By Peyton Schultze

Mookie Betts will attempt to lead the reigning champions to another title in the second year of his prolific contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers (via Report Door).

Baseball is back!

On April 1st, the return of Major League Baseball headlines the action throughout the sports world, with each team preparing to face an incoming 162 game schedule. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the reigning champions from last year’s World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays in the heart of Texas, but challengers in both leagues have risen to the top and could prove to be a serious threat to a repeat effort for the Dodgers.

With that said, here is our inside look at each team in the league, as well as our picks for Team MVP, Breakout Player, and Postseason Winners (for award winners and postseason predictions, scroll to the very bottom of the page):

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AL East

1st Place: New York Yankees

Is this the year that the New York Yankees finally exorcise some recent postseason and get back to the World Series for the first time since 2009?

For as talented as their teams have been during his tenure, it is a serious surprise that manager Aaron Boone has avoided as much criticism as he has during his time in the Bronx. Maybe it is due to his historical ties with the organization as a player, but nevertheless, Boone faces a huge year in New York where the Yankees have just about everything they could ever ask for. While superstar slugger Aaron Judge is the headliner for the team on offense when he is able to stay healthy, infielder DJ LeMahieu has proven to be perennial MVP candidate during his time in pinstripes. LeMahieu is one of the great hitters in baseball, and his presence at the top of the Yankee lineup helps players such as Giancarlo Stanton and Luke Voit get almost nightly RBI opportunities inside the tight confines of Yankee Stadium. Elsewhere, New York finally made the decision to start Clint Frazier in the outfield alongside Aaron Hicks and Judge, which means Frazier could be due for a gigantic season after years of competing for playing time. The Bronx Bombers are loaded on offense once again, and if they can find a way to stay healthy, there is no reason this can’t be the best offensive team in the American League.

But if the Yankees are to get back to the Fall Classic in 2021, all eyes are on their pitching staff. Of course, there is no doubt that flamethrowing starter Gerrit Cole will have another excellent season at the top of the Yankees’ rotation, but there are serious question marks after him. However, if there is one player that we expect to have a resurgent season in New York, it’s former All-Star right-hander Corey Kluber. The former Cleveland pitcher has been often-injured in past seasons, but a lot of time off and now being presented a situation where he does not have to throw a shutout every night could be huge for this group. Domingo German and Jameson Taillon could follow those two in the rotation, but an exceptional bullpen led by Aroldis Chapman and Chad Green could help carry the Yankees early on until they are presented with the return of Luis Severino. The pressure is once again as high as ever in New York, but with some depleted teams around the American League failing to look any more impressive than they were last year, the Yankees have to be seen as the clear favorites to represent the AL in the World Series.

Record: 97-65

Team MVP: LeMahieu

Breakout Player: Frazier

2nd Place: Boston Red Sox

A big-market team that enters the season with lower expectations than usual is…. the Boston Red Sox?

After the Rays advanced all the way to the World Series a season ago and the Yankees were once again able to open up their pocket books for incumbent free agents in the offseason, the Red Sox have not captured many headlines in the past few months. Even the Toronto Blue Jays, one of the league’s least talked about teams (that figures to not even start their home slate in their own ballpark once again) is projected by many to finish above Boston.

But maybe that is just the way Red Sox fans want it under manager Alex Cora. One of the notable figures of the Astros’ cheating scandal gets his own redemption tour of sorts this season in Beantown, where he has already won a World Series title as a player (2007) and as a manager (2018). Luckily for him, the Red Sox have a solid cast of characters who could put up better than expected numbers this season. In addition to one of the game’s best shortstops in the always-consistent Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez return to the lineup for the Red Sox after subpar seasons in 2020. Nevertheless, the Red Sox front office helped upgrade their offensive firepower much more in this past offseason than they did a year ago after trading the outstanding talents of Mookie Betts. Kiké Hernandez, Marwin Gonzalez, and Hunter Renfroe are all players who provide outstanding versatility and depth to this squad, and their offensive talents in the power department could play well inside of Fenway Park. In addition, first baseman Bobby Dalbec and outfielder Alex Verdugo could be due for a breakout seasons in Boston. Verdugo was one of the best players on the Red Sox a season ago, and a full season of play in Massachusetts could be enough for the former Dodgers’ outfielder to produce bigger numbers than ever at the plate. Meanwhile, Dalbec has raked over the past month, and appears to be a potential Rookie of the Year option in the American League this year.

“[But] physically, I’m in a lot better position than I was last year. Right now, it’s just getting some at-bats, working the count deep...But I’m feeling really good where I’m at.”

— Outfielder Alex Verdugo on Spring Training

As good as the Red Sox lineup looks, their question marks lie largely in the bullpen. Boston did a nice job of acquiring a boom-or-bust option in Adam Ottavino to compete with Matt Barnes for the closer role, but outside of that, the Red Sox will be searching for answers. Luckily for them, at least they will deploy a solid starting rotation. It is a major concern that Chris Sale has not been able to throw off a mound yet, but until he is healthy and recovered from Tommy John surgery from a year ago, the Red Sox will turn toward Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodríguez, Nick Pivetta, and another boom-or-bust candidate in Garrett Richards. In addition, although his role is a little unclear heading into the year, fan-favorite starter Martin Perez could eat some much-needed innings for this ballclub early in the year. Their rotation is good, but certainly not great, without Sale, but it will be interesting to see how Cora manages this group coming off a relatively smooth Spring Training period. Many seem to be jumping the ship on this team already in an improved AL East. Not so fast; this is a team that needs to just find some health over the course of the season to stay relevant and in the mix for a playoff spot in the American League.

Record: 85-77

Team MVP: Verdugo

Breakout Player: Dalbec

3rd Place: Toronto Blue Jays

After years of mediocrity in the AL East, the Blue Jays could finally be poised to make a run at the playoffs in 2021 after two straight gigantic offseasons.

The Blue Jays were better-than-expected in the shortened 2020 season, but Charlie Montoyo’s squad looks like a team that could be due for a return to the postseason in 2021. The reason? It starts with Toronto’s offseason signing of center fielder George Springer, one of the game’s elite outfielders and a perennial All-Star with postseason experience of his own. Springer left the murky situation over in Houston for the youthful rebuild in Toronto, and it is almost a guarantee that he’ll slug at least thirty homers in the leadoff spot for the Jays this season. Elsewhere on offense, shortstop Bo Bichette looks like a player ready to make a leap forward near the top of the lineup, with All-Star potential written all over his status heading into this season. With newly acquired infielder Marcus Semien and powerful slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sitting right behind Bichette in this nice lineup, the dynamic shortstop could be one of the league leaders in runs scored by the end of the year. Other than that, utility man Cavan Biggio and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. help provide some key depth to the Blue Jays’ strong lineup, which certainly figures to sit near the top of the best offensive teams in the American League in 2021.

Yet as good as the offense has potential to be, the Blue Jays also deploy a solid rotation capable of being one of the top units in the AL. Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu could once again be an All-Star in 2021 if he can stay healthy and produce his usual diet of nasty offspeed pitches, whereas newcomers like Robbie Ray and Steven Matz could be due for career resurgences in a new location. Both of these players, in addition to veterans Tanner Roark and Ross Stripling, have shown flashes of regaining their prior form of the past in recent years, and the Toronto front office did a nice job of surrounding their ace in Ryu with a bunch of low-risk, high-reward starters who could fill innings for this group. The Blue Jays’ bullpen may be their biggest question mark, although they figure to count on closer Jordan Romano and setup man Rafael Dolis to carry the load in the back end late in games. If Toronto is hanging around the AL playoff picture late in the season, do not be surprised to see this team be aggressive to address those concerns in the bullpen. The AL Wild Card race will be very tight, but Toronto looks like a team ready to at least compete in those final weeks of the regular season for a spot.

Record: 81-81

Team MVP: Bichette

Breakout Player: Bichette

4th Place: Tampa Bay Rays

“Mookie coming around for the third time through, I value that. There was no set plan. As much as people think, there was no set plan. ”

— Rays' Manager Kevin Cash on why he removed pitcher Blake Snell in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series

There lies the quote that has burned, and will continue to burn, Tampa Bay Rays’ fans for the near and distant future.

Many may be surprised to see the Rays this low in the AL East projections after a World Series appearance last season, but one has to wonder how much of a fluke that truly was. That makes the task for manager Kevin Cash as tough as ever, as his Rays face a longer season than last year that could end up hurting their chances. Lucky for him, Tampa still has some key pieces returning to the picture this season. After blossoming onto the Major League scene last season out of nowhere, Randy Arozarena figures to be the star for Tampa Bay this season after his historical 2020 postseason. Arozarena still qualifies as a rookie this year, but with Barry Bonds comparisons already being sent his way, there is a good chance he’ll be an AL MVP candidate this year. This is key, especially since Tampa still lacks an elite offense. Austin Meadows, Brandon Lowe, and Ji-Man Choi may be the best options that the Rays have around Arozarena on offense, which could develop as a major concern that may need to be addressed near the trade deadline. Yet for as much as the Rays tend to struggle on offense, they make up for it by dominating other aspects of the game. Nowhere is this more apparent than on defense, where Tampa returns some stud defenders such as longtime favorite Kevin Kiermaier and speedster Manuel Margot in the outfield (who really blossomed into a nice all-around player by the end of last season). The Rays have some key pieces returning to the action, but do not be surprised if highly-anticipated prospect Wander Franco gets a call-up quickly into the season to provide a spark.

