Wesley's 2026 Division Winner Predictions

The MLB Postseason is still going on, but it doesn't mean that it's too early to focus on the 2026 MLB season. I'll only be focusing on my picks to win each division next season, then I'll make my Wild Card predictions in the next story. Be sure to like this story when you get finished reading it, follow me on my socials, subscribe to my page on here, and if you really love my work, please reward me with a one-off tip at the end of this story. That way, I'll continue to write and publish new stories. Plus, you'll be supporting creators like me.

American League East Winner: Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays are on the brink of eliminating the New York Yankees from the ALDS. They concluded the 2025 MLB season with a record of 94-68 and the division crown. The AL East Champions were expected to finish the season below .500, but they proved the critics wrong and surprised everyone. I do see them winning the division title in 2026. Meanwhile, the Yankees are slowly losing relevancy when it comes to their ambitions of winning the division. There have been calls for manager Aaron Boone to be fired. If the Yankees are eliminated from the ALDS, will the organization be forced to move on from him? In my opinion, firing Boone would be best for the sake of the ball club and frustrated fans.

American League Central Winner: Detroit Tigers

The ALDS matchup between the Tigers and Seattle Mariners is still ongoing. The reason for my pick is because they're a young team and I have a good feeling that they'll win the division over the Cleveland Guardians. After making it to the Postseason for the first time in a decade last season, they have the potential to stay relevant in the division for years to come.

American League West Winner: Seattle Mariners

The Mariners and the Houston Astros were engaged in a game of AL West musical chairs to see which team will win the division. In the end, the former reigned supreme, winning their first division title since 2001. The last time this happened, former Mariners catcher and now manager Dan Wilson, was part of that moment. Cal Raleigh had an amazing record-breaking season and is the heavy favorite to win the American League MVP Award. They're poised to reach the ALCS and potentially the World Series. I would've chosen my team, the Texas Rangers, to win the division title. However, after a disastrous finish to end the regular season, my prediction will stand unless they (the Rangers) get things in order.

National League East Winner: New York Mets

Wait, what? I beg your pardon. Before y'all come after me, hear me out. There's one word to describe the 2025 New York Mets and that is atrocious. How did a team go from leading the division to missing the playoffs entirely? They stink, stank, and stunk. Despite their tumultuous collapse, they're my division pick over the Philadelphia Phillies. One huge question remains: Will Pete Alonso return as a Met in 2026? Meanwhile, the Phillies are still not World Series contenders in my eyes. They're on the verge of being eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers from the NLDS, down two games to none. Also, Rob Thomson, who's in his last year in his contract, has to turn things around. Otherwise, the Phillies front office will have no other choice but to fire him and search for a new manager. Unless the lineup undergoes minor changes, their World Series title window will remain closed.

National League Central Winner: Milwaukee Brewers

Rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski made his very first All-Star Game appearance after less than five starts, which the reaction was mixed. However, fellow teammate Christian Yelich couldn't care less about the criticism. The future is bright for Misiorowski and the Brew Crew. I see them repeating as back-to-back division champions. They'll let their hot bats do the talking.

National League West Winner: San Diego Padres

Finally, my pick for the division title is the Padres (again). With Clayton Kershaw retiring (thank God), I'm giving the Padres another chance for them to claim the division crown after the Dodgers have been winning it almost every year for 100 years. By the way, I was being sarcastic on the 100 years comment, in case you couldn't tell. The Dodgers have been a yearly nuisance and a pain in the you know what. They've infuriated me for the past five years, with their numerous controversies, including some regarding Kershaw. I'm not one to wish the Dodgers or the players well, but their inflated egos and entitled demeanor are some of the reasons why I heavily dislike them. I've said this once and I'll say it again: the world doesn't revolve around Shohei Ohtani or the Dodgers. Translation: it's NOT always about you. Meanwhile, the Padres have another opportunity to claim the division crown, ending the Dodgers long streak. Call me crazy, but I believe in the Padres. They're not the kind of team to overlook or underestimate.