2026 MLB predictions: Playoffs, World Series, MVPs and more

Key Points:

• The 2026 MLB season kicks off with the Yankees facing the Giants, followed by 11 games on Opening Day, sparking numerous predictions about division winners, playoff contenders, and award recipients.
• In the American League, the Yankees are favored to win the AL East, the Detroit Tigers the AL Central, and the Seattle Mariners the AL West, with the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Yankees predicted as wild-card teams.
• The National League sees the Mets favored in the NL East, the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central, and the Los Angeles Dodgers overwhelmingly expected to win the NL West, with the Brewers, Phillies, and Braves as wild-card contenders.
• The Dodgers are the favorite to win the World Series and become the first team to three-peat since the Yankees in 1998-2000, while the Mariners are seen as the main challengers for the title.
• Award predictions include Aaron Judge as AL MVP, Shohei Ohtani as NL MVP, Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes as Cy Young winners in the AL and NL respectively, and Kevin McGonigle and Nolan McLean as Rookie of the Year favorites.