be declared, as the Texas Rangers, the 2023 champions, are absent from the postseason.

Here are the insights from YSL News Sports’ baseball writers and editors regarding how the remainder of the playoffs might unfold:

Bob Nightengale

• Winners of the ALDS: Yankees, Guardians
• Winners of the NLDS: Phillies, Padres
• American League Champion: Yankees
• National League Champion: Padres
• World Series Champion: Padres – Remember the date. San Diego will take down the Yankees in a rematch of the 1998 World Series.

Gabe Lacques

• ALDS winners: Royals, Guardians
• NLDS winners: Phillies, Padres
• American League Champion: Guardians
• National League Champion: Padres
• World Series Champion: Padres – They boast the best rotation, bullpen, and lineup.

Jesse Yomtov

• ALDS winners: Yankees, Guardians
• NLDS winners: Phillies, Padres
• American League Champion: Yankees
• National League Champion: Phillies
• World Series Champion: Phillies – This time, after falling short in previous years, Bryce Harper and the Phillies are set to prevail.

Scott Boeck

• Winners of the ALDS: Yankees, Guardians
• Winners of the NLDS: Phillies, Padres
• American League Champion: Yankees
• National League Champion: Padres
• World Series: Padres – This victory is dedicated to Peter Seidler, the late former team owner who contributed to bringing Manny Machado to San Diego, aiming to secure the franchise’s first championship.

Steve Borelli

• Winners of the ALDS: Yankees, Tigers
• Winners of the NLDS: Phillies, Padres
• American League Champion: Yankees
• National League Champion: Phillies
• World Series Champion: Phillies – In a rematch of the 2009 World Series, Philadelphia has built a more rounded and deeper team this time around, meaning less dependence on its star players.