Way Too Early Predictions for Each MLB Team's 2026 Opening Day Lineup

The Countdown to 2026: MLB Teams Make Predictions for Opening Day Lineups

As the MLB postseason draws near, teams not vying for a championship are already looking ahead to 2026. This offseason promises to be bustling with player movements as franchises begin to reconfigure their rosters for the upcoming season. To kick off this speculation, we're unveiling early predictions for each team's Opening Day lineup, complete with projected free-agent signings and player assessments.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Projected Lineup: 1B Paul Goldschmidt, SS Geraldo Perdomo, 2B Ketel Marte, RF Corbin Carroll, DH Pavin Smith, C Gabriel Moreno, LF Jake McCarthy, 3B Jordan Lawlar, CF Alek Thomas.Explain the Pick: With Tyler Locklear struggling after his acquisition, a franchise icon like Paul Goldschmidt may serve as a perfect stopgap at first base.

Oakland Athletics

Projected Lineup: 1B Nick Kurtz, RF Lawrence Butler, SS Jacob Wilson, DH Brent Rooker, C Shea Langeliers, LF Tyler Soderstrom, 3B Luis Rengifo, 2B Zack Gelof, CF Denzel Clarke.Explain the Pick: Denzel Clarke is expected to battle for a starting role in what could be a tight outfield competition.

Atlanta Braves

Projected Lineup: DH Drake Baldwin, RF Ronald Acuña Jr., 2B Ozzie Albies, 3B Austin Riley, 1B Matt Olson, C Sean Murphy, LF Jurickson Profar, SS Ha-Seong Kim, CF Michael Harris II.Explain the Pick: The Braves may allow Marcell Ozuna to walk, creating an opening for a DH to support their strong lineup.

Baltimore Orioles

Projected Lineup: 1B Coby Mayo, 2B Jackson Holliday, C Adley Rutschman, SS Gunnar Henderson, RF Tyler O'Neill, 3B Jordan Westburg, CF Colton Cowser, LF Dylan Beavers, DH Samuel Basallo.Explain the Pick: After stellar minor league performance, Mayo is seen as the likely candidate to take over first base.

Boston Red Sox

Projected Lineup: DH Kyle Schwarber, CF Jarren Duran, LF Roman Anthony, SS Trevor Story, 1B Triston Casas, 3B Marcelo Mayer, 2B Ceddanne Rafaela, C Carlos Narváez.Explain the Pick: With roster changes looming, a move to acquire Schwarber could bolster the Red Sox's offense.

Chicago Cubs

Projected Lineup: RF Owen Caissie, 1B Michael Busch, LF Ian Happ, DH Seiya Suzuki, CF Pete Crow-Armstrong, C Carson Kelly, 2B Nico Hoerner, SS Dansby Swanson, 3B Matt Shaw.Explain the Pick: The Cubs are contemplating a substantial investment in free agency, with Caissie taking a significant position in the outfield.

Chicago White Sox

Projected Lineup: CF Luis Robert Jr., DH Tyler Freeman, RF Mike Tauchman, SS Colson Montgomery, 1B Lenyn Sosa, LF Andrew Benintendi, C Kyle Teel, 3B Curtis Mead, 2B Chase Meidroth.Explain the Pick: The White Sox plan to exercise Robert's club option and hope for a bounce-back performance.

Cincinnati Reds

Projected Lineup: 1B Ryan O'Hearn, CF TJ Friedl, RF Noelvi Marte, SS Elly De La Cruz, LF Spencer Steer, DH Gavin Lux, C Tyler Stephenson, 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes, 2B Matt McLain.Explain the Pick: The Reds are likely to look for a power hitter to fill the first base gap.

Cleveland Guardians

Projected Lineup: 2B Travis Bazzana, LF Steven Kwan, 3B José Ramírez, DH Kyle Manzardo, RF Nolan Jones, CF Cedric Mullins, 1B C.J. Kayfus, C Bo Naylor, SS Gabriel Arias.Explain the Pick: Bazzana may step up to provide offensive support in a critical area for the team.

Colorado Rockies

Projected Lineup: 2B Adael Amador, DH Tyler Freeman, RF Mickey Moniak, 1B Ty France, LF Jordan Beck, CF Brenton Doyle, SS Ezequiel Tovar, 3B Kyle Karros.Explain the Pick: Amador is expected to compete for a starting second base role amid the team's struggles.

Detroit Tigers

Projected Lineup: 2B Colt Keith, DH Kerry Carpenter, LF Riley Greene, 3B Eugenio Suárez, 1B Spencer Torkelson, RF Wenceel Pérez, C Dillon Dingler, SS Javier Báez.Explain the Pick: With infield depth, Keith may reclaim the second base job next season.

Houston Astros

Projected Lineup: DH Isaac Paredes, SS Jeremy Peña, LF Yordan Alvarez, 2B Jose Altuve, 3B Carlos Correa, 1B Christian Walker, C Yainer Díaz, RF Cam Smith, CF Jake Meyers.Explain the Pick: Paredes' return provides options to utilize Alvarez efficiently.

