I should take some time to mock other teams but that would make me look like an idiot to the baseball world, get it. 15 teams to go over in the NL lets get it on!
Atlanta Braves: Coming off possibly the worst loss in the last decade the Braves are chasing the championship that eluded them for the last 25 years. Most of the core last year is back plus they added Ozuna and King Felix to a team that needs to go to the NLCS in every sense of the word.
Miami Marlins: Despite Jorge Mas and Derek Jeter blowing everything up for prospects in 2018 the fish like the O’s and Mariners are a team that can benefit in a 60 game season. Signing guys like Corey Dickerson, Jesus Aguilar, and trading their 1st round pick to Baltimore for a solid middle infielder in Jonathan Villar definitely helps. Can they overcome a packed NL East, that is the question?
New York Mets: After a year where it was either blow it all up or compete for a playoff spot with what they had. Instead they went for the mystery box and almost made the playoffs with a furious second half. Now, there are expectations for the orange and blue. Adding Delin Betances to a loaded pen along with Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso entering the prime of their careers is something that Mets fans should be hopeful for. How are they gonna mess it up again!
Philadelphia Phillies: Oh my goodness gracious, yet another team in Philly receiving incredible hype from their fanbase. The good news is that their two best relievers are off the DL and Bryce Harper is not going to get booed like last year because there will be no fans until the playoffs. I think Joe Girardi is the right guy to lead a team that has a core of power bats and arms, just saying.
Washington Nationals: This team always gets burned at the wrong time, the Nats are a prime example. Even if they win the World Series their celebration on opening day will be delayed because of COVID19. As for Washington themselves, they want to defend their title despite losing Rendon to the Angels. Other than him almost the entire team is back and expectations are high. The good news is that they aren’t the most long-suffering city in American Sports.
Chicago Cubs: I don’t know what to expect from the boys of Wrigleyville. Getting David Ross to be their manager is similar to what the Yankees did with Aaron Boone. The Cubs did nothing in the offseason to add to their roster but have a few of the top pitching prospects in the minors. I think this team will be back and be competing for championships again.
Cincinnati Reds: The so-called offseason champions are trying everything they can to not waste the career of Joey Votto. They got Wade Miley, Nicholas Castellanos, along with two Japanese sensations as well. Once again another team in Ohio being crowned de facto division champions but I think their a boom or bust team.
Milwaukee Brewers: This offseason was a crossroads for the Brew Crew but they are once again loaded for a chance at getting their first championship in their 50 year history. I get the feeling that they are doing everything they can to not waste the career of Ryan Braun. With Christian Yelich back from his knee injury the Brewers have their great savior back.
Pittsburgh Pirates: This is either a tank year or their last chance to make the playoffs with this core. Their best pitchers are either out for the year because of Tommy John or in jail. Now they are down to Josh Bell and Brian McReynolds as the heavy hitters on offense. I think they are trapped.
St. Louis Cardinals: The Redbirds are the equivalent of the Looney Tunes, a never say die run organization. Every time you think they are done they pull a deep playoff run when everyone says they’re dead. Even though Marcell Ozuna is gone they will find some minor leaguer to fill his spot and play as well as he did. Other than that they are gunning for another championship, Yikes!
Arizona Diamondbacks: When everyone thought they should blow it up after trading Goldy and Zach Greinke the Diamondbacks realized the potential of their youngsters and added to it by acquiring two vets in Mad-Bum and Starling Marte, if ever there is a team to knock off the men in blue it’s them.
Colorado Rockies: Have you ever seen a championship window close so quickly on a franchise that you think they never were in the discussion, that is the Rockies. I’m not surprised because they play in the most hitter friendly ballpark in the majors, but their front office isn’t good enough to acquire pitching talents that want to play there. I also think Nolan Arenado has had enough with the organization’s lack of success.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The World Series favorites in almost everyone’s eyes. That lineup plus Mookie Betts, insane. The only concern is that their bullpen could be a mess still and if they don’t win a championship this year you get the feeling that Dave Roberts will suffer the same reality that Don Mattingly got in 2015. It’s boom or bust at an extreme rate.
San Diego Padres: Manny Machado claimed a couple years ago that he wanted to be on a real team. I don’t know exactly what he ment. The Padres lost the sweepstakes for Mookie Betts to their older brother in the Dodgers but they still have one of the best farm systems in baseball. Will they have enough to take out a beast who knows.
San Francisco Giants: All I can say is besides Yaz’s grandson playing like a God you know what this year will result in San Fran! Yes for the first time in 30 years they will bust out those glorious tanks but well at least they were a dynasty. I like the idea that their fans are putting blow ups of themselves to be the fans at Oracle Park until baseball has real fans again. That is very creative.
Alright we have gotten to the predictions side of this story here it is.
NL East
- Braves 41-19 #2
- Phillies 39-21 #5
- Nationals 38-22
- Mets 35-25
- Marlins 23-37
NL Central
- Cubs 38-22 #3
- Brewers 37-23
- Cardinals 33-27
- Reds 30-30
- Pirates 25-35
NL West
- Dodgers 50-10 #1
- Diamondbacks 42-18 #4
- Padres 32-28
- Rockies 26-34
- Giants 20-40
And now for the playoffs
AL Wildcard
Astros over Rays
NL Wildcard
Diamondbacks over Phillies
ALDS
Yankees over Astros
Angels over Twins
NLDS
Dodgers over Diamondbacks
Cubs over Braves
ALCS
Yankees over Angels
NLCS
Dodgers over Cubs
2020 World Series
Yankees over Dodgers
Bragging Rights Sports 