MLB: 2017 Regular Season Projections
After approximately six months away from the game, the Major League Baseball season is among us. I'm here to tell you which teams will make the playoffs, which ones will miss out, who will win the most prestigious awards, and who will be the statistical leaders.
AL Playoffs
East: Red Sox (95-67)
Central: Indians (93-69)
West: Rangers (90-72)
Wild Card: Orioles (87-75)
Wild Card: Astros (85-77)
Boston is going to be at or near the top of the American League because of the addition of Chris Sale to an already playoff-bound team, and Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley Jr. will earn the Red Sox home-field advantage. Cleveland, with the addition of Edwin Encarnacion, are going to be hard to keep up with in a crowded AL Central. Likewise, the AL West has a lot of contenders, with the Astros, Angels, Mariners, and Rangers all looking like potential playoff teams, but I'll take Texas and Houston to clinch playoff berths. Lastly, Baltimore will figure out a way to slip into the field, as they always seem to do.
NL Playoffs
Central: Cubs (101-61)
East: Nationals (98-64)
West: Dodgers (92-70)
Wild Card: Giants (88-74)
Wild Card: Cardinals (84-78)
Chicago is the defending World Series champion for the first time in over a century and even though Dexter Fowler was a key departure, the Cubs should be fine, especially with the addition of Wade Davis to help the 'pen. Washington will have to out-battle the Mets for the lone NL East playoff spot, but they'll do so in part because of studs like Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, and Max Scherzer. Los Angeles and San Francisco are going to make the playoffs, that's pretty much a foregone conclusion, as it has been for the majority of the last decade because of star pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner. St. Louis will nab the final Wild Card spot after a one-year hiatus.
AL MVP: Mookie Betts (Red Sox)
NL MVP: Kris Bryant (Cubs)
Mookie Betts had a great year last year and with him taking more offensive responsibility because David Ortiz's retirement, he'll be even better this time around. Expect Betts to be around the leaders in batting average, runs batted in, and homers. Kris Bryant was also spectacular last year and he has so much more potential that hasn't even been released yet. We'll witness some of that incredible potential pre-October.
AL Cy Young: Yu Darvish (Rangers)
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)
Yu Darvish was in and out of the rotation in 2016 because of injuries, but now that he is back, he will be looking to continue his success from 2015. Darvish should be able to do that, with good run support coming from Adrian Beltre and Co., he'll have a dynamic campaign. Kershaw is well, Kershaw. It's nearly impossible to bet against anyone outside of the Dodgers' southpaw.
AL Home Run Leader: Edwin Encarnacion (Indians)
NL Home Run Leader: Kris Bryant (Cubs)
Edwin Encarnacion was a enormous signing for the Indians and if he can keep doing what he was in Toronto, Cleveland will be lucky to have him. I think he will lead the entire league in bombs. Also, Kris Bryant will do similar things in Chi-Town. Bryant will go for 40-45 shots, and will lead the National League, but it won't surpass Encarnacion's high.
AL Wins Leader: Chris Sale (Red Sox)
NL Wins Leader: Jon Lester (Cubs)
Chris Sale was always a great pitcher in Chicago, but it wasn't always easy for him because he rarely got the one or two runs he needed to get a victory. Now, with a great batting order backing him up, Sale will lead the AL in victories. Jon Lester, who helped capture a title for the Cubs in 2016, will be back at it in 2017, partially because of a great offense. But we've come to expect excellence from the lefty and he will deliver again.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.
