The first full week of the 2026 MLB season has delivered plenty of drama and a few genuine surprises. The Detroit Tigers, widely projected as a sub-.500 team, have raced out to a 6-1 start behind dominant pitching and timely hitting from their young core.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers stumbled to a 2-5 record, their worst opening week since 2018. Injuries to two key relievers and an uncharacteristically cold lineup have contributed to the slow start, though the front office insists there is no cause for panic this early.
Other notable surprises include the Pittsburgh Pirates sitting atop the NL Central and the Toronto Blue Jays' new ace posting a 0.64 ERA through his first two starts. It's a long season, but these early trends bear watching.
