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2026 MLB Predictions: Best MLB Futures For All 30 Teams

2026 MLB Predictions: Best MLB Futures For All 30 Teams article feature image
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Imagn Images. Pictured: Baltimore Orioles IF Gunnar Henderson (top left), Pittsburgh Pirates SP Paul Skenes (top right), New York Mets OF Juan Soto (bottom left), Detroit Tigers SP Tarik Skubal (bottom right).

The 2026 MLB season is upon us.

The first pitch of the 2026 MLB Season will begin on March 25, 2026, at Oracle Field in San Francisco, California, when the New York Yankees battle the San Francisco Giants.

Our staff has compiled one futures bet for all 30 MLB teams in 2026, from the dominant Dodgers to the consistently inconsistent Rockies.

So, read on for our 2026 MLB Predictions and 30 bets for 30 teams.


2026 MLB Predictions: Best MLB Futures for all 30 Teams

Click on a team below to navigate to its section.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EASTNATIONAL LEAGUE EAST
AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRALNATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
AMERICAN LEAGUE WESTNATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

Below odds are all via FanDuel and as of Tuesday. For extra value betting the 2026 MLB season, use our FanDuel Promo Code and get bonus bets as a new user welcome.


American League East

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New York Yankees

Prediction: Under 91.5 Regular-Season Wins or Better

Both my projection (89.1) and the public projection (average 88.4) view the Yankees' win total as slightly overinflated, whether compared with a high projection of 89.9 from OOPSY and a low of 86.2 from FanGraphs.

While it's worth noting that the Yankees slightly underachieved last season, based on both their Pythagorean expectation and BaseRuns calculation.

But I view the AL East as a treacherous division in 2026 and suspect it will be difficult for any team to surpass 90 wins.

In fact, both my projection and Davenport's call for all five AL East clubs to finish above .500, and PECOTA has the Rays just off the pace (at 81.2 wins). We may not have seen a division this strong top-to-bottom since the 2005 NL East (Braves 90-72, Phillies 88-74, Mets 83-79, Marlins 83-79, Nationals 81-81).

Every projection thinks they fall short of 92 wins.

Sean Zerillo

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Baltimore Orioles

Prediction: Gunnar Henderson Over 26 Home Runs or Better

I expect a big bounce-back year from the Orioles shortstop.

Gunnar Henderson posted 28 home runs in 2023, and 37 in 2024 on his way to an fourth-place MVP finish.

Last year got off to a weird start, as he started the season on the injured list and took a while to get going once he returned. The entire Baltimore team fell into a funk last season, and nobody seemed to be able to shake it.

That being said, Henderson still finished with 17 home runs and a .787 OPS in what was pretty much the worst-case scenario.

All of Henderson’s power indicators (barrel rate, exit velo, xSLG) dipped last season. But he ranked in the top 10% of the league across the board in 2024, and we should see that version of Henderson again this season. He crushed two home runs and posted a 1.267 OPS in the World Baseball Classic.

We try to rely on stats and numbers here at Action Network, but sometimes you just need to look at the vibes, too.

The vibes in Baltimore were a disaster last season. The Orioles got off to a slow start, and everything just snowballed downhill. Every player in this lineup underachieved, including Henderson, and things only got worse as they gave up on the season.

They all get a fresh start.

Henderson spent most of last season batting in the No. 3 hole for Baltimore, but it appears he will move back to the leadoff spot, where he spent much of his 2024 breakout season.

Behind him in the lineup will be Taylor Ward and Pete Alonso, who combined for 74 home runs last season. That will give Henderson a ton of protection at the plate. You do not want to walk Henderson and put a runner on base for those two power bats.

Henderson should see more pitches to hit, come into the season fully healthy again, and the vibes should be better.

Expect Henderson to return to his MVP-caliber form this year.

Mike Ianniello

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Toronto Blue Jays

Prediction: Over 89 Regular-Season Wins or Better

I think this is a 90-win team.

