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    2026 MLB predictions: SCNG staffers call their shots
    • March 21, 2026

    Members of the Southern California News Group try to predict how the 2026 baseball season will play out, from division races (in predicted order of finish) to the postseason and who will collect the key awards.

    — JEFF FLETCHER (Angels beat reporter) —

    AL West: Mariners, Astros, Rangers, Angels, Athletics

    AL Central: Tigers, Royals, Guardians, Twins, White Sox

    AL East: Blue Jays, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, Rays

    NL West: Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies

    NL Central: Cubs, Pirates, Brewers, Reds, Cardinals

    NL East: Phillies, Mets, Braves, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild cards: Orioles, Yankees, Royals

    NL wild cards: Padres, Pirates, Mets

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Mariners over Tigers

    NLCS: Phillies over Dodgers

    World Series: Mariners over Phillies

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Garret Crochet, Red Sox

    AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

    AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers

    NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes, Pirates

    NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

    NL Rookie of the Year: Konnor Griffin, Pirates

    — BILL PLUNKETT (Dodgers beat reporter) —

    AL West: Mariners, Rangers, Astros, A’s, Angels

    AL Central: Tigers, Royals, Guardians, Twins, White Sox

    AL East: Orioles, Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays, Red Sox

    NL West: Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies

    NL Central: Cubs, Pirates, Brewers, Reds, Cardinals

    NL East: Phillies, Mets, Braves, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild cards: Blue Jays, Rangers, Yankees

    NL wild cards: Padres, Mets, Braves

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Tigers over Orioles

    NLCS: Dodgers over Phillies

    World Series: Dodgers over Tigers

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Bryan Woo, Mariners

    AL MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

    AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers

    NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes, Pirates

    NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

    NL Rookie of the Year: Konnor Griffin, Pirates

    — JIM ALEXANDER (Columnist) —

    AL West: Mariners, Rangers, Astros, A’s, Angels

    AL Central: Tigers, Guardians, Royals, Twins, White Sox

    AL East: Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Orioles, Rays

    NL West: Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies

    NL Central: Cubs, Reds, Brewers, Cardinals, Pirates

    NL East: Phillies, Braves, Mets, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild cards: Blue Jays, Guardians, Royals

    NL wild cards: Braves. Mets, Padres

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Mariners over Yankees

    NLCS: Dodgers over Cubs

    World Series: Dodgers over Mariners

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

    AL MVP: Aaron Judge, Yankees

    AL Rookie of the Year: Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays

    NL Cy Young: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

    NL MVP: Mookie Betts, Dodgers

    NL Rookie of the Year: Owen Cassie, Cubs

    — KEVIN MODESTI (Contributing writer) —

    AL West: Mariners, Rangers, Astros, A’s, Angels

    AL Central: Tigers, Royals, Guardians, Twins, White Sox

    AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays

    NL West: Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies

    NL Central: Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Pirates, Cardinals

    NL East: Phillies, Braves, Mets, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild cards: Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rangers

    NL wild cards: Braves, Mets, Padres

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Mariners over Yankees

    NLCS: Dodgers over Phillies

    World Series: Mariners over Dodgers

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet, Red Sox

    AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

    AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers

    NL Cy Young: Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies

    NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

    NL Rookie of the Year: JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals

    — TODD BAILEY (MLB Editor) —

    AL West: Mariners, Astros, Rangers, Angels, A’s

    AL Central: Tigers, Royals, Guardians, Twins, White Sox

    AL East: Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Orioles, Rays

    NL West: Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks, Rockies

    NL Central: Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Reds, Cardinals

    NL East: Phillies, Mets, Braves, Marlins, Nationals

    AL wild cards: Blue Jays, Astros, Royals

    NL wild cards: Padres, Mets, Braves

    POSTSEASON

    ALCS: Mariners over Yankees

    NLCS: Dodgers over Phillies

    World Series: Dodgers over Mariners

    AWARDS

    AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

    AL MVP: Aaron Judge, Yankees

    AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers

    NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes, Pirates

    NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

    NL Rookie of the Year: Konnor Griffin, Pirates

    ​ Orange County Register 

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