The MLB season "kicks off" tonight with the Dodgers and Padres, but gets into full swing on Monday. With that, here are my division breakdowns, along with award and playoff predictions.
Boston Red Sox: 94-68
Tampa Bay Rays: 93-69 (Wild Card #1)
New York Yankees: 88-74
Baltimore Orioles: 86-76
Toronto Blue Jays: 78-84
The AL East should be a tight and interesting race. You have the world series champion Red Sox with Xander Bogaerts now the everyday SS and most of the key pieces returning. The Rays are also gearing for a run by keeping David Price in the fold. The Yankees of course spent big, and the Orioles made a pair of late acquisitions. Down the stretch though I see the division coming down between the Red Sox and Rays, with the Red Sox just edging it out in the end.
Kansas City Royals: 91-71
Detroit Tigers: 90-72 (Wild Card #2)
Cleveland Indians: 87-75
Chicago White Sox: 73-89
Minnesota Twins: 69-93
I see a bit of a shakeup with the AL Central this year. The Tigers got Ian Kinsler while unloading Prince Fielder's contract, but made a puzzling move of dealing Doug Fister, not receiving much in return. They also have a big question-mark at SS without Jose Iglesias due to injuries. The Indians, losing Ubaldo Jimenez, could also take a step back. I see a young Royals team with James Shields in his last guaranteed year with Kansas City. taking them to the playoffs.
Texas Rangers: 92-70
Oakland Athletics: 90-72
Los Angeles Angels: 84-78
Seattle Mariners: 77-84
Houston Astros: 58-104\
The AL West race will be one to watch early, as the Rangers and A's will both be dealing with pitching injuries. Rangers will also be without their starting SS and C until June at the earliest, so it'll be key for them to weather the storm. The Angels should see added production from Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton, but their pitching could be suspect. And the Mariners need more than Cano to be a playoff threat. I see the Rangers being able to withstand the A's with their powerful lineup.
AL Wildcard Game:
Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Through a tiebreak or play-in, I see the Tigers getting the 2nd wildcard slot over the A's. I'd like the Tigers lineup in this game. Tigers.
ALDS:
Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox
A rematch of last year's ALCS. With the Tigers taking a step back this year, I'd like the Red Sox to take this series. Red Sox in 4
Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers
This would make for an interesting series, with a Rangers lineup used to the playoffs against a young Royals team. I think that experience would pay off here. Rangers in 3
ALCS:
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers
This ALCS would be a slugfest, with the Red Sox pitching against a top Rangers lineup. I think this series would go the distance, with the Rangers heading to another world series. Rangers in 7
AL Cy Young:
Chris Sale (CWS)
AL Rookie of the Year:
Xander Bogaerts (BOS)
AL MVP:
Mike Trout (LAA)
AL Comeback Player of the Year:
Grady Sizemore (BOS)
AL Manager of the Year:
Ned Yost (KC)
Washington Nationals: 94-68
Atlanta Braves: 89-73 (Wild Card #2)
New York Mets: 76-86
Miami Marlins: 72-90
Philadelphia Phillies: 69-93
The NL East race has seen a bit of a turn during the offseason, as the tommy-john bug has bit the Braves, causing them to have to sign Ervin Santana. Meanwhile, a young Nationals team seems poised to repeat what they did in 2012, and forget about a disappointing 2013. I think the Nationals will come together and go on a deep October run.
St. Louis Cardinals: 96-66
Pittsburgh Pirates: 91-71 (Wild Card #1)
Cincinnati Reds: 83-79
Milwaukee Brewers: 82-80
Chicago Cubs: 72-90
The Cardinals are just a loaded team, even moreso with an actual SS now in Jhonny Peralta. The Pirates will see their outfield come to fruition with the eventual call-up of Gregory Polanco. Much like last year, I see the Cardinals taking the division, with the Pirates again getting that wild-card.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 90-72
San Francsico Giants: 88-84
San Diego Padres: 84-78
Colorado Rockies: 81-81
Arizona Diamondbacks: 79-83
I see the NL West being a surprisingly close and bunched up race. The Dodgers didn't spend as much as they have in the past, but did lock up Clayton Kershaw. Meanwhile, the Giants added Tim Hudson, and the Rockies had a puzzling offseason in terms of their moves. In the end though, I see the Dodgers taking the division.
NL Wildcard Game:
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Atlanta Braves
An interesting match-up, but I see a motivated Pirates team again reaching the NLDS. Pirates
NLDS:
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals
A repeat of last year's NLDS match-up. While both teams are young, I see a repeat of last year's final result. Cardinals in 5
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals
I think the Nationals are more balanced than the Dodgers with a deeper lineup. Nationals in 4
NLCS:
Washington Nationals vs. St.Louis Cardinals
This would be a fun NLCS match-up, with both teams pitching being fairly even. I just think the Nationals are ready to take that next step. Nationals in 6
NL Cy Young:
Jose Fernandez (MIA)
NL MVP:
Bryce Harper (WAS)
NL Comeback Player of the Year:
Brian Wilson (LAD)
NL Rookie of the Year:
Gregory Polanco (PIT)
NL Manager of the Year:
Matt Williams (WAS)
World Series:
Texas Rangers vs. Washington Nationals
A series that could see Yu Darvish vs. Stephen Strasburg, this would be an interesting match-up. Both teams seem to have even line-ups and depth, but I think the Nationals have a deeper pitching depth that would give them the edge. Nationals in 6
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