Where the Rays are really unpredictable heading into the season is not on offense or in the bullpen (led by Peter Fairbanks and Nick Anderson), but in a starting rotation that just traded one of their best starters in franchise history across the coast to San Diego. With Snell no longer at the top of the rotation for the Rays, Cash will look toward incumbent #2 starter Tyler Glasnow to now lead this rotation as their ace. Glasnow is a nice starter who has some great games here and there, but he remains one of the most inconsistent aces in baseball that has shown some dip in production in big moments over the course of his career. Meanwhile, the Rays brought in a risky new trio with some massive upside, yet terrifying floors, in the form of Rich Hill, Michael Wacha, and Chris Archer. All of these players have faced plenty of injury concerns over the course of their career, and while they have similarly had some extreme highs at their peak, it feels several years too late. The best bet of the group has to be on Archer, who returns to his former team and could see his ERA numbers improve after a terrible 5.19 ERA in his last full season in 2019. The reigning AL champions may get the benefit of the doubt from many heading into the year due to their phenomenal run last year, but this team has a long path back to the playoffs heading into the 2021 season.

Record: 78-84

Team MVP: Arozarena

Breakout Player: Franco

5th Place: Baltimore Orioles

In a loaded AL East that has potential to take up both of the Wild Card spots in 2021, do the Orioles have any chance of making a playoff appearance?

The simple answer: no, not really. Manager Brandon Hyde has the tall task of guiding one of the worst teams in baseball for another season, and with the AL East looking as good as ever this season, it could start to get late very early during his time in Baltimore over the course of the season. Hyde will count on a mostly young core of players who could potentially set the stage for the future of the Orioles, with names such as Ryan Mountcastle, Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins, and Austin Hays. Other than that, designated hitter Trey Mancini may be the best pure bat in this lineup, and his All-Star chances could be looking very strong this season with limited talent around him. Despite his issues in the past, the Orioles did do a nice job of acquiring a solid bat like Maikel Franco to add some energy to this lineup, which could struggle to score against some of the top starting rotations in the AL East. You never really want to pick out one player and say he is the key to this team doing anything, but Franco could be counted on to reproduce some of his prior numbers that have escaped him in recent seasons in order to help Mancini near the top of the Baltimore lineup. The Orioles’ offense is not looking to contend in 2021, and it will be interesting to see which pieces emerge as building blocks for the future of the franchise.

Strangely enough, the Orioles made an interesting, yet puzzling signing of “King Felix” Hernandez during the offseason, who could emerge as a top option in the Baltimore starting rotation. Hernandez’s production has fallen off a cliff in recent years after dominating the Seattle Sound for so many years during the prime of his career, but it will be interesting to see if he re-gains any juice from the past against so many elite American League hitters. Elsewhere, starters John Means and Keegan Akin figure to headline the top of the rotation in 2021, with Dean Kremer looking to fill in for some innings as well. Baltimore’s rotation is rather bare at the moment, and it would also not be a surprise to see this team turn toward top-end prospects in their farm system such as Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall. Outside of that, the Orioles’ bullpen might be their best strength and could get them some incoming prospects at the trade deadline. Names such as Dillon Tate, Paul Fry, and Tanner Scott are nice options in the ‘pen, and could be candidates for players with a sub-4.00 ERA on the season. The Orioles are not built to win this season, but if they can at least improve on the awfulness of the past few seasons, there should be a sense of hope on the horizon for the sake of the ballclub’s future.

Record: 51-111

Team MVP: Mancini

Breakout Player: Mountcastle

AL Central

1st Place: Chicago White Sox

Can the White Sox finally make a deep run in the postseason with a weakened AL Central surrounding them, or will it be much more of the same in Chi-Town?

The White Sox are a tricky team to figure out heading into the 2021 regular season. On one hand, new manager Tony La Russa brings championship experience to The Windy City, and particularly to an organization ready to take the next step into contention. On the other hand, Chicago has failed to meet expectations plenty of times in recent seasons, and they still have some questions across the board. Nevertheless, one area where they won’t have an issue at is first base. Reigning AL MVP winner Jose Abreu somehow still remains one of the most underrated hitters in baseball, and he is certainly the lethal weapon in the middle of Chicago’s lineup. In addition, the White Sox will also deploy two of the best players at their position in the game with catcher Yasmani Grandal and shortstop Tim Anderson. Both players will help to carry the bulk of the Chicago offense this season, especially with Eloy Jimenez now sidelined for the season, although outfielder Adam Eaton and third baseman Yoan Moncada (who still seems to be tapping into his potential) will be key contributors as well. Chicago has a very well-rounded group on offense this season, and with plenty of favorable pitching matchups in the AL Central, the White Sox look poised for a nice year at the plate.

“I think it is because of the plan that Tony has. He knows the time that we, as a player, need to spend on the field. He knows when you need to rest. He knows how to take control of how you measure your work. The atmosphere that he has created along with the coaches has been outstanding. We’re putting special emphasis on the little things. We’re working on specific areas of the game that we need to in order to win games and to be a complete team.
”

— AL MVP Jose Abreu on the vibe in Spring Training with manager Tony La Russa

Just like at the plate, the White Sox have a very solid core group of pitchers on the mound. Although he may not be as widely-known as the likes of Shane Bieber or Gerrit Cole in the American League, front-end ace Lucas Giolito could be due for a Cy Young-type season as the top option in the starting rotation. Giolito was excellent on the mound last season, and with the return of a full-slate of games this season, he could easily be an All-Star this season. In addition, the White Sox deploy the always-reliable Dallas Keuchel in the #2 spot in the rotation, as well as veteran starter Lance Lynn and young right-hander Dylan Cease. Chicago remains relatively solid in the starting rotation, but this is easily a team that could be active in the trade market this season in the hunt to add another top starter. On top of that, the White Sox made one of the key offseason signs in Major League Baseball when they signed wipeout closer Liam Hendriks. The flamethrowing closer makes a strong case for the title of the best closer in baseball, and he will bring a certain amount of juice to a bullpen led by other names such as Aaron Bummer and Evan Marshall. Chicago has a very solid team heading into the 2021 that could easily develop into a contender over the course of the season under La Russa, which makes them a very interesting team to keep an eye on once the season gets underway.

Record: 92-70

Team MVP: Abreu

Breakout Player: Moncada

2nd Place: Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have been a playoff consistent over the past several seasons, but have been greeted with failure after failure. Is this the year they finally break through and make a run toward the World Series in the American League?

Part of the reason that the Twins have been so good in recent years has been their slugging lineup that typically ranks near the top of Major League Baseball in home runs. Few players in the league embody this more than the still-excellent Nelson Cruz and first baseman Miguel Sano, both of whom are typically a lock for thirty or more bombs per year. Yet the key to the twins’ lineup in 2021 lies in their strong 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup in the form of Max Kepler and Josh Donaldson. Kepler has been a longtime presence who continues to improve in the box, whereas the journeyman Donaldson still strikes fear in the box with his ferocious swing. Outside of that, the Twins will turn to players such as Andrelton Simmons, Jorge Polanco, Ryan Jeffers, and Byron Buxton to put up some runs on offense. However, one name to keep a very close eye on if future shortstop Royce Lewis. The young minor leaguer is the Twins’ top prospect in their farm system and one of the more exciting players in the minor league circuit, and it would not be a surprise to see him make an impact at the Major League level at some point this season.

Although the Twins’ lineup is what makes them such a dangerous threat in the American League, they deploy a very deep rotation that can eat innings every night. The headliner at the front of the rotation is the ever-so-underrated Kenta Maeda, who happened to be one of the best pitchers in all of baseball last season. Maeda’s creative offspeed mix often keeps hitters on their toes, and he could easily make an All-Star appearance this season if healthy. On top of that, even though he can struggle for periods at a time, Jose Berrios makes for an outstanding #2 option in the rotation with his high velocity and tricky mix. The Twins’ rotation is also rounded out by a very complicated trio of players with potential for extreme highs, or terrible lows. The trio of Matt Shoemaker, J.A. Happ, and Michael Pineda all have the potential to produce nice seasons on the mound, but it looks like a situation that could be improved late in the year. The Twins also run out a pretty solid bullpen that has been decent in recent years. The likes of Randy Dobnak, Taylor Rogers, and Tyler Duffey are probably the best options for Minnesota in the bullpen, and they could be a team interested in acquiring more talent in that area around the trade deadline. It is hard to pin just how good this team is right now in March, but pay attention to this high-scoring ballclub as the season goes on and they go face-to-face with some of the best squads in the AL.

Record: 88-74

Team MVP: Donaldson

Breakout Player: Lewis

3rd Place: Kansas City Royals

It has been a tough half-decade for the Kansas City Royals following their World Series title in 2015, but after a huge offseason that saw them acquire some intriguing new talent, are they poised to take a big leap forward this season?

Kansas City has sat near the bottom of the AL Central standings in recent seasons, but Mike Matheny’s squad may be able to find some new life in the 2021 season. The Royals do return many consistent players from the past several seasons, including newly-extended Kansas City legend Salvador Perez and the rock-solid Whit Merrifield over at second base, but the organization brought in some new talent as well. Left-handed contact hitter Andrew Benintendi from the Red Sox stands out as their most exciting new piece in the outfield, as he will be a huge addition on both sides of the diamond. In addition, Kansas City will deploy some intriguing position players once again such as quick shortstop Adalberto Mondesi and the powerful slugger Jorge Solar, both of whom are coming off nice seasons in 2020. In addition, Kansas City will likely bring up top infield prospect Bobby Witt Jr. at some point this season to compete with Hunter Dozier and Nicky Lopez, which could be a jolt to the Kansas City offense by the midseason mark. The Royals have never really been a team that relies much on the home run, and outside of Solar, that appears to be the case once again. That makes Kansas City one of the rare teams in the game that attempts to go against the new wave of baseball, which makes their lineup an interesting group heading into the new year.

