Postseason Prediction: Our MLB experts make their picks for the 2024 World Series

The postseason begins with no clear favorite as MLB ended the regular season without a 100-game winner for the first time since 2014. Every team seemingly has a path to a title, and every team also seems to have a flaw as big as Death Star. So who will take home the trophy at the end of the playoff marathon? Our human resources experts share their predictions:

Andy McCullough (Houston): They have the best starting rotation. They have a championship core. That's what the Astros do.

Will Sammon (Philadelphia): Their lineup remains as impressive as any. Their rotation includes enough starters that opposing teams don't want to see in a crucial game. Oh, and they also created a bullpen full of variety, depth, and talent.

Fabian Ardaya (Houston): I mean, they've gotten it to this point. And once the Astros get included in the dance, they tend to go far.

C Trent Rosecrans (Cleveland): They don't have the hottest team, but they just do everything right. They are death by a thousand paper cuts. They are a team that doesn't make big mistakes, but forces their opponents to do so.

Eno Sarris (San Diego): Excellent starters, a handful of great backup players, a lineup that not only makes contact but does so with power: All of that makes the Padres fun.

Andrew Baggarly (Philadelphia): My gut feeling wants me to pick the Padres because they have dominant starters, a deep and mean bullpen, and a star-studded lineup. But the Phillies have all of that and maybe more — plus the best home-field advantage in the major leagues. Ring the bell.

Jen McCaffrey (Philadelphia): They are deep and experienced. It feels like it's their year to finally get it all together.

Keith Law (Philadelphia): They are almost fully healthy and have quality hitters and pitchers who will make a difference in the limited postseason schedule.

Stephen J. Nesbitt (Philadelphia): There is no perfect team this postseason. But the Phillies come closer than anyone else. They have a well-rounded lineup, a rotation led by Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler, and a bullpen with some of the sickest stuff in the sport. They are able to get on board quickly and hold on.

Sam Blum (Cleveland): Bullpens win games in the playoffs. And there's no better bullpen than Cleveland's.

Chad Jennings (Philadelphia): If the Phillies aren't going to win, what is their fatal flaw? For the Dodgers, it's their crazy rotation. For the Yankees, it's a thin bullpen and an uncertain bottom-place finish. For the Astros, injuries have weakened their outfield and robbed them of several starting pitchers. But the Phillies have no obvious weakness. Their pitching staff features a legitimate ace, a four-deep rotation, and an elite bullpen. Their lineup can run from top to bottom, hit home runs, and score in a variety of ways. Manager Rob Thomson is a battle-tested veteran with a steady hand.

They have been close the last two seasons. This is the year they win it all.

Chandler Rome (San Diego): The Padres are the most complete team in sports.

Zack Meisel (San Diego): AJ Preller's crazy actions and actions are finally paying off. The Padres have the pitching and just enough offense to get it done.

Kaitlyn McGrath (Philadelphia): At one point this season, it looked like the Phillies would have the best record in baseball. That didn't happen, but despite their inconsistent play, there was never any serious doubt that the Phillies wouldn't make it. The Phillies have been a major presence in the postseason for a few years now and it feels like it's finally time for Bryce Harper to lead them all the way.

David O'Brien (Philadelphia): It's their time, as almost the same group of veterans have had multiple runs together on this thing.

Sahadev Sharma (San Diego): They seem to be the most balanced team. The defense isn't great, but the rest is well above average.

Patrick Mooney (Philadelphia): A star-studded squad for the postseason.

Noah Furtado (Los Angeles): You have Shohei Ohtani.

(Top photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)