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
- 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.
- Speed becomes a premium attribute with new rules.
- Shohei Ohtani has the most impressive season we've ever seen.
- Mike Trout trade rumors begin after the season is over.
- Trea Turner has a 40/40 season.
- Baseball adjusts rules after teams - mainly the Rays - begin using outfielders in shift scenarios.
- A game will end with a clock violation - causing massive hysteria (not all that bold of a prediction, really)
- Josh Donaldson - somehow - wins over the Yankees fanbase.
- MLB will announce that the Athletics are moving to Las Vegas (unfortunately - sorry, Oakland)
- 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