MLB.com experts predict World Series winner

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