The upcoming baseball season is bringing with it something bittersweet. I'm excited for baseball to return, especially after an amazing World Baseball Classic. Also, there is a work stoppage on the other side of this season that feels too real, too certain, and in many ways, too necessary to fix some of the game's continued issues.
We can only hope for the best.
For now, let's throw out some predictions and wild guesses for the upcoming MLB 2026 season.
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STANDINGS (WINS)
AL EAST
Yankees - 93
Blue Jays - 91
Red Sox - 88
Rays - 85
Orioles - 80
AL CENTRAL
Royals - 89
Tigers - 88
Guardians - 82
Twins - 75
White Sox - 69
AL WEST
Mariners - 92
Astros - 89
Athletics - 85
Rangers - 80
Angels - 74
NL EAST
Phillies - 93
Braves - 89
Mets - 88
Marlins - 77
Nationals - 71
NL CENTRAL
Cubs - 91
Brewers - 88
Pirates - 81
Reds - 81
Cardinals - 69
NL WEST
Dodgers - 101
Padres - 90
Giants - 84
Diamondbacks - 82
Rockies - 68
GOALS/AWARDS/LEADERS
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Batting Champion: Bobby Witt (.328)
Home Runs: Aaron Judge (59)
RBIs: Aaron Judge (125)
Stolen Bases: Chandler Simpson (79)
ERA: Luis Castillo (2.21)
Wins: Max Fried (18)
Strikeouts: Garrett Crochet (287)
Saves: David Bednar (41)
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Batting Champion: Luis Arraez (.331)
Home Runs: Kyle Schwarber (56)
RBIs: Freddie Freeman (130)
Stolen Bases: Elly De La Cruz (76)
ERA: Paul Skenes (2.32)
Wins: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Strikeouts: Paul Skenes: (301)
Saves: Edwin Diaz (44)
ALL-MLB TEAM
C: Will Smith (LAD)
1B: Nick Kurtz (Athletics)
2B: Nico Hoerner (CHC)
3B: Jose Ramirez (CLE)
SS: Bobby Witt Jr. (KC)
OF: Aaron Judge (NYY)
OF: Juan Soto (NYM)
OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC)
DH: Kyle Schwarber (PHI)
SP: Paul Skenes (PIT)
SP: Tarik Skubal (DET)
SP: Yoshonobu Yamamoto (LAD)
SP: Zach Wheeler (PHI)
SP: Max Fried (NYY)
RP: Mason Miller (SDP)
RP: Edwin Diaz (LAD)
AWARDS
AL Rookie of the Year: Trey Yesavage (TOR)
NL Rookie of the Year: Nolan McLean (NYM)
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Gerrit Cole (NYY)
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Zach Wheeler (PHI)
AL Cy Young Winner: Max Fried (NYY)
NL Cy Young winner: Paul Skenes (PIT)
AL MVP: Aaron Judge (NYY)
NL MVP: Kyle Schwarber (PHI)
BREAK OUT STARS
AL: Cam Schlittler (NYY)
AL: Chandler Simpson (TB)
NL: JJ Wetherholt (STL)
NL: Francsico Alvarez (NYM)
BIGGEST NAMES TO BE TRADED
AL: Tarik Skubal (Tigers -> Dodgers)
AL: Mike Trout (Angels -> Phillies)
NL: Pete Fairbanks (Marlins -> Royals)
NL: Jake Cronenworth (Padres -> Royals)
FIVE RANDOM, WILD, OR BOLD PREDICTIONS
PIRATE FUN
Before we all get ready to discuss where Paul Skenes' next stop will be, the Pirates will put it together to make Skenes' stay worthwhile. They won't make the playoffs, but will make some noise, especially with added studs like Konnor Griffin adding to the intrigue.
BEN RICE EMERGES
I've long been a fan of Ben Rice. The Yankees 1st baseban (and part-time catcher) will finally put it together and give the Yankees their homegrown protection for Aaron Judge with a 40 HR and 100 RBI season.
ABS WALK-OFF WIN
Get ready, Cooperstown! We'll see the first-ever ABS walk-off win in the first half of the season. Anyway, it will spark all sorts of debate.
LOGAN, WEBBS MLB FIRST NO-NO
Logan Webb is my pick to toss the first no-hitter of the season. Don't ask me to explain it, just understand that he will. I think...
LABOR AGREEMENT
And the absolute wildest, and most bold prediction of them all?
MLB and the Major League Players Union will come to a labor agreement BEFORE the end of the 2026 season. With the trending popularity of the game, the 2028 Olympics, and possible expansion, there is peace and understanding. Most importantly, fans win.
WORLD SERIES
World Series: Yankees d. Cubs (4-2)
World Series MVP: Aaron Judge
Judge finally gets his redemption.