The 2026 MLB regular season is now underway, and two BSP writers made their picks for which teams will reach the postseason.
MLB fans can rejoice, as the regular season is finally here! Major League Baseball is back after a long (and cold) winter. Most of the league has already played a meaningful game, but no one will seriously change their playoff predictions based on nine innings. Here at Back Sports Page, Joshua Ambroise and I are putting our picks on screen so we can brag or hide in shame in a few months. As you can see from last year, we get some things right and some things wrong. That sounds like baseball to me.
Here are the teams we think will keep playing in October in each division.
AL East
Ben Schneider: Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, and Orioles
Joshua Ambroise: Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays
The AL East is the clear best division this year, and I think we will finally see all three Wild Card slots come from the same division. The New York Yankees are running it back with a strong roster. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles all beefed up in the offseason to make a deep run.
AL Central
Ben Schneider: Tigers
Joshua Ambroise: Tigers
After signing SP Framber Valdez, the Detroit Tigers look like clear favorites in the AL Central. The rest of the division, including the reigning champion Cleveland Guardians, did little to improve their rosters.
AL West
Ben Schneider: Mariners
Joshua Ambroise: Astros and Athletics
Following a run to Game 7 of the ALCS, the Seattle Mariners are in position to go even further this time around. But the Houston Astros and Sacramento A’s both have dangerous lineups that can challenge for a playoff spot.
NL East
Ben Schneider: Phillies and Mets
Joshua Ambroise: Mets, Braves. and Phillies
The NL East should be competitive once again, with the usual suspects showing up. The New York Mets drew lots of criticism and praise for their offseason but ending up putting a solid roster together. Their rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves, look very similar to 2025 and should hit lots of home runs.
NL Central
Ben Schneider: Cubs and Brewers
Joshua Ambroise: Cubs
Since the Chicago Cubs added 3B Alex Bregman and the Milwaukee Brewers traded away SP Freddy Peralta, the Cubbies are in a class of their own. They are the only NL Central team that looks dangerous, but the Brew Crew often figure things out.
NL West
Ben Schneider: Dodgers and Diamondbacks
Joshua Ambroise: Dodgers and Padres
We all know the Los Angeles Dodgers are a few cuts above the rest of the NL West. They enter 2026 as favorites to three-peat, but baseball can be surprising. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres both have clear flaws on the mounds, but their lineups are strong enough to grab a Wild Card slot.
World Series Picks
Ben Schneider: Mariners over Dodgers in 7 games
Joshua Ambroise: Yankees over Mets in 6 games
Predicting an MLB champion in March is a fool’s errand, but every baseball fan is a fool this time of year. I think the Mariners will finally win their first title, while Joshua expects another contentious Subway Series.
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