Our expert picks for each Division Series matchup

The road to the World Series continues as the MLB Postseason moves on to the Division Series.

All four matchups are set to get underway Saturday, starting with the Tigers and Guardians (1:08 p.m. ET on TBS) at Progressive Field. Later on, the Phillies will host the Mets (4:08 p.m. ET on FOX) and the Royals will visit the Yankees (6:38 p.m. ET on TBS). The Dodgers and Padres will wrap up the action-filled day with a showdown at Dodger Stadium (8:38 p.m. ET on FS1).

With that, we asked a number of MLB.com experts to weigh in and make their predictions on how the next round of the 2024 playoffs will turn out. Check out their picks for each series below.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Tigers (6) at Guardians (2)

The pick: Tigers

Detroit extended its improbable run by sweeping the Astros at Minute Maid Park in the AL Wild Card Series, ending Houston’s streak of seven straight AL Championship Series appearances. After Tigers ace Tarik Skubal tossed six scoreless innings in Game 1, Detroit used eight hurlers to get the other 36 outs in the series as manager A.J. Hinch used his chaotic pitching strategy to perfection.

To continue their Cinderella story, the Tigers will have to take down a Guardians team that led MLB with a 2.57 bullpen ERA and has one of baseball’s best players in third baseman José Ramírez, who fell one homer shy of the seventh 40-40 season in MLB history.

• “The Tigers are one of the more unlikely postseason teams we've seen in a while, so why wouldn't they keep it going? They'll go back to Detroit at worst in a 1-1 tie after Skubal wins Monday's Game 2.” -- Dan Cichalski, senior manager, content operations
• “Skubal is the best pitcher in the series and the Tigers have some serious momentum. Cleveland hasn't seen Detroit since July 30, and this is a much different Tigers team.” -- Mark Feinsand, senior national reporter
• “While the Guardians might have a more defined rotation than the Tigers, there are still a lot of questions surrounding those pitchers. Plus, Detroit seems unstoppable right now.” -- Meghan Ward, editorial producer

The dissenting view

“These two teams are not only from the same division, but also built very similarly -- they rely on making contact, playing good defense and getting great relief pitching. The X-factor? Ramírez, who is the best position player in the series; if he shows up, his all-around game could be enough to push the Guardians through.” -- Jason Catania, supervising editor, breaking news

Royals (5) at Yankees (1)

The pick: Yankees

Our experts see the Yankees coming out on top in the first postseason matchup between these two teams since 1980. The Royals have more speed, a superior defense and a better starting rotation, but Kansas City could have its hands full with the Yankees’ powerful lineup. Fueled by the historically great duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, the Bronx Bombers led MLB in homers (237) and the AL in runs scored (815).

If the Royals are going to pull off the upset, they'll likely need this series to follow the same blueprint as the AL Wild Card Series against the Orioles, which saw Kansas City hold Baltimore to just two runs while superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and co. did just enough on offense to eke out a pair of wins.

• “The Yankees' offense is much louder than the Orioles', and the Royals pitching staff (as good as it's been) can't quite keep them quiet in the same way. Witt can only do so much.” -- Sam Dykstra, senior reporter, prospects
• “The Yankees are just too strong. Yes, the Royals' rotation is formidable, but I think the Yankees break through that, take the first two at home and manage to win one of two in Kansas City.” -- David Venn, Spanish-language senior national reporter
• “The Yankees won't let Witt beat them like the O's did. Power plays in the postseason, and no team can match Judge and Soto for dynamic duos.” -- Ed Eagle, senior editor, content operations

The dissenting view

“The Yankees have an overwhelming edge in power -- but the Royals can match New York's frontline starting pitching, and their defense and baserunning are far superior. If they can keep these games close, that could be the difference.” -- Alan Rittner, editorial producer

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Mets (6) at Phillies (2)

The pick: Phillies

After clinching a postseason berth with a dramatic win on the final day of the regular season, the Mets once again kept their hopes alive by the slimmest of margins in the NL Wild Card Series against the Brewers. Trailing by two runs in the top of the ninth inning of Game 3, the Mets pulled ahead on a three-run homer by Pete Alonso off Milwaukee closer Devin Williams. It was the first lead-flipping homer in the ninth inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game in MLB history.

New York now moves on to face the rival Phillies, who won the NL East by six games. Our experts think the Mets will run into trouble against a balanced and well-rested Philadelphia club trying to reach the NLCS for the third straight year.

• “The Phillies have fewer weaknesses than any other team in this field. They're relatively healthy. They're rested. They're experienced. All that offers no guarantees, of course. But this series (and really, this whole postseason) is set up for them to finish the job they couldn't finish the past two years.” -- Andrew Simon, director, national content
• "The Phillies’ rotation is as deep as anyone, and pitching wins in October." -- Alex Stumpf, club reporter
• “The Phillies have been the most complete team all year and have the best home-field advantage in the game.” -- Mark Feinsand, senior national reporter

The dissenting view

“On paper, the Phillies seem to have the upper hand, but the Mets' scrappiness and never-say-die attitude will carry them.” -- Meghan Ward, editorial producer

Padres (4) at Dodgers (1)

The pick: Padres

Although the Dodgers won the NL West by five games with MLB's best record (98-64) and have a high-powered lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani (making his postseason debut after the first 50-50 season in MLB history), Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, our experts think the Padres are headed for their second NLDS triumph over Los Angeles in three years.

San Diego's offense is formidable as well, and the Friars appear to have an edge over the injury-plagued Dodgers on the mound, which could be the difference in the series. The Padres went 8-5 against L.A. in the regular season and posted the game's best record after the All-Star break at 43-20 before steamrolling the Braves in the NL Wild Card Series, so they're entering this matchup with a ton of confidence.

• "San Diego might have the most dynamic roster left in the postseason, won the season series 8-5 and have the clear upper hand in (healthy) pitching." -- Sam Dykstra, senior reporter, prospects

• "The 2024 Padres look like they have more fun than any other team, and there's something to be said about playing with such ease. That, and they're much more built for October than they ever have been in the A.J. Preller era." -- Daniel Kramer, club reporter

• "The Padres are on a roll and probably think they are the better team. Considering their deeper lineup and L.A.'s banged up rotation, they are probably right." -- Ed Eagle, senior editor, content operations

The dissenting view

“Ohtani has shown he rises to every occasion. In his first chance in the playoffs, I expect him to take over the series.” -- Andrew Werle, supervising editor, content operations