2018 MLB Predictions

Opening Day is almost upon us, so what better time than now to release my predictions for the 2018 MLB season! It should be an exciting year around the MLB with many teams vying for a very few amount of playoff positions. These predictions will include every division from top to bottom, how I think the playoffs will work out and some predictions on some awards as well.

National League

East:
Nationals
Mets- WC
Phillies
Braves
Marlins

This division will belong to the Nationals, and it is easy to see why. They are a balanced team, even though their bullpen is their achilles heal. I think the Mets will shock some people as long as their pitching is actually healthy (I know, it's unlikely), and the Phillies and Braves will take minor steps forward. Marlins will be really bad though.

Central:
Cubs
Cardinals
Brewers
Pirates
Reds

The Cubs will dominate this division. I cannot see any good competition coming out of this division to challenge them. Cardinals will devil magic their way to 2nd place and close to the playoffs. I am not high on the Brewers because, to be quite honest, their pitching staff is really quite bad. Having Yelich and Cain doesn't fix that. They strengthened an already strong part of their team while leaving the weak spots to rot. some more. Pirates and Reds have intriguing young teams, but they will battle in mediocrity towards the bottom of the division in a tight race for last.

West:
Dodgers
Rockies- WC
Dbacks
Giants
Padres

Dodgers are still stacked, but won't necessarily run away with the division, but it will end up being a comfortable margin when all is said and done. I really like the Rockies to make the playoffs instead of the Diamondbacks, but that is a debate that people will have (some people have them both in the playoffs like last year). I am not quite sold on the Giants as many are, especially not after the injuries to Bumgarner, Samardzija and potentially Melancon. They have more name value to them than actual production value. It is an even year though. Padres will continue to suffer growing pains of young players, but will show at least some promise for a brighter future......... maybe.

Playoffs:

WC:
Mets over Rockies

NLDS:
Dodgers over Mets
Cubs over Nats

NLCS:
Dodgers over Cubs

Basically, Syndergaard will dominate the wildcard game and the Mets will actually do something good, before the Dodgers beat them to a pulp. Nats will choke again (what a surprise), giving us Dodgers vs Cubs again. Dodgers win that series in a tight one.

American League:

East: 
Yankees
Red Sox- WC
Blue Jays
Orioles
Rays

Yankees are just going to pound teams with home run after home run, and it may be fun for a few weeks until it becomes old and we realize it is the Yankees. Red Sox will be good competition for the Yankees though, but Yankees will get by them. Blue Jays and Orioles will walk in mediocrity, and the Rays will be bad - not Marlins' bad though, let's not get the wrong idea.

Central:
Indians
Twins- WC
WSox
Royals
Tigers

Indians and Twins will battle closely much of the year before the Indians pull off a late surge to win the division rather comfortably. Twins will reach the playoffs though, and I really like their prudent but effective offseason moves (Logan Morrison was a steal by the way). White Sox and Royals will battle for third place, with the WSox winning out. I really like the young team the White Sox are building, but one more year of growing pains will happen before they are ready to take off. Royals are just mediocre at best. The Tigers will land comfortably in the cellar as the long rebuild unfolds.

West:
Astros
Angels
Mariners
Rangers
A's

There is no team better on paper than these Astros. You look at the roster and see no glaring weaknesses, or any normal weaknesses for that matter. The defending champs may just repeat. The Angels will get close but won't reach the playoffs in a hotly contested AL wildcard race. Pitching is a big question mark, even with Ohtani there. That lineup looks insanely lethal though. Mariners and Rangers will be mediocre messes, and the A's will bumble around like they often do.

Playoffs

WC:
Red Sox over Twins

ALDS:
Astros over Red Sox
Yankees over Indians

ALCS:
Astros over Yankees

Good luck beating Chris Sale at Fenway, Twins. After that, the playoffs are about the same as last season, and the results too. The Astros take care of business and win the pennant again.

World Series:
Dodgers over Astros

Dodgers vs Astros last year was one of the most entertaining series' ever. The punches back and forth were incredible. I expect more of the same in the repeat, except this time, the Dodgers capture that elusive World Series title.

Awards:

NL:
Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw
MVP: Kris Bryant
ROY: Ronald Acuna
MOY: Mickey Callaway

Kershaw and Bryant become repeat winners in their awards (Kershaw is already a repeat Cy Young winner). Acuna wins rookie of the year for the Braves with a strong year. Callaway getting the Mets to the playoffs earns him manager of the year.

AL:
Cy Young: Chris Sale
MVP: JD Martinez
ROY: Yoan Moncada
MOY: AJ Hinch

Red Sox get decorated with awards with two of them, maybe both surprises even. Moncada will be great in a full season with the White Sox. AJ Hinch will receive the manager of the year with the Astros as the accolades for him keep adding up.