Sports
The Biggest Question Facing Every 2026 MLB Contender
Oct 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage (39) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning during game five of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images With major league teams reporting to Spring Training this week, it’s a good time to ask the biggest questions for postseason contenders in 2026.
Toronto Blue Jays
Can Trey Yesavage be that effective again over the entire season?
Yesavage famously shot up the Jays’ minor-league system in 2025, ascending from Class A to the World Series. He had an 11-strikeout and a 12-strikeout performance in the postseason, but he’s still just nine appearances into his major league career.
Toronto has significant question marks across the rest of the pitching staff, but many of them can be papered over if Yesavage delivers a great first full season.
New York Yankees
Will ace Gerrit Cole regain his Cy Young form?
They have one of the deeper starting rotations in the league — one that can override questions about their position players and bullpen.
But the only way they’ll win the World Series for the first time in 17 years is if Cole is pitching like an ace in October at age 35, coming off Tommy John surgery.
Boston Red Sox
Will the offense score enough runs to make this a playoff team?
The front office had a tough offseason, letting go of Alex Bregman and adding more starting pitching when bolstering the lineup seemed prudent.
They will have Roman Anthony for a full season, and Willson Contreras will help. But they’ll also need Trevor Story to repeat his renaissance season and several other hitters to perform at higher percentiles than they did in ’25.
Baltimore Orioles
Did they add enough pitching?
Sep 27, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) celebrates his solo home run against the Miami Marlins in the third inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward can slug, but the O’s had deeper needs on the pitching staff, particularly in the rotation.
They flirted with free-agent left-hander Framber Valdéz but bowed out of the bidding. They did make an intriguing trade for right-hander Shane Baz, though he’s still a reclamation project.
Otherwise, the Orioles are rolling with the starters they had at the end of ’25. It’s all too risky.
Seattle Mariners
Are they still a hitter or two short?
They added Brendan Donovan to play third base (or possibly second), which is fine — but still leaves something to be desired for an offense that finished 10th in runs scored.
The M’s should make the playoffs again if the starting pitchers repeat their ’25 performance, but they won’t make the World Series without better batting.
Detroit Tigers
Was not addressing the lineup an offseason mistake?
They waited out Valdéz and old pal Justin Verlander before making late moves to improve the rotation.
But everyone remembers Detroit’s infuriating inability to score runs in the postseason.
They essentially have the same lineup again.
Chicago Cubs
Who is the real Pete Crow-Armstrong?
Aug 28, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts after striking out during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images A fantastic breakout season faded late when he hit .216/.262/.372 in the second half, followed by 12 strikeouts in 29 postseason plate appearances.
What if Crow-Armstrong’s fade is a harbinger of bigger struggles?
Los Angeles Dodgers
Can Shohei Ohtani win NL MVP and Cy Young in the same season?
Being the best hitter and pitcher in the league simultaneously is about the only thing Ohtani hasn’t accomplished yet.
He’s far enough removed from Tommy John surgery that he won’t be restricted in his innings.
This may be his best chance to do it.
New York Mets
Even with so many new faces, did they change enough of them?
They have at least five new hitters in the lineup: Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, Luis Robert and rookie Carson Benge.
Freddy Peralta joins the starting rotation, and Devin Williams plus Luke Weaver headline a revamped bullpen.
But with Alonso gone and Francisco Lindor now dealing with a hamate injury, the Mets don’t feel like locks to make the playoffs coming off 83 wins.
Milwaukee Brewers
How much better can Jackson Chourio get?
They proved they can make the postseason with a deep roster of solid players.
But to become true World Series contenders — assuming that’s ownership’s goal — someone like Chourio needs to make the leap from good to great.
He may have the best chance on the roster to become a postseason difference-maker, along with right-hander Jacob Misiorowski.
Philadelphia Phillies
Will they hit enough after the top of the order?
Jul 30, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) at bat during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Team president Dave Dombrowski irritated Bryce Harper by implying he was diminished as a hitter — and it wasn’t Harper’s best season.
But he was still one of the three best bats in the lineup, along with Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner.
The real issue was the rest of the lineup, and aside from adding Adolis García, it wasn’t significantly addressed.
San Diego Padres
Are they about to tear up the roster?
Manny Machado’s salary is set to spike, and Fernando Tatís Jr.’s production hasn’t fully rebounded since his PED suspension in ’22.
That’s a lot of resources tied to two players on a roster that may have already peaked.
They’ve also struggled to find managerial stability, and it’s the final season of A.J. Preller’s contract.
Cincinnati Reds
Can Suárez hit 60 home runs playing 81 games in Cincy?
He finished with 49 in ’25 and now returns to one of the most homer-friendly parks in baseball.
Cleveland Guardians
Why does anybody pitch to José Ramírez?
A couple of young hitters appear to be developing, but no one else in the lineup is particularly menacing.
Ramírez produces at an elite level — nearly unprotected — and still finds ways to do damage.
Sports
Mets' Bo Bichette could move to SS with injury to Ronny Mauricio
Apr 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets third baseman Ronny Mauricio (0) singles during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio broke his left thumb Saturday, meaning starting third baseman Bo Bichette temporarily could take over at his former position.
Mauricio hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning Friday night, leading the Mets to a comeback road win against the Los Angeles Angels.
And in the seventh inning Saturday night, Mauricio broke the thumb on a headfirst slide into first base in the 4-3 loss.
The Mets are expected to put the 25-year-old Mauricio on the injured list Sunday morning before they play the finale of the three-game series in Anaheim, Calif.