Nevertheless, even though their lineup and defense may look very solid on paper, the starting rotation is a huge concern. Brad Keller headlines the group and has already secured the spot for Opening Day, but he remains a relative unknown to many baseball fans around the world. In addition, the Royals found depth in the form of Mike Minor, who may be called upon for plenty of innings this season alongside longtime Royal Danny Duffy, Kris Bubac, and Brady Singer. The Royals’ starters still remain one of their biggest weaknesses, and it would not be a surprise to see this team shift the group around plenty of times this season. In the bullpen, Matheny faces some major questions as well. After terrible stints in Colorado and Arizona, Greg Holland is expected to fill in the closer role after only throwing six innings for the Royals last season. Holland will also be helped out in the ‘pen by Jake Junis, Scott Barlow, Jesse Hahn, and Josh Staumont (you would be hard-pressed to find many non-Royal fans who recognize this group). The Royals still seem like they are a few steps from making any sort of noise in the American League, but this season is truly about one thing in Kansas City: improvement.

Record: 73-89

Team MVP: Perez

Breakout Player: Witt Jr.

4th Place: Cleveland

The complete opposite of the Royals, Cleveland faces some major question marks on offense after trading their franchise superstar in Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets. Can Cleveland respond to the noise and get back to the top of the AL Central?

Manager Terry Francona remains one of the best managers in all of baseball even this late in his career, but getting this team to at least .500 could be a huge challenge. “Tito” will have an ever-changing lineup card this season with Lindor now in New York, but he can at least count on a nice trio in the middle of the order with Eddie Rosario, Jose Ramirez, and Franmil Reyes. Each of these three sluggers provides a major boost of power to this Cleveland order, and there is a good chance that those three players will be counted on to carry this lineup at times this season (especially Ramirez, who was great in the shortened 2020 season). Outside of that, who else will really be a key contributor? Cesar Hernandez will likely start at second base and Josh Naylor will occupy one of the three outfield spots, but neither player is considered a dominant offensive force in the league. This could mean that Cleveland turns their attention in the lineup toward some younger players such as young third baseman Nolan Jones or infielder Andrés Giménez, both of whom have potential to excel at the Major League level. Cleveland’s decision to trade Lindor could easily stand out this season, and it will be very interesting to see where they rank on offense this season.

Nevertheless, despite potential offensive woes, Cleveland has a very solid rotation. Led by one of the top-three current pitchers in the game in the form of Shane Bieber, Cleveland may be a real force in the starting rotation if they can get some production from other pitchers outside of their right-handed stud. Zach Plesac appears to be the best solution to this potential conundrum, as he has shown flashes of dominance over the course of his career so far. Yet consistency has plagued him in his career so far, and he will need to eat up a lot of innings this year on the mound alongside fellow starters in Aaron Civale and Triston McKenzie. In addition, in what used to be a strength of this team, Cleveland will also run out a very shaky bullpen this season. Closer James Karinchak is certainly their best option and could be due for a huge year as their centerpiece in the ‘pen, but he lacks a lot of help in the back end outside of Nick Wittgren and Emmanuel Clase. No matter which way you spin it, Cleveland is a considerably worse team without Lindor. That will show from Opening Day until the end of the season, which could mean a long year for the team.

Record: 71-91

Team MVP: Bieber

Breakout Player: Karinchak

5th Place: Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have consistently been one of the worst teams in all of baseball over the past five seasons, but with a new manager in town, will things start to change in The Motor City?

Manager A.J. Hinch gets his first opportunity at redemption following the Astros’ cheating scandal in Detroit, but there is a real chance this might be the worst team in all of baseball. The Tigers are almost bare across the board in terms of immediately impactful talent, although they still have future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera hitting in the middle of their lineup. The slugging designated hitter is joined by solid infielder Jonathan Schoop, while Willi Castro, Jeimer Candelario, and Niko Goodrum round out the rest of the infield. The Tigers at least have a nice outfield trio of powerful left-handed bat Nomar Mazara, Jacoby Jones, and Robbie Grossman, while veteran rock Wilson Ramos once again has the duties behind the plate. Detroit’s bench is also rather thin with Victor Reyes and Akil Baddoo (who is coming off an excellent Spring Training period), but both could receive some fair share of playing time. The Tigers offense may be the worst in the American League, and it will be an uphill climb for them to score runs every night.

Although Detroit may have a tough time putting runs on the board, it does not look like it will be any easier for them to limit opposing teams from putting runs on the board as well. The Tigers’ best option in the rotation is certainly Matt Boyd, but concerns are still evident after he only made three starts last season. Detroit has a mesh of capable starters after Boyd, but none that should really inspire fans that this will be a solid rotation. Julio Teheran might be the best option behind their ace, but a combination of Jose Urena and Tarik Skubal will also make some starts over the course of the season. The Tigers’ best option in the rotation could easily come from some their top prospects, including promising starter Casey Mize and Matt Manning, and it will be interesting to see how Hinch uses some of his younger talent on this roster over the course of the season. Detroit’s bullpen is not in much better shape either, as their really is not a clear cut option that they will be able to use every night to provide some shutout innings. Gregory Soto, Bryan Garcia, and Buck Farmer may be Hinch’s best choices out the ‘pen, but that is not saying much at this point. Detroit has too many weaknesses to truly compete in the American League in 2021, and it could very well be another long season for Tigers’ fans.

Record: 56-106

Team MVP: Schoop

Breakout Player: Baddoo

AL West

1st Place: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Can Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels finally get back to the postseason for the first time since 2014?

For as long as wonderkid Shohei Ohtani continues to slug at the plate and also chip in on the mound with some key innings, anything is possible in Anaheim. Trout, the game’s best current player, has often been let down by the Angels’ front office during his time as an Angel, but the emergence of Ohtani (returning from injury this season) could be a major reason why the Angels could make a push toward the postseason in 2021. Trout and Ohtani has always and potential to be a dynamic duo that gives the Angels some much-needed national recognition, and this year finally appears to be the chance that the organization has longed for if their stars can stay healthy.

Oh, and the Angels may already have another one of the game’s best overall players on their roster already in the form of third baseman Anthony Rendon. Following the shortened season and the overpowering presence of Trout, it may be easy to forget that a player with the capabilities of Rendon now resides in Orange County, but he could be due for a massive season in one of the league’s best offenses. Elsewhere, the Angels made a nice offseason push for outfielder Dexter Fowler and shortstop José Iglesias. Both players will be expected to contribute right away, and will join other players such as inconsistent veteran hitter Justin Upton and the sneaky talented David Fletcher over at second base. Throw in the fact that there is a real chance that this could be Albert Pujols’ final season in the Major Leagues, and the storylines are aplenty in Anaheim as part of a loaded offensive core.

“Obviously, we needed to come out hotter at the start, but the last few weeks of the season, man, we played good baseball. And now, we’ve added a few guys, so I think we can build off that.”

— Outfielder Mike Trout on the Angels' 2021 outlook

But in the Trout-era of Angels’ baseball, offense has not really been their core problem. Instead, a shaky pitching staff highlighted by a lack of a true ace at the top of the rotation has plagued Los Angeles for years. Nevertheless, right-handed starter Dylan Bundy finally showed some signs of finally filling that role over the course of the shortened 2020 season. Bundy’s awesome 3.29 ERA in 2020 would be a huge boost if he can replicate his numbers from a season ago, and there is no reason to believe he can not hit that mark after a solid spring. In addition, the Angels will run out some talented yet inconsistent starters in Andrew Heaney, Alex Cobb, and Jose Quintana. Each of these three options has shown flashes of elite stuff over the course of their careers, but Anaheim will need each to stay healthy and at least fill some innings. On top of that, watch out for starter Griffin Canning. The 24-year-old starter has potential to take a step forward, and he’ll compete with Ohtani for a spot in the rotation. The Angels’ bullpen is still a concern, but they will at least see a major boost in the form of Raisel Iglesias. The right-handed flamethrower gives Joe Maddon’s squad a boost in the back end late in games, and he could be a vital piece of the puzzle to the team’s success in 2021. There is pressure on Anaheim to finally deliver and get Trout back into the postseason, and with a depleted AL West around them, this is their best chance in several seasons.

Record: 88-74

Team MVP: Trout

Breakout Player: Iglesias

2nd Place: Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics once again enter 2021 as the team “most likely to make the Wild Card Game” in the American League. But how much longer can that luck last with a limited pitching staff that could force the offense to put up big numbers this season?

Although the A’s are not the flashiest team in baseball, their offensive prowess is massively underrated around the league. They will not be the team to lead the league in slugging percentage this season, but Oakland might have one of the most complete lineups in baseball from top to bottom. Although they are dealing with injuries to their best player in third baseman Matt Chapman and solid catcher Sean Murphy, the A’s boast a nice lineup that will be able to score a lot of runs this season. Largely due to underrated first baseman Matt Olsen and a very nice outfield trio of Mark Canha, Ramon Laureano, and Stephen Piscotty, Oakland deploys a nightly lineup of sluggers that can truly hit the covers off the ball. On top of that, the Athletics brought in two more veteran position players that will contribute right away with Mitch Moreland and Elvin Andrus. Moreland is more of situational hitter who will take some time in the designated hitter slot, but Andrus is a consistent veteran player at shortstop who will do a fine job of replacing Marcus Siemen of the Toronto Blue Jays. In total, although they do not have any marketable players with household names, this is a very good offensive group that may very well guide the A’s to more wins than many people expect.

While the Athletics may not have a ton of questions in their starting lineup, the same cannot be said for their starting rotation. The A’s do not really have a clear ace at the top of the rotation, and it appears that they will likely start the season with a mix of Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, and Jesus Luzardo in the first three games. After that, the rotation is major question mark. However, top prospect A.J. Puk looks like a top candidate to take a rotation spot after a very nice Spring Training, and Frankie Montas and Daulton Jefferies could compete for one of those last open vacancies as well. On top of all of this, the A’s will likely reel in the bullpen after the loss of Liam Hendricks in the closer role. With Hendricks now in Chicago, manager Bob Melvin will likely look toward some combination of Trevor Rosenthal, Sergio Romo, and Jake Diekman. All of these options have been spotty in recent seasons, and while the A’s have proven to have an excellent developmental program in terms of pitching, massive questions remain about which option will emerge as their go-to guy. Once again, as it always seems in Oakland, the A’s will defy the odds and likely finish with a winning record. But will that get them back into the playoffs and a step closer to the World Series at all? Stay tuned.

