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Dutch Lion’s 2026 MLB Preview

Dutch Lion’s 2026 MLB Preview

Welcome to Opening Day ’26! 2026, that is. Not 1926. I know what you’re thinking. What happened in Baseball one hundred years ago, way back in 1926? The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Yankees in the 1926 World Series in seven games. This was the year that Babe Ruth was infamously caught stealing to end Game 7, and the Series. It was embarrassing for the Bambino, and launched his revenge tour in 1927, which led to the famous ’27 Yankees, which many believe to be the greatest baseball team of all time.

You know what’s great about Baseball? It’s the same game as it was one hundred years ago. I mean, sure, it’s a different game in many, many ways, but on the other hand, it’s still the same game. Think about that.

So what’s going on this year? We’ll tell you. As usual, we’ll predict the standings, our playoff matchups, and our World Series champion. We’ll predict our major award winners, and look back at last year to see how we did in 2025. So sit back, relax, and strap it down. Baseball….. is coming your way.

American League

A.L. East

  1. New York Yankees (2026 Prediction: 95-67) (My 2025 Prediction: 97-65/1st Place, ’25 Actual: 94-68/T-1st Place; -3) – On paper, the Yankees always look like the best, or at least close to the best. RF Aaron Judge will be hard to beat out for A.L. MVP, and 2B Jazz Chisholm is continuing to grow, along with LF Jasson Dominguez, 1B Ben Rice, and C Austin Wells. Does DH Giancarlo Stanton have anything left in the tank? Will Max Fried go 19-5 again? How about this kid named Cam Schlittler? What about the rest of the rotation? Carlos Rodon? Gerrit Cole? Rodon should only miss a month, and Cole is due back in May or June. This Yankees team will certainly contend. Will they win their first World Series since 2009?
  2. Boston Red Sox (’26 Prediction: 92-70) (My ’25 Prediction: 88-74/3rd Place, ’25 Actual: 89-73/3rd Place; +1) – Garrett Crochet is the best lefty starter in Baseball (barely ahead of Tarik Skubal), and is my pick for this year’s A.L. Cy Young Award winner. How good is Roman Anthony? Wilyer Abreu? Is Trevor Story truly “back”? How much does “Chappy” Aroldis Chapman have left? He dropped his walks allowed per nine in half last year from his usually wild 4.5 BB/9 career rate. Can he do it again, at age 38?
  3. Toronto Blue Jays (’26 Prediction: 90-72) (My ’25 Prediction: 81-81/4th Place, ’25 Actual: 94-68/1st Place; +13, World Series Runner-up) – Toronto had a great year! Unfortunately, it ended in defeat, but what a World Series it was. Many argue it was the greatest Fall Classic ever. I’m not ready to go that far, but it was certainly fantastic. It’s hard to argue against it, but it’s just too new to argue either for, or against it. We need to marinate in it for years. See how it lives in five, ten, twenty more years. Only then can we truly judge it. For now, let’s enjoy it for what it was, truly exciting and amazing. So now, what can we expect moving forward? Can the ’26 Jays repeat their surprising run as one of the best teams in baseball? Vlad Guerrero will try everything in his power to repeat as American League Champs.
  4. Baltimore Orioles (’26 Prediction: 86-76) (My ’25 Prediction: 94-68/2nd Place, ’25 Actual: 75-87/5th Place; -19) – Baltimore should be better than they were last year. After winning 101 games in ’23, they fell to 91 wins in ’24, and then bottomed out with 75 victories last year, due to massive injuries. In fact, the O’s played 70 different players last year, which was only one less than the major league record. What happened to Adley Rutschman? Baltimore went out and got Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward to improve their hitting. I definitely think they will help, but the A.L. East is tough, with three better teams ahead of them.
  5. Tampa Bay Rays (’26 Prediction: 69-93) (My ’25 Prediction: 70-92/5th Place, ’25 Actual: 77-85/4th Place; +7)

