One week of baseball doesn't tell you everything — but it tells you something. The 2026 MLB season is underway and a few early storylines are already worth paying attention to, especially if you're making picks in a Survivor Pool or Confidence Race on Crystal Ball Picks.
Let's break down the early surprises.
The Pleasant Surprise: Miami Marlins (5-1)
Nobody had the Marlins penciled in as one of the hottest teams in baseball to start the year. Miami has been a rebuilding story for a while now, and yet here they are sitting at 5-1 and leading the NL East alongside Atlanta.
Is it sustainable? Probably too early to say. But the Marlins have been a sneaky solid pick this week, and if you haven't used them in your Survivor Pool yet, they might still have some value while they're riding this wave.
Survivor Pool note: Don't burn Miami too quickly — save them for a week when you really need a reliable pick and the matchup lines up.
The Ugly Start: Boston Red Sox (1-5)
Boston came into 2026 with real playoff expectations. The roster looked strong on paper, the fan base was buzzing, and most predictions had them competing for the AL East. One week in, they sit at 1-5 and near the bottom of the division.
Early-season struggles happen to good teams all the time in baseball — the sample size is tiny. But if you were planning to lean on the Red Sox in your Survivor Pool, you might want to hold off and let them find their footing first.
Confidence Race tip: Until Boston shows some consistency, they're a low-confidence pick. Let the standings tell you when they've turned it around.
Flying Under the Radar: Milwaukee Brewers (5-1)
The Brewers rarely get the national attention they deserve, and 2026 is starting the same way. Milwaukee is 5-1 and sitting alone atop the NL Central. They've been doing it the Brewers way — solid pitching, disciplined at-bats, and making the most of every opportunity.
The Brewers are one of those teams that's genuinely undervalued in pick'em apps because casual fans overlook them. That makes them a smart Survivor Pool pick — fewer people burning them early means more value for you.
The Standings at a Glance
One week in, the teams with the best records across both leagues:
- NY Yankees (5-1) — no surprise here
- Houston Astros (5-2) — business as usual in the AL West
- Miami Marlins (5-1) — the week's biggest surprise
- Atlanta Braves (5-2) — right where most expected them
- Milwaukee Brewers (5-1) — quietly rolling
Make Your Picks on Crystal Ball Picks
These early standings matter for your Survivor Pool strategy. The teams you thought were locks might be cooling off, and the teams you ignored might be your best bet this week.
Jump into a public Survivor Pool or set one up with your group — the season is young and there's still plenty of time to make your run.
Check back each week for updated picks, standings breakdowns, and strategy tips as the 2026 MLB season heats up.