Record: 83-79

Team MVP: Chapman

Breakout Player: Puk

3rd Place: Houston Astros

With fans returning to almost all stadiums around the country this season, how will the Houston Astros face a mountain of uncertainty relating to their infamous cheating scandal?

That is the major question surrounding Houston in 2021, although they are dealing with some major pieces that are no longer around or are dealing with severe injuries. Houston’s main loss is outfielder George Springer to the Toronto Blue Jays, who departs the Astros’ former “World Series” core of Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, and Carlos Correa on offense. While Altuve took a significant step back last season with plenty of defensive mishaps and uncharacteristic struggles at the plate, Correa and Bregman continued to show why they are some of the best players at their position in the game. In addition to that current trio, left-handed hitter Michael Brantley still looms as an elite offensive option for the Astros. Nevertheless, although the Houston offense has some nice stars at the top of the lineup, who else can they count on? Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez are intriguing young options for the ‘Stros, but there has to be a lack of confidence entering this season after already dealing with so much adversity over the past year or so. After all, maybe the Astros have bigger things on their mind this season than a relief pitcher making a pouty face at them.

“Never cared about it. Still don’t care about it. I guess it gives you a better chance of making more starts during the season. That’s the main positive about it. You got a better chance of making 32, 33, 34, 35 starts”

— Pitcher Zack Greinke on getting the Astros' Opening Day nod

On the mound, Houston also appears to have some major issues that could prevent them from making a postseason appearance in the 2021 season. The team will be without star pitcher Justin Verlander for the entire season with an arm injury, which forces potential future Hall of Famer Zack Greinke to the top of the Houston rotation. Greinke has had plenty of ups and downs over the course of his career depending on the situation, but he has proven to be a steadily splendid option at the top for the team during his time in an Astros’ uniform. Outside of that, Greinke will be helped out by a rotation that features inconsistent starters such as Lance McCullers and Cristian Javier, both of whom had bright moments during the 2020 season. And without many nice options in the bullpen outside of Ryan Pressly (which now features the ever-so-inconsistent Pedro Baez), it is safe to say that Houston could be in some real trouble in the wake of so much adversity. The Astros were lucky to get hot late in 2020 and make the playoffs in a very weak AL West; the same won’t be said this season when the Astros face some angry teams and vicious crowds out for blood based on past activities.

Record: 76-86

Team MVP: Bregman

Breakout Player: Tucker

4th Place: Seattle Mariners

After finishing in third place in the shaky AL West in 2020, the Mariners enter the new year with hope of an organization rebirth? Will those dreams become a reality, or will it be another tough season in the Pacific Northwest?

The Mariners are an odd team considering the top of their lineup has some really nice pieces, but one has to wonder just how far those players can take them. One concern that they won’t have at all? The presence of 2020 AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis in the outfield, who looks like he will be a foundational piece for years to come. Lewis could be the Mariners’ lone All-Star this season if he performs how he did last season, but he will surely get some help in the lineup from veteran third baseman Kyle Seager and solid outfielder Mitch Haniger. Seattle will also once again turn toward J.P. Crawford at shortstop, who will form a nice middle infield duo with the speedy Dylan Moore at second base. Rounding out the rest of the outfield is one of the organization’s top prospects in Taylor Trammell, while Tom Murphy takes over at catcher and Evan White and Ty France will rotate between DH and first base. Seattle has a fairly decent lineup entering the new season, and while they may not be able to slug with the top three teams ahead of them in the AL West, they may push toward a .500 record if all goes well.

On top of a decent offense, this may be the Mariners’ best starting rotation in several season. Fresh off his Yankee tenure, left-hander James Paxton returns to Seattle and could be in for a resurgent season after a rocky turn in New York. The duo of Paxton and Marco Gonzales actually has real potential to be a very solid duo at the top for Mariners’ manager Scott Servais, but there are much bigger questions after those two. The best prediction for the remaining three is the rotation is a combination of Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Flexen, and Justus Sheffield, although Justin Dunn and prospect Emerson Hancock could make appearances at some point as well. The bullpen concerns are a little more serious for Seattle. The Mariners’ best option late in games may very well be Rafael Montero, but he will be backed up by inconsistent arms such as Joey Gerber, Anthony Misiewicz, and Kendall Graveman. If Seattle can find any kind of consistency in their bullpen, they could be an improved team fighting for a playoff spot down the stretch. But if their bullpen concerns continue to be a huge issue and their offense underwhelms once again, Seattle may even take a step backward in the 2021 season. Stay tuned on this ballclub.

Record: 75-87

Team MVP: Lewis

Breakout Player:

5th Place: Texas Rangers

The Rangers were once again a team plagued by major injuries in the 2020 season, and if things don’t turn around quickly in 2021, there could be a fire sale in Texas.

It is difficult to say whether the Rangers are a bad team or not considering some of the power they boast in the lineup, but even that seems to be a problem outside of Joey Gallo. The slugging outfielder was once known as a strikeout machine at the plate with the occasional home run, but he has really turned his career around by becoming one of the better players in the American league. If he continues to improve but the Rangers’ record fades, he may be the top option at the trade deadline. Gallo is once again backed up players such as David Dahl and Ronald Guzman, but Texas seems to have turned their attention toward a youth wave on offense. And which player looks poised for a breakout year? Surely second baseman Nick Solak, who brings contact hitting with RBI opportunities in the middle of the Rangers’ lineup. Outside of that small group, the Rangers have some position players that will function in and out of the lineup. It appears that Nate Lowe will be the team’s starting first baseman to start the season, while Jose Trevino settles behind the plate and Brock Holt fills in whatever need necessary at third base or the outfield. One other name to keep an eye on is top prospect Josh Jung. If the Rangers struggle early and start to get some of their top-end future stars to The Show, Jung could have a great opportunity to prove himself as a mainstay in the Rangers’ lineup for years to come. The Texas offense has some real questions entering the season, but in an open AL West, don’t completely rule out this team yet.

Texas may be one of the only team in the league at full capacity on Opening Day, but their pitching staff may have missed the message. The Rangers acquired Corey Kluber to be their ace a season ago, but after he missed most of the year with an injury and left for New York in free agency, the team really lacks a top-starter. So who will they roll with to start the year? It looks like Kyle Gibson may be the best option in manager Chris Woodward’s starting rotation, since there are a ton of question marks after him. Former Brave Mike Foltynewicz may be one of Woodward’s other go-to starters if he can regain life on his fastball, while Jordan Lyles may be in the rotation for a large chunk of the season. On top of that, Kohei Arihara to be the fourth starter, while top prospect Dane Dunning and youngster Kolby Allard could duke it out for the last spot. It doesn’t get much easier in the bullpen either. The Rangers have had one of the worst ‘pens in all of baseball for the better part of the past decade now, and it doesn’t appear like that will change at all in 2021. Ian Kennedy likely steps into the closer role for the team, but the Rangers will have to also rely on plenty of other question marks such as Matt Bush, Josh Sborz, Joely Rodriguez, and Taylor Hearn. It is shaping up to be another long year in the heart of Texas, which could easily have the Rangers at the bottom of the AL West.

Record: 68-94

Team MVP: Gallo

Breakout Player: Solak

NL East

1st Place: Atlanta Braves

The Braves came up just a game short of making their first World Series appearance in two decades, but blew a 3-1 team to a Dodgers’ team on a mission. Can they bounce back this season with a roster that may be even better?

“The goal every year is to get to the World Series and win it. When we were up 3-1 last year, you could just taste it. Then it was just taken from us. The Dodgers just played such great baseball those last three games. We couldn’t hold on. Now, when we have pretty much the same team coming back, plus the additions of Charlie and Drew, we’re feeling real confident in ourselves.”

— 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman on this year's outlook

The first step toward redemption? Knowing that the unreal duo of first baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. will once again reside in the ATL. The Braves truly have two of the top ten players in baseball with yearly MVP candidates like them in their lineup, and it would not surprise anyone to see them capture the award this season (it would be back-to-back for Freeman). But what makes the Braves so dynamic in the National League is not just their superstars, but some of their lesser-known names. This was so evident last season when Marcell Ozuna was one of the best hitters in all of baseball, whereas second baseman Ozzie Albies showed his wide array of skills on the diamond and Dansby Swanson continued to prove he is a key part of this team’s future. In addition, young outfielder Cristian Pache and slugging third baseman Austin Riley will likely step into full-time roles at their respective positions, and catcher Travis d’Arnaud will be back behind the plate after a resurgent 2020 season. These Braves are very good up front, and will be a real problem for pitchers in the NL East all season long.

Atlanta’s offense may be excellent, but what tends to not get talked about very much is how great their pitching staff really is. This was as evident as ever during their postseason run a season ago, in which they were without their ace in top-end starter Mike Soroka, and they could be even better this season. One of the best pitchers in the sport last season was left-hander Max Fried, and while he is still developing on the mound, he appears to be in store for an All-Star season. Joining Fried are postseason veteran Charlie Morton and youngster Ian Anderson, who also pitched great last year in the playoffs. Morton will continue to do his thing as usual, but Anderson is a young pitcher to keep an eye on during the 2021 season. Until Soroka is back, what happens after those three is unclear. Atlanta will probably roll with Drew Smyly and/or Kyle Wright to begin the season, but could be sent to the bullpen later in the year. The Braves also found a way to retain most of their bullpen from last year, which was often good, but not great. Will Smith and Chris Martin are the Braves’ best options late in games, but A.J. Minter and Tyler Matzek could prove to be very valuable pieces. This Braves’ squad is still one of the top contenders in all of Major League Baseball, and it will not surprise anyone if they were right where they were a season ago.

