MLB 2026 predictions: World Series and award picks on Opening Day

Major League Baseball 's Opening Day is upon us, and with it comes the annual exercise of trying to predict the seven-month puzzle before a single pitch is thrown. After an offseason and spring training of roster moves and position battles, the 2026 season officially kicks off in earnest with a clean slate for all 30 clubs. Can anybody take down the Los Angeles Dodgers?

The two-time defending World Series champions added another star this winter in Kyle Tucker, infuriating fans across the baseball world. Should we just name the MVP awards after Aaron Judge (three) and Shohei Ohtani (four)? And who are the rookies set to make the biggest impact in 2026 ?

Here's how USA TODAY Sports' MLB writers and editors see the season unfolding: Bob Nightengale AL East: Blue Jays AL Central: Tigers AL West: Mariners AL Wild Cards: Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox NL East: Phillies NL Central: Cubs NL West: Dodgers NL Wild Cards: Brewers, Giants, Mets ALCS Winner: Tigers NLCS Winner: Phillies World Series: Phillies over Tigers AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr. – Royals NL MVP: Bryce Harper – Phillies AL Cy Young: Framber Valdez – Tigers NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes – Pirates AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle – Tigers NL Rookie of the Year: Nolan McLean – Mets Gabe Lacques AL East: Blue Jays AL Central: Tigers AL West: Mariners AL Wild Cards: Orioles, Yankees, Rangers NL East: Phillies NL Central: Cubs NL West: Dodgers NL Wild Cards: Mets, Padres, Reds ALCS Winner: Mariners NLCS Winner: Phillies World Series: Mariners over Phillies AL MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Blue Jays NL MVP: Juan Soto – Mets AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet – Red Sox NL Cy Young: Cristopher Sanchez – Phillies AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle – Tigers NL Rookie of the Year: Justin Crawford – Phillies Steve Gardner AL East: Yankees AL Central: Tigers AL West: Mariners AL Wild Cards: Blue Jays, Rangers, Royals NL East: Phillies NL Central: Reds NL West: Dodgers NL Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Padres ALCS Winner: Mariners NLCS Winner: Dodgers World Series: Mariners over Dodgers AL MVP: Julio Rodriguez – Mariners NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani – Dodgers AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet – Red Sox NL Cy Young: Hunter Greene – Reds AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle – Tigers NL Rookie of the Year: Konnor Griffin – Pirates Stephen Borelli AL East: Yankees AL Central: Tigers AL West: Mariners AL Wild Cards: Blue Jays, Orioles, Astros NL East: Mets NL Central: Brewers NL West: Dodgers NL Wild Cards: Cubs, Phillies, Padres World Series: Tigers over Dodgers AL MVP: Cal Raleigh – Mariners NL MVP: Ronald Acuña Jr.

– Braves AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal – Tigers NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes – Pirates AL Rookie of the Year: Munetaka Murakami – White Sox NL Rookie of the Year: JJ Wetherholt – Cardinals Jesse Yomtov AL East: Blue Jays AL Central: Tigers AL West: Mariners AL Wild Cards: Yankees, Guardians, Orioles NL East: Phillies NL Central: Brewers NL West: Dodgers NL Wild Cards: Mets, Cubs, Braves ALCS Winner: Blue Jays NLCS Winner: Dodgers World Series: Dodgers over Blue Jays AL MVP: Jose Ramirez – Guardians NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani – Dodgers AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet – Red Sox NL Cy Young: Yoshinobu Yamamoto – Dodgers AL Rookie of the Year: Samuel Basallo – Orioles NL Rookie of the Year: Nolan McLean – Mets This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB predictions, 2026 World Series and award picks on Opening Day