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.
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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 Wild Cards: Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox
NL Wild Cards: Brewers, Giants, Mets
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
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See the top 30 highest paid players in MLB baseball
(Salaries in present-day value calculated by MLB Labor Relations Department, impacted by deferrals and signing bonuses)
1. Juan Soto, Mets – $61,875,000
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(Salaries in present-day value calculated by MLB Labor Relations Department, impacted by deferrals and signing bonuses)
1. Juan Soto, Mets – $61,875,000
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2. Cody Bellinger, Yankees – $42,500,000
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3. Bo Bichette, Mets – $42 million
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3. Zack Wheeler, Phillies – $42 million
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5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays – $40,214,286
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6. Aaron Judge, Yankees – $40 million
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7. Anthony Rendon, Angels – $38,571,429
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8. Jacob deGrom, Rangers – $38 million
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9. Mike Trout, Angels – $37,116,667
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10. Gerrit Cole, Yankees – $36,000,000
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11. Jose Altuve, Astros – $33 million
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11. Kyle Tucker, Dodgers – $33 million
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13. Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers – $32,500,000
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14. Francisco Lindor, Mets – $32,477,277
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15. Tarik Skubal, Tigers – $32 million
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16. Carlos Correa, Astros – $31,500,000
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16. Corey Seager, Rangers – $31,500,000
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18. Sonny Gray, Red Sox – $31 million
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19. Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks – $30,790,069
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20. Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees – $29 million
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21. Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers – $28,536,643
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22. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers – $28,206,684
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23. Dansby Swanson, Cubs – $28 million
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24. Carlos Rodon, Yankees – $27,833,333
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25. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (*retired) – $27,814,045
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26. Bryce Harper, Phillies – $27,538,462
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27. Trea Turner, Phillies – $27,272,727
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28. Blake Snell, Dodgers – $27,152,056
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29. Kris Bryant, Rockies – $27 million
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30. Yordan Alvarez, Astros – $26,833,333
Gabe Lacques
AL Wild Cards: Orioles, Yankees, Rangers
NL Wild Cards: Mets, Padres, Reds
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
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Baseball returns as Yankees, Giants face off in start to MLB season
A general view as a smoke flag fires during the national anthem before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.
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Baseball returns as Yankees, Giants face off in start to MLB season
A general view as a smoke flag fires during the national anthem before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.
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Baseball returns as Yankees, Giants face off in start to MLB season
Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.
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Baseball returns as Yankees, Giants face off in start to MLB season
Large San Francisco Giants championship rings are seen before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.
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Baseball returns as Yankees, Giants face off in start to MLB season
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge stands on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Mar 25, 2026.
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Baseball returns as Yankees, Giants face off in start to MLB season
A general view during batting practice before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.
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Baseball returns as Yankees, Giants face off in start to MLB season
Harrison Bader #9 of the San Francisco Giants warms up during batting practice before the game against the New York Yankees on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.
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Baseball returns as Yankees, Giants face off in start to MLB season
Netflix Broadcaster and NFL Quarterback Jameis Winston interviews Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees before the game against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif.
Steve Gardner
AL Wild Cards: Blue Jays, Tigers, Rangers
NL Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Pirates
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: Paul Skenes – Pirates
AL Rookie of the Year: Chase DeLauter – Guardians
NL Rookie of the Year: Konnor Griffin – Pirates
Stephen Borelli
AL Wild Cards: Blue Jays, Orioles, Astros
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
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See new food bites at the ballpark this season
Here are some of the more interesting foods and beverages available this season at major-league stadiums: The “Take Me Out to the Ballgame Milkshake” at Diamondbacks home games is a salted caramel shake with whipped cream, peanut butter sandwich cookies, Kit Kat bars and Cracker Jack.
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See new food bites at the ballpark this season
Here are some of the more interesting foods and beverages available this season at major-league stadiums: The “Take Me Out to the Ballgame Milkshake” at Diamondbacks home games is a salted caramel shake with whipped cream, peanut butter sandwich cookies, Kit Kat bars and Cracker Jack.
Jesse Yomtov
AL Wild Cards: Yankees, Guardians, Orioles
NL Wild Cards: Mets, Cubs, Braves
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