Everyone talks about the Dodgers’ spending, but the Blue Jays also have a very rich ownership group with Rogers backing them. They flexed their financial muscles this year — they were a centimeter away from winning the World Series last season, so they’re going to try again.

They brought in Dylan Cease. They brought in Kazuma Okamoto from Japan. They brought in Tyler Rogers, Cody Ponce, Jesus Sanchez, and Chase Lee.

I think that the Blue Jays are on the cusp of a potential dynastic run. I think we’re underrating how rich the ownership group is. They’re a top-five payroll team, and the owners saw where that got them last year, and they’re going to try again.

Toronto is going all in, win now. The Jays should be heavy buyers at the deadline, which is another reason why I like this Over — they want to get over the hump.

Collin Whitchurch

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Tampa Bay Rays

Prediction: Over 78.5 Regular-Season Wins or Better

The Rays are the one team I am truly higher on than market in the AL East, but Davenport (83) is the lone public projection system that sees them as a winning ballclub.

Still, I would bet the Rays Over to 78.5 wins, especially given their return to Tropicana Field – one of the most profitable home venues in the league.

Additionally, I project the Rays to either win the AL East (listed at +3000) or at least make the playoffs (listed at +300) more often than the betting odds suggest.

Sean Zerillo

Zerillo's MLB Team Futures Image
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Boston Red Sox

Prediction: Roman Anthony Over 23 Home Runs or Better

The Red Sox drafted Roman Anthony with a second-round compensatory pick in the 2022 MLB Entry Draft. By the summer of 2025, he became the No. 1 prospect in the sport per MLB Pipeline and Baseball America.

He also made it difficult for Red Sox executives to keep him out of Boston any longer. After making his debut on June 9th, Anthony slashed .292/.396/.463 with eight home runs and 32 runs batted in.

Eight home runs in 257 at-bats and 71 games may sound modest. However, fellow mega-prospect James Wood hit nine home runs in 295 at-bats and 79 games before exploding for 31 homers last season.

Anthony had a 60-grade prospect power rating. While he did not have enough plate appearances to qualify on Statcast, Anthony posted elite marks in Average Exit Velocity, Barrel Rate, and Hard Hit Percentage.

Anthony has also bulked up, adding 15 pounds of muscle, and is now listed at 200 pounds.

A full season playing half of his games at hitter-friendly Fenway Park should net at least 22 home runs. I also like the value on him to hit 30 home runs at +182 on FanDuel.

His team could also use the leap in home run numbers after trading Rafael Devers, losing Alex Bregman, and whiffing on free agent targets such as Pete Alonso.

Alex Hinton


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American League Central

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Minnesota Twins

Prediction: Under 73.5 Regular-Season Wins or Better

While public projections (average 79.5) like the Twins Over and suggest they'll be competitive, I don't expect them to be.

Although their ownership group decided not to sell the team and instead welcomed new limited partners, I'm concerned by the abrupt departure of Derek Falvey, the former president of baseball operations.

It has been evident that the Twins have limited resources to invest in their major league roster, and I'd expect names such as Byron Buxton (coming off a career year), Pablo Lopez (injured in spring), and Joe Ryan to be shopped in-season.

As a result, even though every public projection (range of 78.6 to 80.1) likes the Twins to clear their listed win total, I don't expect the current best players on their roster to be there at the end of the season.

My projection would take the Twins' Under down to 73.5.

There's still talent in Minnesota, but don't get fooled by the public projections and bet the Over on an organization that looks dead in the water.

Sean Zerillo

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Detroit Tigers

Prediction: AL Central Division Winner (+100 or Better)

Detroit's win total climbed from 84.5 to as high as 86.5 after signing Framber Valdez.

While I don't see actionable value in the Over, both my projection and the public projection lean that way.

Rather than betting the win total, I would much prefer to bet the Tigers to win the AL Central at even money (compared to my projection), or potentially at -115 if you are using the public projection (-131 implied odds). The composite projection is -119, so even money remains a reasonable price target.

