Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles headline ESPN's list of five MLB teams poised for a breakout in 2026. The Braves' projection hinges on improved health after two injury-plagued seasons, with a model pointing to an 11-win improvement from their 80-win baseline. Their path mirrors the Arizona Diamondbacks' recent turnaround from collapse to contention.

For the Orioles, a bounce-back is predicted after a disappointing 2025 campaign. The article defines a breakout as winning at least 10 more games than the previous two-year baseline. Last season saw only three teams meet this mark, below the historical average of 5.1, making 2026's potential surge noteworthy.

Beyond Atlanta and Baltimore, the list includes other clubs with significant upside. Success will depend on key players returning to form and offseason moves paying off. The projections give the Braves the highest probability at 59%, suggesting their health is the single biggest variable for their 2026 season.