MLB Prediction Column

On By Hunter Hippel

This is my first MLB Prediction Column I’ve written.  I’ve done three for other leagues.  Same format as always.

The season is almost here, and I can’t wait.  I really feel like this will be a very memorable baseball season.

Going division by division

NL EAST

1. Washington Nationals

2. Miami Marlins

3. New York Mets

4. Atlanta Braves

5. Philadelphia Phillies

Washington will dominate this division all year long.  The pitching is just too good.  Miami will be a lot better but not yet in the playoffs.  The youth needs just one more year to develop.  I’ve heard a lot about the Mets, and how some people seem to really like them.  I’m not sure about this year.  Their pitching staff has the potential to be great however.  Get everyone healthy first. Atlanta and Philadelphia will be the bottom feeders in this division.  I can’t say the Braves will hit 75 wins.  And the Phillies, oh the Phillies.  It’s not worth words.

NL Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals

2. Chicago Cubs

3. Milwaukee Brewers

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

5. Cincinnati Reds

One of the best divisions in baseball.  Even with all of the Cubs offseason moves, it won’t give them the division.  St. Louis has been dominate for so long and it’ll continue.  The Cubs may not win the division, but… well, wait just till the end of the column.  Milwaukee might be in it late, but with their tough division, it won’t make them as competitive.  Pittsburgh, like the Brewers, is also harmed more from the division than anything else.  It’s a good team, but won’t be able to scratch .500.  The Reds will most likely end up being big time sellers at the deadline.  Pretty much sums up their year.

NL WEST

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

2. San Diego Padres

3. San Francisco Giants

4. Colorado Rockies

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Another good division that features the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. Unfortunately, they’re going to fall off this year.  Probably because it’s an odd (2015) year.  The Dodgers just look too good yet again, until October, when it all falls apart.  I like San Diego this year, but they’re one of the wait and see teams.  We’ll just have to see how they come together. The Rockies, um, well, they’ll be better than the Diamondbacks.  So that’s a positive.  As for Arizona, In Tony We Trust. 

AL EAST

1. Boston Red Sox

2. Toronto Blue Jays

3. Baltimore Orioles

4. New York Yankees

5. Tampa Bay Rays

Preview of this division is here.

AL CENTRAL

1. Detroit Tigers

2. Cleveland Indians

3. Kansas City Royals

4. Chicago White Sox

5. Minnesota Twins

Lots of mediocrity here.  Detroit’s the safest bet (like literally, don’t put any money on anyone else yet).  They have the experience.  I really like Cleveland, and feel like this is finally their year to show that they aren’t a joke.  The Royals lost too much in the offseason, and it will kill them this coming year.  Chicago, I want to like, but I’m not totally convinced that the front office knows what they’re doing.  And the Twins, please call up your prospects.  Everyone wants to see them.  I swear, if you do, you’ll win 75 games.  Do it for the fans and my friends.

AL WEST

1. Los Angeles Angels

2. Seattle Mariners

3. Oakland A’s

4. Texas Rangers

5. Houston Astros

The Angels now only have to put it together in the postseason (Hey, wait, that kinda sounds like their cross-town foes!).  Seattle is finally going to be good.  This is their year for the playoffs (see below).  They have all this cash, and it’ll finally be used properly.  The A’s, well, it might be a rough year, but they have a great front office.  If you’re a fan, you have to trust them.  The Rangers will probably have half their roster on the DL by July, ending their season then.  And the Astros, well, it’s kinda like the 76ers in the NBA.  Just a couple more years and we’ll be good.

PLAYOFF PICTURE 

NL

1. Washington Nationals

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

3. St. Louis Cardinals

4. San Diego Padres

5. Chicago Cubs

Hey look!  The Cubs made the playoffs!!  The Padres aren’t a joke!  What is happening?

AL

1. Los Angeles Angels

2. Boston Red Sox

3. Detroit Tigers

4. Seattle Mariners

5. Cleveland Indians

That AL Wild Card Game is gonna be impossible to decide.

MLB Preview is complete   First game of the year is Sunday night, Cubs-Cardinals, ESPN2, 8:05 PM EST.  Opening day is Monday.  What a sports weekend this is.