Well, Baseball is back and with a number of splashy trades having taken place it will be interesting to see if the balance of power changes dramatically. Not likely but there may be one or two unexpected faces at the postseason party this year. Anyway without further ado here is our divisional predictions starting with the American League.

 

American League.

AL East

This division could have the best and the worst record in Baseball in 2019 with both the Yankees & Red Sox looking like postseason participants, while Baltimore looks a good bet for the 1st overall Draft Pick again next year.

Predicted Finishing Order:

New York Yankees 102-60 Finally a Divisional Title after a 6-year hiatus.

Boston Red Sox 101-61 – After 3 consecutive divisional wins, they narrowly miss out.

Tampa Bay Rays 88-74 – Down a bit wins wise on last season but just about in the Wild Card hunt

Toronto Blue Jays 66-96 – It’s rebuilding time

Baltimore Orioles 58-104 – Another 100 loss season and possibly the no. one draft pick. Could be a while before we see them have a season like 2014 again.

AL Central

It’s impossible to look past the Indians making it four titles in a row – the question is how many games will they win it by. They are probably going to be the Number three seed but they will be delighted to be there.

Predicted Finishing Order:

Cleveland Indians 96-66 – best Rotation & Batting order in the division, they will lose a few games but overall we can see them finishing 10 wins+ clear of the pack

Minnesota Twins 82-80 – They took a big dip last year and nothing they have done would indicate they are ready to challenge this year. Getting over .500 will be a good result. Mind you they could be one to watch in 2020.

Chicago White Sox 74-88 – Ok pop quiz – Non-hardcore fans name a starter not called Abreu, Alonso or Rondon – not easy is it? They could finish 3rd not because they are improving but because Detroit is set to tank.

Kansas City Royals 65-97 – Rebuilding time, nuff said.

Detroit Tigers 60-102 – The Tigers not losing 100 games would be a good season.

 

AL West

The West looks like another one-horse race and the Astros look even stronger than last year meaning a hat trick of 100 win seasons is on the cards. They could sneak the No 1 seed. Otherwise much like last season with the exception f the Mariners who are already planning for the future – it will be a while before they emulate 2001.

Predicted Finishing Order:

Houston Astros 104-58 Possibly the best team in MLB – they should sew up the division early but will want that No 1 seed.

Oakland Athletics 89-73 – Sadly as an A’s fan they won’t repeat last seasons heroics with this rotation. Still, they have a great offence and a strong bullpen so another trip to the Wild card game looks possible.

Los Angeles Angels 81-81 Not a bad team but the rotation is a worry and we can see them trading Mike Trout mid-season if the Astros are out of sight.

Seattle Mariners 70-92 – They have restocked the farm at the expense of success this year (and probably next year too!). The wait for a postseason place continues.

Texas Rangers 60-102 – Adrian Beltre retiring has given them the impetus to begin what could be a painful rebuild. Expect to see most of their veterans on the trade block this season. Still, they could avoid the AL wooden spoon.

National League.

NL East

This looks like being one of the most competitive divisions in the MLB – with only the hapless Marlins likely to have a losing season. The in-division rivalry may mean that they miss out on a Wild Card place though and a 100 game winner seems highly unlikely.

Predicted Finishing Order:

Philadelphia Phillies 92-70 – The Phillies have pushed the boat out signings wise and have a solid all-around squad now. Harper should smash 40+ home runs and Arrieta heads a decent starting rotation. They could do an Atlanta and jump from a losing side in 2018  to the postseason.

New York Mets 90-72 That blockbuster trade with the Marlins put the icing on a nice pre-season spending spree which really fortified the roster. If they can keep their starting rotation fit then they will challenge for the division and will be a Wild Card opponent on one wants to face (with deGrom likely starting).

Atlanta Braves 87-75 – They really benefitted from the lack of action by their divisional rivals last year – no such luck this time around and although they will compete they don’t look like repeating as divisional winners.

Washington Nationals 85-77 – No Harper will hurt but they still have a good squad. We have them in fourth but can make a case for them being 1st or 2nd.

Miami Marlins 57-105 – Looks like a long hard season for Marlins fans – will anyone bother to turn up to watch is a serious question. Rebuilding on the back of a Realmuto trade looks like being the main talking point in 2019.

 

NL Central

The NL Central was probably the toughest division last year with four of the five teams posting winning records and the wooden spoon Reds even managed 67 wins. This season looks like being even closer although we don’t think 4 will finish with winning records.

Predicted Finishing Order:

St. Louis Cardinals 90-72 – Didn’t have a vintage 2018 but hung in there till the last few weeks. They with a little luck might sneak the division acquiring Paul Goldschmidt made the difference for us.

Chicago Cubs 89-73 – The Cubs have a loaded squad and will be postseason challengers again, hard to separate them from the Cards and it could come down to a tie break.

Milwaukee Brewers 88-74 – Over achieved a little in 2018 and could take a step back. Still will run the top two close.

Cincinnati Reds 81-81 – If rotations won games then adding Alex Wood, Sonny Gray & Tanner Roark would be enough, however, the bat’s need to clang as well and they don’t have the batters to compete – yet.

Pittsburgh Pirates 73-89 – The Pirates are not a bad team and in one of the weaker divisions would be contenders. Sadly they are in the deepest division in Baseball and somebody has to get the wooden spoon.

 

NL West

The west looks like a two horse race again this year but the thrilling finish of last year looks unlikely as the Dodgers should have too much class this time around.

Predicted Finishing Order:

Los Angeles Dodgers 96-66 – They are the class of the division and have a decent crop lurking in the Minors to cover any injury issues. They should take the division for a 7th consecutive year with a modicum of ease.

Colorado Rockies 88-74 – Look clear second here with a decent start to their pitching rotation and a half decent batting order. Overall they may have overachieved last year and unless they can sort the back-end pitching out they won’t overhaul the Dodgers over a full season.

San Diego Padres 81-81 – Got some good young prospects coming through and of course, Machado has inked a 10-year, $300 million contract, which is a sign of their intention to start winning soon. They could be the surprise team of the year.

Arizona Diamondbacks 79-83 – Look to be in rebuilding light following the trading of Paul Goldschmidt. They still have enough talent to hang around .500 but nowhere near enough to compete for a postseason berth.

San Francisco Giants 60-102 – Oh dear full rebuild looks on the cards and a Madison Bumgarner trade seems only a matter of time.

Well, that’s the way we see it going into the new season. Not much change in the AL but some new faces in the NL playoffs