The Seattle Mariners enter the 2026 season with a target on their backs after capturing their first division title since 2001 and pushing the Toronto Blue Jays to Game 7 of the ALCS before falling. Now the question is whether they can hold off a resurgent Houston Astros squad and an Athletics team building for the future.
Seattle’s strength lies in its core: catcher Cal Raleigh, the reigning AL MVP runner-up who slugged 60 homers last year, and center fielder Julio Rodríguez, who posted his second 30-30 season. The rotation returns three 10-game winners—Bryan Woo (15-7), Luis Castillo (11-8), and George Kirby (10-8)—plus closer Andrés Muñoz (38 saves).
Houston saw its streak of eight straight playoff appearances end in 2025, but the Astros reloaded by signing Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai to bolster a rotation now led by Hunter Brown (12-9, 2.43 ERA). They also hope for a full season from slugger Yordan Alvarez, limited to 48 games by injuries, and have third baseman Carlos Correa back after a blockbuster trade last summer.
The Athletics, playing their second season in West Sacramento before a planned move to Las Vegas in 2028, are building around young talent. Reigning AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz—who hit .290 with 36 homers and 86 RBIs—leads a group that includes catcher Shea Langeliers, outfielder Brent Rooker, and recent big-money signings Tyler Soderstrom ($86 million), Jacob Wilson ($70 million), and Lawrence Butler ($65.5 million).
“It’s really exciting to know when we go to Vegas that we have guys that we’re going to be super familiar with and some of my best friends I’ve made for life,” Kurtz said.
The Texas Rangers, under new manager Skip Schumaker, are coming off a .500 season (81-81) despite leading MLB in ERA (3.47) and fielding percentage (.99112). They added lefty MacKenzie Gore via trade and signed catcher Danny Jansen, while swapping Marcus Semien for outfielder Brandon Nimmo.
The Los Angeles Angels, with first-time manager Kurt Suzuki, hope to end MLB-worst streaks of 11 straight non-playoff seasons and 10 consecutive losing seasons. They took fliers on pitchers Grayson Rodriguez, Alek Manoah, and Drew Pomeranz, while adding light-hitting outfielder Josh Lowe. Three-time AL MVP Mike Trout remains healthy for now, and shortstop Zach Neto appears poised for a breakout.
New managers
Schumaker, the 2023 NL Manager of the Year with Miami, spent last season as a senior advisor for Texas before replacing the retiring Bruce Bochy. Suzuki, a former catcher who played 16 seasons, was a special assistant for the Angels the past three years and signed a one-year contract as the club’s fifth full-time manager since Mike Scioscia left.
