MLB playoff predictions: Braves are World Series favorites, but postseason looks wide open

After four sweeps in the wild-card round, Major League Baseball's playoffs resume Saturday with the best-of-five Division Series getting underway.

The LDS winners advance to their respective best-of-seven League Championship Series, with the 2023 World Series scheduled to begin on Oct. 27 at the home ballpark of the team with the better record.

The defending World Series champion Houston Astros face the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS while last year's runner-up, the Philadelphia Phillies, have a rematch against the Atlanta Braves – who they beat en route to the team's first NL title since 2009.

Here's how USA TODAY Sports' baseball writers and editors see the rest of the postseason shaking out:

Bob Nightengale

Division Series

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• AL: Astros over Twins
• AL: Orioles over Rangers
• NL: Dodgers over Diamondbacks
• NL: Atlanta over Phillies                       

League Championship Series

• AL: Astros over Orioles
• NL: Atlanta over Dodgers

World Series

• Atlanta over Astros in 6

Gabe Lacques

LDS

• Twins over Astros
• Orioles over Rangers
• Dodgers over Diamondbacks
• Phillies over Braves

LCS 

• Twins over Orioles
• Phillies over Dodgers

World Series

• Phillies over Twins in 5

Steve Gardner

LDS

• Astros over Twins
• Rangers over Orioles
• Braves over Phillies
• Dodgers over Diamondbacks

LCS

• Astros over Rangers
• Braves over Dodgers

World Series

• Braves over Astros in 6

Jesse Yomtov

LDS

• Astros over Twins
• Orioles over Rangers
• Phillies over Braves
• Dodgers over Diamondbacks

LCS

• Orioles over Astros
• Dodgers over Phillies

World Series

• Orioles over Dodgers in 6

Scott Boeck

LDS

• Astros over Twins
• Orioles over Rangers
• Braves over Phillies
• Dodgers over Diamondbacks

LCS

• Astros over Orioles
• Braves over Dodgers

World Series

• Braves over Astros in 6

Steve Borelli

LDS

• Twins over Astros
• Orioles over Rangers
• Phillies over Braves
• Dodgers over Diamondbacks

LCS

• Orioles over Twins
• Dodgers over Phillies

World Series

• Dodgers over Orioles in 6