MLB Prediction Time

Let's widen that lens and look at the entire league for a minute.

We are a mere two days away from an Opening Day that could have potentially been a lot farther away if not for a breakthrough in those CBA negotiations about a month ago. They came to a deal, spring training started and it flew by. Now we’re ready for the regular season. Almost all of the free agents signed. Almost all of the trades were made. There’s still some movement to be had early in the year probably with guys like Frankie Montas and Michael Conforto in addition to potentially some others, but there’s no time like now to start predicting.

The Standings

Let’s go division by division.

AL Central

I wanted to give the Royals 10 more wins and the White Sox three more losses, but I just couldn’t find it in me. The White Sox are starting to get bit by the injury bug, but I think they’re good enough to overcome it and ultimately win the division relatively easily. That said, I believe that any of the other four teams could make a surprise run. The Tigers have the young pitching and have spent a bit. Plus, they’re starting the year with Spencer Torkelson on the roster and will get Riley Greene once he comes back from his fractured foot. I just like what they’re building. Like the Royals, I think they’re a year away from being a real problem, but things happen fast. The Guardians can always pitch and the Twins have put together a solid roster, but they either need a young arm or two to step up or another legitimate starting pitcher or two before I believe they’ll get the high-80s/low-90s in wins to take the division.

AL East

I believe in the Blue Jays here. I love their rotation, their bullpen is solid and their lineup is super deep. I think it’s fair to be concerned about George Springer staying on the field, but adding Matt Chapman boosts the defense quite a bit and they’ve got Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. who is simply one of the best hitters in the game. But it’s a tough division. The Rays are going to be good again. It wouldn’t surprise me if they get to 100 wins and take the division. They can hit and they can pitch and they can field it. Then there are the Yankees and Red Sox who are both excellent in some areas but just incomplete elsewhere. They also have 90+ win potential. The division is scary. And the Orioles exist, so good for them.

AL West

What the Mariners did this offseason is impressive. Getting Robbie Ray for the top of the rotation has a chance to put them over the top. Their rotation, though, will rely on young arms and those can be inconsistent as we know all too well. I love what they’ve done with the lineup and putting Julio Rodriguez on the roster from day one will help. But I just think the Astros are a bit too good with Justin Verlander looking as good as he has in the spring. No, they’re not quite as complete as they once were, but they’ve still got a pretty deep rotation and a good offense. The bullpen could be their undoing, but I’m still going with them to win the division. I think the Angels are always a threat because of their stars, but also always disappointing because of what they supplement their stars with on the roster. And the Rangers, while they spent a boatload of money, are probably still not quite there, though they’ll be a lot better. The A’s aren’t quite as hapless as the Orioles, but they’re probably not going to be far, especially once they move Montas.

NL Central

I just love the Brewers. Their pitching staff is bonkers and I think they’ll hit more. A full year of Willy Adames will help. A healthy Christian Yelich will help. Hunter Renfroe is a nice replacement for Avisail Garcia. But ultimately they don’t have to be great offensively because they’ve got three Cy Young candidates in their rotation and two of the best relievers in baseball at the back end. That spells trouble for the Cardinals without Jack Flaherty for a bit at the start. I think they’re a solid team, but they just have too many holes to overcome them and they’ll finish on the outside looking in. The Cubs won’t be terrible, but they won’t be good. The Reds just won’t be good. But nobody will be as not good as the Pirates.

NL East

The Braves, I believe, got better. I think they’ll hit and hit a lot and that’s without Ronald Acuña Jr. who won’t even be back until May probably. Their bullpen is one of the best in baseball and their rotation is fantastic without even adding anyone. I just think they’re the class of the division. Yes, the Mets did a lot, but with deGrom out for a bit and Scherzer already feeling that hamstring, I had to knock them down a couple wins. I still think they’re a good team. They’ve got solid rotation depth and a solid offense, but they’re just not as good as the Braves. I want to like the Phillies, I really do, but I’m not convinced they’ll be able to catch the ball or protect a lead. Maybe the 2015 Royals fan is showing in me, but those two things seem pretty important. I also like what the Marlins have done with all that pitching. They could really outperform my prediction, but I think they need more offense to get over the hump. And the Nationals, well, congrats on the World Series a couple years ago and having Juan Soto.

NL West

I think the Dodgers are the best team in baseball and will prove that again while the Giants take what seems like a huge step back, but still are a playoff team. I just think everything went right for them last season. They’re a good team, but just not good enough to overtake the Dodgers again. That Dodgers lineup is just so deep and even though the rotation isn’t quite as impressive as it once was, they always seem to get it done. I could also see the Padres getting as high as the mid-90s, but ultimately I just settled on the 84 for them because there’s just a lot going on there. The Rockies are going to have the quintessential Rockies season. They’ll probably have like a 23-8 stretch and then like a 14-39 stretch. The Diamondbacks are not good and won’t be good. I think they have a decent plan in place, but it’s just going to take a couple years to get there.

The Playoffs

American League

Wild Card

Yankees over White Sox in 3
Rays over Mariners in 2

ALDS

Blue Jays over Yankees in 4
Rays over Astros in 5

ALCS

Blue Jays over Rays in 6

National League

Wild Card

Brewers over Padres in 2
Mets over Giants in 3

NLDS

Brewers over Dodgers in 5
Braves over Mets in 4

NLCS

Brewers over Braves in 6

World Series

Brewers over Blue Jays in 6

The playoffs are a crapshoot. I think pitching wins the day in the end.

Awards

MVPs

AL - Vladmir Guerrero, Jr.
NL - Trea Turner

Cy Youngs

AL - Gerritt Cole
NL - Walker Buehler

Rookies of the Year

AL - Bobby Witt Jr.
NL - Bryson Stott

Managers of the Year

AL - Charlie Montoyo
NL - Craig Counsell

So that’s it. You don’t have to watch baseball this year because I’ve told you everything that will happen. Enjoy that summer. But please, do watch baseball and do read Inside the Crown because if there’s one thing I can guarantee in these predictions, it’s that I’ll be wrong on a lot.

Give me your predictions in the comments, friends. And don’t forget to share to make sure your friends are subscribed by Opening Day to be entered to win those awesome glasses!