- This promises to be an exciting baseball season, which starts later this week, not only in Philadelphia, but elsewhere. Here are some highlights to look forward to:
* Arch-rivals Yankees and Red Sox play a pair of games in London, England in August.
* The Yankees and Dodgers play each other at Dodger Stadium this summer.
* The All-Star Game will be in Cleveland for a record 6th time.
* The season opens in Tokyo, Japan this week when the A;s face the Mariners.
* Fresh off his record-setting new contract, Mike Trout will play for the first time in St. Louis, the only Major League city he has yet to play in.
* The San Francisco Giants have a scheduled doubleheader against Arizona in June.
* The Pirates and Cubs play in this summers' Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa. in August.
Here are my predictions and comments..
National League East
1. Phillies
2. Nationals
3. Braves
4. Mets
5. Marlins
Phillies: Needless to say, after getting Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Andrew McCuthen, Jean Segura and David Robertson during the off-season, the Phils will be expected to contend. Add these stars to a team that spent a good deal of the 2018 summer in 1st place. Aaron Nola will lead the rotation which must step up. Expect the Phillies to make deals in July before the trade deadline. Ownership didn't spend the money they did to not upgrade. Manager Gabe Kapler needs to get off to a fast start or else his job may be in jeopardy.
Nationals: Without Harper the Nats are still good, with Soto in the outfield and a great starting rotation of Schurzer, Strasberg and Corbin. But somehow Washington always seems to choke. They couldn't get into the playoffs with Harper. Why should they suddenly make the post-season without him?
Braves: Can the young Braves repeat in the East? Their starting pitching already is battling injuries out of spring training. Atlanta will contend because they have an endless pipeline to their great farm system and they have solid vets like Freddie Freeman.
Mets: With the duo of deGrom and Synderguuard, the Mets should avoid long losing streaks. Robinson Cano bolsters the lineup. But in stacked NL East are they good enough?
Marlins: Will easily lose 100 games or more. How soon will ex-Phillie phenom Sixto Sanchez make it to Miami?
National League Central
1. Cardinals
2. Brewers
3. Cubs
4, Pirates
5. Reds
Cardinals: I'm picking the Cards to win the NL Central. They traded for and extended 1st baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Andrew Miller is in their bullpen now. Like Atlanta, they have an open pipeline to their farm system.
Brewers: Still strong, with reigning MVP Christian Yelich. I think they make the playoffs as a wild card.
Cubs: Still good but the rest of the central is improving. Will Cole Hamels help the rotation? Will they eventually extend or trade Kris Bryant?
Pirates: The Buccos are slowly building a young, talented team. Theyv'e had to take one step back to go forward. They play in a tough division and won't contend seriously this summer.
Reds: An up and coming team. Losing 2nd baseman Scooter Ginnette to a groin strain for 2-3 months hurts. Will be interesting how ex-Dodgers Kemp and Puig do in Cincinnati.Still has Joey Votto so they will compete.
National League West
1. Dodgers
2. Rockies
3. Giants
4. Diamondbacks
5. Padres
Dodgers; I would love to pick against Los Angeles for once, but who will beat them? They still have a strong club, and they get Corey Seager back.
Rockies; Solid team, but do they have enough to overtake L.A.?
Giants: Will they deal Madison Baumgartner to the Phils this summer if they aren't contending?
D-Backs: Greinke may be the next to go. After coming close in NL West, Arizona is retooling.
Padres: Manny Machado era begins. Will the excellent San Diego prospects start to pay off?
Wild Cards: Brewers, Nationals
National League Champions: Phillies
American League East
1. Yankees
2. Red Sox
3. Rays
4. Blue Jays
5. Orioles
Yankees: It's New York's turn to overtake Boston in a fierce battle all summer long. How many homers will Stanton and Judge combine to hit? 100?
Red Sox: No reason to think they will not win again. but everything went right for the Bosox last year.Chris Sale vs Stanton/Judge is classic.
Rays: Won 90 games in 2018 in the same division with NY and Bos,. plus small payroll team. Good, young team
Blue Jays: Can't win in the AL East. Waiting for Val Guererro Jr. to arrive.
Orioles: May lose 115 games?
American League Central
1. Indians
2. Twins
3. White Sox
4. Tigers
5. Royals
Indians: No problems winning the Central again. Can they reach the World Series with the Red Sox, Yankees and Astros around?
Twins: Another young squad with an eye to the future or a wild card spot.
White Sox: Building but missed out on Harper and Machado, which slows down process
Tigers; Still have Cabrera to stay somewhat competitive
Royals: Remember a few years ago when Kansas City seemed to be in the Series every year?
American League West
1. Astros
2. Angels
3. Rangers
4. Mariners
5. A's
Astros: Will win the West again. They are strong enough to reach the Series again.
Angels: Trout celebrates new contract by leading Halos to wild card spot.
Rangers; Young talent creeps closer.
Mariners: Played well last season but will miss Cano
A's: Young and building again.
Wild cards: Angels, Red Sox
American League Champs: Astros
World Series: Astros over Phillies
No comments:
Post a Comment