Wesley's 2026 Wild Card Predictions

Greetings, baseball nerds! In my last story, I shared my predictions on who would win each division in 2026. Just in case you missed it, I'll have a link to it down below for your convenience. In this story, I'll share which teams who might have a chance of seeing October next year. Before the 2026 MLB season begins, I'll be writing and publishing another story comparing both my division and Wild Card picks to what FanGraphics has chosen. That will take place sometime before the regular season begins, so be on the lookout for that. Now, on to my Wild Card picks!

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Texas Rangers

The Rangers finished the 2025 regular season with an 81-81 record. They went from being in the Wild Card hunt to concluding the final month of the season on a disastrous note. After a three-year stint, Bruce Bochy was among the few managers who were recently fired, and Skip Schumaker was named as Bochy's replacement. Just like last year, I predict my team will clinch a playoff berth in 2026.

Athletics

After playing their final game at Oakland Coliseum last season, the Athletics relocated to a minor league ballpark in West Sacramento, which is where they'll remain for the 2025-2027 season before officially relocating to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, moving in their new ballpark. They have since dropped Oakland from their team's name, so that's the reason why they're known simply as the Athletics. As far as why I believe that they'll return to the Postseason in 2026, it's because they're a young team and players such as Nick Kurtz and Lawrence Butler are the kind of talent that can't be ignored. Sure, they haven't been in the playoffs in years, but that doesn't mean they should be overlooked.

Cleveland Guardians

For my final pick in the American League, I chose the Guardians to return to the Postseason in 2026. Despite being eliminated from the playoffs by the Detroit Tigers, they have the potential of clinching a Wild Card berth next October. Whether or not manager Stephen Vogt will return for a third season is unknown, but I'll keep everyone posted. They finished the 2025 regular season with an 88-74 record, so it would be interesting to see what they have in store come the start of the 2026 MLB regular season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-Backs were in the midst of the National League Wild Card race this past season but were eliminated from playoff contention. In 2024, they had possession of one of the three Wild Card spots with a few weeks to go in the season. I predicted at the time that they would win the World Series. However, they've lost so many games that they were eliminated from playoff contention. Speaking of the World Series, they played against the Texas Rangers in the 2023 Fall Classic, where they lost to them in five games. The D-Backs starting rotation isn't the best, but their hitting is full of star power, such as Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll. 2026 might be a stellar year for the fearless Serpientes.

San Francisco Giants

With the recent firing of manager Bo Melvin after a two-year stint, the Giants are currently seeking for a new skipper. In a recent article, President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey stated that the chances of hiring Bruce Bochy as manager for the second time was more than unlikely. Posey, who has won three World Series titles with the Giants and under Bochy, also stated that there are other candidates for the managerial position, some including former Giants players. The three-time World Series Champion retired from baseball in 2021 and has been in his current position since 2024. As far as my pick, the Giants might be one of the surprise teams to make a statement next season.

Chicago Cubs

2026 will mark 10 years of the Cubs historic World Series title. If you know, you know. If you don't know, you should start watching some baseball. With the passing of Cubs great Ryne Sandberg and recent retirement of Anthony Rizzo, who spent nearly a decade with the team and was one of the dominating factors that led the Cubbies to their first World Series title since 1908, could 2026 be the moment that the Cubs mark their 10-year World Series anniversary with winning another championship?

Before I conclude this story, here are some notable anniversaries and events for you to be aware of:

World Series Anniversaries

• Atlanta Braves (5-year anniversary)
• Chicago Cubs (10-year anniversary)
• St. Louis Cardinals (15-year anniversary)
• St. Louis Cardinals (20-year anniversary)

Rangers fans! May 15, 2026, will mark 10 years since Roughned Odor delivered the cleanest punch in MLB history and Rangers history at Blue Jays Jose Bautista. Dubbed "The Punch", that moment will always live in my head.

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game will take place in Philadelphia.

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