The composite projection is also equally optimistic about both their playoff (projected -200, listed -190) and World Series chances (projected +2209, listed +2800), as my own. However, I'm inclined to limit my exposure to the AL Central ticket and hope they don't put us through the same misadventures as the second half of the 2025 season.

Sean Zerillo

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Cleveland Guardians

Prediction: Gavin Williams Over 157 Regular-Season Strikeouts or Better

I’m particularly high on Gavin Williams at the top of this rotation. I feel like he’s an ascending pitcher.

Williams has workhorse-like ability. He struck out 173 batters in 167 innings last season. He tossed a complete game shutout against the Mets. He regularly throws 110-plus pitches in starts because manager Stephen Vogt isn’t afraid to rely on him.

While Cleveland has a bit of a “Co-Ace” situation between Williams and Tanner Bibee, I think Williams has a much higher ceiling, especially when it pertains to missing bats — he doubled his strikeout minus walk rate in the second half of the season (18.4%) compared to the first half (9.2%).

STEAMER projects Williams to strike out 181 batters this season, while OOPSY projects 172 and The Bat X projects 164. I love this bet.

Collin Whitchurch

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Kansas City Royals

Prediction: Over 83 Regular-Season Wins or Better

I think the Royals are the clear-cut second-best team in the AL Central.

They’re a team on the ascent. They have a high ceiling with guys like Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino (who really tapped into his power in the second half last season). They have some pop in the middle of the order with Maikel Garcia and Jac Caglianone. They have pitching depth, especially if Cole Ragans is healthy. They have some ascending prospects, like Carter Jensen.

The Royals should be a winning ballclub in 2026 and contend for a Wild Card spot.

Collin Whitchurch

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Chicago White Sox

Prediction: Munetaka Murakami Over 28 Home Runs or Better

Every single projection system has Munetaka Murakami eclipsing this number.

There are questions about whether his skills will translate to the Major League level — he has significant in-zone contact issues.

But his profile looks like Kyle Stowers, and we saw what happened with Stowers last season.

That profile has plenty of holes, but all Murakami does is hit dingers. We’ve seen it in Japan for a few seasons — he has prolific power.

27.5 seems too low for a guy who will do nothing but be a replacement-level first-baseman every single day and hit dingers.

Collin Whitchurch


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American League West

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Houston Astros

Prediction: Under 84.5 Regular-Season Wins or Better

Both my projection and the public projection indicate that the Astros are a team to fade in 2026. Bet their win total Under at 84.5 or better, roughly a 3.5-win gap compared to the composite projection.

There's also consensus value in their odds to miss the playoffs.

The public playoff projections have the Astros south of 40% to make the postseason, and you can basically find that price point (+155, 39.2% implied) on their odds to miss the playoffs instead, a difference of nealy 20% in implied probability.

PECOTA is the only projection that has Houston north of 50% (projected -117), and even that projection would still recommend betting them to miss the postseason.

Sean Zerillo

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Texas Rangers

Prediction: Wyatt Langford Over 24 Home Runs or Better

Over his sophomore and junior seasons at Florida, Wyatt Langford hit 47 home runs while posting an OPS over 1.150.

While in Gainesville, he flashed five-tool potential, most notably a 65 power grade that helped him become the fourth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Entry Draft.

Langford hit 16 home runs as a rookie and 22 home runs in his sophomore campaign.

Approaching 1,000 at-bats in his MLB career, I believe a breakout year is on the horizon.

Last year, Langford improved his Barrel Rate, Average Exit Velocity, and Hard Hit Percentage, ranking in the 80th percentile or better across all three categories. He also turned in a monster spring, hitting .444 with five home runs, 15 RBI, and a 1.468 OPS.

Spring numbers do not always carry over to the regular season, and Langford likely will not channel Ted Williams and hit .400.

But, I think he is ready for his first 30-home run season, which is +196 on FanDuel. If so, he will also hit well over 23.5 home runs.

