Cubs: Predicting the MLB standings heading into the regular season

MLB standings: Dodgers are favorites to win it all again in 2021

First Place: Los Angeles Dodgers (97-103)

There is no doubt this team is the best in baseball on paper. Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Max Muncy in the lineup. A rotation of Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Bauer, Walker Buehler, David Price and Julio Urias. Kenley Jansen at closer…the team is beyond stacked. There are so few weaknesses on this team, and their wallets/farm are both bottomless pits. They can trade or add players whenever they want. Overall the squad is filled with All Stars, MVP candidates and Cy Young candidates. Right now they should be the World Series favorites by a longshot.

Second Place: San Diego Padres (91-95)

The Friars are one of the most exciting teams in baseball. Fernando Tatis Jr. is taking the world by storm, Manny Machado is slugging right next to him, and their rotation has been bolstered with Cy Young runner-up Yu Darvish and 2018 AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell. The team can also get solid production from Wil Myers Eric Hosmer and Tommy Pham. Also worth noting they added veteran closer Mark Melancon to the mix as well. This team will be fun to watch and a postseason contender, I just do not think they are ready to overtake the Dodgers though.

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Third Place: San Francisco Giants (77-81)

While not a team I see contending, they could be one that somewhat surprises people. There are plenty of familiar faces in the lineup including Buster Posey, Evan Longoria, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt and Mike Yastrzemski. They added former Cub Tommy LaStella into the mix as well. Not a terrific lineup but not an awful one either. The rotation is headed up by Kevin Gausman and former All-Star Johnny Cueto. Big question is how much Cueto has left in the tank. The farm system is slowly growing and the team is still a ways away from contending, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel for the Giants.

Fourth Place: Arizona Diamondbacks (77-80)

The third place race could be very close between the Diamondbacks and Giants. MadBum had a rough 2020 but he has too good a track record to write off just yet. The lineup has some decent hitters in Nick Ahmed, David Peralta and Kole Calhoun (who hit 16 home runs in 54 games last year). One thing the Diamondacks and their fans will keep a close eye on is if catcher Carson Kelly can take any steps forward at the plate. Some flashes have been shown, but he still has work to do. Another team overall that is at best, “meh”.

Fifth Place: Colorado Rockies (62-65)

Rockies fans should revolt after that shameful trade of Nolan Arenado. Terrible for the franchise and baseball. Trevor Story will provide some pop and Charlie Blackmon can still get on base. German Marquez is a pretty solid pitcher that handles the launchpad known as Coors Field decently. Pitcher Austin Gomber, who came back in the Arenado deal, had a very good year for the Cardinals last season and he hopes to provide the Rockies with the same. Overall this team looks like it is going to be looking toward the future.

2021 should be good, especially if the fans can safely return to the ballparks across the country. The wonderful thing about this coming week is that the slate is clean and everyone begins in first place.