Cleveland Indians Opening Day: World Series, MVP predictions
Cleveland Indians Opening Day is here, and with a new MLB season, comes new predictions for the World Series, MVP, Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year.
It’s Opening Day. Re-birth. Rejuvenation….all that stuff. The truth is that a third of the league is playing for next season and you’re either a “Have” or “Have not” when it comes to contending for the World Series.
Fortunately, our Cleveland Indians are one of the haves, with this year’s PECOTA projections forecasting 97 wins for the Tribe.
That is a crazy high number, but the Indians are the cream of the crop in the AL, along with the Astros, Yankees and Sox.
Here’s how you can expect everything to shake out from a writer who has opinions, that will likely turn out to be wrong in six months.
AL East: Boston Red Sox: These are predictions, so this prognostication comes with the belief that David Price will get back on track. He’s been great this spring and don’t forget about J.D. Martinez. The Yankees are the favorite here, but a front three of Chris Sale, Price and Rick Porcello. Don’t pencil in the Yankees just yet.
AL West, Astros: Unless the Japanese Babe Ruth is actually the real Babe Ruth re-incarnated, Houston wins the West easily.
NL Central, Cubs: It just seems like so many clubs are already playing for next year. The Reds are still rebuilding, and the Pirates are tearing it down. The Cardinals could make things interesting, but not enough so to be the pick.
NL East, Nationals: Washington has to be the pick, unless all the Mets starters’ get through the season healthy, and that’s a big IF.
NL West, Dodgers: The Diamondbacks and Rockies may keep things interesting, but LA, even with its shaky bullpen, won’t be caught.
AL Wild Cards: Yankees and Twins.
NL Wild Cards: Rockies and Brewers
ALCS: Indians defeat Yankees: Don’t forget, the Tribe had a 2-0 lead on the Yankees. If Corey Kluber was himself, Cleveland wins that series. The Yankees offense wasn’t the concern. How many times did Aaron Judge strike out again. If the Klubot is right, the Yankees are toast.
NLCS: Nationals beat Dodgers: The Nats’ lineup is healthy with the club possessing some tough outs at the top of the order in Adam Eaton and Trea Tuner, and then Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy in the middle. Plus a rotation that features Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. The Nats finally get over the hump.
WS: Indians over Nats. Cheers Cleveland, this is the year.
AL MVP: Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox: The left fielder for the Boston Red Sox is always going to get some extra attention and this dude is a star in the making. Benintendi turns his phenom status into bonafide superstar.
NL MVP: Bryce Harper, Nats: Harper’s bank account gets even bigger to accommodate all the money he’s going to get in free agency, selling himself as a “Two-time MVP.”
AL Cy, Corey Kluber, Indians: He’s the best pitcher in the game.
NL Cy, Yu Darvish, Cubs: Kershaw is the easy pick here, but Darvish on a really, really good team?
AL ROY, Michael Kopech, White Sox: It’s year of growth for the rebuilding White Sox, and Chicago boasts plenty of young talent. Kopech is starting the year at Triple-A, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him called up in June, ready to dominate.
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NL ROY, Lewis Brinson, Marlins: There’s a lot of young and upcoming talent in the NL, but unlike Victor Robles and Ronald Acuna, Brinson is starting the season in center field for the Marlins. He could easily knock 20 homers and steal 20 bases.