Opening Day is tomorrow already! Wow time flies. Time for the annual MLB Season Predictions! The Houston Astros enter this season once again as the favorites to win the World Series at (+500). They are looking to become the first team to win back-to-back World Series’ since the 2000 Yankees. The Philadelphia Phillies made a surprise run to the World Series in their first playoff appearance since 2011. The Phillies had finished 87-75, good for the very last playoff spot in the National League and made the World Series! Got to love the unpredictability of the MLB Playoffs (besides the Astros making the ALCS every year). Now, let’s hope for a injury-free and exciting season of baseball. Play Ball!
Division Predictions
AL East: The American League East was arguably the best division in baseball last season. Every team finished above .500 except the Red Sox narrowly missing out on .500. It is hard to see the Yankees not claiming the AL East with their lineup and a healthy rotation. The Blue Jays could definitely make a run for the Yanks money in this division though.
1st – New York Yankees (+130)
2nd - Toronto Blue Jays
3rd – Tampa Bay Rays
4th – Boston Red Sox
5th – Baltimore Orioles
AL Central: The AL Central is always an awkward division. The White Sox were a surprising disappointment this past season finishing 81-81, we expected more out of them. I think the Twins are very overlooked and could take the AL Central crown this year. Now making noise in the playoffs is a different story.
1st – Minnesota Twins (+180)
2nd – Cleveland Guardians
3rd – Chicago White Sox
4th – Detroit Tigers
5th – Kansas City Royals
AL West: Death, taxes, and the Houston Astros running away with the AL West crown. There is not much to say here, we know the Astros will be back and ready to defend their title. The Oakland A’s tanking job continues to be in full effect until they move to Las Vegas. A poorly run organization.
1st – Houston Astros (-185)
2nd – Seattle Mariners
3rd – Texas Rangers
4th – Anaheim Angels
5th – Oakland Athletics
NL East: The NL East was a rollercoaster last season. The New York Mets had cruised to a comfortable lead in the division for most of the season until they hit a slump. The Braves came roaring back to snatch the division title from the Mets, but it was the 3rd place Phillies who made the most noise in the postseason! Look for a surprise team from this division to snatch a Wild Card spot…
1st – Atlanta Braves (+100)
2nd – Miami Marlins
3rd – New York Mets
4th – Philadelphia Phillies
5th – Washington Nationals
NL Central: The NL Central has essentially been a battle between the Cardinals and the Brewers for quite some time now. But unfortunately, neither has made any noise in the postseason during that time. Will this be the year that changes?
1st – St. Louis Cardinals (-130)
2nd – Milwaukee Brewers
3rd – Chicago Cubs
4th – Pittsburgh Pirates
5th – Cincinnati Reds
NL West: The Dodgers presumably destroyed all competition in the regular season earning 111 wins in 162 games, but the postseason is when it matters most! The Dodgers lost in the first round of the playoffs to the short-handed San Diego Padres. The best team on paper doesn’t always win in the postseason!
1st – Los Angeles Dodgers (-125)
2nd – San Diego Padres
3rd – Arizona Diamondbacks
4th – San Francisco Giants
5th – Colorado Rockies
World Series Prediction
San Diego Padres def. Houston Astros (6 games)
I may have picked the Dodgers to win the NL West, but the Padres (+1000) are my pick to go deep in the postseason. They got a taste of the postseason last year, being only 2 games from advancing to the World Series. They also didn’t have a full healthy team. Now add Tatis and Xander Bogaerts to last year’s lineup, that’s what this year’s lineup will be. Ridiculous. They have an incredible pitching rotation with a top closer, potentially the best lineup in baseball, and a manager who is capable of coaching a team full of All-Stars.
Player Awards
AL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Anaheim Angels. (+190)
Ohtani is the face of baseball globally and there is no doubt about that. Fresh off a World Baseball Classic championship and a historic performance throughout the tournament, Ohtani looks to lead the Angels to their first playoff appearance since 2014. Baseball needs Ohtani and Trout in the postseason!
NL MVP: Juan Soto, San Diego Padres. (+550)
Soto has finally left the Nationals, secured the bag he long wanted, and now begins his first full season in San Diego. I believe this will be Soto’s best season yet. With one of the best rosters in baseball, Soto has a chance to hit mammoth numbers. He also has something to prove considering he is probably going to sign a $500 million extension at some point this year.
AL Cy Young: Gerrit Cole (+700)
Cole is one of the few healthy pitchers in the Yanks starting rotation at the moment. He knows the pressure is on, especially considering he didn’t have his best season last year. With the money Cole is making I expect him to become the league’s best pitcher this year. I also like his +700 value.
NL Cy Young: Spencer Strider (+1000)
Strider looked incredible as a rookie last year finishing with a 2.67 ERA in 31 starts. In 3 Spring Training starts this March, Strider has a 1.69 ERA. Strider will be the ace on a team that is a World Series favorite. The Braves and Strider ran into a red-hot Phillies team last October, I expect them to bounce back with an NLCS appearance. A Padres-Braves NLCS would be one for the books.
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