‘Tis the season to be clappin’. Here’s my top-to-bottom list of MLB teams.
#1 Houston Astros: The defending champs are my favorite to repeat. The lineup is packed with star power. There’s Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, and George Springer. Not only is the core back, but a strong rotation got deeper with the addition of Pirates’ ace Gerrit Cole.
MVP: Jose Altuve
Projected Record: 102-60
Courtesy: NY Post
2) Los Angeles Dodgers: You are bound to be a contender when the best pitcher in baseball–Clayton Kershaw–is on your team. But there’s more! Alex Wood is an emerging star, Rich Hill is solid, and the rest of the rotation will be good enough to give Kenley Jansen plenty of opportunities to shut the door. The Dodgers’ have few holes in the lineup. Look for LAD to make a deep run this postseason.
MVP: Clayton Kershaw
Projected Record: 98-64
3) New York Yankees: As some New Yorkers say (Mets’ fans, that is) “The Evil Empire is Back!” The middle of the Yankees’ lineup is a force to be reckoned with. With short porches at Yankee Stadium, Judge and Stanton might each hit 70 home runs and let’s not forget Gary Sanchez. I see NYY as the biggest threat to overtake the Astros. But …. Keep in mind that anything can happen–and often does–in the unpredictable AL East.
MVP: Giancarlo Stanton
Projected Record: 95-67
4) Washington Nationals: Expectations almost always outdistance performance in the Nation’s capital. This team never seems to make it past the playoff’s divisional round. Perhaps 2018 will be different–unless the Mets spoil DC’s party. But make no mistake about it, the Nats’ lineup is dangerous with Bryce Harper, the return of Adam Eaton, and the consistency of Max Scherzer. Don’t sleep on Trea Turner, either.
MVP: Max Scherzer
Projected Record: 92-70
Cubs’ Kris Bryant (photo, Epoch Times)
5) Chicago Cubs: With “Bryzzo” (Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo), this infield is as good as ever. The outfield is a different story, though–a bit of a liability with corner outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward. Centerfielder Ian Iapp is the exception. On the mound, the Cubs lost Jake Arrieta, but they’ll continue to be strong because of replacements Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood.
MVP: Kris Bryant
Projected Record: 91-71
6) Boston Red Sox: Despite a 93-win season, the Sox replaced field boss John Farrell with Alex Cora. They also added J.D. Martinez to strengthen last year’s paultry HR production–the lowest in the American League Holy Big Papi! If David Price and Chris Sale can stay healthy, then Yankees hitters should beware–and everybody else, too.
MVP: Mookie Betts
Projected Record: 91-71
7) Cleveland Indians: The Indians play in the weakest division in baseball so look for this team to separate itself quickly in the AL Central. Pitching will make the difference. Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco are studs at the top of the rotation and I predict that Danny Salazar will have a bounce-back year.
MVP: Corey Kluber
Projected Record: 93-69
8) Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout. ‘Nuff said. Anything is possible when you have baseball’s best player in your lineup. The Halos also won the Ohtani sweepstakes. The former Japanese star will pitch in the middle of the rotation and also hit as a DH. Look for Ohtani to make an impact. And don’t overlook Andrelton Simmons, who’s one of the most underrated shortstops in baseball.
MVP: Mike Trout
Projected Record: 89-73
Courtesy: zimbio.com
9) Arizona Diamondbacks: Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray were great last year. This year, Taijuan Walker and Zack Godley will bolster one of MLB’s best rotations. The problem is at the plate. Outside of Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona’s offense is nothing special–especially with Martinez’s departure. It will be up to the rotation to keep this team competitive in the always-dangerous NL West.
MVP: Paul Goldschmidt
Projected Record: 86-76
10) St. Louis Cardinals: Marcell Ozuna will provide a much-needed boost to a Cardinals’ lineup that has been lacking a formidable force since Albert Pujols left. On the pitching side, this staff could be one of the deepest and best in baseball. Miles “Lizard King” Milokas and Alex Reyes, who returns in June, will provide depth. The wildcard is Luke Weaver. Will he be as s good as everybody says?
MVP: Marcell Ozuna
Projected Record: 86-76
11) Milwaukee Brewers: Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain join Ryan Braun to form what I think is the best outfield in baseball. While Milwaukee’s lineup is elite, the rotation is a massive liability until Jimmy Nelson returns behind Chase Anderson. As long as the rotation is mediocre, the offense will have to be good enough to make a September run at a Wild Card spot.
