2026 MLB regular season running thread

[Cosmo]

Season starts tonight with Yankees and Giants on Netflix, which I don't have, so I won't be watching.

I've had a really rough week, and I can't wait for anything more than to melt into my couch and watch Trevor Rogers on the bump for the Orioles tomorrow afternoon. Baseball soothes the soul.

Here's PECOTA's prediction for how the season will shake out.

AL playoffs
(1) Seattle
(2) N.Y. Yankees
(3) Kansas City/Detroit (dead tie)
(4) Toronto
(5) Houston
(6) Kansas City/Detroit
Outside looking in: Texas, Baltimore

NL playoffs
(1) L.A. Dodgers
(2) Chicago Cubs
(3) N.Y. Mets
(4) Atlanta
(5) Philadelphia
(6) San Francisco
Outside looking in: Milwaukee, San Diego

Play ball!

 

[HanSenSE]

The great experiment begins in San Francisco, with Tony Vitello moving from Rocky Top to Twin Peaks. Not that one can tell a heck of a lot from spring training, especially with a lot of players in the WBC, but they did something I've been begging for for years, abandoning the "must swing for the fences every time" approach at the plate and instead putting the ball into play.

We'll see if Buster rebuilds on the fly like he did with the Devers deal last year. Or will ownership snap up another theatre?

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

I see the Phillies having an 81-81 type season and missing the playoffs. I have zero faith in this bullpen and they didn't do much in the offseason. Add in that the Mets and Atlanta are improved, as are a couple of other teams in the NL, and I just don't see it happening.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

The great experiment begins in San Francisco, with Tony Vitello moving from Rocky Top to Twin Peaks. Not that one can tell a heck of a lot from spring training, especially with a lot of players in the WBC, but they did something I've been begging for for years, abandoning the "must swing for the fences every time" approach at the plate and instead putting the ball into play.

We'll see if Buster rebuilds on the fly like he did with the Devers deal last year. Or will ownership snap up another theatre?

Maybe just a coincidence, but the Giants struck out 11th most last year and seventh least in spring training this year. Arraez and Bader will help with that, tho Bader didn’t play a lot this spring.

 

[Deskgrunt50]

Happy Opening Night/Day/Week to those who celebrate.

David Stearns said he’d blow up the Mets and he did. Way different feeling going into this season than the last few.

They project to be a playoff team. Lineup is very good. Rotation is good with Peralta and McClean at the top, and could be top notch if Senga returns to form after a strong spring.

The bullpen, particularly the back end, is a concern.

I’m interested to see how Netflix does with baseball. The other live events they’ve done have been good.

 

[TigerVols]

Braves finish Spring Training with the best record; of course, that's about as meaningful as a fortune cookie fortune, but after last season's debacle I'll take whatever glimmer of hope I can get.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Kevin McGonigle makes the Tigers. They’d love it if he could stick at SS

 

[MarkWatney]

From the various scouting reports, it may be pushing McGonigle somewhat defensively to put him at shortstop. He should, however, be a huge upgrade offensively by getting a high contact, high OBP guy high in the lineup.

According to the early lineups, the Tigers have him batting seventh, but I'd expect that to last maybe 10 games.

Low contact/high strikeout rates have been the Tigers' biggest weakness on offense. They have some guys with some power, but without guys on base it usually goes for naught.

Get a higher OBP guy up near the top of the lineup and things start to happen.

McGonigle would have to be pretty awful on defense to get moved out of the lineup. Baez was a passable defensive shortstop five years ago, but he's essentially replacement level now. McKinstry and Sweeney are career utility infielders, while Colt Keith can hit a little they're edging him over to back up Torkelson at first.

 

[outofplace]

McGonigle is just one of a long list of rookies who could make an impact early on. Sal Stewart will play first base and may bat cleanup for the Reds. J.J. Wetherholt is going to bad leadoff for the Cardinals. Catcher Sam Basallo could be an impact bat as the Orioles' DH. Carl Crawford's kid, Justin, is starting in the outfield for the Phillies. Connelly Early and Patrick Messick won rotation spots with the Red Sox and Guardians respectively, but Nolan McClean, Bubba Chandler, and Trey Yesavage were already set for their teams' rotations.

The Pirates are making fans wait to see Konnor Griffin, but for once, they are justified. Griffin may be the best prospect in the game, but he is only 19 and his spring training numbers weren't great despite him crushing the ball when he made contact.

This should be fun.

 

[UNCGrad]

Excited for the Moises Ballesteros experience at Wrigley. And also PCA.

 

[wicked]

**** MLB.com. They no longer offer the audio-only subscription so they’re making me pay $60 so I get that and MLB TV, which I already have. **** you, MLB.

 

[Meat Slapping Sound]

Braves finish Spring Training with the best record; of course, that's about as meaningful as a fortune cookie fortune, but after last season's debacle I'll take whatever glimmer of hope I can get.

They have the best pitching staff in the IL League! Bats are going to have to carry the way early in the season.

I'm just excited I get to to watch a full Braves season on TV again. I haven't had that luxury since cutting the cord.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

I see the Phillies having an 81-81 type season and missing the playoffs. I have zero faith in this bullpen and they didn't do much in the offseason. Add in that the Mets and Atlanta are improved, as are a couple of other teams in the NL, and I just don't see it happening.

Even without Suarez, rotation is still pretty strong. It is entirely possible you're right, and the team's core has reached x+1 on its decline projection, but it's still a pretty strong core. The Braves are the 49ers of baseball. Best team around if everybody's healthy, but they never are. I'll let BYH handle the Mets commentary.

 

[brn623cl]

I know I'm not the target demo, but NETFLIX opening day so far isn't my cup of tea.

 

[FileNotFound]

good Christ start the damn game already

 

[HanSenSE]

How could they not show the first pitches? Like we need another piece drooling over Aaron Judge?

Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker, if anyone besides me cares.

EDIT: Adds picture,

 

[HanSenSE]

What a story Bonds just told!

EDIT: Adds link.

 

[wicked]

Noted bull**** artist Barry Bonds?

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

Even without Suarez, rotation is still pretty strong. It is entirely possible you're right, and the team's core has reached x+1 on its decline projection, but it's still a pretty strong core. The Braves are the 49ers of baseball. Best team around if everybody's healthy, but they never are. I'll let BYH handle the Mets commentary.

Hey @Deskgrunt50 is here too and always more positive than I am!

I truly don't know what direction the Mets are going to go. Could be a boffo 2001 Mariners-esque success with the sum of the parts outdoing anything the previous big-name stars could have done. Or all these odd-fitting pieces could make up yet another Mets faceplant. Either way, we will of course like hell every time Pete Alonso hits a 450-foot tank for the Orioles.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

The only time Texas has ever done anything was when they spent some money on pitching, and it actually paid off in 2023. Almost did when they rented Cliff Lee in 2010 (not $ but definitely draft picks).

In 2011 they stood pat and the quartet of C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison and Derek Holland were lights-out. That was the team that was a strike away from the title in St. Louis, not once but twice.