Baseball is back, baby – literally and figuratively. The 2026 Major League Baseball campaign begins on Wednesday (the full Opening Day is on Thursday) and enthusiasm is especially high for the upcoming season thanks to momentum from the World Baseball Classic. The NHL got its boost from the Winter Olympics; now it’s MLB’s turn. It should be a fun year, and let’s also try to make it profitable one with my best bets for all 6 divisions.
Additionally, make sure to check out our MLB picks for predictions throughout the 2026 season!
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
American League East
AL East Winner Odds
- New York Yankees +180
- Toronto Blue Jays +250
- Boston Red Sox +320
- Baltimore Orioles +425
- Tampa Bay Rays +2500
AL East best bet: Boston Red Sox to finish top 2 (+120)
As usual, the AL East is absolutely stacked. As such, I’m not overly inclined to back Boston — or any other team at the current pricing — to win the division outright. Asking the Red Sox to simply finish in the top 2, however, should not be too much. The Blue Jays and Yankees ran away with it a bit last year, but Toronto may have a bit of a World Series near-miss hangover and New York is far from invincible. The Sox arguably overachieved in 2025, as its 89-73 record earned a wild-card spot. This team can be even better in 2026 with Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez at the top of the rotation and Roman Anthony set to take off.
American League Central
AL Central Winner Odds
- Detroit Tigers +110
- Kansas City Royals +225
- Cleveland Guardians +425
- Minnesota Twins +900
- Chicago White Sox +3500
AL Central best bet: Detroit Tigers to win (+110)
Skubal’s status is basically always in limbo, but the offseason has come and gone with the back-to-back AL Cy Young winner still employed by the Tiger. As long as Detroit is in contention at the trade deadline, it should be convinced to hang onto its ace. If this team can go into the postseason with a healthy Skubal and newcomer Framber Valdez at the top of the rotation, it can beat anyone in best-of-5 or even best-of-7 series. Moreover, highly touted rookie Kevin McGonigle is expected to make an instant impact in the lineup. Also, nobody else in this division does much for me.
American League West
AL West Winner Odds
- Seattle Mariners +100
- Houston Astros +250
- Texas Rangers +340
- Oakland Athletics +1300
- Los Angeles Angels +4000
AL West best bet: Seattle Mariners-Houston Astros exacta (+260)
Seattle has decent value at plus money to emerge victorious in the AL West, but why not spice it up a bit by placing Houston in second? Unless you are a big Texas supporter (and I’m not sure why you would be), it really isn’t that much of an extra risk. On paper, the Mariners and Astros are without question the two superior sides in this otherwise unspectacular division. And if last year was any indication, it’s the M’s who are the cream of the crop. I’m not crazy about the pitching rotation, but Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez make for a serious 1-2 punch in the lineup.
National League East
NL East Winner Odds
- New York Mets +140
- Philadelphia Phillies +175
- Atlanta Braves +250
- Miami Marlins +4000
- Washington Nationals +10000
NL East Winner Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies to win (+175)
The Braves’ pitching staff is already in shambles and the Mets are…the Mets. Philadelphia has a great chance to win this division, and +175 odds are especially intriguing. It’s an opportunity that should not be missed. There is no doubt that the window is closing for the Phillies, who are stocked with veterans and short on young talent. Nonetheless, it’s a window that remains open. Zack Wheeler is still out there grinding, Christopher Sanchez is a Cy Young candidate and Aaron Nola should bounce back, so Suarez’s departure to Boston can be overcome. Kyle Schwarber was re-signed to mash in that batting order along with Bryce Harper.
National League Central
NL Central Winner Odds
- Chicago Cubs +110
- Milwaukee Brewers +235
- Cincinnati Reds +550
- Pittsburgh Pirates +600
- St. Louis Cardinals +2800
NL Central best bet: Chicago Cubs to win (+110)
The Cubs have produced three straight winning seasons and made a playoff appearance in 2025, beating the Padres in the wild-card round before losing to the Brewers. Chicago crossed the plate 793 runs last season, good for the third most in the NL and fifth most in all of MLB. More of the same should continue this season with Alex Bregman basically replacing Kyle Tucker in the lineup – a lineup that also features Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ. If the pitching rotation can get healthy and then remain healthy, the Cubbies should win this division.
National League West
NL West Winner Odds
- Los Angeles Dodgers -650
- San Diego Padres +900
- San Francisco Giants +1700
- Arizona Diamondbacks +2200
- Colorado Rockies +30000
NL West best bet: San Francisco Giants to finish top 2 (+200)
The Dodgers are obviously going to win this division, but just as obvious is that there isn’t any value on them at -650. At the same time, no other team has value to win it since the mere idea of that happening is preposterous. The Giants finishing second, however, is well within reason. San Diego has a history of underwhelming and for the most part is an aging team that does not have a ton of upside despite a high payroll. With Logan Webb anchoring the rotation and Rafael Devers leading the lineup, San Francisco has realistic wild-card aspirations in the National League.
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