A.L. Central

  1. Detroit Tigers (’26 Prediction: 90-72) (My ’25 Prediction: 82-80/3rd Place, ’25 Actual: 87-75/2nd Place; +5) – Detroit has been on the rise for three straight years, improving from 66 wins in 2022 to 78, 86, and 87 victories over the last three years, which earned them a wild card berth the last two years. Can the Tigers go to the A.L. Playoffs for the third year in a row, this time as the A.L. Central Division champion? By the way, I just looked up the list of A.L. Central Champions, since 1995. The Indians lead the way with 13, Twins have 9, Sox 4, Tigers 4, and Royals 1. The Sox and Royals are the only ones to win the World Series over this time.
  2. Kansas City Royals (’26 Prediction: 84-78) (My ’25 Prediction: 78-84/4th Place, ’25 Actual: 82-80/3rd Place; +4)
  3. Cleveland Guardians (’26 Prediction: 81-81) (My ’25 Prediction: 90-72/2nd Place, ’25 Actual: 88-74/1st Place; -2) – The Indians/Guardians are getting old. Joe Ramirez is 33 now. Closer Emmanuel Clase was suspended for a gambling scandal. He gone! Sure, they have some solid players like OF Steven Kwan and SP Tanner Bibee, but this franchise is so blah right now. Therefore, an 81-81 prediction sounds just about right for a “blah” kinda team. PS They should have gone with Spiders instead of Guardians. It would strike fear into arachnophobes around the American League. Plus, they’d have awesome giveaways for the kids! “Here Johnny, enjoy this ‘guardian’ thingy”, “What’ a Guardian daddy?”…. OR “Hey Johnny, enjoy this scary Spider! which you’ll probably remember forever, thus making you a fan for life”.
  4. Minnesota Twins (’26 Prediction: 74-88) (My ’25 Prediction: 91-71/1st Place, ’25 Actual: 70-92/4th Place; -21)
  5. Chicago White Sox (’26 Prediction: 71-91) (My ’25 Prediction: 65-97/5th Place, ’25 Actual: 60-102/5th Place; -5) – Let’s face it, the Chicago White Sox are a bad organization. They have no problem tanking to achieve rebuilds twice every decade or more. Depending on how we define rebuilds, the Sox have done it twice already since 2016. The first rebuild achieved the back-to-back playoff years of 2020 and ’21. Then it all fell apart again. During the first rebuild, we gave away Chris Sale. During the second rebuild, we gave away Garrett Crochet. Both lefties have been mostly dominant since they were let go in the hopes that multiple prospects would pan out. The first time only lasted a short while. This second time? Hmmm, we’ll see. Nonetheless, at least the Sox are probably past the low point, which bottomed out with a record 121 losses in 2024. This year’s team has some interesting young players to cheer for. Overall, it sucks being a Sox fan. (But I keep ‘fanning’ anyway, buying tickets and traveling to Sox Park. Speaking of fanning, who does it more? Me…. or the Sox hitters who whiff constantly? Get it?)

