We have looked into the American League teams that could reach the World Series. With the 2026 MLB regular season entering the stretch run, the race to represent the National League in the World Series is getting interesting.
The Milwaukee Brewers currently have the best record in the National League, while the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs are all firmly in the championship conversation. Philadelphia remains dangerous despite having more ground to make up.
As a follow-up to my Top 5 American League Teams That Could Reach the 2026 World Series, it’s time to look at the other side of the bracket.
Here are my Top 5 National League teams that could reach the 2026 World Series.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Until somebody knocks them off, the Los Angeles Dodgers remain the team to beat in the National League.
Los Angeles entered the season as the two-time defending World Series champion, and despite some inconsistency recently, the Dodgers remain atop the NL West and among baseball’s best teams. They are also still the betting favorite to win another World Series.
The Dodgers’ biggest advantage is the amount of star power they can put on the field. Shohei Ohtani remains one of baseball’s biggest difference-makers, and Los Angeles has the kind of lineup capable of exploding at any moment.
Then there’s the pitching staff. Adding Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline gave an already dangerous team another potential postseason ace.
There are concerns. The Dodgers’ offense has cooled considerably during the second half, including struggles against other playoff-caliber clubs. But this roster was built for October.
When a team has elite talent, postseason experience and championship expectations, it’s difficult to put anyone else ahead of them.
Why They Can Reach the World Series: Star power, starting pitching, postseason experience and arguably the deepest championship-caliber roster in the National League.
2. Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers might be the biggest threat to Los Angeles.
Milwaukee owns the best record in the National League at 77-48 and has built one of baseball’s best run differentials.
This isn’t simply a team getting hot at the right time. Milwaukee has been one of the most complete teams in baseball.
The Brewers may not have the collection of household names you’ll find in Los Angeles, but they have something equally valuable in October: balance.
They can pitch. They can manufacture runs. They can play defense. And they’ve demonstrated an ability to beat good teams.
Milwaukee also strengthened its pitching staff around the trade deadline, adding even more depth for the stretch run.
A short playoff series often comes down to pitching, defense and timely hitting. Milwaukee has the ingredients to win that type of baseball.
Why They Can Reach the World Series: Balance, pitching depth, consistency and a roster that doesn’t need to rely on one superstar to win.
3. Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have quietly put together one of the best seasons in baseball.
Atlanta sits at 74-51, putting them right alongside the National League’s elite clubs.
The Braves have been here before. This organization understands what it takes to win in October, and that experience shouldn’t be overlooked when the postseason begins.
Atlanta has enough offensive firepower to put pressure on opposing pitchers while also possessing the pitching necessary to survive a seven-game series.
One of the biggest challenges for the Braves could simply be navigating an incredibly deep National League field. Los Angeles and Milwaukee will receive plenty of attention, but Atlanta has positioned itself to potentially spoil everyone’s plans.
If the Braves enter October healthy and their pitching is clicking, they have every opportunity to represent the National League.
Why They Can Reach the World Series: A strong regular season, playoff experience, offensive firepower and enough pitching to compete with anyone.
4. Chicago Cubs
Don’t overlook the Chicago Cubs.
Chicago enters the stretch run at 73-53, only 4.5 games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. The Cubs also possess one of the National League’s better run differentials.
The Cubs have an opportunity to make the NL Central race especially interesting because they still have several head-to-head games remaining against Milwaukee.
Chicago’s offense has been one of its biggest strengths. When the Cubs get rolling at the plate, they can make life difficult for any pitching staff.
October baseball is unpredictable. A team doesn’t necessarily need to be the favorite entering the postseason. It needs to get hot at the right time.
Chicago has enough talent to do exactly that.
The Cubs may have to travel a more difficult road than Los Angeles or Milwaukee, but they have shown throughout the season that they belong among the National League’s top contenders.
Why They Can Reach the World Series: A dangerous offense, strong run differential and the ability to get hot and change a postseason series quickly.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are my wild card on this list.
Philadelphia hasn’t been as consistent as some of the teams ahead of them, but this is exactly the kind of club nobody wants to face in a short playoff series.
Why?
Starting pitching.
A postseason rotation featuring Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo gives Philadelphia the ability to match up with just about anyone. That three-man combination could become extremely dangerous once October arrives.
The Phillies also have plenty of postseason experience throughout their roster.
Philadelphia’s biggest concern is the bullpen. Relief pitching has been a significant weakness, and that’s something that could quickly end a postseason run.
But if the Phillies get into October and their starters dominate?
Watch out.
They have the type of pitching that could produce an upset against one of the National League’s top seeds.
Why They Can Reach the World Series: Elite top-of-the-rotation pitching and a roster with plenty of experience playing meaningful October baseball.
My Top 5 National League World Series Contenders
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Atlanta Braves
- Chicago Cubs
- Philadelphia Phillies
Who Will Win the National League?
The National League playoffs could be outstanding this year.
Milwaukee currently has the best record, Atlanta has established itself as a legitimate championship contender, and Chicago continues to chase the Brewers in the Central. Philadelphia has the pitching to become a dangerous postseason opponent.
But the road to the World Series still goes through Los Angeles for me.
The Dodgers have too much talent and too much postseason experience to pick against them right now. Betting markets agree, with Los Angeles still sitting as the clear World Series favorite in mid-August.
That doesn’t mean another trip to the Fall Classic will be easy.
Milwaukee may be the most complete challenger. Atlanta has the talent to beat anybody. Chicago can put runs on the board, and Philadelphia has a rotation built for a short series.
My 2026 National League Champion Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers
The next several weeks will determine seeding and home-field advantage, but one thing already looks clear: whoever represents the National League in the 2026 World Series is going to have to survive a loaded playoff field.
