The Yankees and Giants are set to kick off the 2026 MLB season on March 25. In anticipation of this date, we will be sharing our annual preview series, where each article examines various topics related to the upcoming season, broken down by division.
Today’s Focus: Teams from each division with the best playoff chances after missing out in 2025
In the 2025 postseason, five teams that missed the playoffs in 2024 made their way in: the Cubs, Reds, Red Sox, Mariners, and the eventual AL champion Blue Jays. This leaves seven teams with multiyear playoff droughts, including the two-time defending champion Dodgers, who haven’t missed the postseason since 2012. However, surprises are always a part of the season.
This week, as part of our ongoing season preview, we’ll explore one team from each division that failed to make the playoffs last year but has strong potential for 2026. As the Blue Jays have shown, once you make it to the postseason, anything can happen.
The Orioles need to secure a playoff spot this year. After a remarkable season in 2023, where they won 101 games and the division title, they regressed to 91 wins and a Wild Card berth in 2024, only to fall further to 75-87 and last place in 2025. This team, once a promising future contender for the division and league, has not won a postseason game since 2014.
Kansas City also surprised many last year with a winning record. The Royals were nine games over .500 starting July 1, though it wasn’t enough to surpass the Tigers and Guardians. This offseason, Kansas City prioritized their bullpen and made some strategic moves, but overall, they kept most of the same team, which could be effective in their division.
While the Rangers and Astros might seem like safer playoff picks, the Athletics have one of the most exciting young offenses in baseball, featuring talents like Nick Kurtz and veterans such as Brent Rooker. Their pitching still needs work, but they could appeal to fans with their potent offense, making them a team to watch this season.
