Inside the 2026 MLB Spring Training Showdowns That Could Make or Break Fantasy Baseball Titles

Prediction: The only member of this battle who still has options, Tong has no chance of making the rotation. He will return to the minors, and if everyone is healthy, the Mets will open 2026 with a six-man rotation. These things have a way of working themselves out, and the guess here is that one of the four 30-somethings will open the season on the IL.

Baltimore Orioles SP 4/5: Shane Baz vs. Zach Eflin vs. Dean Kremer

By signing Chris Bassitt, the Orioles created a logjam at the back of their rotation. Every pitcher in this battle has warts. Baz had a 4.87 ERA last season and is the only contender who has minor league options. Eflin made just 14 starts in 2025, making him the biggest injury risk of the group, but he didn’t get $10 million from the Orioles to work out of the bullpen. Kremer has the least upside but has made more than 20 starts while logging an ERA under 4.20 in each of the past four seasons. Tyler Wells is a dark horse in this race. The 31-year-old could make a case that he’s the best pitcher of the bunch (career 3.98 ERA, 1.03 WHIP), but he has options remaining, was limited by injury to seven starts over 2024-25 and has the smallest contract of the group.