Why the Dodgers are primed to dominate the NL West again
A breakdown of the NL West race, explaining why the Dodgers remain the team to beat and what’s fueling expectations of a third straight division title
Major League Baseball‘s Opening Day is upon us, and with it comes the annual exercise of trying to predict the seven-month puzzle before a single pitch is thrown.
After an offseason and spring training of roster moves and position battles, the 2026 season officially kicks off in earnest with a clean slate for all 30 clubs. Can anybody take down the Los Angeles Dodgers? The two-time defending World Series champions added another star this winter in Kyle Tucker, infuriating fans across the baseball world.
Should we just name the MVP awards after Aaron Judge (three) and Shohei Ohtani (four)? And who are the rookies set to make the biggest impact in 2026?
Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ MLB writers and editors see the season unfolding:
Bob Nightengale
- AL East: Blue Jays
- AL Central: Tigers
- AL West: Mariners
- AL Wild Cards: Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox
- NL East: Phillies
- NL Central: Cubs
- NL West: Dodgers
- NL Wild Cards: Brewers, Giants, Mets
- ALCS Winner: Tigers
- NLCS Winner: Phillies
- World Series: Phillies over Tigers
- AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr. – Royals
- NL MVP: Bryce Harper – Phillies
- AL Cy Young: Framber Valdez – Tigers
- NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes – Pirates
- AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle – Tigers
- NL Rookie of the Year: Nolan McLean – Mets
Gabe Lacques
- AL East: Blue Jays
- AL Central: Tigers
- AL West: Mariners
- AL Wild Cards: Orioles, Yankees, Rangers
- NL East: Phillies
- NL Central: Cubs
- NL West: Dodgers
- NL Wild Cards: Mets, Padres, Reds
- ALCS Winner: Mariners
- NLCS Winner: Phillies
- World Series: Mariners over Phillies
- AL MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Blue Jays
- NL MVP: Juan Soto – Mets
- AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet – Red Sox
- NL Cy Young: Cristopher Sanchez – Phillies
- AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle – Tigers
- NL Rookie of the Year: Justin Crawford – Phillies
Steve Gardner
- AL East: Yankees
- AL Central: Royals
- AL West: Mariners
- AL Wild Cards: Blue Jays, Tigers, Rangers
- NL East: Phillies
- NL Central: Reds
- NL West: Dodgers
- NL Wild Cards: Cubs, Mets, Pirates
- ALCS Winner: Mariners
- NLCS Winner: Dodgers
- World Series: Mariners over Dodgers
- AL MVP: Julio Rodriguez – Mariners
- NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani – Dodgers
- AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet – Red Sox
- NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes – Pirates
- AL Rookie of the Year: Chase DeLauter – Guardians
- NL Rookie of the Year: Konnor Griffin – Pirates
Stephen Borelli
- AL East: Yankees
- AL Central: Tigers
- AL West: Mariners
- AL Wild Cards: Blue Jays, Orioles, Astros
- NL East: Mets
- NL Central: Brewers
- NL West: Dodgers
- NL Wild Cards: Cubs, Phillies, Padres
- World Series: Tigers over Dodgers
- AL MVP: Cal Raleigh – Mariners
- NL MVP: Ronald Acuña Jr. – Braves
- AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal – Tigers
- NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes – Pirates
- AL Rookie of the Year: Munetaka Murakami – White Sox
- NL Rookie of the Year: JJ Wetherholt – Cardinals
Jesse Yomtov
- AL East: Blue Jays
- AL Central: Tigers
- AL West: Mariners
- AL Wild Cards: Yankees, Guardians, Orioles
- NL East: Phillies
- NL Central: Brewers
- NL West: Dodgers
- NL Wild Cards: Mets, Cubs, Braves
- ALCS Winner: Blue Jays
- NLCS Winner: Dodgers
- World Series: Dodgers over Blue Jays
- AL MVP: Jose Ramirez – Guardians
- NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani – Dodgers
- AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet – Red Sox
- NL Cy Young: Yoshinobu Yamamoto – Dodgers
- AL Rookie of the Year: Samuel Basallo – Orioles
- NL Rookie of the Year: Nolan McLean – Mets
