Spring is in the air. The school year is nearing the home stretch. It's almost playoff time in the NHL and NBA. Brackets are being filled out (and busted) left and right. There's an argument to be made that March is the greatest sports month of the year. Another case for that argument is the start of the baseball season. Opening Day is today (yeah, I'm a little late), and baseball fever is high. Time for moonshots, nasty strikeouts, heads up plays, diving catches, and seventh inning stretches. Baseball season is here! I'll go over my predictions for the 2019 MLB season.
AL East
1. Boston Red Sox - The defending champs won't win 108 games again, but the only real question mark on this talented team is the bullpen.
2. (1st WC) New York Yankees - The Bronx Bombers have a stacked lineup and a loaded bullpen, but there are injury issues in the rotation.
3. Tampa Bay Rays - The unconventional Rays are perpetually underrated, but they don't have the talent that the big-money Red Sox and Yankees have.
4. Toronto Blue Jays - The biggest baseball storyline in Canada this year will be the arrival of top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
5. Baltimore Orioles - Can you name somebody who currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles?
The American League East is home to the defending World Series champions (Boston), the richest team in baseball (New York), a revolutionary concept (Tampa Bay's "opener"), Major League Baseball's top prospect (Vlad Guerrero Jr.), and one of the worst teams in baseball (Baltimore).
With a lethal offense led by Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, and a rotation paced by Chris Sale and David Price, I think the Red Sox are the team to beat in the East. They won't repeat their league-best 108-54 record from last season, and they will have to fend off their arch rivals, but I think the Sox will take the AL East again.
The Yankees won 100 games last season, but still didn't win the division. I predict a similar fate in 2019. New York has the best bullpen in baseball, anchored by Dellin Betances, Aroldis Chapman, Adam Ottavino, and Zack Britton (who changed his name from Zach Britton this offseason). The lineup features the powerful pair of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. The rotation, however, has been hit by injury. Ace Luis Severino and veteran C.C. Sabathia will not be ready for opening day. The starting rotation will be the key in the Bronx this season.
The Rays won 90 games last year using the "opener" strategy (starting a reliever and bringing in a "starter" a couple innings in). It is meant to limit the number of times a lineup sees the same pitcher. Despite deploying the strategy quite often, the Rays didn't use it for Blake Snell, who won the AL Cy Young award. Manager Kevin Cash also mixes and matches his lineup based on matchup. While the success of the offense will depend on how well some young, unproven players perform, the biggest x-factor for Tampa in 2019 will be the play of the pitching staff. The savvy Rays shouldn't be overlooked, but it'll be hard for them to overcome the talent of Boston and New York.
Toronto has fallen a long way from the exciting playoff team it was a few years ago. Gone are the likes of Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista and Troy Tulowitzki. The 2019 Blue Jays will be counting on a combination of middling veterans and unproven young players. There are several players on this roster looking to bounce back from rough seasons, including starters Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez. The Blue Jays likely won't make the postseason this year, but 2019 will be important in regards to their future.
If you think the Blue Jays have fallen far in the past couple of years, take a look at the Orioles. They were 47-115 (!!!) last season, Gone are manager Buck Showalter and GM Dan Duquette. Gone are Zach Britton, Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Jonathan Schoop. The only real recognizable names from Baltimore's 2016 playoff team are Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo, who have both regressed dramatically since then (in Davis' case, he's fallen off a cliff). The good news for new manager Brandon Hyde and the Birds is that it will be hard for them to be worse than last season. They have several young guys hoping for a crack at the big leagues, and their rotation, led by Alex Cobb, Dylan Bundy and Andrew Cashner, could be worse. The Baltimore Orioles aren't sniffing the playoffs in 2019, but they should at least be better than they were in 2018.
AL Central
Cleveland Indians - Cleveland seems to be at a crossroads, but the Indians still have the most talent in the AL Central.
Minnesota Twins - With a new manager (Rocco Baldelli) and several intriguing young players, the Twins could give the Tribe a run for their money.
Chicago White Sox - Despite failed pursuits of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, this team could surprise if some talented youngsters break out.
Kansas City Royals - If speed kills, then this is the most lethal team in Major League Baseball, but you need more than speed to get to the playoffs.
Detroit Tigers - Miguel Cabrera is the lone remaining reminder of an era that seemed so long ago.
