Before we get anxious about the NBA playoffs and intrigued by the NFL draft, the sports gods will first bring us baseball’s best and brightest in the MLB.
As always, we’ll all be awaiting how certain storylines develop, like the Cubs’ chances of repeating and the probable awardees for each league’s MVP and Cy Young trophy. Topping all of that is of course the predictions on how the regular season could play out. Read on below and allow us to share ours!
The defending champs should be here, obviously. They finished last year on top, so the following season should feature them being looked up by all the other teams.
The Cubbies will definitely have a huge “X” on their backs, but they are sure to be loaded to take on all comers. Batting-wise, reigning NL MVP Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo’s firepower on the plate alone will be a commanding threat, and yet, they’ll also have the support of Ben Zobrist, Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell, and more.
Such depth is also seen in the talent and experienced-filled pitching rotation. Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta are 1A and 1B in the group, but Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey, and Jason Hammel are also considered to be respected pitchers.
Despite doing their best Golden State Warriors impression in last year’s World Series, the Indians should be seen as a favorite to win it all for 2017. No one shouldn’t underestimate the hunger of a team who is driven to complete an unfinished business.
Losing Mike Napoli (Texas Rangers) and Rajai Davis (Oakland Athletics) to free agency isn’t good, but the Tribe acquiring the services of hitting machine Edwin Encarnacion, who finished 2016 having the most RBIs in the American League, could make up for it. The veteran, as you may know, is joining the core headlined by Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana, and Jose Ramirez.
The pitching, meanwhile, is currently in a good position to do well. The trio of Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, and Danny Salazar may finally be healthy throughout the course of the season.
Even with David Ortiz gone, the Red Sox’s set of hitters are still top three in the league. The explosive bunch of Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley, and Hanley Ramirez, who produced countless hits and runs last year, should be expected to be just as threatening this season. Though most are young, it is a pretty stacked lineup that has the tools to push the Sox to have another solid run for a World Series title.
Pitching, as well, won’t be a problem for the team. They were aggressive in the off-season – as any team should – and went on to cash-in on ace pitcher Chris Sale, who was tied for fifth last year in total strikeouts while he was with the White Sox (233). Him joining the rotation that already has Cy Young awardees Rick Porcello and David Price will definitely be interesting.
Like the Red Sox, the Astros are well-equipped in batting. Led by Jose Altuve, who is primed to have a stat-stuffing campaign, Houston is boasting the likes of George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Alex Bregman. Those four, getting tagged along by the team’s new key acquisitions – Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, and Josh Reddick – should allow the team to showcase an entertaining offense.
The one main aspect that kept the Astros out of the list of favorites is pitching. They were atrocious in that area last season, as seen in the starting pitchers collectively posting a 4.37 ERA. Collin McHugh and Dallas Keuchel are still to be trusted, though (for now), and we’ll see how well they can bounce back from such a slump.
If things fall into place well enough, this could be the season that the Mariners finally return to the playoffs (15-year drought). For one, their offense can deliver with the best of them – Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, and Kyle Seager may not have youth on their side, but their ability to hit and their overall experience in the field cannot be overlooked. Also, the added presence of off-season pickup Jean Segura, who will be coming off a productive campaign for Arizona (203 hits, 20 homers, 63 RBIs, 33 stolen bases), should pay dividends.
The Ms, however, will have to have a much-improved performances from their pitchers, particularly Felix Hernandez (11-8, 3.82 ERA in 2016).
