And Here We Go: 2026 National League Preview

Image Credit: Al Pereira/Latino Sports

NEW YORK, NY — Welcome to the Show, Major League Baseball in 2026. The American League preview yesterday and a brief analysis of the National League follows today. A short offseason of activity with roster moves, big name contracts signed, the beginning of a ball-strike challenge rule, early season looks, a race to play baseball in October.

No predictions, which was said here last time. It’s a long season and rosters change but the ballgames are just important in late March and April because a win or loss can hurt a postseason chance in October. Regardless, the Dodgers are seeking a three-peat World Series championship and the Mets roster revamp could be a threat to dethrone the champs.

Then again, the NL is formidable and the Dodgers still need to overtake the rival Padres in the West. The Mets, Braves, and Phillies in the East could come down to the wire, as Wild Card spots will get interesting and could potentially come down to the East and West divisions only. The Phillies roster is not young, the Braves lineup in the middle is a threat, but the starting rotation has had recurring injuries.

The Cubs and Brewers, again two teams that battle for the Central division title, perhaps a repeat of last season. The Reds once the Opening Day tradition for a purist but a team that sneaked in and grabbed that final wild card over the Mets and hungry for October again.

The Pirates spent some money, still finding their way to be competitive but a long way to go besting the Cubs and Brewers. The Cardinals are in an obvious rebuild, shame is that they have the most loyal fans in baseball. The Rockies? Are they still relevant and try to avoid another 100-loss season?

I leave you with this again a topic with focus, will there be baseball next year as a new collective and contentious bargaining agreement with players and owners will drag with a salary cap issue in the balance. So enjoy the show now until October and hope for more in 2027. A thrilling World Baseball Classic and Venezuela win was just a tease.

NL EAST – Will the Phillies step up and prove they can advance in the postseason? It’s been a frustrating stretch though again, they will be favored over the Mets and Braves to finish first in the division. Philadelphia though talented have an older roster. Pitching is a strength with Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, and Aaron Nola and the return of Zack Wheeler looming. The lineup can score runs, a top eight team in that category in the NL the last five years.

The Mets had the revamp so it was a damaged clubhouse last year and top tier salaried team that failed. It’s a roster that looks stronger with more contact and situational hitters—minus the home run ball from Orioles’ Pete Alonso and flame-throwing closer Edwin Diaz, now of the Dodgers. A new and different lineup with Marcus Semien, Luis Robert, Jorge Polanco, Bo Bichette and rookie Carson Benge.

Oh, Francisco Lindor and of course Juan Soto—each two-time LatinoMVP Award recipients. Pitching failed last year but newly acquired Freddy Peralta (2024 NL LatinoMVP Starting Pitcher of the Year) and rookie Nolan McLean could anchor the rotation with a bounce back campaign from Kodai Senga.

Regardless, the Mets bullpen needs to bounce back, a revamp acquiring Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to the backend could be formidable with question marks. The Mets will win and hope their new additions stay healthy and on the field to stay close with the Phillies and Braves.

Now for those Braves and 76 wins in 2025, which was not familiar territory for Atlanta. It’s in the hands of Ronald Acuña Jr. (2023 NL LatinoMVP), Matt Olsen and Austin Riley. If Ozzie Albies stays healthy, he will put up numbers. Pitching needs to step up until Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach return from injuries. The Braves are in to win and will battle the Mets and Phillies for the division and Wild Card.

The Nationals? Still in a rebuild, though Washington believes they will best the 66-96 team of last year. Hey, you have to play the schedule and grow. Though it’s growing with outfielder James Wood, infielder CJ Abrams, pitcher Cade Cavalli and manager Blake Butera.

And those Marlins? A young group, who is tough to beat at times (79-83 last year) and trying to build a fan base, averaging 10,000 fans at loanDepot Park in Miami. Making for a contender down the line but still far away. Eury Pérez leads the pitching rotation, while Sandy Alcántara trade watch at the deadline could be in the works because every team in need will be seeking his talented arm.

NL CENTRAL – The Brewers were swept in the NLCS by the Dodgers but could head to another division title, with Jett Williams at third, and Brandon Sproat, the Mets prospect, traded for Peralta. Kyle Harrison also add to a rotation that needs to step up with Jacob Misiorowski and Brandon Woodruff. Their consistent bullpen and excellent defense with Jackson Chourio are vital for this team to keep pace with the Cubs and reach the postseason for the eighth time in the last nine years.

They are starving again in Chicago at Wrigley Field, the Cubs lost the NLDS to the Brewers in five games a year ago. They acquired Edward Cabrera to be a stopper on the mound, rebuilt their bullpen, and have a solid infield with Alex Bregman. Chicago recently signed Pete Crow Armstrong, a potential MVP to a record contract extension, counting on his power and defensive skills in center. Never count out the Cubs when it comes to nearing October.

In Cincinnati, the Reds finished 83-79 in 2025, losing the NL Wild Card Series to the Dodgers. They say it was progress then and now it’s a young roster that certainly has the experience. They have a Hall of Fame manager, Terry Francona who installs discipline. And the Reds have Elly De La Cruz (2023 NL LatinoMVP ROTY), an exciting young player but a strong beginning and good stretch are needed to overtake the Brewers or Cubs.

St. Louis Cardinals fans are not accustomed to rooting for a team in rebuild, as the loyal baseball fans they are. The Cardinals will struggle with growing pains and are of need of a franchise star or Minor Leaguer in the works.

And the Pittsburgh Pirates, Paul Skenes will be Cy Young Award candidate in the NL while rookie shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin, perhaps the top prospect in baseball, starts in Triple-A. They spent some money but not for impact and of course the thrilling Oneil Cruz will help with the league’s worst run production team of last season.

NL WEST – And the question, how many losses for the Rockies? Another 100+ in the column, they will come to play. Name the roster? Hard to define when this once winning franchise will again be prominent.

Hard to three-peat? The Dodgers have their quest and with a payroll of $400 million. Shohei Ohtani who will slug home runs and pitch, paired along with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and more. A surplus of pitching and new closer in the Puerto Rican Díaz, a two-time LatinoMVP Reliever of the Year.

You can go on-and-on with the Dodgers and question who has the ability to deny them a third straight World Series championship. October seems to belong with LA like it was with the Yankees at one time.

The San Diego Padres have to prove they can pass the Dodgers. San Diego has LatinoMVP Award winners in Fernando Tatis Jr., and Manny Machado, to go along with Xander Bogaerts, three formidable stars in the lineup. It’s a question of scoring runs, good starting pitching, closer Mason Miller (100 MPH heat) and winning those head-to-head battles with the Dodgers that mean something in late September.

Never count out the San Francisco Giants, though baseball and the Giants go together as much as that tradition of Yankees and Dodgers. They need to win more than 81 games to have an impact more so as a NL Wild Card. Roster of talent but still a waiting game by the Bay.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have the offense but pitching has been their culprit. The organization re-signed starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly and await a return of former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes recovering from Tommy John surgery. Not a rebuild for the Diamondbacks and they will be contending though pitching will determine how long they remain in the mix with the Dodgers and Giants.

Again, no particular order of how the teams finish, regardless it all begins Wednesday night with the Yankees at Giants on Netflix. Enjoy and play ball.

And my 24th year covering MLB for Latinosports.com The team will also be here on the field, in the clubhouse, up in the press box. We got you covered.

Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

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