The American League Central has been controlled by the Cleveland Indians of late, but with Cleveland looking more vulnerable than ever (and the Twins, White Sox and Royals all making improvements), things could be different in 2019.
Two years ago, the Cleveland Indians held a 3-1 series lead over the Chicago Cubs in the World Series. The Tribe would lose in seven games. This Cleveland team looks vastly different from that fun 2016 team. The Indians got rid of former key contributors like Edwin Encarnacion, Michael Brantley and Yan Gomes, and there were even rumblings of a Corey Kluber trade this offseason (that never materialized). The only impact acquisition they made this past winter was bringing back Carlos Santana. To add insult to injury, superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor will miss the start of the season due to a sprained calf. Despite all of that, this is still the team to beat in the division. The lineup still features two elite players (Lindor and Jose Ramirez), and the rotation is still locked and loaded. The deep staff of pitchers includes former Cy Young winner Kluber, lightning rod Trevor Bauer, and the underrated Carlos Carrasco, who could all be number one starters for other teams. Cleveland won't be as dominant this season, but with multiple MVP candidates and a deep and talented starting rotation, the Tribe should be able to take the Central again.
After a surprise 2017 campaign that ended in a playoff appearance, the Twins took a step back last year. That resulted in Minnesota moving on from manager Paul Moliter and on to Rocco Baldelli. The Twins also brought in multiple veterans, Jonathan Schoop, C.J. Cron, Nelson Cruz and Marwin Gonzalez. Schoop will be looking to bounce back from a rough 2018, as will franchise cornerstones Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano (who will miss at least the first month due to injury). Led by young All-Star Jose Berrios, the rotation has upside. Depending on how things go, I could see the Twins overtaking Cleveland. At the very least, they'll challenge for the division crown.
There was a lot of noise coming out of South Chicago this offseason involving Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, but neither ended up in a White Sox uniform. Veterans Jon Jay and Yonder Alonso did end up in White Sox uniforms, as did starters Ivan Nova and Ervin Santana and relievers Kelvin Herrera and Alex Colome. Add that to arguably the best DH in the American League (Jose Abreu) and some really young players with high potential (such as Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez), and the White Sox should be a lot better. However, they probably won't be in the playoff race this year.
If nothing else, the Kansas City Royals will have the fastest lineup in baseball this season. Whit Merrifield is the reigning stolen base champ (45 in 2018), and Kansas City also rosters speed demons like Adalberto Mondesi (32 stolen bases last season), Billy Hamilton (34), and Terrance Gore. Aside from speed, though, this is a weak team. The rotation doesn't inspire much confidence, and the roster in general is very young in inexperience. While the basepaths might be exciting to watch in Kansas City this year, the rest of the team might not.
It wasn't too long ago when the Detroit Tigers were the toast of the AL Central. But now, they're competing to stay out of the cellar. Coming off two straight 98-loss seasons, the Tigers won't be a whole lot better in 2019. Other than Nicholas Castellanos and Miguel Cabrera (and free agent pickup Josh Harrison), the lineup is barren. And the pitching staff (which will be without Michael Fulmer this season) is littered with has-beens. This won't be the year Detroit reclaims its glory.
AL West
Houston Astros - It's World Series or bust for the 'Stros, who are seeking their third straight 100-win season.
Oakland Athletics (2nd WC) - The plucky A's will look to follow up their breakout 2018 (97 wins) with a division title in 2019, but it'll be tough.
Los Angeles Angels - The Angels have the best (and now highest-paid) player in baseball, but they have far from the best roster in baseball.
Texas Rangers - The team has some intriguing young players, but they (along with the rotation) will have to all put it together for them to have a chance.
Seattle Mariners - With much of their core gone, the Mariners might be doing more trading than winning in 2019.
The AL West features one surefire World Series contender and a lot of uncertainty beyond that. The A's don't have the most talented roster, but they often seem to make the best out of what they have. The Angels have the best player in baseball, but never seem to be able to surround him with a quality team. The Rangers have a lot of young talent, but that doesn't always lead to many wins, as evidenced by their last-place finish last season. And the Mariners have completely cleaned house. It could be a wild wild West again in 2019.