Alex Hinton

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Seattle Mariners

Prediction: AL West Division Winner, AL Pennant Winner, Over Regular-Season Wins

My projection is highest for Seattle relative to the market, but PECOTA (93.3) also has the Mariners surpassing their win total and pulling away from their division rivals.

My projection shows actionable value in the Mariners making the playoffs, winning the AL West, and either winning the AL Pennant or the World Series.

However, even if you throw out my projection, every publicly available projection has Seattle winning the West more than 50% of the time. You can bet them to win the division at plus money, representing a substantial edge.

Alternatively, or in addition, play the Mariners Over up to 93, and take their odds to win the AL Pennant (listed +600) down to +400. Both my projection and PECOTA put the Mariners at around 12% to win the World Series, meaning their fair pennant odds should be closer to +300 than +600.

Also, if you're placing a parlay on teams to make the playoffs, Seattle (-275 YES) is one of the largest edges on the board.

Lastly, consider the odds of Seattle clinching a first-round bye or securing the No. 1 seed in the American League.

Sean Zerillo

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Los Angeles Angels

Prediction: Under 70 Regular-Season Wins or Better

The Angels have won 72, 63, and 73 games in the last three seasons.

I’m still banking on Under 70.5 wins for this year, even though THE BAT X projects them to win 71.8 games.

There’s one key factor that we could see this year: a fire sale at the trade deadline that makes an underwhelming roster look much worse.

This team desperately needs prospects. ESPN ranked the Angels with the league’s 27th-best farm system. It’s wild that even though the Angels have been bad for a while, they still haven’t built a strong prospect pool.

With that in mind, it wouldn’t shock me to see them trade veterans like Mike Trout, Jose Soriano, Yusei Kikuchi, and Jorge Soler at the deadline.

That could put them in a position to have a brutal August and September.

Frank Ammirante

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Athletics

Prediction: Nick Kurtz 40+ Home Runs (+124)

As a rookie in 2025, Nick Kurz hit a remarkable 36 home runs in just 489 plate appearances en route to the AL ROY award.

The Athletics’ outfielder ranked third among MLB sluggers last season in OPS (1.002), trailing only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.

Given that he only played 117 games last season, he should have a monster 2025. As long as he stays healthy, I expect him to comfortably clear the 40-homer mark.

Though the “Sophomore slump” moniker often rings true, I don’t think that’ll be the case for Kurtz. He wholloped right-handed pitching last year (211 wRC+), and he should only improve against lefties (83 wRC+) with more experience. There’s room to grow.

The A’s are in the middle of a rebrand, but they have their new face of the franchise. Expect him to capitalize on that.

Ryan Minion


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National League East

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Atlanta Braves

Prediction: Under 87 Regular-Season Wins or Better

Everything is falling apart in Atlanta.

Even with the star power of Ronald Acuna Jr., I don’t think this team has the horses.

The Braves had the Spring Training from hell, losing Spencer Schwellenbach (injury), Ha-Seong Kim (injury), and Jurickson Profar (suspension).

If Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Sean Murphy, and others take a step back, things could get ugly.

They also have very little depth, so they're a Spencer Strider (who is regressing) or Acuna injury away from becoming a cellar dweller.

Collin Whitchurch

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Philadelphia Phillies

Prediction: Under 90 Regular-Season Wins or Better

I have bet on the Phillies under each of the past three seasons, and the projections recommend trying again in 2026.

While I have the lowest win projection in the market for their team, none of the projections have the Phillies surpassing their win total this season (the high is 90 from Davenport; the low is 85.1 from PECOTA).

I'd bet the Phillies' win total Under 90 or better and consider their odds of missing the playoffs.

I'm unsure whether I can envision the full downside scenario of the Phillies missing the postseason, although FanGraphs (+215 implied) and PECOTA (+170 implied) suggest there may be value in their odds to miss (listed at +300).

