The LCS Power Rankings: Why These Four Teams Are Still Dreaming Big – And the Doubts That Loom
In the blink of an eye, the MLB playoffs have narrowed to four elite squads, each chasing the ultimate prize: the Commissioner's Trophy. One of them will etch their name into baseball lore soon, crafting a tale that'll have fans buzzing for years. But predicting winners in these high-stakes postseason matchups? It's trickier than hitting a 100-mph fastball blindfolded, as evidenced by all the busted forecasts littering our recent memories. Still, we can dive in and assess where each contender stands right now.
And just like that, we're down to the final four. These League Championship Series power rankings come from a collective of MLB.com experts (check the credits at the end for their full names), but the narrative here is all mine. If the rankings rub you the wrong way, blame the whole crew. But if it's my spin on the words that irks you, feel free to direct your feedback my way. To honor the dream of a World Series win, we'll spotlight each team's Reason to Believe they can pull it off, alongside a Reason for Concern that might derail them.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is sheer talent enough, or does postseason magic favor the underdog with heart? Let's break it down team by team, starting with the favorites and working down.
- Dodgers
- Last title: 2024 (Their eighth overall as a franchise)
- Last World Series appearance: 2024 (Where they defeated the New York Yankees)
- Last postseason result: Champions of the 2024 World Series
Reason to Believe: You might have forgotten amid the playoff chaos, but the Dodgers entered the postseason as the National League's third seed, their uneven regular season marked by inconsistent performances that sometimes left fans scratching their heads. Now, though, things seem to be clicking into place. A big reason? Their pitching staff is finally firing on all cylinders – the starting rotation is healthy and often overpowering, the offense has reincorporated key player Will Smith, and the bullpen boasts Roki Sasaki as a game-changing closer who specializes in those nail-biting, high-pressure situations that decide championships. For beginners, think of this as a puzzle finally assembled: each piece (pitchers, hitters, relievers) is in sync, turning potential into dominance. This feels like the powerhouse version of the Dodgers we've been waiting for all year, poised to dominate.
Reason for Concern: When the Dodgers' batting order faltered earlier in the season, they could always rely on Shohei Ohtani to deliver otherworldly performances. But Ohtani has chosen perhaps the most untimely moment to hit his lowest point of the year. During the NLDS, he went just 1-for-18 with nine strikeouts, often seen shaking his head in frustration as he headed back to the dugout. Sure, the Phillies' lineup of tough left-handed pitchers presented a daunting challenge, but Ohtani simply didn't perform like the superstar we know. For those new to baseball, Ohtani is the team's megastar – imagine a basketball team's LeBron James going cold at crunch time. The Dodgers desperately need him to snap out of this funk to secure their path forward.
- NLCS Game 1, sponsored by loanDepot: Kicks off Monday at 8 p.m. ET/7 CT/5 PT on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max (full schedule at https://www.mlb.com/news/2025-mlb-playoff-and-world-series-schedule)
- Blue Jays
- Last title: 1993 (Their second in franchise history)
- Last World Series appearance: 1993 (Where they beat the Philadelphia Phillies)
- Last postseason result: Defeated in the 2023 AL Wild Card Series against the Minnesota Twins
Reason to Believe: While the postseason isn't just about feel-good energy, it's impossible to ignore the electric atmosphere surrounding the Blue Jays right now. The clubhouse celebration after eliminating the Yankees highlighted how transformative this season has been for the team and its passionate fans. Fittingly, star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – arguably the face of the franchise forever – shone brightly in the ALDS, blasting home runs and appearing fully locked in. Their pitching staff is well-balanced, they're delivering timely hits in key moments, and they have an abundance of arms ready to go. Plus, they hold home-field advantage for the ALCS, which can be a game-changer. For newcomers, home-field means playing in familiar territory, where crowd support and rest can tip the scales.