Record: 94-68

Team MVP: Freeman

Breakout Player: Anderson

2nd Place: New York Mets

After one of the biggest offseason periods in franchise history following the purchase of the team by now-owner Steve Cohen, are the Mets…. one of the biggest World Series threats in the league?

Can one player make all the difference in a lineup? That has to be the hope for manager Luis Rojas’ squad, especially after acquiring the phenomenal talents of Francisco Lindor from Cleveland. Lindor is one of the true superstars in the game, and with a contract extension looming in the distance to keep him in Queens for years to come, he should be extra motivated in his first year with the Mets. Lindor also has a great offensive group around him, with big names such as “The Polar Bear” Pete Alonso and slugging center-fielder Michael Conforto likely next to him in the lineup. New York also has great depth in their starting lineup, maybe only trailing the Dodgers and Padres in the National League, with other sluggers such as Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo, J.D. Davis, and Dominic Smith rounding out the order from top to bottom. Catcher is also no longer a concern with James McCann behind the dish, and their bench group already looks like one of the best in baseball with Albert Almora and Kevin Pillar likely to get their fair share of playing time. Everything looks great for the first time in forever when it comes to the Mets, and it will fun to see how this team’s offense develops over the course of a full season.

If you think of the Mets in the past decade, you often think of one player: Jacob deGrom. Although pitchers such as Gerrit Cole, Walker Buehler, and Shane Bieber make a fair case of their own, deGrom is the game’s best pitcher right now and a true lightning rod on the mound. He’s the clear ace of this squad, but he will need some help in the rotation this year. That is why the Mets have Marcus Stroman and Taijuan Walker to back him up in the rotation, at least until their #2 and #3 options in Noah Syndergaard and Carlos Carrasco are finally cleared and ready to get back on the mound. The Mets’ fifth spot when healthy is a bit of a question, but with a foursome as powerful at they have, it may not matter who they end up deciding between David Peterson and Joey Lucchesi. With that said, the Mets have a real problem in the bullpen. Edwin Diaz enters the season as their closer, and although he is a former All-Star, he has been terrible at times over the past two seasons. He’ll be joined by Trevor May, Miguel Castro, Dellin Betances, and Seth Lugo, and while Rojas has options in his ‘pen, their roles are unclear right now. Outside of the Padres, the Mets may be the most exciting team in baseball this season and it will be fun to monitor their play this season in The Big Apple.

Record: 90-72

Team MVP: deGrom

Breakout Player: Lugo

3rd Place: Washington Nationals

After a year of disappointment following their win in the 2019 World Series, the Nationals are healthy and poised for an eventful year in the nation’s capita. But will that be enough in an improved National League where playoff spots will be few and far between?

A team with some true boom-or-bust potential written all over them, the Nationals could easily go just as far as their offense can take them. The reason? Not only is their wipeout starting rotation arguably the best in baseball when healthy, but outfielder Juan Soto leads an exciting group on offense that just needs to find some consistency. No team in baseball felt like their 2020 was more wasted than the Nationals following the offseason departure of Anthony Rendon, but this is a group that still has some championship potential. Outside of the MVP talent of Soto, the Nats will turn toward excellent shortstop Trea Turner and power-hitting first baseman Josh Bell to help lead this lineup. Washington also made some nice additions in adding Kyle Schwarber and Starlin Castro to help fill some previous voids, while catcher Yan Gomes will return behind the plate. One player that could take off this season is outfielder Victor Robles, who appears to be in a position to hit near the top of the Washington lineup. If the top-four punch of Robles, Turner, Soto, and Bell can stay healthy this season, Washington could be nasty in the box.

As good as the Nationals’ lineup has potential to be, the true strength of this team is their top tier starting rotation. The headliner, of course, is future Hall of Famer right-hander Max Scherzer, one of the premier pitchers of his generation. Scherzer was not himself by any means last season, but he will be right back in the All-Star Game this season if he stays healthy and avoids any lingering back injuries from past years. Joining Scherzer once again are Patrick Corbin and Stephen Strasburg, which ends up forming arguably the best starting trio in all of baseball. Staying healthy is once again the key for these two players, especially for the hard-throwing former World Series MVP in Strasburg, and there’s a fair chance that all three could make the Mid-Summer Classic this season. Veterans Jon Lester and Joe Ross round out the rest of the rotation, and should provide some needed depth. The bullpen does get a little more tricky for manager Dave Martinez, but Washington at least has a solid trio of Daniel Hudson, Tanner Rainey, and closer Brad Hand. Anything past them is a question mark, and it looks like the bullpen could be an area to address near the deadline. The Nationals have a lot of potential, and although they’re projected at third place in a loaded division, it would not surprise anyone to see them contending in October.

Record: 83-79

Team MVP: Soto

Breakout Player: Robles

4th Place: Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia has had some massive expectations entering the season over the past two years, but with a quieter offseason than usual, are the Phillies built to contend for a title in the NL East?

During his time in Philadelphia, the Phillies have yet to make the playoffs with Bryce Harper on their roster. The outfield superstar is one of the biggest names in the game, and although his numbers have not been excellent as a Phillie so far, he looks primed to re-enter the MVP conversation once again this season. Harper does have a lot of help in this Philadelphia lineup, especially in the form of two true sluggers in catcher J.T. Realmuto and first baseman Rhys Hoskins. Realmuto could easily be considered the best catcher in the league, and while Hoskins has some cold stretches at times, he can launch a flurry of bombs when he’s on. Outside of that trio, the Phillies can count on Andrew McCutchen and Odubel Herrera in the outfield, while two nice pieces fill out the middle infield combination with shortstop Didi Gregorius and second baseman Jean Segura. Philadelphia’s biggest question mark on offense under manager Joe Girardi is certainly third base, although it looks like a promising young player in Alec Bohm will get the job at the beginning of the season. From top to bottom, if they can stay healthy (a big if considering their limited time together on the field last year), the Phillies will have a very good offense that can slug next to any team in the league.

On paper, the Phillies should have one of the better rotations in the National League. But considering how good the starters are on other teams in the NL East, it is easy to overlook the Phillies’ staff with such ease. Nevertheless, Philadelphia does have a top-tier ace of their own that will once again take the mound this season in the form of Aaron Nola. The right-handed flamethrower is exactly the type of big-game pitcher that can carry this team in big moments, and although he has not met expectations of a potential Cy Young season in recent years, he is still one of the game’s elite starters. Nola will be backed up by Zack Wheeler and potentially Zach Eflin in the starting rotation, but whatever happens after that is a serious question. The Phillies’ best candidates could be two of three between Vincent Velasquez, Matt Moore, and Chase Anderson, but it has not yet been decided who will take the ball between those names. Elsewhere, Philadelphia’s bullpen was one of the worst in all of baseball last season. Yet the Phillies somewhat addressed this problem by adding setup man Archie Bradley to give some help to closer Hector Neris in the back end, and the Phillies have two other fairly decent options in Jose Alvarado and Brandon Kintzler. Entering 2021, the Phillies have a very high ceiling, but an equally low floor, in a crowded NL East. It won’t be a shock if this team ends up on top of the division by the end of the year, but it will surely be interesting to watch their progression over 162 games.

Record: 80-82

Team MVP: Harper

Breakout Player: Bohm

5th Place: Miami Marlins

Of all the teams to take off in 2020, the Miami Marlins were the surprise team of the season. Can they replicate their play from a season ago, or will they fade right back down to the bottom of the NL East in a loaded division?

Don Mattingly’s squad is an interesting team heading into the new season: was last year’s shocking run a complete fluke, or was it a sign of a brighter future ahead? The answer to that question remains unclear for a long as Miami lacks a true star on their roster, but the Marlins do have some very nice ballplayers on their roster. The middle of the lineup trio of Jesus Aguilar, Brian Anderson, and Adam Duvall will likely carry the power numbers for this team, with each player being a candidate to hit at least 25 on the season. Meanwhile, outfielder Corey Dickerson will likely leadoff for this team, whereas fellow outfielder Starling Marte may be the best player on this team and could represent the Marlins as an All-Star in July. After that starting five, the rest of the spots in the starting lineup could be up in the air. It does look like Jorge Alfaro will suit up behind the plate for the Marlins, but promising youngster Jazz Chisholm, veteran Miguel Rojas, and Jonathon Berti will fight for starting roles in the infield. Miami’s offense does look like a group that will struggle to compete in the NL East in 2021, but after the magic of last season, do not count out Mattingly’s bunch just yet.

Very similar to the outlook of their starting lineup, the Marlins’ starting staff has some promise, but question marks across the board. Sandy Alcantara is likely the ace of this rotation, and while he has had some dominant outings in the past two seasons, he has been plagued by inconsistencies of his own on the mound against top tier competition. Backing up Alcantara in the #2 role is also young pitcher Pablo Lopez, a right-handed pitcher coming off an exceptional year in 2020. Top-end prospect Sixto Sanchez, Trevor Rogers, and Eliser Hernandez will make up the middle to back portion of the starting rotation, and Mattingly will turn toward a fairly decent bullpen after that. Miami’s bullpen features two solid former Dodgers in Yimi Garcia and Dylan Floro, both of whom will serve as setup men to closer Anthony Bass. Although not prolific by any means, the Marlins have some real, young talent that they will test out throughout 2021 on the mound. Don’t expect another playoff appearance, but it should be another step forward for Miami in general this season.

Record: 73-89

Team MVP: Marte

Breakout Player: Lopez

NL Central

1st Place: St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis had a busy offseason after a quick exit in the playoffs a season ago, so will they be able to get right back into the postseason this year to compete for a chance at a World Series championship?

