MY MLB power rankings and predictions 3/31/21:
Dodgers (118-44)
Won the World Series, then acquired the CY Young award winner in Trevor Bauer.
2.Padres( 100-62)
After falling to the Dodgers in the NLDS as the four seed, the Padres bolstered their rotation, by acquiring star starting pitching in Blake Snell from the Rays, Yu Darvish from the Cubs, and Joe Musgrove from the Pirates. They also have young in-house stars, such as Chris Paddack, and Dilson Lamet. When you add that on top of an offense led by superstars Fernando Tatis JR, and Manny Machado, as well as a formidable bullpen in Drew Pomeranz, Emilio Pagan, Mark Melancon, and Keon Kela. The Padres are a team you don’t want to mess with this year, and will challenge the Dodgers in the West.
3.Braves(96-66)
They were one game away from the World Series, despite a host of injuries, and added an ace in Charlie Morton. This team is ready to go far once again.
4.Mets(92-70)
The Mets are back! They added superstar Francisco Lindor, and bolstered their bullpen with the additions of Trevor May, and Aaron Loup. As for the rotation, after DeGrom, they have Carlos Carrasco(IL to start the year, Noah Syndegard(IL), Marcus Stroman, Tajagan Walker, David Pederson, and Jordan Yammamoto.
Can the Mets rebound, from their abysmal 24-36 season over a full season in 2021?
5.White Sox(98-64)
Made the playoffs last season, then added Lance Lynn to fit that Giolito-Lynn 1-2 punch. Also added Yasmani Grandal, and might have the best bullpen in baseball, with Liam Hendricks as the closer, and Aaron Brummer, as well as Evan Marshall, and Codi Hunter behind him. Oh, Tim Andreson is pretty good too. Get ready baseball world, HERE COME THE CHISOX!!
6.Tampa Bay Rays(96-66)
Made the World Series last year, and maintained big parts of their team, with Randy Arozerena being the favorite for ROY.
Don’t sleep on the Rays, especially if you made that mistake last season.
7.Yankees(95-67)
Roster:
1B: Jay Bruce
2B: DJ LeMahieu
SS: Gleyber Torres
3B: Gio Urshela
LF: Clint Frazier
CF: Aaron Hicks
RF: Aaron Judge
DH: Giancarlo Stanton
Catcher: Gary Sanchez
ROTATION:
Gerrit Cole
Corey Kluber
Domingo German
Jordan Montgomery
Jamison Tallion
bullpen:
Aroldis Chapman
Chad Green
Darren ODay
Luis Cessa
Jonathan Losiga
Lucas Luteige
Nick Nelson
Micheal King
Note: Aroldis Chapman is healthy, but suspended for first two games of the season.
BENCH:
Catcher: Kyle Higashioka
OF: Brett Gardner
INF: Tyler Wade
OF: Mike Tauchman
IL:Luis Severino
Zack Brittion
Luke Voit
Justin Wilson
All expected to be back one way or another at some point this regular season. If the Yankees make the playoffs, the expectation is you will see those guys healthy, having numerous big league games under their belt from this season, and rearing to go for a championship run. But, everyone needs to be cautious here, because it’s a long 162 game season. One goal at a time, one month at a time, one series at a time, and finally one game at a time. The big question is will they stay healthy, and consistent, unlike last season? This team can be viewed as overrated, because they have failed continuously to break down that door, and reach the fall classic. Is this the year they recapture that 2009 magic, and bring home championship NO. 28?
That remains to be seen, and looking at this roster, I see a ton of question marks, to put them in the top five. I’m not getting excited about a World Series, until you guys start playing like a championship team. You can talk all you want, but you need to prove it.
Personally if I’m the Yankees, the Rays are still the team to beat in the East, as they are the defending AL champions. While I believe the Yankees are a top five team, and their projected record shows it, I’m not willing to place them above the Rays, until they start playing like it.
8.TWINS(91-71)It’s the same story. Make the playoffs, but they can’t win a playoff game, and the 18 postseason game losing streak, will haunt this team all season long. Personally, they may not have the luxury of winning the AL Central this year, and will need to fight for a Wild Card spot.
