30 in 30: Extra innings from Callum and Max
The previews are done, the teams are ready and we at UKAmericanSportsFans.com hope that you Sports Fans are more than ready for this new MLB season.
Opening Day was yesterday with Texas Rangers suffering a 2-8 defeat at Houston.
We know about the teams, we know about the players, and here are the predictions for the season from Callum Carson and Max Whittle, who have helped with Jonathan Northall in guiding you through the recent 30 in 30 series.
AL EAST
Callum:
Granted, baseball isn’t written on paper, but the Blue Jays have the strongest roster in their division thanks to spending mega-bucks in the winter. There’s no obvious reason why they won’t gel together and take the Canadians to the play-offs.
Max:
RAYS – They have the best pitching in the division and Evan Longoria should play a whole season.
ORIOLES – They have kept hold of the miracle workers from 2012 and will surprise again.
BLUE JAYS – A lot of talk about this team, but only on paper. Still a tough division and has to all come together pretty quickly.
RED SOX – A shocking 2012 has been forgotten as the Sox move into a new era. Big names gone, so don’t expect a lot of fun in Boston.
YANKEES – Old, injured and generally confusing signings this winter. Filling gaps but not exploiting them, this will be the year New York finally combusts.
AL CENTRAL
Callum:
Detroit didn’t improve their roster during the off-season. The thing is, they didn’t need to. Despite big moves from the Indians and Royals, the boys from Motown should clinch back-to-back division titles.
Max:
TIGERS – They got to the fall classic in 2012, but this year have Torii Hunter, the return of Victor Martinez and they’ve locked up Justin Verlander until 2020.
WHITE SOX – Rotation has to hold up if they want to stay ahead of the new look Royals.
ROYALS – New and improved with James Shields et al, we could see them over .500 this year.
INDIANS – Love that Terry Francona is back in the dugout, and he has made some nice additions including Nick Swisher. But his pitching is terrible.
TWINS – Rotation is worse than Cleveland’s, hence their bottom finish.
AL WEST
Callum:
It’s a new era in the West, thanks to the arrival of the Astros, but they won’t be much more than cannon fodder to the other big teams. Every time you can take away your rivals best player, you’re onto a winner. The Angels will be run close, but I expect them to edge it.
Max:
ANGELS – The bullpen and back end of the rotation is a concern, but that offence is just unreal.
ATHLETICS – Great in 2012, and should make a run again in this competitive division.
RANGERS – Losing Hamilton was big, and they need to promote Jurickson Profar sooner rather than later.
MARINERS – Pitching staff means they won’t compete but their offensive upgrades are good and at least they won’t finish last.
ASTROS – Did anyone say 115 losses? Nice new uniform though.
AL MVP
Callum:
With the Blue Jays roster absolutely loaded with talent, this could be a monumental year for Jose Bautista. He came through Spring Training unscathed, and, with all those base-runners in front of him in the line-up, expect his numbers to be other worldly.
Max:
Mike Trout – Triple Crown candidate leading off in a stacked lineup.
NL EAST
Callum:
Washington are a young team on the rise. Which is frightening considering how good they were last year. If they can stay healthy, they’ll win the division, but Atlanta and Philly shouldn’t be too far behind.
Max:
NATIONALS – This is the most talented team in the major leagues, and they have to better last year. Strasburg can pitch without limit too.
BRAVES – Upton brothers have to produce after their big build-up.
PHILLIES – Depends on health, particularly Roy Halladay and the rest of that staff. Don’t forget Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, also.
METS – Low attendances and Santana out for the season. It’s bleak in New York right now.
MARLINS – Let’s just start placing bets now on how many managers and trades they make this year.
NL CENTRAL
Callum:
I see this as being a two horse race between the Reds and the Red Birds. The Cardinals have all the experience and a stronger line-up, so I’m going to edge with them.
Max:
REDS – They not have a centrefielder and this team can compete with Washington.
CARDINALS – Not re-signing Kyle Lohse could come back to bite, but they’ve locked up Wainwright.
BREWERS – Lohse will be a good addition, but the staff is still short.
PIRATES – Finally finishing over .500? Doubt it, and we could see a managerial and board level change if not.
CUBS – Not much hope here. Alfonso Soriano and Matt Garza should be traded.
NL WEST
Callum:
The Dodgers have spent big over the last couple of seasons and have a terrific looking roster. The Giants will be there or there abouts and the biggest storyline in this division could be whether Tim Lincecum recovers from a disastrous 2012. The Dodgers will take the division.
Max:
GIANTS – The World Champions will be hoping Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito pitch like they did in the 2012 postseason.
DODGERS – Money has been spent, but injuries and chemistry issues make deter winning the West.
PADRES – Chase Headley will return in the second half, along with Yasmani Grandal, to boost the Padres.
DIAMONDBACKS – Paul Goldschmidt – who has been signed to a long-term deal – could explode, but I think their depth will mean they fall sort.
ROCKIES – Pitching is terrible here. Like home runs? Head to Coors Field at night.
NL MVP
Callum:
Obviously, there’s a whole host of players who have the ability to take this award, but I’m going to go with Andrew McCutchen. He might not hit .327, but he will definitely be a force to be reckoned with and, importantly, the Pirates will be relevant, upping his chances.
Max:
Clayton Kershaw – Should have run support this year to boost wins; strikeouts, innings pitched and ERA always good.
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
Callum:
AL Champions – It’s certainly no easy call. There are at least five or six teams you can make a genuine case for, but I’m going to go with Detroit. They are solid right the way through their line-up and have the experience of having been there before, unlike the Blue Jays.
NL Champions – I want to say Washington, but I think they may be another year or two away from being a World Series team. I think the Dodgers, behind the likes of Kershaw, Grienke et al, will be the ones cheering at the end.
World Series Champions – Detroit. They’ve been threatening to do it for a while now. With a stacked roster that includes numerous MVP-type players you have to think that the Tigers will make the most of that talent sooner rather than later.
Max:
AL PLAYOFFS
Wild-card game: Athletics over Orioles
Division Series: Tigers over Athletics, Rays over Angels
ALCS: Tigers over Rays
NL PLAYOFFS
Wild-card game: Dodgers over Braves
Division Series: Nationals over Dodgers, Giants over Reds
NLCS: Nationals over Giants
WORLD SERIES
Tigers over Nationals