Reason for Concern: Confidence would skyrocket if Bo Bichette were fully fit, but he's not (as detailed in https://www.mlb.com/news/bo-bichette-runs-bases-during-blue-jays-workout-ahead-of-alcs). He might return to play designated hitter, but that could force lineup adjustments that weaken their defense. Bichette's bat isn't strictly essential given their ALDS offensive fireworks, but having him and Guerrero in the heart of the order clearly strengthens the Toronto attack. And this is the part most people miss: In baseball, small injuries can ripple through strategies, turning strengths into vulnerabilities.
- Snag your 2025 Postseason tickets now! (Visit https://www.mlb.com/postseason/tickets?affiliateId=mlbcomarticle-inline-linkmlb)
- Mariners
- Last title: Never (No championships yet)
- Last World Series appearance: Never (No trips to the Fall Classic)
- Last postseason result: Lost in the 2022 AL Division Series to the Houston Astros
Reason to Believe: This could be the strongest Mariners squad since their 116-win powerhouse in 2001 – and we're talking a significant leap forward. Their batting order is impressively deep, their starting pitchers are top-notch, they have a reliable closer in Andrés Muñoz, and Julio Rodríguez is already shaping up as a potential legend. Don't forget catcher Cal Raleigh, who smashed 60 home runs this season and earned a nickname that screams Hall of Fame potential (for beginners, a Hall of Famer is like baseball's Mount Rushmore – the all-time greats). Reliable starter Bryan Woo is slated to return to the roster (per https://www.mlb.com/news/bryan-woo-on-mariners-alcs-roster-bryce-miller-to-start-game-1), which is great news after their bullpen endured a grueling 15-inning ALDS Game 5 marathon against the Tigers (read the recap at https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-win-alds-2025-vs-tigers). This might just be Seattle's golden opportunity to break through to the World Series after decades of near-misses.
Reason for Concern: That stacked lineup has leaned heavily on its top performers in the playoffs, and bullpen fatigue emerged as an issue in the Tigers matchup, forcing the Mariners to the edge while the Blue Jays got a breather. Also, being the only team in MLB without a World Series appearance? That weight of history can linger in the back of your mind, potentially affecting focus.
- Brewers
- Last title: None (No championships to date)
- Last World Series appearance: 1982 (Where they fell to the St. Louis Cardinals)
- Last postseason result: Eliminated in the 2024 NL Wild Card Series by the New York Mets
Reason to Believe: This is the outfit that claimed the league's top regular-season record, consistently finding ways to come out on top. The Brewers excel at making smart plays and delivering big hits when it counts most – think clutch performances that add up to more than just individual stats. They've been a team greater than the sum of its parts all season. And let's not forget the intangible magic of Uecker Kismet (as explored in https://www.mlb.com/news/bob-uecker-with-brewers-in-spirit-celebrating-playoff-berth), a nod to legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker's spirit boosting the squad. For beginners, this means the team has a special chemistry that turns good into great.
Reason for Concern: Injuries to Jackson Chourio's hamstring have the entire team on edge, as he's been a driving force in their offense. Plus, they're up against the Dodgers, who boast superior star power. Historically, does glitz and marquee names overshadow grit in the playoffs? Just look at last year's Dodgers triumph. But here's a controversial twist: Some argue that underdogs with resilience often triumph over flashy talent – does this Brewers team have that edge?
Voters: Nathalie Alonso, Jason Catania, Mark Feinsand, Daniel Feldman, Doug Gausepohl, Will Leitch, Travis Miller, Brian Murphy, Arturo Pardavila, Andrew Simon, David Venn, Zac Vierra.
So, there you have it – four teams, each with compelling cases for glory and nagging doubts. But is relying on star power over team chemistry the real key to World Series success? Or does overcoming historical curses like the Mariners' matter more? Do you think the Blue Jays' vibes can carry them, or will the Dodgers' pitching edge prevail? Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with these rankings, or is there a dark horse we're overlooking? Let's debate!
