My 2026 MLB Predictions

Last season I did well with my Cy Young and MVP Selections, but it really was a no-brainer. Cal Raleigh vs. Aaron Judge was the only race that was close. But I did much worse with my playoff predictions, as I was way too high on the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Let’s see if I can do better this year.

American League

AL East
New York
Toronto (WC)
Boston
Baltimore
Tampa Bay

Cole is back for the Yankees, and they were able to bring back Bellinger. Boston and Toronto should both be competitive. Leaving the Red Sox out of the playoffs may have been my biggest reach, but I felt like I have to make a couple of changes from who made the playoffs in 2025. I’m not seeing a bounce back from the Orioles or Rays.

AL Central
Detroit
Kansas City (WC)
Cleveland
Chicago
Minnesota

The future of Tarik Skubal will be an interesting subplot. If the Tigers are not contenders, he will almost certainly be traded, but they will probably hold onto him if they are headed for the playoffs. The Royals are one of my surprise team, bouncing back after a disappointing season. The Guardians are another team who always seem to overperform expectations. It will be a race to the bottom for the White Sox and Twins, but I’d give the edge to the Sox due to their superior young talent. The Twins probably should trade Buxton and Ryan while they still have value.

AL West
Houston
Seattle (WC)
Texas
Los Angeles
Athletics

Can the evil Astors climb back to the top of the division? I think they can, but perhaps I’m living too much in the past. Seattle has the talent to maintain the division, but I’m not sure Cal Raleigh can follow up his near-MVP season with the same production. The Rangers could climb into the playoffs if the pitching holds up. The Angels and Athletics might flips spots.

MVP: Aaron Judge
Cy Young: Tarik Skubal

New season, same picks.

National League

NL East
New York
Philadelphia (WC)
Atlanta
Miami
Washington

The Mets should be great this year, adding Peralta, Bichette, Semian and Robert Jr., while losing Alonso and Nimmo. Holmes and McLean looked dominant in the WBS, and with Peralta and Senga, should make up a strong rotation. And Soto, Lindor, Vientos and Alverez with the newcomers should make for a strong lineup. Philly seems to be on the descent, but I still think they make the playoffs over the Braves. Atlanta has already been hit with injuries and a suspension, but maybe they can climb into a Wild Card spot. Miami and Washington are still both a couple years away.

NL Central
Milwaukee
Chicago (WC)
Cincinnati (WC)
Pittsburgh
St. Louis

OK, this is where I should be choosing the Cubs to win the Central, but I just can’t. I will always pick the Brewers to win the Central until they don’t. This should be the year. But I said the exact same thing last year. They lost Peralta, Collins and Durbin, but somehow they will still find a way. Unless they don’t. Perhaps “Flying the L” will anger the Baseball Gods enough to The Cubs have built a very solid team, but I am a little worries about the rotation – is the front (Boyd, Horton and Cabrera) good enough and will the back (Imanaga and Taillon) hold up? I guess we’ll see. Cincinnati appears to be the new rival to the Cubs for the next few years, although the injury to Greene will hurt them. Pittsburgh might be good, if their young players can meet expectations, but I think they are still a 4th place team this year. The Cardinals should be last in the Central,, as the Brewers seem to have stolen all of their magic, and will their current roster, they’d need lots of magic for a winning season.

NL West
Los Angeles
San Diego
Arizona
San Francisco
Colorado

Not much to say here…the Dodgers should dominate again. It will be interesting to see if anyone else in the division can keep it close. Especially if the Dodgers have fewer starter injuries. Tucker and Diaz were added, as if they needed them. I may be underrating the Padres, as they could certainly be a Wild Card team. I would not be shocked if the DBacks or Giants push for a playoff spot, as well. The Rockies, are the Rockies.

NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani
NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes

Duh. If it isn’t these guys, it would be a big surprise.