2018 MLB Season Predictions - The Time Has Come!

In the senior circuit, I believe the division winners are the Nationals, the Cubs and the Dodgers. No change from last year in that regard. The leaders are just too strong to be overtaken. The wild card spots will be up for grabs. The Cards could make a play for it while the Brewers, in spite of the back end of their rotation could challenge as well. I do like the Rockies and Diamondbacks to be there as well. To me, I’ll go with the Cards and D-backs. I think the Cubs and Nationals will duke it out for NL supremacy with the Cubs winning their second pennant in 3 years.

NL Rookie of the year will go to the phenom from the Braves farm system, Ronald Acuna. There will again be another battle for the NL CY Young with Clayton Kershaw overtaking Max Scherzer for his fourth. The NL MVP is an open race with the former winner, Stanton, in a Yankees uniform. Harper, Rizzo, Bryant and Turner could all compete for the coveted individual honor. I think Harper will win it in his walk year setting up a bidding war for the ages.

In the AL, I believe the division winners are as follows with the Red Sox taking the East, the Indians in the central and the Astros running away with it in the west. The wild cards will come out of the east as well in the form of the Yankees and Orioles. While I do believe the AL East will get three playoff teams, the cream of the AL crop is the Astros facing the Indians in the ALCS.

Ohtani, the Japanese batting ace(see what I did there), should set himself apart from other AL rookies simply because he’ll play in all facets of the game which is a rarity. Kuechel, Kluber and Sale will all pitch their way into the AL’s Cy Young conversation with Chris Sale being victorious. With Miguel Cabrera in his twilight, the AL MVP debate is Mike Trout against someone… My money is on Trout.

Last but certainly not least, the pennants. In the NL, Maddon is the biggest reason I take the Cubs over the Nationals. When pitted against a rookie manager in Dave Martinez, I’d choose Maddon every time. While in the AL, its hard to pick against the Astros. They have youth and championship caliber, game 7 experience at every position now and Verlander to help guide them through rough patches. They are scary good. Cubs versus Astros, WOW, two teams in their prime with excellent hitters, fielders, rotations, bullpens, and managers. The edge? Maddon. He’s a proven commodity with a knack for getting the most out of his team.

Cubs over the Astros in 7.

Thanks for playing along!

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