2026 MLB Season: Red Sox Rank 9th as Roman Anthony Leads Boston Offense

The Boston Red Sox enter the 2026 MLB season ranked 9th overall after winning 89 games last year despite Alex Bregman missing two months.

The 2026 MLB season begins with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the unanimous No. 1 team and the Colorado Rockies at the bottom in the No. 30 spot. Between these extremes, the Boston Red Sox hold the No. 9 overall ranking following an 89-win campaign. Boston’s outlook depends on 21-year-old Roman Anthony, who joined the roster in June last year before an injury sidelined him for the final month. The Red Sox rotation features Garrett Crochet, while the offense looks to recover from a season where Rafael Devers struggled and Alex Bregman missed nearly 60 days of action. Despite failing to re-sign Bregman, experts like Jorge Castillo suggest the club will contend in the AL East, though Paul Hembekides notes FanGraphs projects the team to average just 4.6 runs per game.

Statistical concerns for Boston center on platoon splits and underlying metrics. Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu combined for a .618 OPS against left-handed pitching, while Trevor Story posted a .741 OPS that outpaced his .684 deserved OPS. Carlos Narvaez struggled late in the year, recording a .619 OPS after the All-Star break. Only Roman Anthony and Willson Contreras are projected as above-average hitters against both righties and lefties. To compete with the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Orioles, the Red Sox require these low-probability offensive outcomes to stabilize behind a rotation that some consider among the best in the sport.

Milwaukee Brewers Defend 97-Win Performance

Ranked 11th overall, the Milwaukee Brewers enter the 2026 MLB season as the reigning wins leaders after totaling 97 victories last year. Manager Pat Murphy leads a roster defined by defensive efficiency and a high-contact offense. The bullpen remains a strength with Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill, but the starting rotation is heavily reliant on youth. Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, and Brandon Sproat all possess less than one year of major league experience. They are joined by Kyle Harrison, Logan Henderson, and Robert Gasser, leaving Brandon Woodruff as the solitary veteran presence among the starters.

Tristan Cockcroft argues that Milwaukee's budget-driven trades could lead to a decline. Since July 2022, the franchise has moved Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams, and Freddy Peralta. This turnover has created a rotation that lacks established names, potentially allowing the Reds or Pirates to close the gap in the National League Central. While the Brewers led the majors in wins last season, their current pitching depth is now compared to divisional rivals rather than elite league contenders.

Houston Astros Face Postseason Uncertainty

The Houston Astros sit at No. 13 in the power rankings after missing the playoffs last year on a tiebreaker. Yordan Alvarez finished the previous season with only six home runs due to health issues, while Carlos Correa and Isaac Paredes also dealt with significant time on the injured list. Jose Altuve, now 35 years old, returns to second base for a lineup that includes 23-year-old Cam Smith. The rotation has shifted significantly following Framber Valdez’s move to Detroit, leaving Hunter Brown as the primary ace. New additions Mike Burrows and Tatsuya Imai are expected to bolster the staff as the team pursues an American League wild-card spot.

Skepticism surrounding Houston focuses on a thinning roster and aging stars. Tim Keown notes that the team is no longer the powerhouse of previous years, specifically citing the lack of established starters beyond Brown. While Tim Kurkjian believes the club remains in the hunt, the loss of Valdez and the refurbished nature of the lineup suggest a transition period. The Astros must rely on a bounce-back year from Alvarez and the development of unproven talent to avoid finishing third in the AL West for a second consecutive season.

Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates Rise in NL Central

The Cincinnati Reds hold the No. 18 spot despite Hunter Greene requiring elbow surgery. Eugenio Suarez joined the team on a one-year contract after hitting 49 home runs last season, providing a power boost for manager Terry Francona. Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz headline a young core, with Matt McLain returning to full health following his own surgical recovery. Buster Olney projects De La Cruz to take a significant step forward due to improved lineup depth, though Kiley McDaniel suggests the team is more likely to be a playoff contender in 2027 than in 2026.

At No. 22, the Pittsburgh Pirates have overhauled their roster with veterans Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, and Ryan O'Hearn. Ozuna, 35, joins a lineup featuring Oneil Cruz and prospect Konnor Griffin, who is viewed as a potential National League Rookie of the Year candidate. The pitching staff is led by Paul Skenes, though the team has already lost one of his scheduled starts. Jesse Rogers remains critical of the Pirates' postseason chances, citing a weak bottom of the order and the age of recent acquisitions as primary obstacles to overcoming their divisional rivals.