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