Kansas City Royals

Projected Lineup: LF Austin Hays, SS Maikel García, 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, C Salvador Perez, 2B Jonathan India, RF Mike Yastrzemski, DH Jac Caglianone, CF Kyle Isbel.Explain the Pick: The Royals may invest in Hays to address outfield challenges.

Los Angeles Angels

Projected Lineup: 3B Isiah Kiner-Falefa, DH Shohei Ohtani, SS Mookie Betts, 1B Freddie Freeman, C Will Smith, RF Kyle Tucker, LF Teoscar Hernández, CF Jo Adell.Explain the Pick: Kiner-Falefa could provide the depth the Angels need a third base.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Projected Lineup: 3B Tommy Edman, DH Shohei Ohtani, SS Mookie Betts, 1B Freddie Freeman, RF Kyle Tucker, LF Teoscar Hernandez, CF Andy Pages.Explain the Pick: Edman's versatility could help the Dodgers navigate their infield questions.

Miami Marlins

Projected Lineup: C Danny Jansen, 2B Brice Turang, CF Jackson Chourio, DH Christian Yelich, C William Contreras, RF Sal Frelick, 1B Andrew Vaughn, LF Isaac Collins, 3B Caleb Durbin.Explain the Pick: Jansen would bring reliable catching to a young pitching staff.

Milwaukee Brewers

Projected Lineup: 1B Andrew Vaughn, CF Byron Buxton, DH Trevor Larnach, 2B Luke Keaschall, RF Matt Wallner, 3B Royce Lewis, SS Brooks Lee, C Ryan Jeffers, LF James Outman.Explain the Pick: The Brewers could opt for Vaughn to bolster their first base efforts.

Minnesota Twins

Projected Lineup: 1B Rhys Hoskins, DH Yandy Díaz, 2B Brandon Lowe, 3B Junior Caminero, RF Josh Lowe, CF Jake Mangum, SS Carson Williams, C Hunter Feduccia.Explain the Pick: The Twins may bargain hunt for a first baseman due to Hoskins’ injury history.

New York Mets

Projected Lineup: CF Jett Williams, SS Francisco Lindor, RF Juan Soto, 1B Pete Alonso, 2B Jeff McNeil, DH Mark Vientos, 3B Brett Baty, C Francisco Álvarez.Explain the Pick: The Mets might look to youth by integrating Williams to fill their center field gaps.

New York Yankees

Projected Lineup: 2B Luis Arraez, RF Aaron Judge, CF Cody Bellinger, DH Giancarlo Stanton, 1B Josh Naylor, 3B Ryan McMahon, C Austin Wells, SS Anthony Volpe.Explain the Pick: Arraez would resolve the leadoff dilemma and balance the Yankees’ offensive profile.

Oakland Athletics

Projected Lineup: 3B Alex Bregman, 2B Bryson Stott, SS Trea Turner, 1B Bryce Harper, CF Harrison Bader, LF Brandon Marsh, DH Alec Bohm, C JT Realmuto.Explain the Pick: Bregman could be a main target for the Phillies as they assess their core.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Projected Lineup: SS Jared Triolo, 1B Spencer Horwitz, LF Bryan Reynolds, 2B Nick Gonzales, DH Andrew McCutchen, RF Adolis García, CF Oneil Cruz, 3B Yoán Moncada, C Joey Bart.Explain the Pick: Triolo's transition to shortstop signifies a renewed effort to solidify the infield.

San Diego Padres

Projected Lineup: 2B Gleyber Torres, DH Yandy Díaz, CF Lars Nootbaar, 3B Manny Machado, 1B Jake Cronenworth, RF Ramón Laureano, C Freddy Fermin.Explain the Pick: The Padres will be looking for middle infield depth as they maneuver their lineup.

San Francisco Giants

Projected Lineup: 1B Bryce Eldridge, LF Heliot Ramos, DH Rafael Devers, SS Willy Adames, 3B Matt Chapman, CF Jung Hoo Lee.Explain the Pick: Eldridge's rising stock could have him as a rookie contender.

Seattle Mariners

Projected Lineup: 1B Josh Naylor, RF Victor Robles, DH Jorge Polanco, CF Julio Rodríguez, LF Randy Arozarena, C Cal Raleigh.Explain the Pick: The Mariners will explore keeping Naylor to avoid depth issues at first base.

St. Louis Cardinals

Projected Lineup: 2B Nolan Gorman, CF Lars Nootbaar, DH Iván Herrera, 3B Nolan Arenado, 1B Willson Contreras, SS Masyn Winn.Explain the Pick: Gorman will be given every chance to solidify his role amidst infield competition.

Tampa Bay Rays

Projected Lineup: 2B Brandon Lowe, CF Trent Grisham, DH Joc Pederson, 1B Jake Burger, 3B Josh Jung.Explain the Pick: The Rays are uncertain about pursuing Lowe amidst financial considerations.

Texas Rangers

Projected Lineup: DH Joc Pederson, 2B Marcus Semien, SS Corey Seager, 1B Jake Burger, the club may explore upgrades elsewhere while maintaining Pederson's role.

Toronto Blue Jays

Projected Lineup: SS Bo Bichette, 3B Addison Barger, 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., C Alejandro Kirk.Explain the Pick: Bichette’s return may hinge on the Blue Jays allowing him to remain at shortstop.