Wait. Stop looking at last year's box scores. Seriously.
If you’re trying to figure out what Opening Day is going to look like, you have to flush most of 2025 down the drain. The "Hot Stove" didn't just sizzle this winter; it basically melted the kitchen. We’ve seen franchise icons like Pete Alonso packing his bags for Baltimore and the Dodgers essentially forming a Monstars-style super-team.
The projected mlb starting lineups for 2026 aren't just subtle tweaks to the old rosters. We are talking about a fundamental shift in where the power lives in both the American and National Leagues.
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The Dodgers' New Reality: Is This Even Fair?
Let's just be honest: the Los Angeles Dodgers are playing a different game than everyone else. They just signed Kyle Tucker to a massive $240 million deal. Think about that for a second. You already had Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. Now you add Tucker’s left-handed power to the mix?
It’s gross.
Their lineup is basically a "Who's Who" of future Hall of Famers. When you look at the projected mlb starting lineups, the Dodgers' top five looks like a video game:
- Shohei Ohtani (DH)
- Mookie Betts (SS/2B)
- Freddie Freeman (1B)
- Will Smith (C)
- Kyle Tucker (RF)
They even brought in Edwin Díaz to close games. Coming off back-to-back World Series titles, they aren't just trying to win; they're trying to demoralize the rest of the league. It's wild.
The AL East: A Three-Way Knife Fight
While the Dodgers are chilling in their own stratosphere, the AL East is becoming a chaotic mess of elite talent. The Toronto Blue Jays are currently projected by FanGraphs to win 94 games, tying them with the Yankees.
The Jays went out and grabbed Dylan Cease to anchor a rotation that already looked solid. But the real story is the Baltimore Orioles. They finally did it. They spent the money. Bringing in Pete Alonso on a five-year, $155 million contract changes the entire vibe of that clubhouse.
Alonso is projected to hit 35 homers. Pairing him with Gunnar Henderson? That’s a nightmare for any pitcher.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are in a weird spot. They lost out on Alex Bregman—who headed to the North Side of Chicago—but they did snag Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray. It's a "step-forward, step-sideways" kind of winter for them.
Projected Boston Red Sox Batting Order
- Jarren Duran (LF)
- Roman Anthony (DH)
- Trevor Story (SS)
- Willson Contreras (1B)
- Wilyer Abreu (RF)
Honestly, if they don't land Bo Bichette in free agency, that middle-of-the-order looks a little thin compared to the heavy hitters in New York and Baltimore.
Why the Projected MLB Starting Lineups Matter Right Now
You might think it’s too early to care. You’d be wrong.
Spring Training is right around the corner. Pitchers and catchers are basically packing their bags for Florida and Arizona. For fantasy managers, these projections are everything.
Take the Cincinnati Reds, for example. Beat writers are already projecting a lineup that looks... well, frustratingly familiar. You’ve got Elly De Cruz at short and TJ Friedl in center, but they’re banking hard on Matt McLain and Spencer Steer bouncing back from a rough 2025.
If those guys don't hit, that offense is going to stall. Again.
Key Roster Shuffles to Watch
- Juan Soto: Now the centerpiece of the Mets' offense, projected for a 165 wRC+.
- Marcus Semien: Moved from Texas to the Mets to provide veteran stability and elite defense at second.
- Brandon Nimmo: Swapped the Mets' blue for Rangers' blue, filling a massive hole in Texas's outfield.
- Sonny Gray: The new veteran leader in the Red Sox rotation.
The Pitching Landscape is Just as Messy
Don't ignore the rotations when looking at projected mlb starting lineups. The Blue Jays adding Cease is a needle-mover. The Red Sox adding Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray gives them a 1-2 punch they haven't had in years.
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But look at the Diamondbacks. They’re "actively listening" on Ketel Marte. They need pitching. They traded for Merrill Kelly (again) and signed Michael Soroka, but they’re still thin.
If they move Marte, the entire NL West projection shifts.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're tracking these rosters for betting, fantasy, or just to argue with your buddies at the bar, here is what you actually need to do:
- Monitor the "Tucker Effect" in LA: See how Dave Roberts handles the outfield rotation. With Teoscar Hernandez still in the mix, someone is going to lose plate appearances.
- Watch the Baltimore Power Surge: Pete Alonso in Camden Yards is a different beast than Alonso in Citi Field. His pull-side power is going to play beautifully with those dimensions.
- Check the Red Sox Free Agency: They are still hunting for a bat. If they land Bichette, their projection jumps by 3-4 wins instantly.
- Follow the Health of Shane McClanahan: The Rays’ entire season rests on his left arm. Without him, that AL East race is a two-team show.
- Don't Sleep on the Tigers: They added Kenley Jansen to stabilize the back end. If Tarik Skubal stays healthy, Detroit is the sneaky pick to steal the AL Central from the Guardians.
The rosters are 90% set, but that last 10% always happens in the final weeks of January. Keep your eyes on the transaction wire.
Check the updated depth charts on FanGraphs or RotoWire every Monday. Rosters are fluid. Injuries in Spring Training will happen—they always do—and the guy you think is a lock for the #8 spot today might be your Opening Day starter three weeks from now.
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Get familiar with the new names in new places now so you aren't scratching your head when the first pitch of 2026 is thrown.