Who will win the World Series? We asked a handful of experts from MLB.com to weigh in, and here are their round-by-round predictions.

WILL LEITCH

There was a time when the first thing I looked at when making postseason predictions was the starting pitching matchups. Suffice it to say: This would be a very poor way to make predictions in 2018. This has been the year of the bullpen. I see no reason this October won't be even more so.

NLWC: COL-CHC -- Cubs

ALWC: OAK-NYY -- Yankees

NLDS: ATL-LAD -- Dodgers

NLDS: CHC-MIL -- Brewers

ALDS: CLE-HOU -- Astros

ALDS: NYY-BOS -- Yankees

NLCS: LAD-MIL -- Brewers

ALCS: HOU-NYY -- Astros

WS: HOU-MIL -- Astros

RICHARD JUSTICE

This is the October that Oakland breaks through, that the Brewers ride their excellent finish into the World Series and that the Dodgers have another nice run. In the end, though, it's still the Astros. They'll do it differently this time, built around a great pitching staff, but they just have too much talent and just enough swagger not to win again.



NLWC: COL-CHC -- Rockies

ALWC: OAK-NYY -- A's

NLDS: ATL-LAD -- Dodgers

NLDS: COL-MIL -- Brewers

ALDS: CLE-HOU -- Astros

ALDS: OAK-BOS -- Red Sox

NLCS: LAD-MIL -- Brewers

ALCS: OAK-HOU -- Astros

WS: HOU-MIL -- Astros



JIM DUQUETTE

The team that dominated the AL and won the most games in franchise history ends up winning their fourth World Series title since 2004. The Dodgers' roster depth helps them win the NL crown, but their bullpen looks to be their downfall at the end.



NLWC: COL-CHC -- Cubs

ALWC: OAK-NYY -- Yankees

NLDS: ATL-LAD -- Dodgers

NLDS: CHC-MIL -- Brewers

ALDS: CLE-HOU -- Astros

ALDS: NYY-BOS -- Red Sox

NLCS: LAD-MIL -- Dodgers

ALCS: BOS-HOU -- Red Sox

WS: LAD-BOS -- Red Sox



MARK FEINSAND

The Brewers have the momentum heading into the postseason, and with their dominant bullpen, they have what it takes to get through the National League. The Yankees' bullpen outlasts the Red Sox to set up an ALCS rematch, but Houston's rotation proves to be too much as the Astros successfully defend their title.

NLWC: COL-CHC -- Cubs

ALWC: OAK-NYY -- Yankees

NLDS: ATL-LAD -- Dodgers

NLDS: CHC-MIL -- Brewers

ALDS: CLE-HOU -- Astros

ALDS: NYY-BOS -- Yankees

NLCS: LAD-MIL -- Brewers

ALCS: NYY-HOU -- Astros

WS: MIL-HOU -- Astros

JESSE SANCHEZ

Last season's league champions are still the teams to beat, and they're headed for another showdown in late October. Somehow, the reigning World Series champion Astros might be an even better team than last year. The difference this season will be the Dodgers' bench. The club's depth will make it a challenge for any team to match up against the Los Angeles hitters, especially late in games and late in the postseason when opposing bullpens are tired.

NLWC: COL-CHC -- Cubs

ALWC: OAK-NYY -- A's

NLDS: ATL-LAD -- Dodgers

NLDS: CHC-MIL -- Brewers

ALDS: CLE-HOU -- Astros

ALDS: OAK-BOS -- Red Sox

NLCS: MIL-LAD -- Dodgers

ALCS: HOU-BOS -- Astros

WS: HOU-LAD -- Dodgers

ANTHONY CASTROVINCE

I was going to stubbornly stick with my preseason pick of a Nationals-Yankees World Series, but I suppose I'll adjust. The AL playoffs are going to be brutal (in a good way), as any of those teams is legitimately capable of going the distance. But I've got an NL team, strengthened by a season-long dogfight, prevailing in the end.

NLWC: COL-CHC -- Rockies

ALWC: OAK-NYY -- Yankees

NLDS: ATL-LAD -- Dodgers

NLDS: COL-MIL -- Brewers

ALDS: CLE-HOU -- Astros

ALDS: NYY-BOS -- Yankees

NLCS: MIL-LAD -- Brewers

ALCS: NYY-HOU -- Astros

WS: HOU-MIL -- Brewers

ALYSON FOOTER

The only thing I'm truly fairly certain of is whoever wins the American League pennant will win the World Series. Other than that, I am trying to decide what I believe more: that the best team at bullpenning is going all the way, or the best team in a more traditional manner -- strong rotation, solid setup man and closer -- has the best chance to get through a full postseason schedule. In terms of teams that are loaded with effective starters, relievers and All-Star hitters, it would be difficult to think anyone can top the Astros. So I'm definitely picking them. I think. (For now.)

NLWC: COL-CHC -- Rockies

ALWC: OAK-NYY -- A's

NLDS: ATL-LAD -- Dodgers

NLDS: COL-MIL -- Brewers

ALDS: CLE-HOU -- Astros

ALDS: OAK-BOS -- Red Sox

NLCS: LAD-MIL -- Brewers

ALCS: HOU-BOS -- Astros

WS: MIL-HOU -- Astros

MIKE PETRIELLO

A repeat of last year's World Series may not be the most exciting pick, but the Dodgers and the Astros are still the deepest, most talented teams in their respective leagues. Watch for a shocking Oakland run to the ALCS first, though.

NLWC: COL-CHC -- Cubs

ALWC: OAK-NYY -- A's

NLDS: ATL-LAD -- Dodgers

NLDS: CHC-MIL -- Brewers

ALDS: CLE-HOU -- Astros

ALDS: OAK-BOS -- A's

NLCS: LAD-MIL -- Dodgers

ALCS: HOU-OAK -- Astros

WS: LAD-HOU -- Astros

JON PAUL MOROSI

History suggests at least one No. 1 seed will be knocked out by the end of the Division Series. This year, neither will be the eventual champion. The Indians' regular season was lackluster in some ways. Their October will be extraordinary.

NLWC: COL-CHC -- COL

ALWC: OAK-NYY -- NYY

NLDS: ATL-LAD -- LAD

NLDS: COL-MIL -- MIL

ALDS: CLE-HOU -- CLE

ALDS: NYY-BOS -- NYY

NLCS: LAD-MIL -- LAD

ALCS: NYY-CLE -- CLE

WS: LAD-CLE -- CLE