CBS Sports analyst forecasts historic MLB outcomes for 2026 second half
Five bold predictions from CBS Sports cover the remainder of the 2026 Major League Baseball regular season, including a potential record-breaking wild-card finish and significant roster moves.
CBS Sports analyst Mike Axisa has released a series of five predictions for the second half of the 2026 Major League Baseball regular season, outlining scenarios that range from individual milestones to structural shifts in the playoff race. With the trade deadline approaching and the season past the midway point, the forecasts suggest significant changes for several high-profile teams and players.
Axisa predicts that Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal will be traded at the upcoming deadline despite the team currently holding a strong position in the AL Central. Although the Tigers have won 22 of their last 36 games to close a 11.5-game deficit, Axisa argues that Skubal’s impending free agency necessitates a move. He anticipates the Tigers will acquire MLB-ready talent in return, allowing them to win the division despite the loss of their ace.
The New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is forecast to return from a fractured rib on 1 September, coinciding with roster expansion day. While general manager Brian Cashman indicated a hope for an earlier return, Axisa pushes the timeline back, predicting Judge will lead the league in home runs from the point of his return. This follows a period where the Yankees averaged only 4.24 runs per game without him.
In a notable shift for the American League playoff picture, Axisa predicts that an AL wild-card team will finish with a losing record of 80-82. This would break the previous record for the worst record to make the postseason, held by the 2005 San Diego Padres at 82-80. The prediction highlights the current mediocrity in the AL wild-card race, where multiple teams sit below .500, contrasting with the more competitive National League standings.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani is predicted to throw a single-pitcher no-hitter on 7 September against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Axisa cites Ohtani’s 1.79 ERA and recent performance as indicators of his capability, despite the rarity of complete-game no-hitters in the modern era. The last such feat was achieved by Ohtani’s teammate Blake Snell in August 2024.
Finally, Axisa forecasts that the Atlanta Braves will miss the postseason despite currently holding first place in the NL East. The prediction is based on a recent slump in offensive production and a narrowing division lead. The Braves have lost 10 of their last 29 games, with key contributors struggling to replicate their early-season success, suggesting a potential collapse in the final stretch.
