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While Opening Day technically starts tonight for the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants, the real regular season gets underway tomorrow, signaling a fresh start and renewed hope for all 30 MLB teams.
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My MLB picks have you covered with five of my favorite futures to bet on for 2026.
Five best MLB future bets
|
Market |
Best Bet |
|
|---|---|---|
|
AL MVP |
Wyatt Langford |
+4000 |
|
NL Rookie of the Year |
Sal Stewart |
+700 |
|
World Series Winner |
Detroit Tigers |
+2200 |
|
NL Manager of the Year |
Don Kelly |
+750 |
|
Regular Season HR Leader |
Nick Kurtz |
+1700 |
Wyatt Langford – AL MVP
The fourth-overall selection by the Texas Rangers in 2023, Wyatt Langford has already showcased his raw talent in his first two seasons. He’s appeared in 134 games in consecutive years, improving his OPS+ to 127 after posting a 115 mark as a rookie.
Langford’s BB% and Barrel% both ranked in the 87th percentile or better at Baseball Savant last season, and he’s now slotted to hit second between Brandon Nimmo and Corey Seager to start 2026.
Texas’s left fielder is in a great spot to produce with more traffic on the basepaths, and he won’t be hitting any lower in the lineup following the departures of Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia.
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A breakout campaign awaits Langford, and at +4000, a bid at AL MVP is worth a sprinkle.
Pick: Wyatt Langford – AL MVP (+4000 at FanDuel)
Sal Stewart – NL Rookie of the Year
Sal Stewart’s cup of tea with the Cincinnati Reds was a promising one in 2025, launching five home runs in just 18 games.
This spring training, Stewart slashed .327/.450/.592 while swiping four bases, and Terry Francona has the 22-year-old first baseman set to hit cleanup in his first full season with Cincy.
Great American Ball Park remains one of the most hitter-friendly venues in baseball, and Stewart could be in line for an incredible full campaign as the Reds’ cleanup man — one who should easily lead all rookies in HRs and RBI.
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Pick: Sal Stewart – NL Rookie of the Year (+700 at FanDuel)
Detroit Tigers – World Series Winner
The Detroit Tigers will run away with the AL Central this season.
Boasting a rotation that now features Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, and Jack Flaherty, the Tigers open 2026 with one of the best pitching staffs in baseball — especially if they’re able to get something out of their reunion with Justin Verlander.
Top prospect Kevin McGonigle raked during Spring Training and will add some punch to an offense that was their kryptonite in the postseason, while adding veteran reliever Kenley Jansen to the bullpen gives them a closer with no shortage of postseason experience.
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After standing pat at last year’s trade deadline, I’d still like to see Scott Harris be more aggressive this time around, even if that means parting ways with a youngster like Max Clark.
Flags fly forever.
Pick: Detroit Tigers – World Series winner (+2200 at FanDuel)
Don Kelly – NL Manager of the Year
Just like most coaching awards, this one will go to the team that defies expectations.
Pat Murphy has taken home NL honors in consecutive seasons for the Brewers, but this time around, the Jolly Roger might be flying.
Following a 71-91 campaign, the Pittsburgh Pirates were surprisingly aggressive in free agency, adding DH Marcell Ozuna, All-Star outfielder Ryan O’Hearn, and trading for second baseman Brandon Lowe.
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Looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2015 and capitalize on having Paul Skenes while they can, the Pirates should be right in the mix in a wide-open NL Central.
Pick: Don Kelly – NL Manager of the Year (+750 at FanDuel)
Nick Kurtz – Regular Season Home Run Leader
Nick Kurtz burst onto the scene with the Athletics by launching 36 home runs in 117 games last year, running away with AL ROY honors and finishing 12th in MVP voting.
Although Kurtz struggled against southpaws, Sutter Health Park is a haven for left-handed power hitters, ranking 108 in Park Factor in 2025.
Boasting an exit velocity and Barrel% in the 98th percentile last season, he’s hard to overlook at these odds, especially if he’s able to stay healthy.
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Pick: Nick Kurtz – Regular Season Home Run Leader (+1700 at FanDuel)
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