Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers are once again World Series favorites. Can anyone stop L.A. from becoming a dynasty?
NBC News
As Opening Day 2026 approaches, we break down the biggest storylines to watch including the Los Angeles Dodgers' dominance, a loaded AL East and Tarik Skubal's future.
As Opening Day 2026 approaches, Major League Baseball finds itself in an enviable position. The recent World Baseball Classic was an overwhelming success, underscoring why the sport is truly a global game. MLB has two of the biggest sports stars on the planet in Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, with a long list of superstars poised to join them as household names. And while the Los Angeles Dodgers loom over everything, as does the prospect of upcoming labor strife, hope still springs eternal on Opening Day.
While we count the minutes until first pitch, here are some of the top MLB storylines to watch this season.
Like it or not, the Dodgers are the defining story in MLB in 2026. Not content with back-to-back World Series titles, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman went out and landed two of the biggest free agents this winter in outfielder Kyle Tucker and pitcher Edwin Díaz. All eyes are on a three-peat, which would equal the New York Yankees’ feat from 1998-2000 and firmly put the franchise in dynasty territory.
As for Ohtani, there’s one thing missing from his trophy case: The Cy Young Award. Ohtani will be pulling double-duty for a full season for the first time since 2023 and Friedman has said that he’s on a “mission” as a pitcher. Even if Ohtani doesn’t quite reach Cy Young heights, a fourth straight MVP is well within his grasp. Only Barry Bonds (2001-2004) has accomplished that.
Recent rule changes like the pitch clock have been a hit, so MLB is trying it again with the ABS (automated ball-strike) system this season. Teams will be permitted two challenges per game (plus one in extra innings) and retain them if successful. Only the batter, pitcher, or catcher can challenge a call. In spring training, the fielders (pitchers and catchers) had a slight edge over hitters in overturning calls.
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Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic championship Tuesday, defeating the tournament favorite United States 3-2 in the final
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Venezuela defeated Team USA 3-2 on Tuesday in Miami to claim their first World Baseball Classic title.
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Venezuela overcame a 2-0, fourth-inning deficit after rebounding from a three-run hole to beat defending champion Japan in a quarterfinal.
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