The Houston Astros return as a World Series favorite once again, with a talented young lineup featuring George Springer, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, among others, and a deep pitching staff headed by Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. Houston lost super utility man Marwin Gonzalez over the winter, but added former Cleveland outfielder Michael Brantley. The team also lost Dallas Keuchel (free agency), Charlie Morton (free agency), and Lance McCullers Jr. (Tommy John surgery), but plugged those holes by bringing Colin McHugh back from the bullpen and signing Wade Miley. The question isn't whether this team can win the AL West (it can, and probably will), it's whether it can win the World Series.
The A's surprised in 2018, winning 97 games and making the playoffs as a Wild Card team. It might be hard to replicate, as they didn't do much to improve their roster this offseason. Their offense is still led by the incredibly consistent Khris Davis, along with corner infielders Matt Olson and Matt Chapman. Their rotation is still made up of a whole that is more than the sum of its parts. And their bullpen is once again strong. They also are awaiting the arrival of top starting pitcher prospect Jesus Lazardo. It'll be a tough ask for the A's to catch the Astros, but they'll try their best.
The Angels made Mike Trout the highest-paid person in baseball history recently, giving him $430 million over 12 years. Hopefully those 12 years won't be wasted on a mediocre team, like the past few years have been. The Angels will once again surround Trout with veterans like Kole Calhoun, Justin Upton and the carcass of Albert Pujols, and will also feature two-way star Shohei Ohtani again, once he returns from Tommy John surgery. The key could be the pitching. The staff has potential, but needs to perform well to keep the Angels in the hunt. Unfortunately, I think the G.O.A.T. will miss the playoffs again in 2019.
The Rangers were the worst team in the AL West last season, and they could be fighting to stay out of the cellar again this year. This team does have the potential to compete for a Wild Card spot, especially with all of the youth in the middle of the lineup (Nomar Mazara, Joey Gallo, Rougned Odor and Ronald Guzman are all under 25). The rotation is a collection of guys who were good at one point in their careers, but have dealt with injuries. The bullpen is anchored by young stud Jose Leclerc, and the Rangers added solid veterans Shawn Kelley and Jesse Chavez to the mix. This team has upside, but too many things have to go right for them to make the postseason.
Trade-happy GM Jerry Dipoto had another busy winter. He knew last year's 89-win total was unlikely to be repeated (the Mariners had a -34 run differential), so he traded core players like Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, James Paxton and Jean Segura, and added players like Edwin Encarnacion, Domingo Santana, Jay Bruce and Hunter Strickland. The lineup, which still has Mitch Haniger and Kyle Seager (once he returns from injury), should be decent, if unspectacular. The rotation no longer has an ace (Felix Hernandez is well past his prime), but it will be interesting to watch Japanese import Yusei Kikuchi and top prospect Justus Sheffield pitch. At the very least, Mariner fans can say that their team is currently the best team in Major League Baseball (2-0).
NL East
Philadelphia Phillies - The team that wins the offseason doesn't always win the regular season, but there is just too much talent for them not to succeed.
Atlanta Braves (1st WC) - The reigning division champions will only get better, and it'll make for a fun battle atop the East.
Washington Nationals (2nd WC) - Even after losing Bryce Harper, Washington still has the talent to contend for the division.
New York Mets - There are four teams with a chance to take this division, and the Mets just happen to be the fourth.
Miami Marlins - It will be a long summer in Miami, especially now that the home run sculpture is gone (R.I.P.).
The NL East features some of the best young teams in baseball and four teams with a legitimate shot at the division. The Phillies had a big winter, signing Bryce Harper and trading for J.T. Realmuto, among other moves. The Braves didn't do nearly as much, but they already have good young players who will only get better. The Nats lost Harper, but didn't lose the rest of their dangerous roster. The Mets still have two of the best pitchers in baseball atop their rotation, and other young studs ready to contribute. And then there's the Marlins.
The Philadelphia Phillies landed the offseason's biggest fish, a $330 million bass named Bryce Harper. They also traded for Realmuto (the best catcher in baseball) and acquired Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura to put at the top of the lineup. The team is pumped full of young talent, including power-hitting first baseman Rhys Hoskins, bat-flipping outfielder Odubel Herrera, and ascending ace Aaron Nola. This is an exciting team on paper, and I think it'll translate to the field.