The majority of the key contributors on this club are on the wrong side of 30 — the window is closing.

Sean Zerillo

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New York Mets

Prediction: NL East Division Winner (+150 or Better)

I have provided preseason win total projections since 2018, and I believe this will be the first time I have picked my Mets to finish atop the NL East. Both ATC and Davenport agree they are slightly ahead of the Braves and Phillies heading into spring training.

I don't project value on the Mets' win total, as my projection and the public's projections align closely with their listed total.

However, since I am slightly lower on both of their main divisional rivals than the rest of the market, I see value in the Mets winning the NL East. My projection (+125) compares favorably with the ATC projection (+140 implied), which has a smaller win-total gap among the three teams than mine.

Take the Mets down to +150 to win the division, and/or consider betting their odds to make the playoffs (low of -305 from The BAT X, composite of -529, listed -240).

ATC also sees World Series value in the Mets (projected +1135, listed +1500), but I have them closer to +1750. Publicly available season-long projections often overvalue roster depth and undervalue roster consolidation and star power in the postseason.

Sean Zerillo

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Miami Marlins

Prediction: Over 73.5 Regular-Season Wins or Better

Although they overachieved in 2025, I like the makeup and direction of the Marlins roster this season. I would bet their win total Over at 73.5 or better.

The composite projection likely would not go past 72.5, and the public projection would require something closer to 71.5 or 72 for a bet. Still, every projection exception for Davenport (71) expects the Marlins to surpass their win total this season.

That said, I have their most optimistic playoff projection at 14.4% (+609 implied), which is still not good enough to recommend betting them to make the playoffs (+600).

Sean Zerillo

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Washington Nationals

Prediction: Under 65 Regular-Season Wins or Better

The Nationals won 66 games last season, but greatly overachieved to reach that number.

They posted a -212 run differential, the second-worst mark in baseball. That placed their Pythag record closer to 61-101, only managing to eclipse that mark by recording a 24-18 record in one-run games.

Washington is due for negative regression. Plus, the team is worse this year — the Nationals are in another rebuild.

Their two best pitchers from last season (MacKenzie Gore, Mitchell Parker) are both gone. Josiah Gray is recovering from Tommy John and won’t be ready for Opening Day. While the Nats signed veteran back-end arms Miles Mikolas and Zack Littell in the offseason, neither provides much excitement. Cade Cavalli is projected to be the Opening Day starter!

The lineup is highlighted by two exciting young players, James Wood and CJ Abrams. After that, it falls off a cliff. Dylan Crews and Keibert Ruiz haven’t developed. Six of the nine projected lineups posted less than one WAR last year. Also, Abrams is likely to be dealt at the deadline this season.

Washington overachieved last season. The Nationals roster, at least on paper, looks like arguably the worst team in baseball (maybe better than the Rockies). They also play in the tough NL East, where the Phillies are good, the Mets are loaded, the Braves should bounce back, and the Marlins are on the rise.

This season could get ugly in a hurry.

Mike Ianniello


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National League Central

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St. Louis Cardinals

Prediction: Over 70.5 Regular-Season Wins or Better

The Cardinals are already in selling mode before the season has started. Their win total dropped from 71.5 to 69.5 after the Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan trades – but they don't necessarily have many more pieces to trade away.

PECOTA views this team as a certified under selection (projected 65.8), but the remainder of the public projections (average 73 without PECOTA) agree that it's Over (up to 70.5) on the rebuilding Cardinals.

Sean Zerillo

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Chicago Cubs

Prediction: Over 89 Regular-Season Wins or Better

The Chicago Cubs are coming off a 92-win season, and there is little reason to believe their production will drop by more than three games.

If anything, Chicago got stronger over the offseason, which is a remarkable statement given the departure of Kyle Tucker.

However, Tucker’s absence in the lineup was offset by the signing of Alex Bregman, one of the biggest additions of the offseason. Last year, Tucker and Bregman finished virtually neck and neck in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.

