Could Shohei Ohtani’s health jeopardize Dodgers’ playoff run?
Bob Nightengale examines concerns surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s health and what they could mean for the Dodgers as they prepare for another playoff run.
Sports Seriously
The 2026 Major League Baseball season has less than two weeks to go, and most of league’s major awards have runaway favorites – with new faces expected to win the MVP and Cy Young honors in each league.
The Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong will certainly dethrone Shohei Ohtani for the NL MVP award, snapping Ohtani’s three-year reign that dates back to his final season with the Los Angeles Angels. In the AL, the Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez is in the running for the Triple Crown and should win the award over the Tampa Ray Rays’ Junior Caminero, with back-to-back winner Aaron Judge hampered by an injury this season.
Both expected Cy Young winners are in their second MLB seasons: Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees and Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers. Each right-hander sports an ERA below 2.00 entering Tuesday and have fans amped about the next generation of aces in MLB.
Here’s our predictions for the 2026 MLB awards:
AL MVP: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Triple Crown incoming? The 29-year-old has proven himself as one of the greatest sluggers of the era and should win this award easily, having already set a career-high with 38 home runs. He’s the runaway favorite, but Houston getting back into the postseason would even further ice this for Alvarez.
Also in the running: Junior Caminero (Rays), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)
NL MVP: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
With Shohei Ohtani injured this summer, PCA has locked this up as he closes in on the seventh 40-40 season in MLB history. The 24-year-old is putting together one of the greatest years ever, with a 9.3 fWAR while leading the National League in slugging and OPS.
Also in the running: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
AL Cy Young: Cam Schlittler, Yankees
We knew Cam Schlittler was good after his impact as a rookie in 2025, but nobody could have fathomed the 25-year-old would be this good in his sophomore season. The right-hander is having one of the greatest pitching seasons could be the first Yankees pitcher with a sub-2 ERA since Ron Guidry in 1978. Even more impressive is his leading the AL in innings (184.2) and starts (31).
Also in the running: Dylan Cease (Blue Jays)
NL Cy Young: Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers
A controversial All-Star selection as a rookie last season, The Miz has been by far the NL’s best pitcher at age 24, leading the league in ERA (1.95), strikeouts (236) and WHIP (0.80).
Also in the running: Chris Sale (Braves)
AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers
Things didn’t go as planned for Tarik Skubal’s final season in Detroit, but McGonigle’s breakthrough is the major positive to take away from this year. The Tigers signed McGonigle to an eight-year, $150 million extension and the infielder who was 21 on opening day is currently approaching 7 WAR on the season.
Also in the running: Parker Messick (Guardians), Munetaka Murakami (White Sox)
NL Rookie of the Year: Sal Stewart, Reds
Stewart has been invaluable for the Reds, primarily playing the corner infield positions while also seeing time at second base, racking up 31 home runs with 107 RBIs and 15 steals.
Also in the running: JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals), Nolan McLean (Mets)