Season Preview: A Look Around The MLB

Luke’s MLB Season Preview

American League

East: Boston Red Sox – With the Yankees aging and the Rays reloading, the Red Sox offseason haul makes the difference. This one should be close.

Central: Chicago White Sox – While I’m buying into the White Sox for now, this is emerging as a really interesting division. I can make a case for anyone but the Indians winning this one.

West: Texas Rangers – The Angels will be good, but see no reason to write off the defending AL champs just yet.

Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays – I expect the AL Central to be a bit of a bloodbath this season, otherwise I would list the Twins here. Even in a reloading season, Tampa Bay is a very good team.

• National League

East: Philadelphia Phillies – With that pitching staff, how could I pick anyone else?

Central: Milwaukee Brewers – With an improved pitching staff and Prince Fielder in a contract year, the Brewers should have a great season. The Reds will be very good again, but I think Milwaukee has enough this year to take the Division. I expect the Cubs to finish fourth with a win total in the low 80s.

West: San Francisco Giants – This team just has too much pitching for me to look anywhere else.

Wild Card: Atlanta Braves – Similar to the AL, I think the Central will too tough of a division for the Reds to emerge as the Wild Card. Atlanta should give the Phillies a fight all season long, and are an easy choice for the Wild Card.

AL Champion: Boston Red Sox – It is very tempting to go with Tampa Bay, but top to bottom I think Boston is just too good to pass over.

NL Champion: Atlanta Braves – Philadelphia’s pitching gets the headlines, but Atlanta’s is pretty good as well. I think Atlanta has enough to pull the upset.

World Series Winner: Atlanta Braves – This is not a pick I make with a high level of confidence, but for today I’ll take Atlanta.

• And now for the awards.

AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez – He should thrive in Boston. He’s always been good, but in this ballpark surrounded by this team, he should be very, very good.

NL MVP: Albert Pujols – Baseball’s best player is in a contract year. Pity all pitchers who have to face him.

AL Cy Young: David Price – He might just be the best left handed starter in the game. He should win a couple of these before he’s done.

NL Cy Young: Zack Greinke – Not only does he pitch in the NL now, he is in the same division such lackluster offenses as the Cubs, Pirates, and Astros.

AL Manager of the Year: Ozzie Guillen, White Sox. With a blend of youth and veterans, the pressure of winning in Chicago, and his atypical relations with his own front office, if Guillen can win the division he probably deserves this. That said, should Kansas City finish around .500, Ned Yost should win this in a landslide.

NL Manager of the Year: Fredi Gonzalez, Braves. Having a great season helps, but doing so after taking over for a living legend clinches this title for Gonzalez. If the Cubs are within a few games of the Wild Card late in September, Mike Quade could steal this one.