Meanwhile, the Cubs improved elsewhere, particularly in pitching depth. By adding four veteran bullpen arms (Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, Hunter Harvey, Phil Maton), Chicago has addressed what was its biggest concern entering the 2026 campaign.

It’s also worth noting that all four of those relief pitchers finished 2025 ranked in the top half of the league in xERA.

The Cubs also acquired Edward Cabrera, a right-handed starter coming off a strong year. In 26 starts in 2025, Cabrera posted a 3.53 ERA.

With these moves in mind, former MLB executive Jim Bowden of The Athletic gave the Cubs’ offseason an A grade, tied for the second-highest grade in MLB. PECOTA has subsequently projected Chicago for 90 wins, which is higher than the current 88.5-win total in the betting market.

Could the departure of Tucker lead to regression? Absolutely.

But 88.5 appears to be an overadjustment when considering the Cubs’ other moves, as well as the relatively weak NL Central.

Tony Sartori

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Cincinnati Reds

Prediction: Under 81.5 Regular-Season Wins or Better

The Reds are a consensus win total Under selection for 2026. Every public projection has them finishing below .500, and I'm the lowest among them by two wins. Bear in mind, I bet the Reds' win total Over last season.

The public projection recommends 82.5 as the Under cutoff, but my projection would recommend going as low as 80 making 81.5 an appropriate cutoff, per the composite projection.

Moreover, there is substantial value in the Reds missing the postseason, with odds as low as -160, compared to projections ranging from -295 to -421, with a composite near -420.

I'd also bet their odds to miss the playoffs at -250 or better.

Sean Zerillo

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Milwaukee Brewers

Prediction: NL Central Division Winner (+165 or Better), Over 85.5 Regular-Season Wins (or Better)

Both my projection and OOPSY agree that the Brewers should be closer to 40% and +150 implied to repeat as NL Central champions for the fourth consecutive year and fifth time in six years.

As a result, I show value in their win total Over (at 85.5 or better), odds to win the NL Central (at +165 or better), and odds to make the postseason (at -185 or better).

Even with the slightly more conservative OOPSY projection, price targets of +175 and -145 are perfectly reasonable.

Sean Zerillo

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Pittsburgh Pirates

Prediction: Over 78.5 Regular-Season Wins or Better

The Pirates are a consensus win total Over selection for 2026. Every public projection except PECOTA (80 wins) has them as a .500 team or better.

Both my projection (81.6) and the public projection (82) would take the Over to 78.5.

Still, I'm lower on their divisional and playoff chances than the rest of the projection market. If you trust the public projections, there is substantial divisional value in Pittsburgh (low of +942 from PECOTA; high of +315 from ATC; listed +800), and value in their postseason odds as well (projected range +117 to +250; listed +425).

I'd buy the Over and may consider a small bet on their making the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Sean Zerillo


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National League West

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Los Angeles Dodgers

Prediction: Earn No. 2 Seed in NL (+360)

Do we think the Dodgers will win the World Series again? Probably.

But last year, they proved they didn’t need to grab the top overall seed to win the NL Pennant. They finished with the third-best record in the league, behind the Brewers and Phillies.

The Dodgers are stacked with talent, and they added to their core by signing Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz in the offseason.

But I still have questions about their starting pitching — I don't think this group can stay healthy.

Blake Snell will start the season on the IL. Tyler Glasnow has never thrown more than 140 innings. Roki Sasaki can’t find the plate.

There are other options, like Emmet Sheehan, River Ryan, and Shohei Ohtani. But if Ohtani has any complications on the mound, they’ll shut him down, as they need his bat in the lineup — even more so with Freddie Freeman getting older and Mookie Betts coming off a borderline career-worst season.

These are all first-world problems. The Dodgers are good enough to steamroll their way to the playoffs. But they also seem to sleepwalk their way through large swathes of the regular season — they only won 98 games in 2024 and 93 last season.

I lean toward Under 103.5 regular-season wins, but I think the best bet is on them to finish with the second-best record in the National League.

