MLB 2026 Predictions: Division Winners, Playoff Picks & Award Winners

Most of our coverage here at FantasySP is about fantasy sports, but at the start of new seasons, it's fun to try and predict things. The MLB regular season opens tonight, so let's predict some things!

I'll go over division winners, the postseason and some awards. Let's go!

Use the FantasySP trade value chart and trade analyzer tools for help with fantasy baseball trades all season!

American League Predictions

In the AL East, I have the Toronto Blue Jays winning things. The Yankees, Orioles and Red Sox will all be in the mix, but I just believe that Toronto is the most talented roster.

Injuries are the only thing that could derail things for the Blue Jays. Injuries are already an issue, but I'm still confident enough in Toronto to pick them as the division champs.

In the AL Central, give me the Detroit Tigers. The Royals and Guardians will be in the mix as well, but I'll take the Tigers to win it.

The Tigers were a game away from winning it last year, and I think they have a better roster for 2026. The rotation is good behind Tarik Skubal and the lineup has enough pieces to make some noise too.

In the AL West, I have the Seattle Mariners winning things. Houston and Texas will be in the mix, and I think the Athletics could make a run too, but I just think the Mariners are too talented to lose it.

The lineup is really good behind Cal Raleigh, and the rotation is a high-end one as well. Add it all up and the Mariners are one of the most talented rosters in the big leagues.

As for the Wild Card teams, I'll take the Yankees, Orioles and Royals. 

New York just has too much talent and resources not to make the playoffs in some fashion. They have a good lineup, and when healthy, the pitching should be above average too.

I see Baltimore bouncing back and getting in the playoffs again in 2026. The lineup is really good, especially if Adley Rutschman can bounce back. The rotation is the question mark, but I think the Orioles will be able to piece things together and make a postseason push.

As for the Royals, I think they will sneak into the postseason, powered by Bobby Witt Jr. The lineup is pretty good, even if it's underrated. The rotation is pretty underrated but good as well, and that balance is why I see the Royals sneaking into the postseason.

National League Predictions

In the NL East, give me the Phillies winning the title again. The Mets and Braves will be in the mix as well.

Philly is a team I see regressing a bit in 2026, but still being good enough to win that division. Veterans like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper will power the lineup, while Cristopher Sanchez, Aaron Nola and eventually Zack Wheeler lead the rotation.

In the NL Central, I'll take the Milwaukee Brewers to win it again. The Cubs, Reds and Pirates will all be in the playoff mix though.

I like Milwaukee because they've been there and done that. They just keep winning, regardless of the talent on the roster, and I think they are pretty well positioned to take the Central again, but it won't be easy.

In the NL West, I have the Dodgers taking the crown again. San Diego, San Francisco and Arizona will all be in the hunt though.

Los Angeles is simply stacked, and I don't know how you pick anyone but them to win the division. Behind two-way star Shohei Ohtani, and a bunch of other high-level players, Los Angeles is the best team in baseball again.

For the Wild Card teams, I have the Padres, Cubs and Mets rounding out the postseason.

San Diego is a very talented team too, but is just stuck in a tough division led by the Dodgers. The roster is good overall, and I think it leads to the Padres pushing the Dodgers for a division title, and San Diego getting into the playoffs rather easily.

Chicago has a solid roster overall, but there's enough question marks where I don't feel good enough to pick them to win the Central title. I still think they make the postseason, and maybe make some noise in the playoffs.

The Mets get the final postseason spot after an offseason of turnover in New York. The top end of the lineup is really good, and the rotation should be improved enough to help the team get back in the postseason.

Postseason Picks

In the American League, I have the Blue Jays being the top seed. Seattle gets the No. 2 seed and Detroit snags the No. 3 position. As for the 4-6 seeds, I have the Yankees, Orioles and Royals, respectively.

In the Wild Card Round, give me the Yankees over the Orioles and Tigers over the Royals. For the Divisional Round, I'll take Seattle over Detroit and Toronto over New York.

In the ALCS, I'll take the Mariners to break through and win the American League.

In the National League, the Dodgers get the top seed. I have the Phillies as the No. 2 and Brewers getting the No. 3 seed. The 4-6 seeds are the Padres, Cubs and Mets, respectively.

In the Wild Card Round, I'll take the Brewers over the Mets and Padres over the Cubs. In the next round, I'll take Milwaukee over Philadelphia and Los Angeles over San Diego.

In the NLCS, I'll take Los Angeles over Milwaukee, for a second straight season.

That sets up a World Series between the Dodgers and Mariners. While I think it will be a good series, I have Los Angeles winning the title again.

LA is just too talented, and only an injury-riddled season would make anyone else the favorites. It'll be another year of the Dodgers reigning supreme in the MLB.

Award Winners

For my MVP picks, I have a couple repeat winners. Give me New York Yankees' Aaron Judge and LA Dodgers' Ohtani taking home the honors in their respective leagues. 

I have two more repeats for Cy Young. I have Detroit's Skubal and Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes winning the honors in the AL and NL, respectively.

Rookie of the Year is an award that cannot repeat, so I have some new predictions, not just the winners from past seasons.

In the American League, I like Detroit's Kevin McGonigle to win Rookie of the Year. He made the Opening Day roster and should start daily when in the big leagues. That gives him a great chance to win AL Rookie of the Year, and I like him to run away with the honor.

In the NL, I like St. Louis' J.J. Wetherholt to take home the honor in what is a stacked field. He made the team's Opening Day roster and that will work in his favor. The only thing maybe working against him is that the Cardinals might not be very good at all, and that could sway voters to choose other qualified candidates instead.

For Manager of the Year, I'll take Seattle's Dan Wilson and Milwaukee's Pat Murphy to take home the honors.

If the Mariners shine like I expect them too, then the manager honor for Wilson makes a ton of sense. Murphy won the NL honor last year, and in a loaded NL, the projections for the Brewers aren't the best again, so Milwaukee excelling like I see them will help Murphy win the award again.