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Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2018 MLB Season


Last year, baseball fans were extremely lucky. We were treated to baseball as early as the beginning of March with the World Baseball Classic. This, of course, was right off the heels of the always interesting MLB Hot Stove rumors, innuendo, and discussions.  

This year? The hot stove was frozen, and spring training just felt like it lasted forever. But finally - FINALLY!!! - we are here and the it is time for baseball. I can't wait! I'm so pumped up! And this year I have the MLB Package allowing me all the games, all year round. Besides catching more Dodger games like I've become accustomed to (thanks MLB Network!), I might just end up stalking Mike Trout at-bats. 

Regardless, take it all in baseball fans! We survived. It's time...

As tradition goes, here are my annual beginning of the year predictions and wild guesses for the upcoming season. As you can review in the archives, I've been way off on most of these, so take it as such. However, in true baseball fashion, it just means I'm due. 


Standings (Wins)

AL East
Yankees - 92
Red Sox - 91
Blue Jays - 83
Rays - 81
Orioles - 78

AL Central
Indians - 98
Twins - 86
White Sox - 79
Royals - 78
Tigers - 70

AL West
Astros - 94
Angels - 88
Mariners - 85
Athletics - 75

NL East
Nationals: 93
Phillies - 86
Mets - 82
Braves - 77
Marlins - 70

NL Central
Cubs - 93
Cardinals - 89
Brewers - 88
Pirates - 80
Reds - 73

NL West
Giants - 90
Dodgers - 90
Rockies - 86
Diamondbacks - 85
Padres: 80

Goals/Awards/Leaders

AL Hitting Leaders
Average: Mookie Betts (.318)
Home Runs: Giancarlo Stanton (62) - Yeah, I'm going big on this one. 
RBIs: Giancarlo Stanton (134)
Stolen Bases: Dee Gordon (57)

NL Hitting Leaders
Average: Anthony Rizzo (.334)
Home Runs: Marcell Ozuna (41)
RBIs: Bryce Harper (115)
Stolen Bases: Billy Hamilton (61)

AL Pitching Leaders
ERA: Justin Verlander (3.02)
Wins: Chris Sale (19)
Strikeouts: Chris Sale (299)
Saves: Aroldis Chapman (36)

NL Pitching Leaders
ERA: Max Scherzer (2.63)
Wins: Max Scherzer (21)
Strikeouts: Noah Syndergaard (287)
Saves: Corey Knebel (41)

Breakout Stars

 AL: Byron Buxton
AL: Matt Chapman
NL: Ryan McMahon
NL: Carlos Santana

Biggest Names to be Traded 

 AL: Manny Machado (White Sox)
AL: Zach Britton (Indians)
AL: Chris Archer (Dodgers)

NL: Joey Votto (Cardinals)
NL: JT Realmuto (Angels)
NL: Matt Harvey (Brewers)

Awards

All-Star Game MVP - Bryce Harper

AL Rookie of the Year: Dustin Fowler

NL Rookie of the Year: Ronald Acuna

AL Comeback Player of the Year: Andrew Heaney

NL Comeback Player of the Year: Matt Kemp

AL Cy Young Winner: Justin Verlander

NL Cy Young Winner: Max Scherzer

AL MVP: Mike Trout - Hard to bet against this guy

NL MVP: Nolan Arenado

Playoffs

AL Wildcard: Angels d. Red Sox
NL Wildcard: Dodgers d. Cardinals

ALDS: Indians d. Angels
ALDS: Astros d. Yankees
NLDS: Nationals d. Dodgers
NLDS: Cubs d. Giants

ALCS: Indians d. Astros
NLCS: Cubs d. Nationals

World Series: Cubs d. Indians

World Series MVP: Wilson Contreras
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