Why are the Cardinals already the favorites to capture an NL Central title this season? Well, the clear answer is because they acquired the best third baseman in the game in the form of Nolan Arenado. The former Rockies’ slugger is one of the best players in the game, and his insertion into the St. Louis lineup will immediately change the team’s overall outlook for the season. Expect a fair share of NL MVP votes in his direction this season. Elsewhere, the Cardinals also brought back longtime catcher Yadier Molina to lead the way behind the plate, while power-hitting first baseman Paul Goldschmidt will once again help lead the way in the middle of the lineup. St. Louis also expects shortstop Paul DeJong to once again produce another solid year on both sides of the diamond, while young utility man Tommy Edman will see a fair share of reps at second base this season, as well as veteran Matt Carpenter. The Cardinals’ biggest concerns on offense are likely at the outfield positions, where Tyler O’Neil, Justin Williams, and potential Rookie of the Year Dylan Carlson will lead the way. Carlson and O’Neil seem to be locks to start the season, but keep your eye out on a competition between Williams and Harrison Bader at the beginning of the season. This Cardinals’ offense is still very young, but they will be a fun group to watch with their face of the franchise in Arenado finally donning the Cardinals’ colors.

The Cardinals may not have one of the deepest starting rotations in all of baseball with so many veterans across the board, but they are lucky to have a real ace at the top. Right-hander Jack Flaherty may be one of the biggest threats to take home the 2021 NL Cy Young award, and it will not be a surprise at all if he finishes the season with an ERA under 3.00 and with the title of one of the best young pitchers in baseball. Behind Flaherty, Cardinals’ legend Adam Wainwright and flamethrower Carlos Martinez will take over the second and third spots in the rotation. Both pitchers have shown signs of inconsistency in recent regular seasons, but have postseason resumes that could pay dividends over the course of the season. The Cardinals have some real options after that, but expect Miles Mikolas to capture one of the two remaining spots for sure. That could lead to a battle between John Gant, Daniel Poncedeleon, and Kwang-Hyun Kim, or the Cardinals could opt to go toward a six-man rotation until the dust settles. St. Louis also retains a very solid manager in Mike Shildt for the 2021 season, who will often turn toward a very nice bullpen with four top end options. Closer Giovanny Gallegos may be the best choice for an All-Star appearance out of the St. Louis bullpen, but expect Andrew Miller, Jordan Hicks, and Alex Reyes to have significant roles in what could be one of the best bullpens in all of baseball. It is another year where St. Louis has one of the deepest rosters in all of baseball, and although the NL Central could be tight late into the season, the Cardinals enter 2021 with high expectations.

Record: 86-76

Team MVP: Arenado

Breakout Player: Carlson

2nd Place: Chicago Cubs

After a crushing loss in the playoffs to the Miami Marlins in such embarrassing fashion, the Cubs enter the 2021 season with redemption on their mind.

“Wait ‘til a Friday or Saturday, Sunday day game at Wrigley Field and a packed house. It doesn’t get any better than that. Chicago in the summer — not even close, anywhere in the country. Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. ”

— Manager David Ross on playing inside Wrigley Field with fans once again

What is the Cubs’ biggest worry entering the 2021 season? Figuring out how they get into the playoffs in such a crowded National League field. Manager David Ross once again has a nice squad heading into the season, but there are some questions about their lineup entering the new year. Third baseman Kris Bryant has been the subject of trade rumors for over a year now, but after looking in-shape and healthy in Spring Training, it seems like he will re-emerge into the conversation as one of the best third baseman in baseball. Infield partner Javier Báez is also back despite such frustration at the plate in 2020, while veteran favorite Anthony Rizzo will once again put pressure on pitchers in the box this season. Ross also seems to be all-in on playing David Bote as the Cubs’ starting second baseman in 2021, and it could serve the infielder well with an increased share of playing time. In the outfield, Ian Happ, Jason Heyward, and Joc Pederson will start and form an excellent trio together. Pederson will be an interesting player to watch after an excellent spring following his time with the Dodgers, and he’ll add another element of slugging to this lineup. Willson Contreras will also be Ross’ guy behind the plate this year, and he still continues to add another layer of offensive prowess from the catcher position. The Cubs’ lineup appears to be one of the better groups in the National League, and it will be fun to see how they respond from last year’s struggles in the second year under Ross.

Chicago’s offense may be able to hang with the best of the best despite their inconsistencies in 2020, but the pitching staff is much more of a worry. With Yu Darvish now in San Diego, underrated right-hander Kyle Hendricks leads the front of the rotation for the Cubs. Hendricks has been one of the better pitchers in the National League for several years now, and with him in a position to rise as their true ace now, maybe he could find himself in the All-Star Game this season. The Cubs also made the bold move of bringing back one of their former friends in right-hander Jake Arrieta, who will hope to re-discover some of his magic from the past. If Arrieta can return to at least somewhat of a similar form from the past, watch out for this duo at the top. After those two, Ross will turn toward a likely trio of Trevor Williams, Zach Davies, and Adbert Alzolay, although Alec Mills may get some spot starts as well. Turning toward the bullpen is where the real concerns are for the Cubs. Closer Craig Kimbrel seems to be on his last leg in Chicago, and he will need to prove himself this season to keep his spot. Chicago does have some decent options in Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera, but it would not surprise anyone if this team addressed the bullpen near the trade deadline if they are in contention. The playoffs are not a guarantee by any means for the Cubs, but they will certainly hang around in the mix for a spot over the course of this season.

Record: 83-79

Team MVP: Bryant

Breakout Player: Bote

3rd Place: Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers barely snuck into the playoffs last season before being thrashed by the Dodgers in a short two-game series, so what can Milwaukee fans expect in 2021 with a roster that has flaws yet potential to do some damage in the NL Central?

If the Brewers are going to re-enter contender status in the National League, they will of course do so on the back of their franchise player in Christian Yelich. The magnificent outfielder is one of the best players in all of baseball when he is healthy, but he is coming off a terrible 2020 season that causes some real concern heading into the new year. Yelich may return to his former MVP level, but he will need some help from other in an inconsistent Milwaukee offense. The Brewers did acquire outfielder maestro Jackie Bradley Jr. in free agency, but his fit on this team is questionable considering Lorenzo Cain still remains a starter on their roster. The Brewers will run with this outfield trio all season long with Ryan Braun still in free agency, but they will need some help from a shaky infield. Milwaukee also signed Kolten Wong to play second base, who will play on the right side of the infield alongside consistent first baseman Keston Hiura, who could be a sneaky All-Star this season. This slides the powerful Travis Shaw over to third base to play alongside shortstop Orlando Arcia, although the “Mayor of Ding-Dong City” may rotate often with Luis Urias. The Brewers have some real questions in terms of their depth and help surrounding Yelich, and the 2021 season could go a long way toward determining what this team looks like for the next decade.

While Milwaukee may have an up-and-down season on offense, their pitching staff is looking very nice heading into the new year. Right-handed starter Brandon Woodruff now officially takes over in the #1 spot for the Brewers’ starting rotation, and he looks like he could also be poised for a very big season with wicked offspeed pitches in his uneasy mix on the mound. Woodruff will be backed up by Corbin Burnes and Adrian Houser for the starting rotation, while young starter Freddy Peralta and veteran lefty Brett Anderson will make their fair share of starts as well over the course of the season. Yet no team in baseball relies less on their starters than the Brewers, which is exactly how manager Craig Counsell likes it. Counsell will be the first one each night to hand it to his wipeout bullpen, which could arguably be the best in the sport. The electric trio of closer Josh Hader, Brent Suter, and Devin Williams is sure to keep hitters on their toes once again this season, and it would not be a surprise to see this bullpen rank near the top of the league in ERA and strikeouts per nine innings. The Brewers have some real strengths that could make them a tough out in the NL Central, and they may enter the season as one of the most unpredictable teams in baseball. Although we have our doubts, this means it should be a fun season to watch in Wisconsin, especially if the Brewers can somehow hang tough with the rival Cardinals and Cubs in the NL Central.

Record: 77-85

Team MVP: Yelich

Breakout Player: Hiura

4th Place: Cincinnati Reds

The Reds once again have a loaded offense full of some hard-hitting sluggers… but will that be enough to get them back into the postseason for a second straight season?

Cincinnati may have a tough time getting back into the playoffs this year in a loaded National League, but they at least have a more-than-competent offense that will keep them in games all year long. The Reds have some power-hitters across the board, but their best player on offense could easily be outfielder Nick Castellanos. Castellanos is a weapon in the middle of the lineup, and he will have plenty of opportunities this season with players such as Jesse Winkler and Jonathan India hitting in front of him. Elsewhere, veteran Joey Votto is still the heartbeat of this organization, and he will always be a real threat when in the lineup. Cincy will also deploy a two-headed power monster in the form of Mike Moustakas and the massively underrated Eugenio Suarez, and it would not be a surprise at all to see both players hit over 30 home runs this season. The Reds will also have Tucker Barnhart back behind the plate, and there is a good chance that Shogo Akiyama and Nick Senzel will split a fair amount of time in the outfield. Cincinnati has a ton of very good hitters, but health and hitting with runners in scoring position remain two major questions. If they can overcome both of those doubts, the Reds could be one of the betters offenses in the National League and compete with the best in the NL Central.

The Reds’ rotation is a whole other question mark. Cincinnati arguably had the best pitcher in all of baseball last year with right-hander Trevor Bauer, but his departure to Los Angeles leaves a giant hole at the top of the starting rotation. However, the Reds still have a top-end starter to help lead their group in the hard-throwing Luis Castillo. The Reds’ stud was the subject of many offseason rumors in terms of being a trade piece, but he currently stands as the best option for manager David Bell. After Castillo, the Reds will turn toward a group that has plenty of uncertainty in the air. Sonny Gray has had a strange career so far, but he has pitched well in spurts, including the 2020 season. If he can carry that over into this year, Cincinnati may have their #2 starter. Wade Miley and Tyler Mahle seem like locks to stay in the rotation all year long, but the status of some pitchers after that duo is questionable at best, with their best options looking like Jose De Leon or Jeff Hoffman. Turning toward the bullpen, Bell may have a tough time figuring out who to roll out in the late innings every night. Lefty Amir Garrett is a nice piece, but he will be tough to rely on for a full season as their true closer. In addition, Lucas Sims and Tejay Antone will be forced to chip in with some innings as well. The Reds are not great on the mound entering the 2021 season, and although they could improve at the deadline, it could be a fatal flaw that keeps them out of the postseason.

