WNBA playoff predictions: Who will win the 2019 championship?

Before the WNBA's playoffs open Wednesday (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET), ESPN's panel of experts weighs in with predictions for how the 2019 postseason will unfold. Which teams will survive and advance?

ESPN.com's Kevin Pelton, The Undefeated's Sean Hurd and espnW's Mechelle Voepel, Katie Barnes and D'Arcy Maine cast their picks below:

Which team in the first round has the best chance of reaching the WNBA Finals?

Barnes: Chicago Sky

Hurd: Chicago Sky

Maine: Chicago Sky

Pelton: Chicago Sky

Voepel: Minnesota Lynx

Which team wins their first-round matchup: Phoenix Mercury or Chicago Sky?

Barnes: Chicago Sky

Hurd: Chicago Sky

Maine: Chicago Sky

Pelton: Chicago Sky

Voepel: Chicago Sky

Which team wins their first-round matchup: Minnesota Lynx or Seattle Storm?

Barnes: Minnesota Lynx

Hurd: Minnesota Lynx

Maine: Minnesota Lynx

Pelton: Seattle Storm

Voepel: Minnesota Lynx

Which teams will meet in the semifinals?

Barnes: Washington Mystics-Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks

Hurd: Washington Mystics-Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks

Maine: Washington Mystics-Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks

Pelton: Washington Mystics-Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks

Voepel: Washington Mystics-Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun-Los Angeles Sparks

Which teams will meet in the WNBA Finals?

Barnes: Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun

Hurd: Washington Mystics vs. Los Angeles Sparks

Maine: Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun

Pelton: Washington Mystics vs. Los Angeles Sparks

Voepel: Washington Mystics vs. Los Angeles Sparks

Which team will win the 2019 WNBA title?

Barnes: Washington Mystics

Hurd: Washington Mystics

Maine: Washington Mystics

Pelton: Washington Mystics

Voepel: Washington Mystics