Speaking of young talent, the Atlanta Braves might have more than any team in baseball. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies burst onto the scene as rookies last season, providing a lift to a lineup headlined by Freddie Freeman (arguable the best hitter in the league). The Braves also added Josh Donaldson, who, along with Nick Markakis, adds a veteran presence to the offense. Number one starter Mike Foltynewicz will start the season on the injured list, but the Braves have plenty of other talented arms, including Julio Teheran, Kevin Gausman, and top prospect Touki Toussaint. The Phillies may have made themselves the favorites, but the defending division champs might have something to say about that.
If the Phillies landed the offseason's big fish, then the Nationals had that fish in the livewell for 10 years and let it go (the fish analogy doesn't work as well from this perspective). Despite losing Harper, Washington still has a deep lineup, which features the likes of Adam Eaton, Trea Turner, Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto, Victor Robles, Brian Dozier, Ryan Zimmerman, and Yan Gomes (okay, I just listed their entire projected lineup). The Nats also have star pitchers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, along with free agent signee Patrick Corbin, and a stocked bullpen. There are still high expectations in D.C., but Washington and high expectations haven't often mixed well.
The City that Never Sleeps won't go quietly in 2019. The lineup features plenty of production, and should get a boost from the returns of Yoenis Cespedes, Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie later in the season. Top prospect Pete Alonso will start the season on the Major League roster, which should also provide a jolt to the lineup. And the strength of the starting rotation (when healthy) is well-documented, with Noah Syndergaard and newly-extended Jacob deGrom leading the way. While I don't think the Mets will end up on top, there are (understandably) many people who do.
The Marlins are the outcasts in the National League East. Derek Jeter's team is in a rebuilding period (and has been for eons, it seems), and it doesn't look like they're anywhere close to being a contender. The Marlins do have some promising young players, including catcher Jose Alfaro, whom they received from Philadelphia in the J.T. Realmuto trade, but this is a team destined for another top-five draft pick next June.
NL Central
Chicago Cubs - They may have had a "disappointing" season in 2018 (despite winning 95 games), but this is still a very talented team.
St. Louis Cardinals - The Cards acquired Paul Goldschmidt this offseason in hopes of returning to the postseason.
Cincinnati Reds - I may be biased, but the Reds could be a dark horse candidate to win the division.
Milwaukee Brewers - Led by NL MVP Christian Yelich, the Brew Crew won the Central last season, but can they do it again?
Pittsburgh Pirates - The Pirates could win 80 games and still finish last in the division.
Welcome to the toughest division in baseball. Any of the five teams in the NL Central could win the division. The Brewers return much of the team that won 96 games last season, and the Cubs return much of the team that won 95. The Cardinals, after a few down years, look poised to get back to the World Series. The Pirates are still hanging around. Heck, even the Reds, who lost 95 games last season, made moves this offseason to substantially improve their team. The 2019 NL Central race will be one to watch.
The Cubs have won over 90 games each of the last four seasons, but after a World Series title two years ago, anything less is seen as a disappointment, including last year's second place finish and early playoff exit. Chicago didn't do much this offseason, but they already had one of the most complete teams in the league. The offense is powered by Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, and the pitching staff includes high-pedigree names such as Jon Lester, Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels, with Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards Jr. and Steve Chisek battening down the bullpen. A few players need to bounce back, but this is the most talented team in the division.
The Cardinals made one of the first major deals of the offseason, trading for Arizona star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. He adds to a solid offense that includes Matt Carpenter and Marcell Ozuna. Number one starter Miles Mikolas had a breakout 2018, and he is supported by Jack Flaherty, Michael Wacha and Adam Wainwright, along with Carlos Martinez (when he returns from injury). The bullpen includes Andrew Miller (who was the best reliever in baseball not too long ago) and flamethrower Alex Reyes. Mike Matheny's team looks primed to be right in the thick of the division race.
The Cincinnati Reds has an eventful and unorthodox offseason. They hired David Bell as manager and were able to poach two highly regarded assistants (Derek Johnson, pitching coach for the Brewers, and Turner Ward, hitting coach for the Dodgers). They pledged to "get the pitching", and they did that, acquiring Tanner Roark, Alex Wood and Sonny Gray in separate trades. They also acquired Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp via trade, adding excitement to a dormant fanbase. There is no questioning that the Reds will be better (and more exciting), but how much better depends on the improvement of a pitching staff that was awful last season, The offense should be good, and the bullpen has talented arms, but to get back to the postseason for the first time in six years, Johnson will have to work the magic he worked in Milwaukee last year in the starting rotation. It's possible.
