July 26, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after striking out in the bottom of the sixth inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Image It’s hard to believe it’s 2026, but we’re not that far removed from the days when the Los Angeles Dodgers were a sentimental hit every October.
The Dodgers failed to win the World Series for 31 consecutive years from 1989 to 2019. During this period, they advanced to the National League Championship Series only four times, and lost both times in the Fall Classic.
Now, of course, the Dodgers are not only the two-time defending champions, but they are also a team that sucks the joy and hope out of everyone else’s game by signing the best players on the market every year. Welcome, Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker!
But the Dodgers’ back-to-back wins can’t completely obscure the reality that the expanded Major League Baseball playoffs have turned into an increasingly random melee. Here are six teams short of a championship that could upset the Dodgers and hoist Rob Manfred’s favorite piece of metal later this fall.
Toronto Blue Jays (last championship in 1993)
If you can get closer to winning a World Series without actually doing that, don’t tell that to the Blue Jays, who came back with a two-game lead in three games in the World Series and went into a slightly better second lead under Isiah Keener-Palapa, who knocked off the Dodgers in Game 7. In an attempt to follow in the footsteps of the 2014-15 Kansas City Royals (who lost to the San Francisco Giants in seven games before winning it all the following year) — Toronto signed Dylan Cease to bolster the rotation, added Tyler Rogers to the bullpen and brought in Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto.
Detroit Tigers (last championship in 1984)
The Tigers announced that it would almost certainly be Tarik Skubal’s final year with the team by signing Framber Valdez shortly before Skubal won his arbitration case. With Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty and Justin Verlander (yes, he’s back) leading a potential postseason rotation, Detroit could repeat what the Dodgers did last season by using the regular season as a tune-up, hoping their starters are healthy and ready to carry the middle-of-the-road offense come October.
Seattle Mariners (haven’t won a championship since joining MLB in 1977)
October 19, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (12) reacts after hitting a home run in the 6th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during Game 6 of the ALCS round of the 2025 MLB Playoffs held at Rogers Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Image You can’t mention the Blue Jays’ effort to end their title drought without talking about the Mariners, who were eight outs away from beating Toronto in the AL Championship Series before George Springer’s pennant-winning home run. Seattle re-signs Josh Naylor and moves to St. Louis. The signing of Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals doubled down on the idea of grit and good chemistry by bringing in a strong rotation.
Baltimore Orioles (last championship in 1983)
Trevor Rogers should be a real presence in an ace-starved rotation, but the Orioles have done a great job of supplementing their homegrown core with proven veteran gamers like Pete Alonso, Chris Bassitt, Ryan Helsley, and Taylor Ward, who was freed from the misery that is the Los Angeles Angels and could hit 40 home runs with Alonso in hitter-friendly Camden Yards.
New York Mets (last championship in 1986)
April 21, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) is on base after hitting a three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 7th inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images How delicious would a Mets-Orioles World Series be?
Unfortunately, a lot has to go right for this to happen after a winter in which getting rid of Alonso, the most prolific home run hitter in franchise history, was the central and most inexplicable part of David Stearns’ plan to remake the team in his own image. But with Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr. solidifying an upper-middle-tier defense and prospects like Carson Benge and Nolan McLean in right field and at the top of the rotation, perhaps New York can pull off another Cinderella playoff run.
Pittsburgh Pirates (last championship in 1979)
February 25, 2026; Northport, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting pitcher Paul Skennes (30) is throwing a ball in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training held at Cool Today Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Image If we can’t dream of a World Series miracle in March, when can we? Paul Skenes is leading an impressive rotation, consensus top prospect Konnor Griffin is making a push to make the Opening Day roster as a 19-year-old, and the Pirates’ lineup will be much better with or without Griffin thanks to the offseason additions of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna.
Why can’t Pittsburgh get hot in October and knock off the Dodgers to score a point in a small market?
(It’s March again, so what if you dream?)
