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2026 MLB Season Predictions: Contenders, Awards, and Bold Takes
3 months agoUS
The 2026 MLB season is here, and experts are making their predictions for who will contend for the World Series, who will win the major awards, and what unexpected events might unfold. This article summarizes predictions from ESPN, USA Today, and FanGraphs, providing a broad overview of the upcoming season.
Key Insights
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The Los Angeles Dodgers are the clear favorites to win the World Series, according to multiple sources, but several teams are in contention.
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The Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners are also frequently mentioned as strong contenders.
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Award predictions vary, but some names consistently appear, such as Bobby Witt Jr. for AL MVP and Shohei Ohtani for NL MVP.
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Bold predictions include a front office gambling scandal, a player breaking the single-season record for grounding into double plays, and a pitcher losing more complete games than winning them.
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Why this matters: Understanding these predictions can help fans make informed decisions about which teams and players to watch, and can provide insights into potential storylines and surprises that may emerge throughout the season.
In-Depth Analysis
World Series Contenders
ESPN's Bradford Doolittle places teams in tiers based on their chances of winning the World Series, with the Dodgers in Tier 1 as the clear front-runners. Tier 2 contenders include the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers.
USA Today's MLB writers and editors also favor the Dodgers, but other picks for World Series champion include the Phillies, Mariners and Tigers.
Award Predictions
Predictions for major awards are diverse, reflecting the uncertainty of the season. Here are some of the frequently mentioned names:
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AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Julio Rodriguez (Mariners)
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NL MVP: Bryce Harper (Phillies), Juan Soto (Mets), Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
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AL Cy Young: Framber Valdez (Tigers), Garrett Crochet (Red Sox), Tarik Skubal (Tigers)
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NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes (Pirates), Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers)
Bold Predictions
FanGraphs asked its staff to make bold predictions for the 2026 season, resulting in several intriguing possibilities:
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A front office gambling scandal will emerge.
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A player will break Jim Rice's single-season record of 36 GIDP.
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Chandler Simpson will hit an over-the-fence home run.
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Andrew Benintendi will hit 30+ home runs.
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The Rockies will win fewer games than they did in 2025.
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JJ Wetherholt will win NL Rookie of the Year.
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More pitchers will lose when throwing a complete game than win.
FAQs
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Q: Who is the favorite to win the 2026 World Series?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are widely considered the favorites.
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Q: Which teams are also in contention for the World Series?
Other contenders include the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and Detroit Tigers.
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Q: Who are some of the top candidates for MVP awards?
Bobby Witt Jr., Bryce Harper, and Shohei Ohtani are among the leading candidates.
Key Takeaways
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The 2026 MLB season promises to be exciting, with the Dodgers as the team to beat.
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Keep an eye on the Phillies, Mariners, and Tigers as potential contenders.
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Award races will be closely watched, with several star players vying for MVP and Cy Young honors.
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Be prepared for unexpected events and surprises, as bold predictions suggest anything can happen.
Discussion
Do you think the Dodgers will win the World Series again? Which bold prediction is most likely to come true? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
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