It’s been five months since the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed their second World Series banner in as many years. Another offseason of change is behind us and teams have made their final roster cuts. Now, it’s time to get down to business.
Opening Day 2026 is Thursday, with most MLB teams getting down to business. Between now and then, it’s time to finalize our futures bets.
We’re starting off by picking all six division winners!
American League
AL East
The AL East features some of the most distinguished franchises in the league. Perennially, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox go all out in free agency in an attempt to outbid each other for the top names on the market. However, the Toronto Blue Jays have recently adopted a similar approach, and the Baltimore Orioles followed suit this offseason with their own prized acquisition. On the field, one team has a clear advantage.
For all of their spending power, the Red Sox don’t have the same offseason pull they once did. They rebuilt their starting rotation, but there are holes in the Bo Sox’s batting order. Conversely, the O’s have one of the most dangerous lineups in the bigs, only to be let down by their starting rotation.
Like last season, it will come down to the wire between the Yankees and Blue Jays. Toronto got better this offseason, and we expect them to upend the Bronx Bombers once again in 2026.
AL East Winner: Toronto Blue Jays (+310)
AL Central
Any given year, any team can emerge from the AL Central. Anyone except the Chicago White Sox, that is. The Cleveland Guardians are an intriguing underdog and things could finally come together for the Minnesota Twins. Still, this should be a two-horse race between the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers.
The Royals have built from the ground up, and they are reaping the rewards of a solid development system. Bobby Witt Jr. is an MVP candidate at the top of the order, and Maikel Garcia’s perceived value has never been higher. But an aging rotation could put them at a disadvantage, even with their sterling bullpen.
There are no such holes in the Tigers’ lineup. They will start the season with a six-man rotation, and they can turn to some of their young up-and-comers throughout the campaign. Detroit’s bullpen will be up to the challenge, and it features a power-laden batting order from top to bottom.
This is the Tigers’ division to lose. The Royals will do their best, but it won’t be enough to keep pace with Detroit.
AL Central Winner: Detroit Tigers (+115)
AL West
Alas, the Houston Astros reign atop the AL West came to an end. After winning seven of eight division pennants, the Astros were dethroned by the Seattle Mariners last year. The M’s are a top contender again in 2026, but they could be challenged by an unsuspecting for.
The perpetually rebuilding Athletics have spent years amassing a deep pool of top prospects. We started to see them emerge last season, but this year will be a catalyst for change. Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, and the return of Lawrence Butler should catapult the A’s to the front of the AL West pack. Their starting rotation could be an inhibiting factor, but don’t be surprised to see this squad contending toward the end of the campaign.
Nevertheless, the Mariners will be up to the challenge. Their underappreciated starting rotation can neutralize any opponent, and their batting order got stronger with the addition of Brendan Donovan. If Cal Raleigh can recapture his MVP-worthy form, there will be no denying Seattle its second AL West banner in as many years.
AL West Winner: Seattle Mariners (-105)
National League
NL East
The Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals will struggle for eternity, but any of the other three squads can emerge as this year’s winner in the NL East.
The New York Mets are short favorites, but we’ve lost faith in their ability to compete. Every year, we expect them to live up to the hype, and every year they let us down. Expect a strong showing from the Mets, but don’t be surprised when they collapse down the stretch.
That leaves us with the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Injuries have been a concern for the Braves recently. Ronald Acuna Jr. is a virtual lock to end up on the IL, and Spencer Strider is still trying to recapture his former All-Star form. The Braves’ rise and fall is tied directly to those two players.
Quietly, the Phillies have asserted themselves as the premier team in the division. Philadelphia can get run production out of all of its batters, while the starting rotation is deeper than they get credit for.
Don’t fall for the Mets’ trap, Philadelphia cruises in the NL East.
NL East Winner: Philadelphia Phillies (+175)
NL Central
The Chicago Cubs have flexed their muscles in recent offseasons, but it has yet to translate to sustained on-field success. The Milwaukee Brewers are three-time defending NL Central Champions. They deserve credit for making the most with the least, but it’s unlikely they replicate that success with more teams in the running. The Cincinnati Reds could succeed, but we’re counting on the Pittsburgh Pirates to surprise the division in 2026.
Pittsburgh is loaded with young talent. Paul Skenes is a perennial NL Cy Young favorite, and Oneil Cruz continues to flaunt all five tools. An improved supporting cast in the rotation and lineup should propel the Pirates to unexpected glory this season.
We’re going the longshot route in the NL Central, backing the Pirates to end the Brewers’ reign atop the division.
NL Central Winners: Pittsburgh Pirates (+550)
NL West
As we saw last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers remain the premier team in the majors. Their spending habits are abhorrent, but that doesn’t immunize the Dodgers against injuries. It almost came back to haunt them last year, but two extended postseason runs could be too much for the champs to handle.
If we’re dismissing the chalky Dodgers, that points us toward two of the remaining four teams – the San Diego Padres or San Francisco Giants. San Diego is incapable of playing a full 162-game schedule, leaving us with the Giants.
San Francisco overhauled their coaching staff this offseason, which could precipitate massive changes in the bay area. They’re batting lineup is primed to overachieve relative to preseason prognostication, and they have a balanced rotation and deep bullpen.
The Dodgers will be the betting favorite throughout most of the campaign, but the value on the Giants is real. We’re backing them to end the Dodgers’ dominion out West.
NL West Winner: San Francisco Giants (+1700)
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