The Brewers have a poweful offense led by MVP Christian Yelich, but they lost a well-regarded pitching coach that got the most out of a rotation that, on paper, isn't imposing. We'll see if the likes of Jhoulys Chacin, Chase Anderson and Jimmy Nelson can repeat last season's success, because they'll have to to repeat as division champions.
The Pirates have a skilled rotation led by Jameson Taillon and Chris Archer, and an offense that includes talented players like Starling Marte, Corey Dickerson and Josh Bell (as well as a bullpen anchored by Felipe Vazquez), but I don't think they quite have the talent to topple the rest of the division. It is a wide open division, though, so they could.
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers - The World Series losers lost some players, but still remain the team to beat.
Colorado Rockies - The thin air and thick lineup should mix well, but, as is the question every year, will they have the pitching?
San Diego Padres - The future is bright with the mixture of Manny Machado and talented prospects, but now is not the future.
San Francisco Giants - After a front office overhaul, this veteran lineup will try to compete.
Arizona Diamondbacks - The Snakes shipped their best player away, so it might be a long summer in the desert.
Not much has changed in the National League West. The Dodgers remain the favorite, and are still seeking that elusive title. The Rockies remain offensively dangerous, but not strong enough in the pitching staff to overtake the Dodgers (on paper, at least). The Giants remain mediocre and veteran-laden. The two big changes are the improvement of the Padres and the deprovement (not a word) of the Diamondbacks.
There won't be a set lineup the Dodgers use this season, but whatever order they use, it will be a difficult lineup to deal with. They may have lost Yasiel Puig (and Matt Kemp), but the Dodgers added A.J. Pollock to a lineup that employs Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Max Muncy, and Cody Bellinger, among others. The pitching staff is still deep, deep enough for them to trade lefty Alex Wood to the Reds in December. Ace Clayton Kershaw will miss the start of the season due to injury, but they should be fine without him. L.A. is still the team to beat in the NL West.
Colorado returns a lineup that packs a punch and features one of the best players in baseball, third baseman Nolan Arenado (whom the Rockies signed to an extension this offseason). Some younger players will need to step up as older players decline, but it's still a batting order few pitchers want to face. The bullpen, anchored by Wade Davis, is stout. The rotation has some question marks. German Marquez pitched well last season, but he isn't exactly an ace, and beyond him, their are no completely reliable commodities. Once again, pitching will be the big factor in Coors Field.
The Padres may be the most interesting team to watch out West, as they landed the second biggest fish in free agency (Manny Machado) and have one of the most exciting rookies in baseball (Fernando Tatis Jr.). The lineup is a mix of productive veterans (Machado, Ian Kinsler, Eric Hosmer, Wil Myers) and exciting young players (Tatis, Francisco Mejia, Luis Urias). While the offense could be pretty good (depending on how the young guys play), the rotation could be a problem. I have maybe heard of two or three of the Padres starting pitches, and I don't know much about them aside from the name. The bullpen is also a question mark, with roles unfilled. This will be a very good team in the near future, but probably not in 2019.
The San Francisco Giants have the look of a team that might've been really good if it were a few years ago. Former All-Stars like Evan Longoria, Buster Posey, Drew Pomeranz, and Jeff Samardzija line a roster that hasn't changed much since last year. They still have ace Madison Bumgarner and defensive ace Brandon Crawford, but not much else.
The D-Backs signaled their shift to rebuild mode by trading away star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt this winter and letting ace Patrick Corbin walk. The offense was bad with Goldy, so it might be ugly without him, especially after Steven Souza Jr. was lost for the season. Arizona will count on players like Ketel Marte, Jacob Lamb and David Peralta on offense, which isn't a promising proposition. The pitching staff still has Zack Greinke and Robby Ray, but no part of this team is that impressive. It will be a tough season in Arizona.
Word Series
Astros over Cubs
Award Predictions
AL MVP - Mike Trout, OF, Angels
NL MVP - Juan Soto, OF, Nationals
AL Cy Young - Gerrit Cole, Astros
NL Cy Young - Max Scherzer, Nationals
AL Rookie of the Year - Vlad Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
NL Rookie of the Year - Nick Senzel, Reds