Mauricio has started at shortstop for the Mets as a replacement for All-Star Francisco Lindor, who is expected to be out until at least June due to a serious left-calf strain.
Now, the Mets — the big-ticket team that has the MLB’s worst record — need a replacement for the replacement.
“I am pretty sure Bo is going to be in the conversation,” manager Carlos Mendoza said of the chance Bichette could take over at shortstop.
Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million contract in January, knowing he would move to third base with Lindor entrenched at shortstop.
With the Blue Jays (2019-25), Bichette played 716 of his 748 games at short.
“Whatever the team needs,” Bichette told reporters about a possible position switch.
Mauricio, in 10 games, is hitting .219 (7-for-32). He has one extra-base hit, a home run.
Bichette has gotten off to a slow start with his new team, hitting two home runs and driving in 14 in his first 32 games. His average of .238 is well below his career .292. Last season in Toronto, he hit .311 with 18 homers and 94 RBIs.
Mauricio joins a growing list of players on the injured list for New York — a list that includes outfielder Luis Robert Jr., infielder Jorge Polanco and right-hander Kodai Senga.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mets' Clay Holmes to start against Angels for first time
Apr 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes (35) pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images National League ERA leader Clay Holmes will start against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday afternoon as the New York Mets try for just their second road series win of the season.
When Holmes takes the mound in Anaheim, Calif., it will be his first career start against the Angels.
The right-handed Holmes (3-2, 1.75 ERA) hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any of his six starts. He comes in off an 8-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday that saw him allow three hits and a walk over six innings while striking out six.
“He’s been doing it since last year,” teammate Juan Soto told the New York Post. “No surprise what he’s been doing. He’s a grinder. He’s been putting in the work every day, so I’m really happy to see that.”
Holmes is 0-0 with a 2.35 ERA in nine career relief appearances against the Angels.
New York’s only road series victory came April 2-5 when it took three of four games at San Francisco. The Mets defeated Arizona in their next game to improve to 7-4 on the season but since have lost 18 of their next 22 games.
The Mets won the series opener, 4-3, on Friday on Ronny Mauricio’s go-ahead home run in the seventh inning. They had several excellent scoring chances to win Saturday’s game and the series before losing 4-3 in 10 innings on Oswald Peraza’s walk-off bases-loaded single off reliever Austin Warren.
It was Peraza’s first career walk-off hit and snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Angels.
“It feels amazing,” Peraza said after lining an 0-2 curveball into the gap in left-center to drive in automatic runner Adam Frazier from third. “We needed that win, and thank God. I was looking for a good pitch to hit and see the ball, and I feel so happy for the win.”
It was just the second win in 13 games for the Angels, who — like the Mets — have won only three series this season.
“I guess there was no other way to do it than a walk off,” Los Angeles manager Kurt Suzuki said. “It hasn’t been easy. So really proud of them. They grinded, they battled.”
Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.09) gets the start for Los Angeles and will try to give the Angels their first series victory since April 10-12 at Cincinnati. That also was the last time Kochanowicz picked up a victory, allowing two hits and one run over seven innings in a 10-2 win in the series opener.
A big question going into Sunday’s finale is who will be playing shortstop for the Mets.
Mauricio, filling in for injured All-Star Francisco Lindor, broke his left thumb on a head-first slide into first base, beating out an infield single in the seventh inning of Saturday’s loss.
“He’s going on the IL,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It’s tough obviously. You lose your everyday shortstop and the guy that comes up that is getting the everyday opportunity here now is hurt. Somebody else is going to have an opportunity.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves put RF Ronald Acuna Jr. on IL, recall P Spencer Strider
May 1, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images Atlanta Braves star right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. went on the injured list on Sunday, with right-hander Spencer Strider returning from the IL to make his season debut against the Colorado Rockies in Denver.
Acuna was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. The Braves selected fellow outfielder Jose Azocar from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Acuna’s spot on the roster.
Acuna exited in the second inning after limping toward first base on a groundout in Atlanta’s 9-1 victory over Colorado.
“It didn’t look great, him coming off the field,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “I am hoping it’s just some cramping and that type of thing, but he’s getting an MRI. That’s never good when you have to get an MRI.”
Acuna, 28, grabbed at his hamstring and pulled up when attempting to run out a grounder he hit in the second inning. He limped off the field under his own power after being examined by the team’s medical staff.
A five-time All-Star and 2023 National League MVP, Acuna is hitting .252 with two homers and nine RBIs in 34 games.
Acuna was replaced in right field by Eli White, who is hitting .196 with two homers and eight RBIs in 20 games.
Strider returned from his rehabilitation assignment and was reinstated to the roster to take the spot of fellow right-hander Hunter Stratton, who was optioned to Gwinnett following Saturday’s game.
After becoming the fastest pitcher to record 100 strikeouts (61 innings) in a season in modern MLB history in 2023, Strider made just two starts in 2024 before undergoing season-ending UCL surgery.
Last season, Strider went 7-14 with a 4.45 ERA across 23 starts in his return from injury.
Strider, 27, began this season on the injured list with an oblique strain but is prepared to rejoin the sizzling Braves. They have won both games of the weekend series to expand on the best record (24-10) in the majors.
Strider, meanwhile, has dominated the Rockies in three career appearances (two starts), going 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA. He struck out 16 batters and scattered two hits over eight innings in a 3-0 win over Colorado on Sept. 1, 2022, before striking out 13 Rockies in a six-inning win last June 14.
–Field Level Media
Mets' Bo Bichette could move to SS with injury to Ronny Mauricio
Mets' Clay Holmes to start against Angels for first time