A.L. West

  1. Seattle Mariners (’26 Prediction: 95-67) (My ’25 Prediction: 87-75/2nd Place, ’25 Actual: 90-72/1st Place; +3) – Seattle is really good. They have an excellent starting rotation, led by Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, and George Kirby. They have CF Julio Rodriguez, LF Randy Arozarena, 1B Josh Naylor, and C Cal Raleigh. Closer Andres Munoz is the anchor of the bullpen. Manager Dan Wilson is entering his second year out in the Pacific Northwest. We expect the M’s to not only win the A.L. West Division, but to possibly get to their first ever World Series in franchise history.
  2. Texas Rangers (’26 Prediction: 82-80) (My ’25 Prediction: 92-70/1st Place, ’25 Actual: 81-81/3rd Place; -11) – Texas has some really good young hitters, such as Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford. They also have experienced players such as Jake Burger, Josh Jung, Brandon Nimmo, Joc Pederson, Jonah Heim, and stalwart Corey Seager. The rotation consists of Jacob deGrom (38 years old), Nathan Eovaldi (36), Jack Leiter (26), and Kumar Rocker (26). Can these two younger prospects combine with the old guys to form an awesome top 4 starters? Sure, it could happen. Will it? Probably not.
  3. Houston Astros (’26 Prediction: 80-82) (My ’25 Prediction: 85-77/3rd Place, ’25 Actual: 87-75/2nd Place; +2)
  4. Sacramento Athletics (’26 Prediction: 69-93) (My ’25 Prediction: 65-97/5th Place, ’25 Actual: 76-86/4th Place; +11)
  5. Los Angeles Angels (’26 Prediction: 57-105) (My ’25 Prediction: 70-92/4th Place, ’25 Actual: 72-90/5th Place; +2) – The Angels are a sad organization in my opinion. They have had Mike Trout in his prime, which lasted for a decade, yet they can’t even compete for the postseason. So many bad decisions on spent money. The Anthony Rendon contract was historically poor (7 years, $245 million starting in 2020, he only played in 257 Angels games over six, now seven seasons!). It’s all so sad. Now we’re past-his-prime Trout. L.A. has never had good pitching. They’ve overpaid for aging superstars (Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Vernon Wells, Justin Upton). No wonder they’re at the bottom of the West division. Have they bottomed out yet? Maybe this year.

2026 A.L. MVP: Vladimir Guerrero/1B/Toronto Blue Jays (’25 Prediction: Bobby Witt/SS/Kansas City, ’25 Actual: Aaron Judge/RF/N.Y. Yankees)

“The Uncle Glen Cy Young Award” 2026 A.L. Cy Young Award: Garrett Crochet/SP/Boston Red Sox (’25 Prediction: Logan Gilbert/SP/Seattle Mariners, ’25 Actual: Tarik Skubal/SP/Detroit)

2026 A.L. Rookie of the Year Award: Kazuma Okamoto/3B/Toronto Blue Jays (’25 Prediction: Jasson Dominguez/OF/N.Y. Yankees, ’25 Actual: Nick Kurtz/1B/Sacramento Athletics)

2026 A.L. Manager of the Year Award: Dan Wilson/Seattle Mariners (’25 Prediction: Aaron Boone/N.Y. Yankees, ’25 Actual: Stephen Vogt/Cleveland)

2025 A.L. Playoff Seeds

  1. Seattle Mariners (95-67) – West Champ (1st Round Bye)
  2. New York Yankees (95-67) – East Champ (1st Round Bye)
  3. Detroit Tigers (90-72) – Central Champ (vs #6 seed)
  4. Boston Red Sox (92-70) – * Wild Card (vs #5 seed in Wild Card Round)
  5. Toronto Blue Jays (90-72) – * Wild Card
  6. Baltimore Orioles (86-76) – * Wild Card

American League Wild Card (ALWC) (Best of 3, all games at home for higher/better seed)

#3 Detroit over #6 Baltimore

#4 Boston over #5 Toronto

American League Division Series (ALDS) (Best of 5)

#2 N.Y. Yankees over #3 Detroit

#1 Seattle over #4 Boston

American League Championship Series (ALCS) (Best of 7)

