As Opening Day 2026 approaches, Major League Baseball finds itself in an enviable position. The recent World Baseball Classic was an overwhelming success, underscoring why the sport is truly a global game. MLB has two of the biggest sports stars on the planet in Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, with a long list of superstars poised to join them as household names. And while the Los Angeles Dodgers loom over everything, as does the prospect of upcoming labor strife, hope still springs eternal on Opening Day.
While we count the minutes until first pitch, here are some of the top MLB storylines to watch this season.
Can the Dodgers three-peat? Can Shohei Ohtani four-peat as MVP?
Like it or not, the Dodgers are the defining story in MLB in 2026. Not content with back-to-back World Series titles, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman went out and landed two of the biggest free agents this winter in outfielder Kyle Tucker and pitcher Edwin Díaz. All eyes are on a three-peat, which would equal the New York Yankees’ feat from 1998-2000 and firmly put the franchise in dynasty territory.
As for Ohtani, there’s one thing missing from his trophy case: The Cy Young Award. Ohtani will be pulling double-duty for a full season for the first time since 2023 and Friedman has said that he’s on a “mission” as a pitcher. Even if Ohtani doesn’t quite reach Cy Young heights, a fourth straight MVP is well within his grasp. Only Barry Bonds (2001-2004) has accomplished that.
Introduction of ABS system
Recent rule changes like the pitch clock have been a hit, so MLB is trying it again with the ABS (automated ball-strike) system this season. Teams will be permitted two challenges per game (plus one in extra innings) and retain them if successful. Only the batter, pitcher, or catcher can challenge a call. In spring training, the fielders (pitchers and catchers) had a slight edge over hitters in overturning calls.
It will be interesting to see the different strategies at play and whether there’s a focus on having challenges available late in games. The Dominican Republic, who dealt with multiple controversial calls, would have loved to have the ABS system in place when they lost to Team USA in the World Baseball Classic semifinals. One thing’s for certain: The first challenge to flip a game will make for compelling theater.
The AL East is loaded
We’ve gotten used to saying this over the years, but it feels especially pronounced in 2026.
The Blue Jays are fresh off their first World Series appearance since 1993 and were aggressive in free agency this winter, highlighted by a massive contract for Dylan Cease. The Yankees are mostly bringing back the same group that won 94 games last season, and they should have Gerrit Cole back soon. The Red Sox will get a full year of Roman Anthony, and they added pitchers Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez to their rotation this winter. The Orioles had one of the most active offseasons in MLB, headlined by five-time All-Star Pete Alonso. The Rays are coming off their worst season since 2016, but their fortunes could change with a return to Tropicana Field.
Tarik Skubal on the verge of a major payday
Skubal already landed a record-setting $32 million salary through arbitration this offseason, but he’s still on the verge of history on multiple fronts. With another Cy Young Award, he would become the first pitcher to win three straight Cy Young Awards since Randy Johnson won four straight from 1999-2002 with the Diamondbacks. Greg Maddux (1992-1995) also won four straight during his dominant run with the Braves. Coolest club ever.
If Skubal can remain healthy, he’s likely to be in a class of his own from a salary perspective this offseason. Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million contract with the Dodgers is the richest in MLB history for a starting pitcher, just ahead of Gerrit Cole’s $324 million deal with the Yankees. Skubal turns 30 in November, but he’s poised to set a new benchmark. This could be the last year of the Tigers’ window with Skubal, and they at least tried to make the most of it this offseason with the addition of Framber Valdez.
Will the Mets’ makeover get them back to the postseason?
The Mets underwent a significant facelift this offseason, parting ways with longtime core pieces Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil, while acquiring notable names like Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Marcus Semien, Devin Williams, Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco.
One of the aims of President of Baseball Operations David Stearns this winter was to improve the defense, but Bichette and Polanco will be learning new positions. Can Williams rebound after a rough one-and-done in the Bronx? Can high-profile rookies Nolan McLean and Carson Benge establish themselves as the headliners of the team’s next core? We’ll soon find out if the pieces fit.
Can the Brewers continue to defy expectations?
Pat Murphy has won NL Manager of the Year in back-to-back seasons, which basically means that the small market Brewers have been the biggest surprise in the league each of the last two years. And the word surprise is really underselling it, as they won more games than anyone last year. However, with even more roster turnover, 2026 might be their biggest challenge yet.
The Brewers traded staff ace Freddy Peralta to the Mets this offseason and last year’s breakout Quinn Priester will miss the start of the season due to thoracic outlet syndrome. Meanwhile, the Cubs (and former Brewers manager Craig Counsell) are pushing hard for the NL Central crown behind new acquisitions Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera.
This year’s rookie class is overflowing with talent
A wave of blue-chip talent is on the way. Along with high-profile arrivals from overseas (Tatsuya Imai, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto), this year’s rookie class could be especially deep. Konnor Griffin , a 19-year-old, likely isn’t long for the minors, giving Pirates fans hope that the club can capitalize on their remaining years with Paul Skenes. Bubba Chandler (Pirates), Kevin McGonigle (Tigers), JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals), Samuel Basallo (Orioles), Colt Emerson (Mariners), Carter Jensen (Royals), Andrew Painter (Phillies), Justin Crawford (Phillies), Sal Stewart (Reds), and the aforementioned McLean and Benge (Mets) are among the other names to know.
Expiration of the CBA looms
Not to rain on the Opening Day parade, but it’s hard to ignore that the current MLB collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on December 1, 2026. MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer (who replaced Tony Clark following an internal investigation) recently said that a lockout is “almost guaranteed.” The owners reportedly want a salary cap and the players are adamantly opposed, setting the stage for contentious negotiations and the prospect of missing regular season games for the first time since 1994-95.
