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Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2023 MLB Season

The Major League Baseball season snuck up on me. It really did. From the success of my New York Knicks, the crazy March Madness results, and everything that was the World Baseball Classic, suddenly opening day was upon us. Truthfully, I wish it were like that all the time. Spring Training, the mundane product it can be at times, can feel like a sludge until games mattered. 

Nonetheless, here we are! 

I'm super interested in the new rules to help move games along. I'm also interested to see how the on-the-field product changes, more so how it becomes more entertaining. The game does need it. 

There's not much else to say in this introduction. I'm happy to dive into the baseball season. As always, below are my wacky predictions and wild guesses for the 2023 MLB season. 

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STANDINGS (WINS)

AL East

Yankees - 93

Orioles - 88

Blue Jays - 87

Rays - 82

Red Sox - 77


AL Central

Guardians - 91

White Sox - 85

Twins - 83

Royals - 74

Tigers - 70


AL West

Astros - 101

Angels - 90

Rangers - 82

Mariners - 81

Athletics - 65


NL East

Phillies - 94

Braves - 91

Mets - 88

Marlins - 77

Nationals: 68


NL Central

Cardinals - 92

Brewers - 90

Cubs - 78

Reds - 78

Pirates: 65


NL West

Padres: 100

Diamondbacks - 87

Giants - 87

Dodgers - 86

Rockies - 70


GOALS/AWARDS/LEADERS


AL Hitting Leaders

Batting Champion: Steven Kwan (.329)

Home Runs: Yordan Alvarez (57)

RBIs: Aaron Judge (121)

On-Base Percentage: Aaron Judge (.410)

Slugging Percentage: Mike Trout (.630)

Stolen Bases: Cedric Mullins (44)


NL Hitting Leaders

Batting Champion: Freddie Freeman (.322)

Home Runs: Kyle Schwarber (49)

RBIs: Manny Machado (123)

On-Base Percentage: Trea Turner (.414)

Slugging Percentage: Trea Turner (.599)

Stolen Bases: Trea Turner (57)


AL Pitching Leaders

ERA: Shohei Ohtani (2.38)

Wins: Framber Valdez (21)

Strikeouts: Gerrit Cole (249)

WHIP: Alex Manoah (0.891)

Saves: Emmanuel Clase (42)


NL Pitching Leaders

ERA: Zach Wheeler (2.89)

Wins: Kyle Wright (19)

Strikeouts: Spencer Strider (231)

WHIP: Julio Urias (0.915)

Saves: Josh Hader (38)


ALL-MLB FIRST TEAM 

C: JT Realmuto 

1B: Paul Goldschmidt

2B: Andres Gimenez

3B: Manny Machado

SS: Trea Turner

OF: Aaron Juge

OF: Mookie Betts

OF: Mike Trout

DH: Shohei Ohtani

SP: Shoehei Ohtani

SP: Gerrit Cole

SP: Dylan Cease

SP: Sandy Alcantara

SP: Max Fried

RP: Emmanuel Clase

RP: Devin Williams


Breakout Stars

AL: Harrison Bader

AL: Austin Hays

NL: Hunter Greene 

NL: O'Neil Cruz (second year in a row here - I think this is the year)


Biggest Names to be Traded

AL: Tim Anderson

AL: Lucas Giolito 

AL: Gleyber Torres

NL: Bryan Reynolds

NL: Joey Votto

NL: Corbin Burnes


10 RANDOM, WILD, OR BOLD PREDICTIONS

  1. Games will be much more fun with the new rules. We'll get to the point where clocks won't matter as they alter behavior, and games feel more fluid. 
  2. Speed becomes a premium attribute with new rules. 
  3. Shohei Ohtani has the most impressive season we've ever seen. 
  4. Mike Trout trade rumors begin after the season is over. 
  5. Trea Turner has a 40/40 season.
  6. Baseball adjusts rules after teams - mainly the Rays - begin using outfielders in shift scenarios.
  7. A game will end with a clock violation - causing massive hysteria (not all that bold of a prediction, really)
  8. Josh Donaldson - somehow - wins over the Yankees fanbase. 
  9. MLB will announce that the Athletics are moving to Las Vegas (unfortunately - sorry, Oakland)
  10. Jacob deGrom makes all 30 of his starts (I know, I'm realllllllly going out there on this one). 


AWARDS

AL Rookie of the Year: Gunnar Henderson (BAL)

NL Rookie of the Year: Jordan Walker (STL)


AL Comeback Player of the Year: Anthony Rendon (LAA)

NL Comeback Player of the Year: Michael Conforto (SD)


AL Cy Young Winner: Shohei Ohtani (LAA)

NL Cy Young Winner: Zach Wheeler (PHI)


AL MVP: Shohei Ohtani (LAA)

NL MVP: Trea Turner (PHI)


WORLD SERIES

World Series: San Diego Padres d. Houston Astros (4-2)

World Series MVP: Manny Machado

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