Record: 71-91

Team MVP: Castellanos

Breakout Player: Mahle

5th Place: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have very limited expectations entering the new season, but one has to wonder how much patience their fanbase will have in a field where they will struggle to get any sort of wins this season.

The Pirates are easily the worst team in baseball entering the new season under manager Derek Shelton, which means it could be an extremely long season in The Steel City. The good news for Pirates fans? This season is all about what the future of the organization will look like with a flurry of young players. Outside of veteran outfielder Gregory Polanco, leadoff man Adam Frazier, and very solid first baseman Colin Moran, there is a massive youth movement in Pittsburgh. Outfielders Anthony Alford and Bryan Reynolds are just two of those players who figure to be a big part of the Pittsburgh lineup this season, even though Dustin Fowler will see some time as well. The most interesting player on this young team could be Ke’Bryan Hayes, a nice third baseman who has potential for a big year near the top of the lineup. If Hayes can emerge as a key centerpiece for the future of this team, he could put up some big numbers and possibly sneak in as a representative for the team at the All-Star Game. Jacob Stallings will also see time at catcher, with Kevin Newman forming a duo in the middle infield with Frazier as well. In addition, do not be surprised if top prospect Nick Gonzales makes an appearance early in the year to try and provide an organizational spark. This could be a very bad year for the Pirates on offense, but it may all be part of a longer process in an extended rebuild.

Even though the Pirates may have a tough time on offense in 2021, their pitching staff may be an even bigger concern. Pittsburgh lacks a true top option to lead this staff, although it appears that Chad Kuhl will get the ball on Opening Day. Outside of Kuhl and Mitch Keller, the Pirates may be guessing a bit over the course of the season in terms of who they throw out on the mound. On top of those two pitchers, one would guess that the Pirates will turn toward a trio of Tyler Anderson, Steven Brault, and Jonathan Brubaker to man the starting rotation. Yet it does not get any easier in the bullpen this year. Richard Rodriguez and Chris Stratton are likely the two best options for the Pirates in the late innings, but they will likely also turn toward Trevor Cahill and Michael Feliz as well. There are certainly more questions than answers entering the 2021 season, and fans may already be hoping for the end of the season in a couple of weeks in Pittsburgh.

Record: 47-115

Team MVP: Hayes

Breakout Player: Gonzales

NL West

1st Place: Los Angeles Dodgers

After their first World Series win in 33 seasons, have the Dodgers found a way to improve on an already-loaded roster?

“I mean, it was serviceable. It got the job done. That’s what we’re here for.”

— Right-fielder Mookie Betts on his play in the 2020 season

That must be the hope for manager Dave Roberts, who hopes to guide this team past the infamous “World Series hangover”. Luckily for Roberts, the Dodgers are stacked across the board. That notion begins and ends with right-fielder Mookie Betts, one of the game’s best players and a true catalyst on both sides of the diamond. Betts is one of the Dodgers’ true leaders on-the-field, right alongside veteran third baseman Justin Turner, and it looks like he is in a prime position to help guide this team to first place in the NL West once again. However, both reigning World Series MVP Corey Seager and 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger will likely be right next to Betts in the National League’s MVP race, and are two of the best players in all of baseball entering the season. Elsewhere, the Dodgers will turn to a platoon at second base between Chris Taylor and Gavin Lux, with the power numbers from Max Muncy taking over at first baseman for another season. On top of that, catcher Will Smith will take on the duties behind the plate again, but veteran backstop Austin Barnes will also see some time as well. The Dodgers’ biggest question mark in likely in left field following the departure of Joc Pederson, but expect AJ Pollock to take over full-time this season. The Dodgers are heavyweights on offense, and are surely make up one of the best group of hitters in baseball.

But even though the Dodgers are as dominant as any team in the league on offense, there is a legit argument that their biggest strength is on the mound. That talk escalated even further this offseason when Los Angeles signed last year’s NL Cy Young award winner Trevor Bauer to a three-year contract. Bauer is one of the most entertaining players in all of baseball, and while he has some unhittable stuff at times, he has a lot to prove as a member of the Dodgers in a full 162 game season. The right-hander is met at the top of the rotation by ace Walker Buehler and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, both of whom are coming off excellent Octobers and will likely rank near the top of the league in ERA once again. After that, the Dodgers will likely be in a little bit of a conundrum with four other starters fighting for two spots in Dustin May, David Price, Tony Gonsolin, and Julio Urias. May and Urias are likely the favorites to keep those spots, but the addition of Price and Gonsolin to a bullpen with questions across the board could be a huge thing for this team. The Dodgers will likely float around Kenley Jansen, Brusdar Graterol, and Blake Treinan as the top options in the back end, but they’ll need to show some consistency in the late innings with the loss of several middle relievers. From top to bottom, the Dodgers are the deepest and most lethal team in all of baseball. Whether that means they will win another championship remains to be seen, but they are surely the favorites entering the 2021 season.

Record: 102-60

Team MVP: Seager

Breakout Player: Lux

2nd Place: San Diego Padres

Slam Diego was one of the biggest stories of the 2020 season, and with an even better roster now that they’ve added two elite starters, there is a real chance that this team could finish this season holding the Commissioner’s Trophy.

The main reason? One of the best offenses in all of baseball, led by arguably the most exciting player in the league in the form of shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.. Tatis Jr. is in a position to be a perennial MVP candidate for the next decade in San Diego, and if the Padres end up going far this season, he will certainly help carry the load. The young shortstop also has a running mate in the infield with controversial third baseman Manny Machado, who excelled on both sides of the diamond last season. This duo certainly makes up the best infield combination in all of baseball, where young second baseman Jake Cronenworth and first baseman Eric Hosmer add even more juice to the lineup. In addition, San Diego deploys a very solid trio in the outfield made up of Tommy Pham, Wil Myers, and Trent Grisham. All three of these players brings a unique aspect of the game to this team in the box, while all remain plus defenders. The Padres are a little weak at catcher with Victor Caratini or Aaron Nola projected to start on Opening Day, but it does not appear to be a real problem in the ninth spot of the lineup. San Diego will be must-watch on offense in 2021, and there’s a real chance they’ll be aiming right for the Dodgers’ back this season.

The Padres’ rotation was not their biggest strength last year considering their explosive offense, but it will certainly take a huge leap forward this season. That is exactly what happens when you add Yu Darvish and Blake Snell to the top of the starting rotation, and the NL West should be fearful of how many quality pitchers the team will deploy every night. In addition, last year’s top end ace in Dinselson Lamet will help lead this rotation at the top, and although Darvish will take the mound on Opening Day, Lamet may be the best overall starter on this team. With that, Joe Musgrove and Chris Paddack will round out the rotation in the fourth and fifth spots, and San Diego fans can find comfort in knowing they’ll be running out a top starter every night. The Padres’ bullpen also remains one of the better group in the National League, as led by four elite options. Keone Kela, Drew Pomeranz, Mark Melancon, and closer Emilio Pagan will give a ton of hitters some real problems this season, and their bullpen group alone does give them a clear advantage over the Dodgers in the bullpen. San Diego is an elite group, and even though they are projected to finish second in the division, they may be one of the best teams in all of baseball who could truly challenge the Dodgers.

Record: 97-65

Team MVP: Tatis Jr.

Breakout Player: Cronenworth

3rd Place: San Francisco Giants

A massively underrated group entering the 2021 regular season, the San Francisco Giants appear ready to take a step forward in the NL West despite some stiff competition at the top.

So how can the Giants somehow compete with the two juggernauts at the top of the division in the Dodgers and Padres? A lot of it will have to do with an offense that has some real potential to excel, especially as led by dark horse MVP candidate in Mike Yastrzemski. The solid outfielder has truly proven to be a great player during his time in The Show, and although he is already a surprising 30 years of age, he is a late bloomer who continues to improve in the box. Elsewhere, another late bloomer in second baseman Donovan Solano is coming off an excellent 2020 campaign, and while it will be hard to replicate his numbers from a season ago, he has potential to put up some great statistics in the average department. Veterans Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, and Brandon Belt also remain consistent in the San Francisco lineup, and while their playing time is often times limited at best, they’re still excellent all-around players when in the lineup. The Giants also have utility man Tommy La Stella and outfielder Alex Dickson rounding out the rest of the lineup, while veteran Evan Longoria, infielder Wilmer Flores, and outfielder Mauricio Dubon will compete for playing time for a final spot in the lineup. This San Francisco lineup has potential to have one of their better seasons in recent history under young manager Gabe Kapler, and it will be very interesting to see how they progress this season.

While the Giants’ lineup appears to at least be a relevant force in the National League, the same can not quite be said for their rotation. San Francisco’s best option at the top looks like Kevin Gausman, although veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto could easily slip into the role as the team’s ace. On top of that, the Giants will turn toward Alex Wood, Anthony DeSclafani, and Aaron Sanchez to round out the rest or the rotation, although there is a very good chance that starter Logan Webb will get some opportunities as well. The Giants’ bullpen has some question marks now that so many of their options from past year are in new cities, but former Dodger Jake McGee appears to be the best option to take over the closer role. Other names such as Tyler Rogers, Matt Wisler, and Reyes Moronta will step on the mound in the late innings, and it will be interesting to see which reliever steps up and becomes the team’s de facto setup man. The Giants’ pitching staff may not nearly be as well-organized as their lineup, and it appears they could be in for another long season in the Bay Area if they do not make any additions.

