Who are MLB's teams to beat this October -- and who could take them down? Execs, insiders weigh in

The 2022 MLB season has seen no clear-cut favorites emerge, as there are no teams with 100 wins. However, several teams are considered potential contenders for a deep postseason run, according to executives and insiders around the league. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros are widely regarded as the teams to beat, with their dominant regular-season performances. The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves are also seen as strong contenders in the National League. In the American League, the surging Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays are viewed as dark horses that could make a run. The St. Louis Cardinals and the surprising Cleveland Guardians are also mentioned as potential spoilers. The parity in the league this year means that any team can get hot at the right time and make a deep postseason push. The lack of a clear-cut favorite adds to the excitement and unpredictability of the upcoming MLB playoffs.