New York Yankees fans certainly won't like this prediction.
Last year, the New York Yankees lost the AL East division title to the Toronto Blue Jays, and then, for good measure, the Blue Jays defeated them in the ALDS.
Will things change for the Yankees this season?
New York is entering 2026 with mostly the same team as last October, although it will be getting Gerrit Cole back at some point early in the campaign.
As for Toronto? It lost Bo Bichette to free agency, but added Dylan Cease as well as Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto.
The Yankees seem to be the favorites to capture the division crown this time around, but John Harper of SNY is not entirely sure they will be able to avenge their loss to the Blue Jays.
In a set of predictions for the 2026 MLB season, Harper projected New York to fall to Toronto ... again.
"Until proven otherwise, the Toronto Blue Jays have the formula to beat the Yankees, putting pressure on them last season with good contact hitting and aggressive baserunning that forced defensive mistakes and had them on their heels," Harper wrote.
The Bronx Bombers struggled against the Blue Jays throughout the entire 2025 campaign, and Harper doesn't think that will change this time around.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge attempts to avoid a tag from Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images."As such, I think the Jays will prevail in a tight AL East race and from there the various team records will determine the matchups," Harper continued. "Maybe the Yankees will figure it out against the Jays. But if they couldn’t beat them last October with Judge hitting .600 in the ALDS, the odds are against them with essentially the same team back for 2026."
Personally, I feel the Blue Jays overachieved last season, and I actually think they will take a bit of a step back this year. I also believe that the loss of Bichette will have a bigger impact on their lineup than some may want to admit.
Yes, it would have been nice if the Yankees made a big splash over the winter, but they decided to re-sign Cody Bellinger and essentially call it a day.
Getting Cole back will be huge, and New York will also be getting a full season out of Cam Schlittler this time around.
There is also plenty of time for the Yanks to make adjustments, as they have until the August trade deadline to bolster their roster.
Maybe I'm just drinking the Kool-Aid, but I firmly believe that the Yankees are the best team in the AL East and will show that both during the regular season and the playoffs.
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