ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: A MLB logo is seen before a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 22, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The MLB season is fast approaching, so I decided I would give you some predictions for the season. I do have another article that predicts the award winners, so that is why you won’t see any award predictions in this one. Enjoy:
The Phillies Win The NL East
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 9: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on July 9, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
As good as the Braves and Mets are, the Phillies have the best starting rotation and an elite lineup.
The Cubs Win The NL Central
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 01: Shota Imanaga #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after retiring the side in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies during his MLB debut at Wrigley Field on April 01, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
No one in this division is all that great. The Brewers were the best, but they have taken a step back. The Cubs addition of Kyle Tucker should put them over the top.
The Dodgers Win The NL West
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – MARCH 20: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single in the 3rd inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game between Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 20, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
This shouldn’t surprise anyone. They are the best team in baseball and also the deepest.
The Yankees Win The AL East
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 23: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees points to the dugout after hitting his third home run of the game against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium on August 23, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Their pitching is better than a year ago, and although they lost Soto, the additions of Goldy, Bellinger, and a healthy Dominguez make them dynamic.
The Tigers Win The AL Central
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 13: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Comerica Park on August 13, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
They got hot toward the end of last season and have added more pitching and offense, and their young stars are more established.
The Rangers Win The AL West
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 01: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers hits a single in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game Five of the World Series at Chase Field on November 01, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
They had a down season in 2024 after winning it all in 2023, but their main core still remains intact, and they have the best roster in the division.
The Mets, Braves, and Diamondbacks Win NL Wild Card Spots
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Juan Soto of the New York Mets poses with his new uniform after his introductory press conference at Citi Field on December 12, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
All these teams are good enough to win their divisions; they just happen to play in divisions with juggernauts.
The Orioles, Red Sox, and Astros Win AL Wild Card Spots
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JULY 19: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates after scoring a run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 19, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Same thing as the NL wild card teams. Each one of these teams could win their division and make a deep run in the playoffs.
The Dodgers Win the NL Pennant
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 01: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-run ground-rule double in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium on May 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
They are just too talented for anyone to beat them.
The Orioles Win The AL Pennant
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 04: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles gets a lead-off hit in the first inning during a baseball game against the New York Mets at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 4, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
This was a much harder choice, as the potential AL playoff teams do seem to be evenly matched. I think their young core will show up in the playoffs, and I also think they will add a big-time starter in season.
The Dodgers Win The World Series
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 07: The World Series Trophy is seen during the World Series Parade on November 07, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
In the end, the Dodgers will repeat as World Champions.
