After the Toronto Blue Jays went on their amazing World Series run, more eyes are on Major League Baseball than ever. With two-in-five Canadians following the team closely throughout the postseason, and Opening Day on March 25, there’s no better time than the present to jump on the fan train!
Whether you’re a rookie on the mound or a seasoned veteran in the field, here are some key storylines to know heading into the 2026 MLB season.
Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS)
New to the MLB this season is the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS, for short). ABS gives players the power to appeal home-plate umpires’ strike-zone judgements, ensuring the most important calls are made correctly and adding a new level of strategy to the sport.
This technology has been tested in the Minor Leagues since 2022, and was implemented in Major League Spring Training last year. The ABS Challenge System monitors the exact location of each pitch, relative to the specific batter’s zone. Each team receives two challenges a game, retaining them if the call is overturned and losing them if the call is confirmed.
The ABS Challenge System can only be used by the batter, the pitcher and the catcher. No one else, not even the manager, may do so. Challenges must be made immediately (roughly within two seconds) after the umpire’s call, without assistance from the dugout or other players.
A Looming Lockout
Every five years, the MLB’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA, for short) expires. On December 1, 2026, the current CBA will expire, raising concerns about a lockout.
If you know anything about baseball, the narrative that the Los Angeles Dodgers are “ruining baseball” with their excessive spending and aggressive, high-profile acquisitions (e.g., Shohei Ohtani) is old news to you. The concern over competitive imbalance is creating conflicts within the MLB, where owners of smaller-market teams — such as the Milwaukee Brewers — just can’t compete with large-market superteams like the Dodgers.
This pay discrepancy has led many team owners to call for a salary cap to limit high spending from large-market teams like the Dodgers, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees. A salary cap system would control player costs, increase franchise values and boost profits, which is why so many owners are in favour of it.
Meanwhile, the MLB Players’ Association is not a fan, calling a salary cap “institutionalized collusion” and the “ultimate restriction” on player earnings. The union argues that caps suppress wages, harm competitive integrity and hurt fans by preventing teams from improving.
The back-and-forth battle over a salary cap is expected to be a major point of contention heading into discussions for the next CBA, with a work stoppage anticipated by fans and players alike.
Special Events
Headlined by the All-Star Week at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, P.A., the 2026 MLB season features numerous marquee special events that make for some must-see TV.
Starting in March, we have a standalone Opening Night matchup between the San Francisco Giants and the Yankees on Mar. 25, followed by a 14-game slate on Mar. 26 — the earliest scheduled traditional Opening Day in MLB history.
In April, MLB’s Mexico City Series returns, featuring two games between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres. The series, set to take place from Apr. 25-26, will mark the third regular-season visit by MLB to Mexico’s capital city.
From May 15-17, MLB’s Rivalry Weekend returns, featuring rivalry matchups including Yankees at Mets, Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox and Dodgers at Los Angeles Angels.
In July, all eyes turn to Citizens Bank Park, where Philadelphia will host the All-Star Week festivities. These include the Futures Game (Jul. 12), Home Run Derby (Jul. 13) and the 96th All-Star Game (Jul. 14).
On August 13, the iconic Field of Dreams Game returns, featuring a matchup between the Minnesota Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies.
On August 23, the Brewers and the Atlanta Braves face off in the annual Little League Classic.
All 30 teams will be in action on Jackie Robinson Day (Apr. 15), Lou Gehrig Day (Jun. 2) and Roberto Clemente Day (Sept. 15), with the Dodgers, Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates all at home for each respective occasion. The Yankees will also host the Mets from Sept. 11-13 to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
With so much in store for the 2026 MLB season, it’s hard not to be excited for an amazing baseball season on the horizon!