Which pitcher will throw MLB's next no-hitter? Predicting who makes history in 2026 - CBS Sports

No-hitters are as much about timing and context as raw talent, and 2026 has delivered near-misses that sharpen the question of who will join baseball’s elite. Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers fired a 95-pitch shutout, allowing one hit with 15 strikeouts, signaling he can reach nine innings in a dominant performance. The following day, Yoshinobu Yamamoto carried a perfect game into the eighth and a no-hitter into the ninth, underscoring his ability to suppress elite lineups in pressure moments. The discussion centers on a mix of accruals and veterans, though this piece excludes combined no-hitters as less compelling. The last real no-hitter occurred on Aug. 2, 2024, when Blake Snell handled the Reds.

Among top contenders, Yamamoto’s recent form stands out, boasting a 1.01 ERA in his last five starts and extending the eighth inning in consecutive outings. Cristopher Sánchez has also drawn attention with a long run of zeroes and a 56.8% groundball rate, suggesting a repeatable path to nine innings. Tarik Skubal, returning from elbow surgery, has shown flashes of his old efficiency, including a two-hit shutout last season. Paul Skenes, the 2025 NL Cy Young winner, has faced late-inning challenges, failing to go more than six innings in his last several starts and routinely exceeding 100 pitches.