Predictions for the Phillies and MLB in 2026: Surprises, top stories, who wins it all, and more
What's your boldest Phillies prediction for 2026? What has to happen for the Phillies to win the World Series? We asked our panel of Inquirer baseball writers.
The core remains with a few fresh faces joining the cast. As the Phillies open the 2026 season Thursday against the Rangers, will it be enough to propel them back to the World Series and finally finish the job?
We asked our baseball writers for their predictions on that and a lot more:
How many games will the Phillies win?
Scott Lauber: 90
Lochlahn March: 93
Alex Coffey: 92
Matt Breen: 88
Marcus Hayes: 95
David Murphy: 91
Will the Phillies make the playoffs?
Lauber: Yes
March: Yes
Coffey: Yes
Breen: Yes
Hayes: Yes
Murphy: Yes
If so, how far will they advance?
Lauber: NLCS
March: NLCS
Coffey: NLCS
Breen: NLDS
Hayes: World Series
Murphy: NLDS or NLCS, depending on when they face the Dodgers
What is your boldest Phillies prediction in 2026?
Lauber: Bryce Harper wins the Home Run Derby on the eve of Philly’s All-Star Game and donates a portion of the $1 million prize money to Elite (wink) Sports Factory, a youth sports training facility in Philadelphia.
March: Jhoan Duran will lead the National League in saves.
Coffey: Zack Wheeler will return earlier than expected and be in Cy Young contention.
Breen: The bottom of the NL improves enough that the Phillies are fighting for a wild-card spot in the final week of the season.
Hayes: Taijuan Walker wins 15 games.
Murphy: Aidan Miller finishes the season as the Phillies’ starting second baseman.
Which Phillie will be the best story this season?
Lauber: Andrew Painter. In the second year back from Tommy John surgery, the erstwhile top pitching prospect in baseball rises again.
March: Wheeler, who will be Comeback Player of the Year.
Coffey: Justin Crawford will hold his own offensively in his first MLB season.
Breen: Harper. No one will wonder if he’s still elite.
Hayes: Harper, elite again.
Murphy: Otto Kemp.
A World Series-winning Phillies season depends on …
Lauber: The health of the starting rotation. Period. Full stop.
March: Hot bats at the right time.
Coffey: Harper returning to his previous form.
Breen: Painter. No Phillies player can sway the season more than him. If he’s elite, so are the Phillies. If not, oh boy.
Hayes: Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, and Brandon Marsh maturing.
Murphy: Painter, Crawford, and Miller.
Who will be the NL MVP?
Lauber: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
March: Ohtani
Coffey: Juan Soto, Mets
Breen: Ohtani
Hayes: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
Murphy: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
Who will win the NL Cy Young?
Lauber: Ohtani
March: Jesús Luzardo, Phillies
Coffey: Paul Skenes, Pirates
Breen: Skenes
Hayes: Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies
Murphy: Skenes
Who will win the NL Rookie of the Year?
Lauber: JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals
March: Nolan McLean, Mets
Coffey: Konnor Griffin, Pirates
Breen: McLean
Hayes: Carson Benge, Mets
Murphy: McLean
Who will win the AL MVP?
Lauber: Aaron Judge, Yankees
March: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
Coffey: Cal Raleigh, Mariners
Breen: Judge
Hayes: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
Murphy: Judge
Who will win the AL Cy Young?
Lauber: Garrett Crochet, Red Sox
March: Bryan Woo, Mariners
Coffey: Tarik Skubal, Tigers
Breen: Crochet
Hayes: Crochet
Murphy: Skubal
Who will win the AL Rookie of the Year?
Lauber: Carter Jensen, Royals
March: Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays
Coffey: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers
Breen: McGonigle
Hayes: McGonigle
Murphy: Kazuma Okamoto, Blue Jays
Who will win the World Series, over which team?
Lauber: Mariners over Dodgers
March: Dodgers over Mariners
Coffey: Dodgers over Yankees
Breen: Dodgers over Red Sox
Hayes: Phillies over Blue Jays
Murphy: Cubs over Tigers