These MLB Surprise World Series Contenders Could Hopefully Beat the Dodgers

Jerry Beach|published: Sun 1st March, 14:35 2026

Jul 26, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after he gets a strike out to end the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

It’s hard to believe here in 2026, but we’re not far removed from a time when the Los Angeles Dodgers were an annual sentimental favorite in October.

The Dodgers went 31 straight years without winning the World Series from 1989 through 2019, a span in which they got as far as the National League Championship Series only four times and lost both their trips to the Fall Classic.

Now, of course, the Dodgers are not only the two-time defending champions but also the team sucking the joy and hope out of the game for everyone else by annually signing the best players on the market. Come on down, Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker!

But the Dodgers’ back-to-back titles can’t fully obscure the reality the expanded Major League Baseball playoffs have turned into an increasingly random free-for-all. Here are six championship-starved teams that could upset the Dodgers and hoist Rob Manfred’s favorite piece of metal later this fall.

Toronto Blue Jays (last won in 1993)

If it’s possible to come closer to winning the World Series without actually doing so, don’t tell the Blue Jays, who returned home with a three games to two lead in the World Series and came within a slightly better secondary lead by Isiah Kiner-Falafa of dethroning the Dodgers in Game 7. In an attempt to follow in the footsteps of the 2014-15 Kansas City Royals — who fell to the San Francisco Giants in seven games before winning it all the next year — Toronto signed Dylan Cease to bolster its rotation, adding Tyler Rogers to the bullpen and inking Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto.

Detroit Tigers (last won in 1984)

The Tigers announced they’re going for it in what will almost surely be Tarik Skubal’s last year with the team by signing Framber Valdez just before Skubal won his arbitration case. With Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty and Justin Verlander (yup he’s back) heading a potential postseason rotation, Detroit can put its spin on what the Dodgers did last season by using the regular season as a tuneup in hopes its starters are healthy and ready to carry a middling offense in October.

Seattle Mariners (never won since joining MLB in 1977)

Oct 19, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (12) reacts after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game six of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

We can’t mention the Blue Jays’ bid to end their title drought without talking about the Mariners, who were eight outs away from knocking off Toronto in the AL Championship Series before George Springer’s pennant-winning homer. Seattle doubled down on the idea of grittiness and good chemistry by re-signing Josh Naylor and acquiring Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals to go along with its strong rotation.

Baltimore Orioles (last won in 1983)

Trevor Rogers needs to be the real thing atop a rotation that is otherwise lacking an ace, but the Orioles did a terrific job of supplementing their homegrown core with proven veteran winners such as Pete Alonso, Chris Bassitt and Ryan Helsley as well as Taylor Ward, who was freed from the misery that is the Los Angeles Angels and could join Alonso in making a run at 40 homers inside hitter-friendly Camden Yards.

New York Mets (last won in 1986)

Apr 21, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

How delicious would a Mets-Orioles World Series be?

Alas, 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 both the central and most inexplicable part of David Stearns’ plan to overhaul the team in his image. But if Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr. cement the up-the-middle defense and prospects such as Carson Benge and Nolan McLean are the real thing at right field and at the front of the rotation, perhaps New York can mount another Cinderella playoff run.

Pittsburgh Pirates (last won in 1979)

Feb 25, 2026; North Port, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws a pitch in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Hey, if you can’t dream of a World Series miracle in March, when can you? Paul Skenes is headlining an impressive rotation, consensus top prospect Konnor Griffin is pushing to make the Opening Day roster at 19 years old and the Pirates’ lineup should be much better with or without Griffin thanks to the off-season additions of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna.

Why can’t Pittsburgh get hot in October and score one for the small markets by toppling the Dodgers?

(Again, it’s March, why not dream?)

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