Roger Arrieta
I never thought we’d get here, but Opening Day is upon us! Let’s start it off the right way with predictions for the divisions, awards, and World Series.
Starting in the American League:
AL MVP: Rafael Devers-Red Sox
AL Cy Young: Shane Bieber-Guardians
AL ROY: Spencer Torkelson-Tigers
AL MOY: Scott Servais-Mariners
AL East
- Blue Jays
- Red Sox
- Rays
- Yankees
- Orioles
The AL East might be the best division in all of sports. The Jays, Sox, and Rays could all win close to 100 games and I would not be surprised in the slightest. However, I’m only predicting this division to have two of the wildcard teams, not all three. More on that later.
AL Central
- Chicago White Sox
- Cleveland Guardians
- Minnesota Twins
- Detroit Tigers
- Kansas City Royals
This division is weird. Just as easily as I could see the Sox being the only relevant team, I could also see any of my 2-4 making a push for a wild card spot. The Detroit Tigers are going to be the most fun 4th place team in all of baseball. From Spencer Torkelson, to Casey Mize, there’s young talent all over the diamond for them. Just not quite ready to contend for a playoff spot in my opinion.
AL West
- Houston Astros
- Seattle Mariners
- Anaheim Angels
- Texas Rangers
- Oakland Athletics
Deciding between first and second in this division was the hardest for me. I love the moves the Mariners made this offseason, and I don’t see a world where they miss the playoffs, barring major injuries. However, despite losing Carlos Correa, the Astros still have a loaded lineup, and retained Verlander.
AL Playoff Teams
- Blue Jays
- White Sox
- Astros
- Red Sox-WC
- Rays-WC
- Mariners-WC
Onto the National League
NL MVP: Juan Soto-Nationals
NL Cy Young:Walker Buehler-Dodgers (duh)
NL ROY:Oneil Cruz-Pirates
NL MOY: Joe Girardi-Phillies
NL East
- Atlanta Braves
- New York Mets
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Washington Nationals
- Miami Marlins
The NL East has quietly become a loaded division. Despite losing Freddie Freeman, the Braves managed to maybe even get better than their team that won it all last season. Steve Cohen and the Mets made major upgrades, and the Phillies have a stacked lineup as well. This division is going to potentially provide three playoff teams.
NL Central
- Brewers
- Cardinals
- Cubs
- Pirates
- Reds
This is the worst division in baseball in my opinion, and I think the Brewers are gonna go to town on the other teams. I can see a world where the Cardinals make things interesting, but I’m not sure of it.
NL West
- Dodgers (duh)
- Padres
- Giants
- Rockies
- Diamondbacks
If the Dodgers don’t dominate their way to a 9th division title in 10 years, I’ll be shocked, and that’s not just the die hard fan in me. The Giants in third probably sticks out like a sore thumb. But I find it hard to believe that those players follow up career years with more production. I think the Padres bounce back after a really down year last year.
NL Playoff Teams:
- Dodgers
- Brewers
- Braves
- Phillies
- Mets
- Padres
World Series Prediction
This is probably the most obvious prediction ever, but I like the Dodgers to come out of the NL. If they don’t it would be a colossal failure. Everyone loves the Blue Jays to come out of the AL, and I’m right there with them.
Dodgers vs Blue Jays in the World Series, with the Dodgers fending off the young Jays in six games. World Series MVP: Trea Turner.
There you have it. Enough of predictions. Let’s Play Ball!
