2026 MLB Season Predictions

2026 MLB Season Predictions

American League

National League

Awards

AL MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)

NL MVP: Ronald Acuna (Atlanta Braves)

AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet (Boston Red Sox)

NL Cy Young: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers)

AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle (Detroit Tigers)

NL Rookie of the Year: Nolan McLean (New York Mets)

Playoffs

Wildcard Round: American League

3. Seattle Mariners vs. 6. Kansas City Royals

While Bobby Witt Jr. is the best individual player in this series, the Mariners’ rotation is simply too deep.  Seattle’s ability to limit walks and generate strikeouts gives them the edge.

Result: Mariners in 2

4. New York Yankees vs. 5. Boston Red Sox

The Yankees have the better lineup and by now the better rotation as the staff is now fully healthy.  The Yankees bullpen should also be better this season with David Bednar holding down the 9^th inning.

Result: Yankees in 3

Wildcard Round: National League

3. Milwaukee Brewers vs. 6. San Diego Padres

The Padres lineup puts pressure on the Brewers rotation.  With Bogaerts, Merrill, Tatis Jr. and Machado, the Padres will put up a lot of runs to win this series in Milwaukee.

Result: Padres in 3

4. New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs

While the Cubs have the edge in speed and defense, the Mets’ lineup with the addition of Freddy Peralta gives the Mets the series win.

Result: Mets in 3

Divisional Round: American League

1. Toronto Blue Jays vs. 4. New York Yankees

This is a rematch of the 2025 ALDS when the Blue Jays eliminated the Yankees.  The Yankees get revenge here as Aaron Judge has his best playoff series to date and helps carry the Yankees into the Championship Series.

Result: Yankees in 5

2. Detroit Tigers vs. 3. Seattle Mariners

The Tigers have the better 1-2 punch in the rotation, but Seattle has the better overall rotation and bullpen.  The Tigers ability to put up runs with Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson and Kerry Carpenter leading the way pushes Detroit through.

Result: Tigers in 5

Divisional Round: National League

1. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. 6. San Diego Padres

The Dodgers lineup overpowers the Padres short-ended rotation, plus the combination of Yamamoto and Ohtani stifle the Padres lineup.

Result: Dodgers in 4

2. Atlanta Braves vs. 4. New York Mets

The Mets have more talent on paper but the Braves have the continuity and pitching of Sale and Strider to push them over the top.  Ronald Acuna has a big series here to win a close one over the Mets.

Result: Braves in 5

Championship Series: American League

   2. Detroit Tigers vs. 4. New York Yankees

The Tigers 1-2 of Skubal and Valdez out performs the Yankees combo of Cole and Fried.  Detroit relies again on the power of their 3-5 hitters to roll through the Yankees on their way to the World Series.

Result: Tigers in 6

Championship Series: National League

1. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. 2. Atlanta Braves

The Braves have the offensive firepower to hang with the Dodgers, but LA’s rotation depth is too much to overcome with their ability throw out a reliable starter every game, combined with a lineup now featuring Kyle Tucker, the Dodgers take care of business.

Result: Dodgers in 5

World Series

NL: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. AL: Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have the pitching to go toe-to-toe with the Dodgers as Skubal and Valdez can matchup with anyone the Dodgers throw out on the mound.  The lineups tell the story of a young up and coming Tigers team, led by Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Kevin McGonigle trying to etch out their names in history by going up against the powerful Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman.  This series goes the full 7 games with Detroit going ahead late and Jansen comes in to save it in the 9^th.

Result: Tigers in 7