Predictions by a fan who thinks he knows more than he actually does…with a West Coast bias
NL West
- SD Padres
They won the offseason with trades for Snell and Darvish, and now they are going to win the regular season as well. They boast the strongest rotation in the division (3 legit aces (the two listed above, and Lamet) and a solid ‘#2’ starter in Paddock) to match their Slam Diego offence. With a little help from a slight WS handover in LA, the Padres overtake the Dodgers for the first time in decades.
2. Dodgers
They might have the 2nd best record in the NL behind the Padres, but the Padres want it more after they reached the mountain top last year. The trade for Bauer helps, but the real concern is in their bullpen. Jansen seems to be on a steep decline. Beuller pushes for Cy Young and Seager, Bellinger, and Betts all vie for the MVP, but their bullpen blows a few too many close ones and the Padres eek it out.
3. Diamondbacks
With the best pitcher no-one talks about (Gallen), and a staff leader in Bumgardner, the diamondbacks ‘surprise’ and finish 3rd in the division. Their offense, lead by Marte, Escobar, and Walker score enough runs when starters 3–5 pitch, leaving the team with an optimistic outlook for 2022.
4. Giants
This is the final year before a whole new-look squad arrives in 2022 (with departures of Crawford, Belt, and maybe Posey). Farhan has quietly been putting together a solid roster with bargain-bin pieces (Gausman, Yaz, Flores, Solano), some of whom he will spin into major deadline deals (Cueto, Gausman, Belt to NYC?) to set up their squad for 2022 and beyond. This year is about finding pieces that fit for the future core, as the sun has set on the EYOB (even years of bullsh*t)
5. Rockers
LOL. Poor Trevor Story
AL West
- A’s
This year’s discount-team darling, a-la last year’s Rays, the A’s lead the division from start to finish. With full, healthy years from the Matt Attack corner combo, their offense slugs their way to a division title. Young guns show up on the mound to round out one of the most complete teams in the AL.
2. Angels
Is this the year for a Trout postseason run? As a fan, I really want it to be. They have the hitting, but the pitching is always the big question. Quintana is a nice pick up, although he isn’t quite what he used to be. A deadline deal or two (see, Guasman, or Cueto above) will help them round out their rotation for a playoff run. Lead by a HUGE breakout year by Ohtani (my pick for MVP), at the plate and mound, they sneak into the 2nd wildcard spot.
3. Astros
Trash-Can emoji. Seriously, relegate this fucking cheating franchise, Manfred. Send them to triple A, give every other team trash-can cheating tech, and see how they fare.
4. Mariners
Is this the rebuild that leads to something? Lewis started real strong and provided a glimmer of hope for the future. Other than that? A whirlwind of moves with not much to show for it
5. Rangers
Full rebuild in Arlington, perfect to attract fans to their new stadium! (LOL). People will come, purely from COVID fatigue, then stop after the All-star break when they realize this team is the trash inside the Astros can
NL Central
What a doozy of a division…here it goes…
- Cardinals
A huge trade for Aranado leads to a huge year for Nolan, who squashes any of the ‘can’t hit outside Coors’ chatter. He has an MVP year, along with a resurgence from Goldy, to lead them to a division title in the closest race of all divisions. Flaherty finishes 3rd in Cy Young voting.
2. Reds
1–2 punch of Gray / Castillo provides just enough pitching to finish ahead of the Brewers, but still outside a playoff spot (how many spots are there this year??). Their offence leads the league in HRs and provides constant entertainment throughout the dog-days of summer, but isn’t enough to cover their lack of back-end pitching
3. Brewers
IDK…they seem a bit overhyped to me. Brandon Woodruff is good, but look at his career stats (3.66 ERA, 1.1 WHIP, never more than 120 IP). Hopefully he proves me wrong and has a great year, but he is not Ace category yet. Best bullpen in baseball can only cover so much, as this team will rise and fall with Yelich
4. Cubs
What are they trying to do? Be Reds-lite? They have the hitting, with Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, and Happ, but after shipping Darvish away, they don’t have enough pitching. Hendricks is the best pure pitcher (as in, given his below-average stuff, he does the best using what his skills provide. If DeGrom had his control, he would go 32–0), showing shades of Maddox, but that’s not enough for better than a 4th place finish. Say hello to years of mediocrity!
