Diamond Centric 2026 MLB Preview: Bold Picks and Even Bolder Twists

[Cody Christie]

If there is one thing baseball fans love this time of year, it is predictions. Hope is undefeated, every roster looks improved on paper, and even the most confident takes come with a hint of uncertainty.

Diamond Centric gathered its writers to map out the 2026 season, and while there is plenty of chalk at the top, there are also enough surprises sprinkled throughout to make things interesting.

AL East: The American League East looks like a battle between two heavyweights. Nearly half the voters expect the Toronto Blue Jays to ride last season’s momentum back to the top after their World Series run, while the Boston Red Sox sit comfortably as the second-most-picked team in the projections. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles remain in the mix, but they are viewed more as challengers than favorites.

AL Central: Out in the AL Central, there is far less debate. The Detroit Tigers earned more than 70% of the vote, signaling a strong belief that their core is ready to take control of the division. The Kansas City Royals are the clear second choice, while the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians barely registered in the voting, each picking up just a single nod. The AL Central has been a competitive division in recent years, so Detroit might be the favorite, but it’s hardly a guarantee.

AL West: The AL West might be the easiest call on the board. The Seattle Mariners dominated the voting with over 90 percent support, leaving only scraps for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. The Mariners have one of baseball’s best pitching staffs and were a team on the rise in 2025. It is Seattle’s division to lose, at least on paper.

NL East: Over in the National League, the East could come down to the wire. The Philadelphia Phillies edged out the New York Mets by a single vote, suggesting a tight race all season long. The Atlanta Braves linger just behind them as a potential bounce-back candidate after what some voters believe was an outlier season.

NL Central: The NL Central leans toward the Chicago Cubs, who secured nearly two-thirds of the vote. The Milwaukee Brewers are the only team within striking distance in these projections, while the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds each earned a lone vote as long-shot picks. Some likely question if the Cubs did enough to move to the top, but this division has some exciting teams and players.

NL West: In the NL West, there is no mystery. The Los Angeles Dodgers once again stand alone as the overwhelming favorite, pulling in more than 90% of the vote. However, they have shown some regular-season weaknesses before turning it on in October. That could leave a crack for a different division winner. The San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Arizona Diamondbacks are left hoping something unexpected shakes up the standings.

AL MVP: When it comes to individual awards, voters are expecting some turnover in the American League MVP race. Aaron Judge has dominated the award in recent years, but this time it is Bobby Witt Jr. leading the way with nearly half the vote. Judge still commands respect with a strong second-place finish, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Julio Rodriguez remain in the conversation. A few ballots even featured bold picks like Roman Anthony and Nick Kurtz.

NL MVP: The National League MVP race appears much less competitive in the eyes of voters. Shohei Ohtani is the clear favorite, pulling in over 60% of the vote. He’s the best player on the planet and will likely accomplish things this season that no one has seen before. Juan Soto sits in second place and could gain ground if the Mets stay relevant deep into the season. Ronald Acuna Jr. also received some support as he looks to remind everyone of his superstar ceiling.

AL Cy Young: On the mound, the American League Cy Young race could see a changing of the guard. Tarik Skubal is chasing a rare third straight award, but Garrett Crochet is the Diamond Centric preseason favorite. There is also a wide range of dark horse candidates, including Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, Dylan Cease, and Joe Ryan.

NL Cy Young: In the National League, Paul Skenes towers over the field as the overwhelming favorite. Yoshinobu Yamamoto checks in as the runner-up, while Cade Horton, Freddy Peralta, and Logan Webb picked up a handful of surprise votes.

World Series Match-Up: As for the pennants, Diamond Centric is leaning toward a Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers World Series matchup. The Blue Jays and Mets received the next highest support in their respective leagues, but both trail by a noticeable margin.

Biggest Disappointment: Not every projection is optimistic. Diamond Centric writers were asked to pick the team that would be the biggest disappointment. The Yankees carried that label, a reflection of both lofty expectations and recent frustrations. The Phillies are not far behind, with concerns about an aging roster starting to creep into the conversation.

Bold Predictions: Every prediction season needs a handful of takes that feel a little uncomfortable at first glance. Some of these will look brilliant in hindsight, others will age poorly by May, but that is part of the fun. Here is what Diamond Centric writers are willing to put on the record before a single meaningful pitch is thrown.

• Toronto misses the playoffs after almost winning the World Series in 2025
• Ronald Acuna goes 50-50 and wins the MVP.
• Four AL East teams make the playoffs.
• We see a pitcher set the record for most Ks in a game.
• Brandon Sproat finishes the season with a higher WAR than Freddy Peralta.
• Miami Marlins take the NL Wild Card.
• The Mariners' clubhouse fractures along the Cal Raleigh - Randy Arozarena fault line.
• Diamond Centric will launch a Rockies site.
• The Pirates will be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot by the trade deadline.
• Cade Horton stays healthy and is a top-five pitcher this year.
• Vinnie Pasquantino finishes top-3 in AL MVP voting.
• The Rockies made a big turnaround.
• The Twins have a Rookie of the Year and Cy Young winner, but don’t make the playoffs.
• Shohei Ohtani hits 50 home runs and posts a sub-2 ERA.
• The Marlins will have a Top 5 outfield.
• Kyle Stowers leads the NL in HRs.
• The Twins will have three first-time All-Stars in 2026.
• The Dodgers will lose in their first round of playoff action.
• Bobby Witt Jr. 40-40 season.
• Sandy Alcantara will finish with both AL and NL Cy Young votes.
• Two of last year’s division winners will finish 4th
• Twins will NOT have the worst record in baseball!
• Pirates come within 5 days of the Wild Card.
• The average length of games increases by 15 minutes.
• Logan Webb and Robbie Ray finish 1-2 in the NL Cy Young.
• The Yankees finish fourth in the AL East.
• The Rockies finish 4th in the NL West.
• The New York Yankees fail to make the playoffs.
• Tampa Bay as a Wild Card.
• Cade Horton will win the NL Cy Young.
• Maikel Garcia finishes higher than Bobby Witt Jr. in MVP voting.

There is a little bit of everything in those predictions. Some are rooted in plausible outcomes, others require a leap of faith, and a few would send shockwaves across the sport. That blend is what makes this exercise worthwhile.

As Opening Day approaches, these picks will start to feel more real with each passing inning. Some will look prescient by the All-Star break, while others will quietly fade into the background. Either way, this snapshot captures the optimism, skepticism, and creativity that define baseball before the games begin.

What are your predictions for the 2026 season? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[bean5302]

One thing I love about baseball is the craziness. Even with a 162 game season, there are crazy suprises every year. Teams that defy all logic in the standings, players who dominate out of nowhere for seemingly no reason. One time superstars who totally collapse.

Personally, I love the addition of a Colorado Rockies website. The Rockies stink every year, but the games are packed as it's a great stadium destination for road fans, and Coors Field is a great ball park.