2026 MLB Futures Market Odds, Analysis, Best Bets & Predictions Update
We’ve now reached the All-Star Break, making it the ideal time to revisit MLB futures, comparing my initial picks with some changes for the second half of the season.
On this page, you’ll find a breakdown of World Series odds, as well as MVP and Cy Young contenders. We won’t go through each division like in the preseason version of this article, since some of them are pretty much wrapped up, like the NL West.
With the Dodgers living up to lofty expectations so far, the biggest question remains: can anyone stop this superteam? Let’s dive in with our MLB 2nd Half Futures page.
2026 MLB MVP and Cy Young Futures Markets
Coming into the 2026 MLB season, I had Gunnar Henderson as my AL MVP, Ronald Acuna Jr. as my NL MVP, Cole Ragans as my AL Cy Young, and Shohei Ohtani as my NL Cy Young. The only one of these that looks within reach is Ohtani to win NL Cy Young. Henderson has been disappointing, while both Acuna and Ragans have dealt with injuries, with the latter out for the season.
With that in mind, let’s take an updated look at MLB Awards markets for MVP and Cy Young.
2026 AL MVP Contender to Watch
Yordan Alvarez is the current heavy favorite to win AL MVP, but we all know how he’s dealt with injuries throughout his career, so there’s no point taking him at inflated odds (-165 at the time of this article).
That’s why Junior Caminero looks like the best bet right now at +450 odds. I came into the season thinking Caminero would regress since he’d be going from a hitter’s park like George Steinbrenner Field to a pitcher-friendly environment like Tropicana Field, but that hasn’t happened at all. Caminero is the hottest hitter in MLB right now, while the Rays have a three-game lead in the AL East.
It’s the ideal combination of elite production on a winning team. That’s what you want to target in awards markets.
Top Contender: Junior Caminero
2026 NL MVP Contender to Watch
Shohei Ohtani is the overwhelming favorite to win NL MVP yet again, currently listed at -1000 odds. This is no surprise because Ohtani has pitched like a Cy Young candidate this season.
The only way that he doesn’t win this award is if he gets injured. But we never want to lay -1000 odds on a market like this, especially when there’s a lot of baseball to be played. In terms of contenders, Pete Crow-Armstrong looks like the best bet at +700 odds. He’s rediscovered his groove at the plate after a poor second half last year. Add in elite defense, and you can see why PCA is the only viable alternative to Ohtani to win NL MVP right now.
It also helps that the Cubs remain in the NL Central race, five games back of the Brewers.
Top Contender: Pete Crow-Armstrong
2026 AL Cy Young Contender to Watch
Cam Schlittler (+120) and Dylan Cease (+145) are co-favorites to win AL Cy Young right now. Schlittler has taken the next step in his development, becoming a clear-cut ace for the Yankees, while Cease has surpassed even the most optimistic expectations in his first season with the Blue Jays.
But given the volatility of pitching, I prefer to go with a longshot, since there’s a lot of baseball left. Why not Logan Gilbert at +3000? The Mariners’ right-hander has really found a groove on the mound. In his last nine starts, he has a 2.20 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP with a 28.4% strikeout rate and a 5.5% walk rate.
If Gilbert can keep this going, he’s got a chance at this award, especially since he pitches so deep into games.
Top Contender: Logan Gilbert
2026 NL Cy Young Contender to Watch
Jacob Misiorowski is the heavy favorite to win NL Cy Young right now, currently listed at -450 odds. But as with Schlittler and Cease, I don’t want to be laying chalk on a pitcher, since they’re such high injury risks.
If we’re looking for a longshot, why not Paul Skenes at +3500? The reigning NL Cy Young is having a down season, but his numbers aren’t as bad as you’d think, including a 3.57 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP in 108.1 innings. If Skenes can catch fire and go on one of his trademark dominant stretches, there’s a chance that he can put himself back into contention for this award.
It would also help if the Pirates caught fire and returned to the playoffs. Of course, Misiorowski is the heavy favorite for good reason, as he’s having a spectacular season. But I wouldn’t rule out Skenes just yet.
Top Contender: Paul Skenes
2026 MLB World Series Futures Market
Coming into the season, I had the Mets over the Orioles in the World Series. That was a massive whiff. The Mets (40-57) are longshots to even make the playoffs, while the Orioles (45-51) aren’t much better.
The Dodgers have lived up to expectations as the heavy favorite. But who is a viable contender to dethrone them and prevent a three-peat?
2026 MLB World Series Odds Analysis
The Dodgers are +190 to win the World Series, followed by the Yankees (+550), Brewers (+1100), Braves (+1200), and Mariners (+1200). Let’s make a new prediction for the 2026 World Series.
2026 MLB World Series Prediction
Let’s be real here: it’s hard to see any team beating the Dodgers. Even though the Brewers look great with Misiorowski, the Braves are having a resurgence, and the Phillies have a pair of Cy Young candidates atop their rotation, the Dodgers are simply too stacked. Think about it: their two biggest free agent signings, Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, have provided minimal contributions this year. Despite that, they’re still 61-36. That’s insane.
You have to think that Tucker will get back on track, plus Diaz is going to get back in action before the playoffs. On top of that, with the Tigers 3.5 games back of the AL Wild Card, we’re likely to see them trade impending free agent Tarik Skubal. You can bet that the Dodgers will be among the favorites to land him, adding to an already absurd rotation.
The bigger question is, who will the Dodgers beat in the World Series this time? My pick is the Mariners.
I came into the season down on this team, but despite a terrible first half from last year’s MVP candidate Cal Raleigh, they’re still only 1.5 games back in the AL West. The AL has been weak overall, which has helped teams like the Mariners.
Here’s what makes Seattle so dangerous: their pitching staff is insane, with Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, George Kirby, and even Emerson Hancock breaking out. They have the best pitching prospect in MLB waiting in the wings in Kade Anderson, who can make an impact in the postseason. Seattle can also trade from their surplus of pitching depth, sending Luis Castillo to bolster their bullpen.
This team looks likely to take off in the second half, making them my pick to get to the World Series. Unfortunately for Mariners fans, I don’t see much more after that. The Dodgers are an All-Star team.
Pick: Dodgers Over Mariners
Dodgers to Win NL:
Mariners to Win AL:
Dodgers to Win World Series:
Photo Credit: REUTERS