Record: 76-84

Team MVP: Yastrzemski

Breakout Player: Solano

4th Place: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks do not have many high expectations heading into the 2021 season. Will they sink toward the bottom of the NL West, or somehow stay afloat alongside the Dodgers and Padres near the top of the NL West?

The Diamondbacks’ biggest question on offense has to be whether or not they will be able to slug enough to win ballgames in a powerful division full of the game’s best hitters. Arizona struggled mightily a year ago to not only stay healthy, but also to find the longball with a mere .391 slugging percentage. Arizona’s best option on offense is certainly former NL All-Star Ketel Marte, but Eduardo Escobar and Christian Walker will get their fair share of at-bats this season as well. On top of that, the Diamondbacks will turn toward infielder Josh Rojas and outfielder David Peralta for production, while Asdrubal Cabrera and speedster Tim Locastro could be counted on for more of utility roles in the lineup. Carson Kelly also remains a nice building block behind the plate, and Nick Ahmed still roams around at shortstop for this team. The Diamondbacks’ position player group is not the best at this moment in time, and unless they find production from such as their top prospects such as Kristian Robinson, it could be a very long year in the desert.

Arizona also has some major question marks in the starting rotation, although they do have plenty of talent available. Zac Gallen is the clear ace of this team, and although he may start the season on the Injured List, he looks like he could be a potential All-Star in the National League this season. Backing up Gallen are postseason legend Madison Bumgarner and three other middle-of-the-rotation guys in the form of Luke Weaver, Merrill Kelly, and Caleb Smith. All four of these pitchers have been plagued by one serious issue: inconsistency. If these starters can give Gallen some help in the rotation and take the load off of a shaky bullpen, the Diamondbacks could surprise some people. Speaking of Arizona’s ‘pen, the Diamondbacks have some veteran options that will often make up their late innings. Names such as Joakim Soria, Stefan Crichton, and Kevin Ginkel will be the best options for manager Torey Lovullo in the back end after trading away Archie Bradley, and there is cause for concern that the Diamondbacks could struggle to hold onto leads late in games. The Diamondbacks do not look like a team that will add up to much this season, but don’t rule out their potential quite yet if they can stay healthy and get some solid production from their top veterans.

Record: 68-94

Team MVP: Marte

Breakout Player: Rojas

5th Place: Colorado Rockies

With Nolan Arenado now out of town and enjoying his time in St. Louis, are the Rockies poised for a long season that has them near the bottom of the NL West?

“The sum of our parts is how we will move forward and how we progress.”

— Manager Bud Black on how the Rockies will deal with the loss of Arenado

Manager Bud Black could have some issues managing this once-solid group in 2021, especially after trading arguably their best player in franchise history to the Cardinals. At the very least, it is a good thing that the Rockies still have excellent shortstop Trevor Story. The power-hitting Story has truly become one of the great players in all of baseball, and his presence in the middle of the Colorado lineup makes them at least a dangerous team to play against in Coors Field. Ryan McMahon and Charlie Blackmon also return this season to help take pressure off of Story’s shoulders in the lineup, while second baseman Brendan Rodgers and Josh Fuentes can expect more time in the infield this year. Colorado also remains relatively weak in the outfield alongside Blackmon, and it appears that their best options in the outfield this season will be Raimel Tapia and Sam Hilliard. Without Arenado, it is tough to say that these Rockies will be able to do much on offense this season, even in the Mile High City altitude. This may be an offense that consistently is outslugged by their opponents, which is a major cause for concern moving forward for Rockies’ fans.

While Colorado’s offense is not great, their real concerns come in almost every pitching department. The Rockies’ rotation may struggle a ton this season, and with Coors Field remaining a pitcher’s paradise, it could get very ugly this season. Germán Márquez is the best of the options that Bud Black has, but even at his best, the right-hander is not much more than a nice #4 on a very good team. Márquez will get some support in the rotation from Jon Gray and Austin Gomber, but both pitchers have really struggled with consistency over the course of their careers. What happens after those three is an even bigger question, but often-injured Kyle Freeland and shaky Antonio Senzatela appear to be their best choices. The Rockies also have some legitimate concerns in the bullpen, where there is a ton of uncertainty. Colorado will likely turn toward Daniel Bard and Mychal Givens for a flurry of opportunities, but even they are not guarantees for solid production this season. It should be a long season in Colorado in the post-Arenado era of Rockies baseball, which could easily see them finish last in the NL West.

Record: 63-99

Team MVP: Story

Breakout Player: Rodgers

Season Awards and Postseason Predictions

Can the Dodgers repeat as champions in 2021? (via Los Angeles Times).

Cy Young Award:

American League: Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox

Shane Bieber may be the clear favorite for obvious reasons after a magnificent 2020 season, but we’ll roll with Giolito to once again continue to dominate hitters on the mound. He is not a very well-known name quite yet on the Windy City’s second most notable team, but if the White Sox make the playoffs as we expect them to, he’ll generate some serious buzz as the top ace on a World Series contender. Expect a sub 3.00 ERA and close (if not more) to 200 strikeouts in a great season from the Chicago righty.

National League: Jacob deGrom, New York Mets

How can you pick against the game’s best pitcher? Trevor Bauer won last year’s Cy Young Award in a shortened season, but since he has yet to prove himself over the course of a 162 game season, the award is deGrom’s to lose. The flamethrowing right-hander is continuing to dominate hitters in the midst of his prime, and with the Mets poised to make a leap into the postseason this year, deGrom could gain even more national exposure as one of the game’s best pitchers in recent history with another Cy Young Award to add to his trophy case.

Rookie of the Year:

American League: Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays

Will Arozarena really back it up with a repeat performance? The Rays’ rookie star is already a big name in baseball before his actual rookie season, which means there could be a ton of hype in his direction this season. With some game-changing velocity in his swing and raw power that is rarely seen in players of his size and stature, Arozarena looks like the clear favorite for the award in the American League as the top man in the Tampa Bay lineup.

National League: Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates

It is going to be a very long season in Pittsburgh, so Pirates’ fans will be looking for any chance they can get at any sort of bright side. The apparent bright spot may come in the form of the infielder Hayes, who has a chance to establish himself as a key piece for the Pirates in the future. He is an exciting young ballplayer who ended up winning the NL Rookie of the Month in September of 2020, so count on some carry-over into the new season as the centerpiece of the Pittsburgh lineup.

Manager of the Year:

American League: Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox

If the Red Sox make a push to the playoffs after a down year in 2020, there is no doubt that the fan-favorite Cora will once again be considered one of the best managers in baseball. But will he gain enough votes in wake of the Astros’ cheating scandal? We would bet on it, especially if Boston proves to be a challenger in the American League.

National League: Luis Rojas, New York Mets

Since Manager of the Year tends to be a very story-based award, Rojas is a lock if he can guide the Mets back into the postseason this year. While other contenders such as Dave Roberts (Dodgers) and Mike Shildt (Cardinals) may be just as deserving, Rojas has all the pieces that he needs to guide the Mets back to the postseason and into contention in the National League.

MVP:

American League: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

It is often a debate who the best player is in the league in the NFL and NBA (even though it shouldn’t be for as long as Patrick Mahomes and LeBron James are playing), but that conversation has almost disappeared in Major League Baseball over the past five years. That is because of the great Mike Trout, one of the best right-handed hitters of all-time and a true franchise cornerstone. After a “down” year in 2020 (for his standards), Trout may be at his best over the course of the 2021 season.

National League: Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers

Seager’s running mates in Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger may prove to be just as much of a contender to this designation, but there is no doubt that Seager has re-gained his swagger as one of the best hitters in baseball. After an utterly dominant campaign in 2020 that saw him capture the World Series MVP, Seager has responded with an outstanding Spring Training in Arizona with line drives and deep bombs almost every night. If he can find a way to stay healthy over 162 games, he’s one of the premier players in the game and a budding superstar ready to take his game to a whole other level in 2021.

Postseason Predictions:

American League Wild Card Game: 5 Boston Red Sox over 4 Minnesota Twins

National League Wild Card Game: 5 New York Mets over 4 San Diego Padres

ALDS: 1 New York Yankees over 5 Boston Red Sox (5 Games), 3 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over 2 Chicago White Sox (5 Games)

NLDS: 1 Los Angeles Dodgers over 5 New York Mets (5 Games), 2 Atlanta Braves over 3 St. Louis Cardinals (4 Games)

ALCS: 1 New York Yankees over 3 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (5 Games)

NLCS: 1 Los Angeles Dodgers over 2 Atlanta Braves (7 Games)

2021 World Series: 1 Los Angeles Dodgers over 1 New York Yankees (7 Games)

2021 MLB Season Preview

AL East

1st Place: New York Yankees

2nd Place: Boston Red Sox

3rd Place: Toronto Blue Jays

4th Place: Tampa Bay Rays

5th Place: Baltimore Orioles

AL Central

1st Place: Chicago White Sox

2nd Place: Minnesota Twins

3rd Place: Kansas City Royals

4th Place: Cleveland

5th Place: Detroit Tigers

AL West

1st Place: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

2nd Place: Oakland Athletics

3rd Place: Houston Astros

4th Place: Seattle Mariners

5th Place: Texas Rangers

NL East

1st Place: Atlanta Braves

2nd Place: New York Mets

3rd Place: Washington Nationals

4th Place: Philadelphia Phillies

5th Place: Miami Marlins

NL Central

1st Place: St. Louis Cardinals

2nd Place: Chicago Cubs

3rd Place: Milwaukee Brewers

4th Place: Cincinnati Reds

5th Place: Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West

1st Place: Los Angeles Dodgers

2nd Place: San Diego Padres

3rd Place: San Francisco Giants

4th Place: Arizona Diamondbacks

5th Place: Colorado Rockies

Season Awards and Postseason Predictions

Cy Young Award:

Rookie of the Year:

Manager of the Year:

MVP:

Postseason Predictions: