Why is offense at historic low in the 2026 MLB playoffs? Plus more intriguing postseason trends

We’re halfway through the 2026 MLB playoffs, and runs have been incredibly tough to come by in October

Four teams remain, and something historic is guaranteed to happen this season. Either the Los Angeles Dodgers will become the first National League team to threepeat, or a long World Series drought will end. The Cleveland Guardians haven't won the World Series since 1948. The Milwaukee Brewers (existed since 1970) and Tampa Bay Rays (since 1998) have never won a title. "This was a difficult year," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said after his team's ALDS Game 5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. "For us to be one step away from the World Series, our ultimate goal, this is really exciting." The Brewers and Dodgers will open their NLCS matchup Sunday night at American Family Field.

The Guardians and Rays start their ALCS at Tropicana Field on Monday. Here are our biggest questions for the Championship Series, and here now is a look at three trends we've seen to date in the postseason. Two rounds into the postseason, teams are hitting .208/.291/.334 and averaging 3.46 runs per game. It was a .192/.284/.304 line and 3.06 runs per game during the Division Series. Offense is down about 25% compared to the regular season. Offense always comes down in the postseason, but it is way down this postseason. Much more than usual. Usually, you can chop about half-a-run off the