5. Pirates
Last place in the NL, another high draft pick who should probably go back to school instead…
AL Central
- Sox
Party on the South-Side! It all comes together this year on both sides of the ball, and they run away with this division. Losing Eloy hurts, but they have plenty of firepower in that lineup without him.
2. Twins
Nelson Cruz is a delight. And a true slugger. Buxton, finally, has a break out year and receives MVP votes. 2nd Wild Card spot? They’ll be right there until game 162
3. Indians
The ‘no pitching mistakes by the lake’ rotation leads them this year to a surprising .500+ record. After shipping Lindor out of town, signaling small-ball (I mean cajones), their offence has no punch. But this perennial Cy Young factory once again produces the pitching to keep them competitive game-in and game-out.
4. Royals
Heeeeeeeere’s Bobby (Witt)! In late May that is… Until then, this team will run circles around opposing catchers, and Soler will hit absolute MOONSHOTS. But that’s about it. A bad team in a bad division
5. Tigers
When are those draft picks coming up? Miquel Cabrera is still hitting 3rd? Was that a clause in his contract?
NL East
- Braves
Baby Braves are growing up fast, as they win the division 2nd year in a row. Hitting’s good, pitching’s good (Morton is the under the radar steal of the offseason), is their bullpen good enough for a late postseason run? Sure is, as they reach the NL Championship series and are a win away from going to the WS. Along with the Padres, Dodgers, and As, they have one of the most complete rosters in the League
2. Nats
Pitching wins games, and the 1, 2, 3 rotation of Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin (although this is his last year before fully falling off a cliff) lead them to the 2nd wild-card spot. Soto comes 2nd in the MVP race, only because he misses 20 games in the summer, while newcomer Josh Bell, recently escaped from disaster in Pittsburgh, provides more than enough protection behind him.
3. Marlins
Yes, they finish ahead of the Mets and Phillies, they are sneaky good. Can’t even name a single player except for Starling Marte, but they made the postseason last year. Don’t call it a fluke…Jeter is figuring it out.
4. Phillies
They have some big name players, but can they win the big games? After this year they consider blowing it up.
5. Mets
Classic case of how winning the offseason doesn’t necessarily mean winning the regular season. They made the biggest splash(es) of the winter with a new Owner and new star shortstop. But, that’s not enough to throw off the curse of Queens. Next year lads- this year is a classic New York over-hype. Figure out the pitching behind deGrom.
AL East
- Yanks
Bronx Bombers bomb all year. They have 10 players with double digit homers, and 4 with 35+ (Judge, Stanton, Sanchez, Torres). Who are their pitchers? Doesn’t really matter as the slug enough to win games, and add a pitcher at the deadline.
2. Rays
Every year, people write them off. And every year, those ppl are wrong. They keep winning, and there is no reason to think they will stop. Light-years ahead of the rest of the league with their analytics, they are the true definition of ‘team’. The outfield of Margot, Arozerena, and Meadows becomes one of the best in baseball. Their infield (is everyone a utility player?) is also rock solid on both sides of the ball and they use every pitcher to the best of their abilities. 2nd wildcard spot will be in-sight, and they will have the edge to get there.
3. Blue Jays
Not this year! Fantasy projections don’t meet on-field success, although this will be one of the most exciting teams to watch. Not enough pitching, and not enough experience for the youngsters means they fall off in the 2nd half of the year. Watch out, 2022!
4. Red Sox
IDK…they hit? Kind of like the Cubs…what are you doing?
5. Orioles
Sorry Baltimore. Last in the AL again. Don’t rush the Rutch
