2026 MLB predictions: Aaron Judge makes more history, surprise seller, World Series winner

Houston Astros rebound to make playoffs ...

Houston faded during the second half of last season, going 31-35 post-All-Star break to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016. But with a full season from DH/LF Yordan Alvarez, growth from promising second-year outfielder Cam Smith and more overall consistency from the offense, the Astros will be back to playing October baseball.

... and starting pitcher Hunter Brown receives AL Cy Young Award

Houston's Opening Day starter will also play a key role in the return to the postseason. Brown — who had a 2.39 ERA with 206 strikeouts and 57 walks in 185.1 innings in 2025 — will build on that performance by earning his first Cy Young after finishing third in voting last season.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wins first AL MVP

Witt has a credible argument as the AL's best all-around position player. He hits for power and contact, is great on the basepaths and also an elite fielder. Over the past two seasons, Witt is the only player in the majors with a batting average over .300 and at least 50 home runs and stolen bases apiece. After a runner-up finish to Judge in the 2024 voting, Witt will claim his first AL MVP while pushing the Royals back to the playoffs.

Mets outfielder Juan Soto finishes second in NL MVP voting

We already know who'll win NL MVP. It's not much of a prediction to write that Dodgers designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani, who has won four MVPs in the past five seasons (including three in a row), will add another to his collection this fall. The bigger question is who finishes second, which is where Soto, whose previous best finish was runner-up to Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper in 2021, comes into focus. 

Over the final two months last season, as New York spiraled, Soto thrived. Playing in 52 games, he slashed .293/.420/.596 with 18 home runs and 23 stolen bases. That production will carry over.

Seattle Mariners win AL pennant

The Mariners came up just shy of their first pennant last season, losing the ALCS to the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games. Armed with arguably the American League's top rotation and an elite power hitter in catcher Cal Raleigh, who blasted 60 HRs in 2025, Seattle will write a different ending this October. This season, it will have an extra punch to the lineup with late offseason trade acquisition Brendan Donovan, a utilityman.

Mariners over Dodgers for World Series

In recent years, Las Vegas (2023), Tampa Bay (2021), Los Angeles (2020) and Washington (2019) have won multiple league championships in the same calendar year. Seattle will be the next metro area to accomplish the feat as the Mariners follow the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl LX victory with their own parade.

With the SuperSonics potentially also making a comeback as the NBA gets set to vote on league expansion, things couldn't be better for sports fans in the Pacific Northwest. Who are we to suggest the party will end?