Jon Heyman The 2026 MLB gifts we stand to lose with an impending lockout By Jon Heyman Published April 2, 2026, 5:21 p.m. ET Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani delivers against the Cleveland Guardians. AP While MLB and the players union ominously build massive war chests in preparation for a seemingly inevitable work stoppage — about $3 billion combined, $2.5B for owners, $500M-plus for players — baseball offered many reasons in its first week back why we’ll miss it if it goes away. And why the sides shouldn’t dare erase games for the first time in 30 years.
Positive momentum continues to build after a wonderful World Baseball Classic followed a classic World Series. And here are five reasons we can’t take our eyes off this game.
The impossibly great Ohtani keeps doing unreal things. He hasn’t really started hitting yet, but Ohtani not only has the longest current scoreless streak as a pitcher (22 ²/₃ innings), he has the longest on-base streak (37 games). It will surprise no one if he wins a clean-player record fifth MVP but he’s shooting to win his first Cy Young award, too. In what qualifies as a bold statement by the greatest player since, at least, Babe Ruth, in spring he said of the Cy Young, “If I can get it, I think that would be wonderful.” Seems impossible. But as one Dodgers person said, “What isn’t possible with Ohtani? I think the de-emphasis on innings now definitely gives him a shot if he’s dominant over 25-26 starts.”
Reds 1B Sal Stewart and Guardians 1B Chase DeLauter, two Ohio mashers, are leading a special group. Cardinals SS J.J. Wetherholt, Mets RF Carson Benge, Tigers SS Kevin McGonigle and Phillies OF Justin Crawford all look like potential stars. And Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter showed he was worth the wait, making good on long-anticipated promise with a shutdown debut. In an extra plus, he seems like a regular guy, having told Philly writers he needed to overcome a Dairy Queen addiction that caused his weight to hit 240 pounds (side note: I’ve also hit my DQ of choice in Pompano Beach, Fla.).
