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| Credit: Jason Hanna/Kansas City Royals |
Is there anything "wild" that I can produce in this post that will shock the ever-existence that is this 2020 calendar year? I doubt it. However, let's not forget my amazing pick of Nationals over Astros in the World Series last year. Yup, I nailed it. I'll forever hold onto that one.
But, as always, in the spirit of fun, I'm going to try. Because despite the raging fire that is in the backdrop of 2020 (COVID, social unrest, economy, unemployment, violence - take your pick), we're at least going to get some baseball.
Do we deserve it? Not at all. I wholeheartedly agree with Sean Doolittle when he said that "Sports are like a reward for a functional society", and quite frankly, in my heart of hearts, we just don't deserve sports. Just my honest opinion. Not the way we've "come together" as a nation to combat this virus. Not at all.
Regardless, we NEED the distraction. We NEED some fun. I NEED some bat flips. I NEED some swing and misses. We may not deserve it, but we need it. Desperately. Give me baseball.
With all of that said in wacky 2020 introduction, here is me looking into my crystal ball for 2020:
Standings (Wins)
AL East
Yankees - 34
Rays - 33
Blue Jays - 29
Red Sox - 26
Orioles - 17
AL Central
Twins - 35
White Sox - 31
Indians - 30
Royals - 27
Tigers - 20
AL West
Astros - 36
Athletics - 29
Angels - 27
Rangers - 25
Mariners - 23
NL East
Braves: 35
Nationals: 33
Mets: 31
Phillies - 30
Marlins - 20
NL Central
Reds: 34
Brewers: 30
Cubs: 30
Cardinals: 28
Pirates: 25
NL West
Dodgers: 37
Padres: 34
Diamondbacks: 29
Rockies: 28
Giants: 27
Goals/Awards/Leaders
AL Hitting Leaders
Average: Tim Anderson (.359)
Home Runs: Giancarlo Stanton (26)
RBIs: Eloy Jimenez (64)
Stolen Bases: Adalberto Mondesi (33)
NL Hitting Leaders
Average: Joey Votto (.381)
Home Runs: Ronald Acuna Jr. (23)
RBIs: Ronald Acuna Jr. (72)
Stolen Bases: Ronald Acuna Jr. (22)
AL Pitching Leaders
ERA: Charlie Morton
Wins: Justin Verlander
Strikeouts: Gerrit Cole
Saves: Nick Anderson
NL Pitching Leaders
ERA: Jacob deGrom
Wins: Sonny Gray
Strikeouts: Trevor Bauer
Saves: Amir Garrett
Breakout Stars
AL: Eloy Jimenez
AL: Jo Adell
NL: Francisco Mejia
NL: Julio Urias
Biggest Names to be Traded
AL: Francisco Lindor
AL: Mychal Givens
AL: Rougned Odor
NL: Josh Hader
NL: Kris Bryant
NL: Jeff Samardzija
5 Random Predictions
- National League Organizations will fall in love with the DH.
- Giancarlo Stanton will be the best player on the New York Yankees
- Baseball will resemble a more small-ball style throughout the 60-game season.
- Chris Davis will hit for a slash line of + .200/.340/750
- A-Rod (and his group) purchases the New York Mets
Awards
AL Rookie of the Year: Luis Robert (CHW)
NL Rookie of the Year: Dylan Carlson (STL)
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Giancarlo Stanton (NYY)
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Jesus Aguilar (MIA)
AL Cy Young Winner: Gerrit Cole (NYY)
NL Cy Young Winner: Trevor Bauer (CIN)
AL MVP: Josh Donaldson (MIN)
NL MVP: Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL)
Playoffs (expanded for 2020)
AL Quarterfinals: (1) Astros vs. (8) Blue Jays - Astros in 3
AL Quarterfinals: (4) Rays vs. (5) White Sox - Rays in 2
AL Quarterfinals: (3) Yankees vs. (6) Indians - Yankees in 2
AL Quarterfinals: (2) Twins vs. (7) Athletics - Twins in 3
NL Quarterfinals: (1) Dodgers vs. (8) Phillies - Dodgers in 3
NL Quarterfinals: (4) Nationals vs. (5) Mets - Mets in 3
NL Quarterfinals: (3) Reds vs. (6) Brewers - Reds in 2
NL Quarterfinals: (2) Braves vs. (7) Cubs - Braves in 3
ALDS: (1) Astros vs. (4) Rays - Rays in 4
ALDS: (2) Twins vs. (3) Yankees - Yankees in 5
NLDS: (1) Dodgers vs. (5) Mets - Dodgers in 3
NLDS: (2) Braves vs. (3) Reds - Reds in 4
ALCS: (3) Yankees vs. (4) Rays - Rays in 6
NLCS: (1) Dodgers vs. (3) Reds - Dodgers in 6
World Series: (1) Dodgers vs. (4) Rays - Rays in 7
World Series MVP: Tyler Glasnow