How will the Guardians do in 2026? Our 3News staffers have plenty of thoughts and predictions as the season gets underway.
CLEVELAND — Spring is in the air off the shores of Lake Erie, and so is the feeling of baseball season.
The Guardians will officially begin their 2026 campaign Thursday night in Seattle against the Mariners, seeking to win their third straight AL Central Division title and return to the playoffs for the ninth time in the last 14 years. Cleveland’s reputation as one of the game’s best-run organizations remains intact, but with plenty of new faces and a payroll that sits near the bottom of MLB, plenty of questions remain about how much this team can compete with its peers at the top of the league.
Can the Guards make a run at their first World Series championship since 1948, or will a young group and the economics of baseball be too much to overcome? Our staff here at 3News has plenty of thoughts and predictions as we prepare for the long 162-game marathon.
Nick Camino
— Final record: 88-74, 2nd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in ALCS
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez
— Breakout star: Slade Cecconi
— Additional thoughts: “The Guardians will give us all you can ask for: meaningful baseball in September and hopefully into October. I feel Cleveland falls just shy of a third straight Central Division crown, however they still make the MLB playoffs and give us some excitement this fall.”
Jay Crawford
— Final record: 89-73, 2nd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in ALDS
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez
— Breakout star: Chase DeLauter
— Additional thoughts: “Pitching carries the day, but in the end, an offensively challenged team falls in the division series.”
Chris Renkel
— Final record: 90-72, 2nd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: “Best case: World Series; realistic case: ALCS.”
— Team MVP: “José is the obvious answer but I’ll also go with Gavin Williams becoming the next ace in the Guards pitching factory.”
— Breakout star: “Several candidates. I’m all in on Chase DeLauter, but other than him (because I know everyone else is going to say Chase), George Valera (if healthy) shows what the Guardians have been waiting for since he was a teenager.”
Dave ‘Dino’ DeNatale
— Final record: 86-76, 2nd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in ALDS
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez
— Breakout star: Chase DeLauter (“PLEASE STAY HEALTHY”)
— Additional thoughts: “Don’t read too much into me predicting the Guards to have two fewer wins this year. I think the AL Central will be an absolute meat grinder, with the Tigers finishing just ahead of Cleveland and Kansas City. The one thing that the Guardians need to rise to the next level is consistent offense — something that’s awfully difficult with so many young players in the lineup. Buckle up for another wild season!”
Mike Polk Jr.
— Final record: 84-78, 2nd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: “I fear not.”
— Team MVP: “Come on. Who do you think?” (We’re thinking José RamÃrez)
— Breakout star: “This will be the year of Bo Naylor. If I were Emmanuel Clase, I’d bet the farm on it.”
— Additional thoughts: “They will be competitive once again this year because the most underfunded organization in baseball is also the most expertly run. As always, the Guardians will find a way to overachieve despite having a team payroll comparable to that of the Savannah Bananas. Bring on the salary floor or stop pretending this isn’t all a farce. Go Guards!”
Tyler Carey
— Final record: 87-75, 2nd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in wild-card series
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez
— Breakout star: Chase DeLauter
— Additional thoughts: “I’m normally Mr. Optimism when it comes to this team, and clearly I’m not too down on them or else I wouldn’t have them back in the playoffs. I just have a… weird feeling. Maybe I’m jaded by the pitiful payroll and the continued underachieving on offense, but it just doesn’t seem like they’re fully taking advantage of the opportunities in front of them.
“I will say this: If the Guardians weren’t going to make any big offseason moves, I’m happy they’re at least sticking to their word and playing the kids — Chase DeLauter and Parker Messick to start, Travis Bazzana and probably others to follow. There’s still a lot of talent on this team, and the best may be to come with so many young prospects waiting in the wings. With the culture this organization has built and sustained, I’d be foolish to bet against them, and I honestly wouldn’t be shocked to see them prove me wrong and finish first again.”
Anna Meyer
— Final record: 85-77, 3rd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in wild-card series
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez – “He will once again be the team’s anchor and most consistent performer.”
— Breakout star: Chase DeLauter – “He is poised to make a major impact in the big leagues and provide a much-needed offensive boost for the Guards.”
— Additional thoughts: Anna shared more storylines for us to watch earlier this week.
Betsy Kling
— Final record: 93-69, 2nd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in ALDS
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez
— Breakout star: Travis Bazzana
— Additional thoughts: “With 81 home games, a potential for four rainouts and 15 delays of varying length and placement within a game.”
Lynna Lai
— Final record: 86-76, 2nd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in ALDS
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez – “Heart of the team.”
— Breakout star: Chase DeLauter – “Carries all the buzz.”
— Additional thoughts: “Classic Cleveland: great pitching, stressful September.”
Candice Hare
— Final record: 86-76, 2nd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in ALDS
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez
— Breakout star: Chase DeLauter
Jessica Van Meter
— Final record: 94-68, 1st in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in ALDS
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez
— Breakout star: Parker Messick
— Additional thoughts: “At the very least, baseball starting is a sign of warmer temperatures ahead!”
Peter Fleischer
— Final record: 92-70, 1st in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in ALCS
— Team MVP: “José RamÃrez, of course.”
— Breakout star: Gavin Williams – “The big righty will win 18-20 games and make the All-Star team.”
— Additional thoughts: “The Guards won the Central last year despite multiple ugly skids, a lineup that never got going, and two of their most important pitchers being indefinitely suspended for a historic gambling scandal. This team could be the most dynamic and exciting edition we’ve seen in years if talented youngsters can stay healthy and promising starting pitchers can take the next step.”
Brian Crane
— Final record: 78-84, 3rd in AL Central
— Playoffs?: No
— Team MVP: José RamÃrez
— Breakout star: “Kyle Manzardo will be the breakout star and will hit 37 home runs this season.”
— Additional thoughts: “Steven Kwan will be traded at the deadline and Parker Messick will pitch a no-hitter.”
David Kinder
— Final record: 89-73, 1st in AL Central
— Playoffs?: Lose in ALDS
— Team MVP: Steven Kwan
— Breakout star: Chase DeLauter
— Additional thoughts: “The Guardians will finally end their long draught. In fact, it’s the longest drought in baseball. No, not the World Series: a perfect game! A Guardians pitcher will throw a perfect game this year. My guess is that Gavin Williams will do it, ending their 45-year no-hitter drought.”