The Brewers look like they may regress, but they always find a way to overachieve. Plus, one of the Mets, Phillies, or Cubs is sure to have a big season.

Alex Hinton

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Arizona Diamondbacks

Prediction: Under 79 Regular-Season Wins or Better

This is my favorite bet in the division. I also bet the Diamondbacks to miss the playoffs.

I don’t see it with this team. They didn’t fix their rotation, and they actually regressed after losing Corbin Burnes. Zac Gallen is back as their frontline starter, but he showed worrying signs last season. The same goes for Mike Soroka and Eduardo Rodriguez.

I also think they might deal Ketel Marte at the deadline if they have a rough first half.

This is a significantly below-average team that could get worse as the season progresses. The Snakes are clearly the fourth-best team in the NL West.

Collin Whitchurch

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San Diego Padres

Prediction: Under 83.5 Regular-Season Wins or Better

While the Padres' ownership battle may be nearing its end, AJ Preller still seems financially handcuffed. The Padres saw Dylan Cease, Ryan O'Hearn, Robert Suarez, and Luis Arraez depart this winter, with minimal supplemental talent brought in to replace the losses.

Moreover, Preller's constant prospect shuffling may have caught up with him — the prospect pipeline is relatively devoid of pieces that can be flipped to acquire major league talent immediately.

I like the Padres' win total Under (to 83.5), but not as much as the public projection, which would take the number down to 82.5. (projected 79.7). The composite projection recommends a more reasonable cutoff of 83.

There is even greater public value in their chances of missing the playoffs. I actually have the Padres at a high projection of nearly 43% (+135 implied) to make the playoffs, yet you can bet them at around the same number (+135) to miss the postseason. On average, public projections have the Padres missing the playoffs at a near-75 % clip (-305 implied to miss), while PECOTA (-202 to miss) has the most optimistic forecast, aside from my own.

Sean Zerillo

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San Francisco Giants

Prediction: Over 82 Regular-Season Wins or Better

In 2021, the Giants took the NL West over the Dodgers to the surprise of many with a 107-win season.

Since then, they have won 81, 79, 80, and 81 games.

That would make 80.5 wins a sharp projection, given how often they have flirted with the number over the last few years.

But I think they break through this year.

This is a very talented roster, led by Rafael Devers, Luis Arraez, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman. Devers and Adames should also get more comfortable in their second seasons at Oracle Park.

The Giants also may get a boost from heralded first base prospect Bryce Eldridge at some point this season. Outfielder Heliot Ramos was an All-Star in 2024 and has hit 20 home runs in each of the last two seasons while posting 3.5 WAR, but it feels like he has another level he can reach.

Most managers would feel comfortable with Logan Webb anchoring their rotation. He has finished in the top six in Cy Young voting in each of the past three seasons.

Webb forms a strong one-two punch with former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, while Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser could make this rotation a strength if they stay healthy.

However, it would also help the NL West might not be as strong as it has been in recent years.

The Dodgers, Padres, and Diamondbacks have each reached the NLCS since the Giants last made the playoffs. The Dodgers will remain the Dodgers, but the Padres and Diamondbacks both have questions entering the season, with projected win totals under 85.

There is a path to a second-place finish for the Giants. If that is the case, that will likely be accompanied by at least 81 wins.

Alex Hinton

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Colorado Rockies

Prediction: Over 52 Regular-Season Wins or Better

Colorado was historically awful last season, and I don't see a 71-win projection from Davenport — a 38-win improvement over last season — as realistic.

Even if you exclude Davenport from the sample, public projections favor Colorado to go Over 51.5 by nearly 12 wins on average (public projections: 63.2), by a margin of nine victories on the low end (61.2 from PECOTA).

If you're using the composite line value as a guide, the cutoff for a wager is Over 56, but my projection aligns much more closely with the listed total. As a result, I would only entertain a small Over wager here, up to 52.

Sean Zerillo


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