#1 Seattle over #2 N.Y. Yankees

National League

N.L. East

  1. Philadelphia Phillies (’26 Prediction: 97-65) (’25 Prediction: 97-65/1st Place, ’25 Actual: 96-66/1st Place; -1) – Philadelphia is right there, knocking on the door. The Phillies have won two World Series (1980, 2008). Could 2026 be their third Title? The lineup, the rotation, the bullpen. It’s all there for the Phils. Check out this consistent improvement: WINS over the last five years: 82, 87, 90, 95, 96. With the lineup featuring Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, and now Adolis Garcia in Right Field, it’s gonna be hard to outscore them. With the starting rotation composing Christopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, and Aaron Nola, it’s gonna be hard to outpitch them. So how does a team beat Philly? They don’t.
  2. New York Mets (’26 Prediction: 94-68) (’25 Prediction: 94-68/2nd Place, ’25 Actual: 83-79/2nd Place; -11) – New York has the best chance to upend Philadelphia. Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Marcus Semien in the lineup. A rotation featuring Rookie of the Year candidate Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, and Sean Manaea. Devin Williams at the ‘back end’. I hate this term, by the way. NFL announcers use it for the secondary. Now MLB announcers use it when referring to the closer. I think this ‘back end’ term is just ‘ass’.
  3. Atlanta Braves (’26 Prediction: 81-81) (’25 Prediction: 84-78/3rd Place, ’25 Actual: 76-86/4th Place; -8) – The Braves have been snakebitten by injuries lately. Ronald Acuna has torn two ACL’s already, been hurt often, averaging only 100 games played over the last five years. The entire starting rotation is always decimated by injuries. Spencer Strider has issues. Chris Sale is old. Spencer Schwellenbach and Reynaldo Lopez are always hurt. We are we kidding? The Braves will probably be a .500 team.
  4. Miami Marlins (’26 Prediction: 74-88) (’25 Prediction: 55-107/5th Place, ’25 Actual: 79-83/3rd Place; +24)
  5. Washington Nationals (’26 Prediction: 60-102) (’25 Prediction: 70-92/4th Place, ’25 Actual: 66-96/5th Place; -4)

N.L. Central

  1. Milwaukee Brewers (’26 Prediction: 94-68) (’25 Prediction: 92-70/1st Place, ’25 Actual: 97-65/1st Place; +5)
  2. Chicago Cubs (’26 Prediction: 93-69) (’25 Prediction: 89-73/2nd Place, ’25 Actual: 92-70/2nd Place; +3) – Horniest player in MLB? It’s Nico Hoerner.
  3. Cincinnati Reds (’26 Prediction: 84-78) (’25 Prediction: 80-82/4th Place, ’25 Actual: 83-79/3rd Place; +3) – Most exciting player in MLB might be Elly De La Cruz, or possibly the Pirates’ Oneil Cruz. Are either of them related the short White Sox second baseman in the 1980s named Julio Cruz? Probably not, but I beg you to look it up for us.
  4. Pittsburgh Pirates (’26 Prediction: 70-92) (’25 Prediction: 65-97/5th Place, ’25 Actual: 71-91/5th Place; +6)
  5. St. Louis Cardinals (’26 Prediction: 68-94) (’25 Prediction: 85-77/3rd Place, ’25 Actual: 78-84/4th Place; -7) – The Cardinals are in no man’s land. They are the type of franchise that refuses to tank because their fans care too much to witness a loser for a few years. So they kind of keep holding on, trying to compete, while attendance decreases anyway. This is a bad formula for long-term success. But the Cards could get lucky. They’ve been lucky so many other times over the years, why not again?

N.L. West

  1. Los Angeles Dodgers (’26 Prediction: 95-67) (’25 Prediction: 102-60/1st Place, ’25 Actual: 93-69/1st Place; -9) – Most people are upset that the L.A. Dodgers are dominating Baseball. They look at them as the bad guys, the evil ones who are ruining the game. But is it their fault? They are only abiding by the rules in place. Yes, they spend more money than any other franchise. Because they are allowed to by the rules. They are only trying to win. From everything I’ve heard, read, and seen, the Dodgers do it the right way. They do everything the best. Their farm, their training, their coaching, their nutrition, their recruiting overseas, their fanbase. The only negative I’ve heard recently is that Dodger Dogs are overrated. So again, why are people upset at the Dodgers? This year L.A. will go for their third straight World Series title, their fourth championship this decade. Will they accomplish their goal? I don’t think they will, personally, and I’m a fan. It’s just so hard to repeat nowadays, with expanded playoffs which make short series more random than ever before. Not only do you need to make the Playoffs, of course, but even if you clinch one of the only two byes in each league, then you need to get past a team in the best-of-5 NLDS, and then the best-of-7 NLCS before the best-of-7 World Series. That Division Series is what can be tough because each game is more valuable. You need to win three of five. Let’s say you face a dominant pitcher. He’ll go twice. Envision a mediocre Pirates team vs L.A. Imagine Paul Skenes dominating and winning two of the five games. That means the other team would need to win all three other games in the series.
  2. San Diego Padres (’26 Prediction: 92-70) (’25 Prediction: 93-69/2nd Place, ’25 Actual: 90-72/2nd Place; -3)
  3. Arizona Diamondbacks (’25 Prediction: 81-81) (’25 Prediction: 87-75/3rd Place, ’25 Actual: 80-82/4th Place; -7)
  4. San Francisco Giants (’26 Prediction: 77-85) (’25 Prediction: 81-81/4th Place, ’25 Actual: 81-81/4th Place; Exact)
  5. Colorado Rockies (’25 Prediction: 55-107) (’25 Prediction: 59-103/5th Place, ’25 Actual: 43-119/5th Place; -16)

