Another baseball season is underway. It might feel different with the new ABS system involved in the game, and some familiar faces in new places. But at the end of the day, the game is the same and the goal is too, win the World Series. While awards and trophies won’t be handed out until October, there is no time like the present to predict exactly what will happen. Here are our 2026 National League predictions.
Most Valuable Player
Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
Surprise, surprise. Ohtani has been the MVP four different times. He has won every year since 2023. Why not make it a fourth straight year? He is expected to be a full-time starting pitcher this year making him even more valuable than a year ago when he took home the award after belting 55 home runs.
Cy Young
Cristopher Sanchez – Philadelphia Phillies
The popular pick here is Paul Skenes, of course. But Sanchez will be the guy who takes home the hardware this year. He is perfectly capable of the award. He had a 1.064 WHIP last year and a FIP of 2.55. He is the ace of a team that could make a deep playoff run making him even more attractive.
Rookie of the Year
Sal Stewart – Cincinnati Reds
The hottest player in baseball is a rookie. Sal Stewart is a name that you will know by the end of the year. He is hitting over .500 with multiple home runs and is driving in runs at a high clip and it’s not even a full week into the season yet. At 22-years-old, he has a ton of flexibility at third and first.
Manager of the Year
Terry Francona – Cincinnati Reds
Congratulations to Francona on having not just a great rookie but also on taking home our Manager of the Year Award. When you look at the Reds roster, it doesn’t really pop. They play in a division with two teams, the Brewers and Cubs, who are tremendously more talented. It just makes it all the more impressive that they’ll reach the postseason.
NLCS
New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers
The Mets and the Dodgers represent two massive heavyweights in the league. The Mets spent a fortune on their roster, and they have a lineup and rotation that should cause headaches. I think New York takes down LA.
World Series
Seattle Mariners beat the New York Mets in six games
The Mariners were so close to advancing to the Fall Classic last year and just missed out. Not this time.