MVP: Christian Yelich
Projected Record: 85-77
12) Colorado Rockies: In studs Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon, the Rockies have two NL MVP threats. And even though Colorado lost Greg Holland to free agency, the team may have improved by replacing him with Wade Davis. The Achilles Heel in Denver is the rotation. Expect a lot of high-scoring wins.
MVP: Nolan Arenado
Projected Record: 83-79
Noah Syndergaard (photo, NY Daily News)
13) New York Mets: Last year’s rotation. expected to be among the best in baseball, was plagued with injuries and finished near the league’s bottom with a 5.01 ERA. This year, pitcher-friendly manager Mickey Callaway will do everything he can to keep the staff healthy. On the hitting side, Jay Bruce, Adrian Gonzalez, Todd Frazier, and Jason Vargas are primed to deliver. This team has veterans to challenge Washington for the divisional title.
MVP: Noah Syndergaard
Projected Record: 84-78
14) Seattle Mariners: This just might be the year when the longest playoff drought in American sports comes to an end. Ichiro is back and Seattle added speed at the top of the lineup in Dee Gordon. Power will be delivered courtesy of Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, and Kyle Seager. But if the Mariners want to challenge for a playoff spot, either Felix Hernandez needs to return to his former self or somebody else will need to step up behind James Paxton.
MVP: Nelson Cruz
Projected Record: 82-80
15) Minnesota Twins: The Twins’ powerful offense is led by Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, and Brian Dozier. On the pitching side, both Jose Berrios and Ervin Santana had breakout seasons in 2017, and Minnesota improved in the off-season by adding Lance Lynn and Jake Odorizzi. If Lynn can repeat last year’s strong performance and Berrios and Santana replicate 2017 dominance, Minnesota can snatch a Wild Card spot.
MVP: Miguel Sano
Projected Record: 82-80
16) San Francisco Giants: With the addition of Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria, hope abounds in San Fran. From top to bottom, San Francisco’s lineup is dangerous and the front of the rotation has proven veterans. The problem is the back-end of the rotation. If those pitchers don’t produce, the Giants may be an also-ran in the always-tough NL West.
MVP: Madison Bumgarner
Projected Record: 81-81
Andre Beltre (photo, Dallas Morning News)
17) Texas Rangers: The Adrian Beltre era may be coming to a close (his contract is set to expire at the end of this year), but he’ll be there this year. And that gives the Rangers plenty of bat power in Beltre, Nomar Mazara, and Joey Gallo. But don’t sleep on Elvis Andrus. He quietly put together an excellent 2017. I expect him to be productive again in that all-important middle-of-the-lineup.
MVP: Elvis Andrus
Projected Record: 80-82
18) Toronto Blue Jays: Toronto’s offense is good enough to be competitive in the AL East. Jose Bautista may be gone, but the “6” has plenty of power in the bats of Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak. Toronto’s rotation will be better than people think–at least when Boston and New York aren’t in town. Keep an eye, too, on Aaron Sanchez this year.
MVP: Josh Donaldson
Projected Record: 80-82
19) Philadelphia Phillies: I think Philadelphia will open eyes this year. With an outfield filled with young stars– Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams, Odubel Herrera, and JP. Crawford–and with Maikel Franco and Carlos Santana manning the infield–the Phillies have an enticing lineup. Jake Arrieta will join Aaron Nola to form a good one-two mound punch.
MVP: Rhys Hoskins
Projected Record: 79-83
Corey Dickerson (photo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
20) Pittsburgh Pirates: Will Pittsburgh fade into irrelevance with the loss of Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole? I think not. Jameson Taillon will rise to the occasion to replace Cole. And while one of the best outfields in baseball took a step back with McCutchen leaving, it regained that step with the addition of Corey Dickerson.
MVP: Starling Marte
Projected Record: 79-83
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Now, here’s 21-30:
21) Oakland Athletics: MVP: Khris Davis, Projected Record: 78-84
22) Baltimore Orioles: MVP: Manny Machado, Projected Record: 78-84
23) Tampa Bay Rays: MVP: Chris Archer, Projected Record: 75-87
24) Chicago White Sox: MVP: Jose Abreu, Projected Record: 73-89
25) San Diego Padres: MVP: Eric Hosmer, Projected Record: 72-90
26) Atlanta Braves: MVP: Freddie Freeman, Projected Record: 71-91
27) Cincinnati Reds: MVP: Joey Votto, Projected Record: 71-91
28) Kansas City Royals: MVP: Mike Moustakas, Projected Record: 70-92
29) Detroit Tigers: MVP: Miguel Cabrera, Projected Record: 69-93
30) Miami Marlins: MVP: Starlin Castro, Projected Record: 68-94