2026 N.L. MVP: Shohei Ohtani/DH/SP/Los Angeles Dodgers (2025 Prediction: Ohtani, ’25 Actual: Ohtani)

2026 N.L. Cy Young Award: Paul Skenes/SP/Pittsburgh Pirates (2025 Prediction: Zach Wheeler/Philadelphia, ’25 Actual: Skenes)

2026 N.L. Rookie of the Year Award: Nolan McLean/SP/New York Mets (2025 Prediction: Matt Shaw/3B/Chicago Cubs, ’25 Actual: Drake Baldwin/C/Atlanta)

2026 N.L. Manager of the Year Award: Rob Thomson/Philadelphia Phillies (2025 Prediction: Pat Murphy/Milwaukee, ’25 Actual: Murphy)

2025 N.L. Playoff Seeds

  1. Philadelphia Phillies (97-65) – East Champ (1st Round Bye)
  2. Los Angeles Dodgers (95-67) – West Champ (1st Round Bye)
  3. Milwaukee Brewers (94-68) – Central Champ (vs #6 seed in Wild Card Round)
  4. New York Mets (94-68) – * Wild Card (vs #5 seed in Wild Card Round)
  5. Chicago Cubs (93-69) – * Wild Card
  6. San Diego Padres (92-70) – * Wild Card

National League Wild Card (NLWC) (Best of 3, all games at home for higher/better seed)

#3 Milwaukee over #6 San Diego

#4 N.Y. Mets over #5 Chicago Cubs

National League Division Series (NLDS) (Best of 5)

#2 L.A. Dodgers over #3 Milwaukee

#1 Philadelphia over #4 N.Y. Mets

National League Championship Series (NLCS) (Best of 7)

#1 Philadelphia over #2 L.A. Dodgers

2026 World Series

Philadelphia Phillies over Seattle Mariners – The Los Angeles Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series Championships. They won’t three-peat. The Philadelphia Phillies will be your 2026 World Series Champions. They’ve been knocking on the door all decade. They should finally knock the door down this October. First, they need to take down the Dodgers. Then they will knock over the Seattle Mariners. It’s gonna be exciting with majestic home runs by Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Adolis Garcia, and J.T. Realmuto. The pitching will mow down anyone in their way. A little luck won’t hurt either.

As for your American League champs, the Seattle Mariners, it’s hard to believe that this often successful franchise has not only never won a Title, but they’ve never even played for one. The 2001 record-setting team didn’t even get there, despite their 116 wins. All those years with Ichiro, Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., and Edgar Martinez didn’t even result in a World Series appearance. It’s long overdue. Could this be Seattle’s year? They already won the most recent Super Bowl with the ’25 Seattle Seahawks. Plus, the city of Seattle might even get the Supersonics back, or at least a new NBA expansion team, no matter what their name ends up being. Life is good in Seattle, Washington.

Bottom line, the Phillies deserve to win a Championship, and this Fall they will. Your MVP will be Bryce Harper, of course, to add to his Hall of Fame accomplishments.

Your 1980 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies

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