9.ANGELES(90-72)
Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Shoei Ohtani. Only one question I have for them? Will the pitching hold up? That’s what keeps this team out of the playoffs year after year, and this season is another crack at the can for them.
10.Houston Astros(86-76)
Need I say much more? Yes they lost Framber Valadez, and still are without Justin Verlander due to injury, but still were within a game of the fall classic last year.
11.WASHINGTON NATIONALS (85-77)
Last season was full of injuries, and it led to a lost 24-36 campaign . But the 2019 World Series champions are a healthy group this year, with that loaded pitching staff led Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin, as well as superstar Juan Soto on the offensive side, Washington should be back in the NL playoff hunt once again this season, barring lack of consistency, or any setbacks.
12.BLUE JAYS(87-75)
George Springer(IL) was the big fish the Blue Jays landed this year, as well as Marcus Semien to bolster the squads defense. It’s easy to forget the Blue Jays made the playoffs last year, due to the fact they got hammered by the Rays in the AL Wildcard series, but led by their superstar core in Vlad Gurreo JR, Bo Bitchette, Teoscar Hernandez, Cavan Biggio, the Jays are ready to make some noise in the AL East race. As for the pitching, Hyun-Jin-Ryu leads their staff, followed by Robbie Ray(IL), Tyler Chatwood(Acquired from the Cubs), Steven Matz(Acquired from the Mets), Ross Stripling, and Tanner Roark are loaded for Toronto, and they have a nice surplus of young pitchers, such as Rafael Dalien they can implement, and use out of the bullpen.
13.CARDINALS(89-73)
The acquisition of superstar Nolan Arenado, is what bolsters this team in the weakest division in baseball.
14.A’S(83-79)
They’re always a sneaky bunch, so you can’t sleep on them so much.
15.BREWERS(85-77)
Good starting pitching, led by Brandon Woodruff, ans Jordan Lyles, but it will depend on whether Christian Yelich can rediscover his MVP form from 2019, whether the Brewers will be a playoff team or not.
16.PHILLIES(83-79)
It’s year three with Bryce Harper, and the pressure is once again on the Phillies. After two abysmal years, can they find that consistency on both sides of the ball, and break through to the postseason?
17.INDIANS(86-76)
They lost Lindor, and Carrasco to the Mets, but still have and MVP candidate in Jose Ramirez, and reigning CY Young award winner in Shane Bieber. It’s a rebuild in Cleveland, but not a full tear-down.
18.REDS(81-81)
The loss of Trevor Bauer hurts them, but they still have Luis Castillo, and Sonny Gray(When he comes back from injury), leading their staff, with slugger Eugene Suarez on the offensive side, to try and thrust this team into the NL Central race, let alone the Wild Card race.
19.Red Sox(82-80)
It’s another rebuild year in Boston, but the return of manager Alex Cora from his suspension due to his involvement in the Astros sign-stealing scandal, the acquisition of Marwin Gonzalez, as well as a bright young star in Alex Verdugo. The young faces joining the Bosox in Hunter Renfroe, Kike Hernandez, and rookie Bobby Delbac, should make for a fun offense to watch over the 162 in 2021; joining JD Martinez, Xander Bogarts, and Rafael Devers.
On the other side of the ball, Nathan Evoldi will once again anchor this staff, and the question is, does he have what it takes to rediscover that “Ace” form?
20.CUBS(79-83)
It’s rebuild time, and the lack of offseason moves, and the trade of Yu Darvish has signaled that. This organization has come a long way since their 2016 World Series championship.
21.ROYALS(75-87)
Last season wasn’t so terrible, with a 26-34 record, so this season should signal another step forward for this franchise, with veterans such as Andrew Benentendi, Micheal Taylor, and starter Mike Minor brought into mentor this young group. Young ace Brad Keller, will start opening day against the Rangers.
22.MARINERS(71-91)
The young core improves, with the addition of Jarid Kelenic from the farm, but that’s about it. Seattle though, may be first amongst these rebuilding squads. That’s why I have them 22. The future is bright!
23.GIANTS(81-81)
This is a team that is the exact definition of mediocrity. Not bad, but not good. The problem? Health, and consistency.
24.D BACKS(78-84)
The post Paul Goldschmit years, and the rebuild continues in the desert. They lost closer Archie Bradley in free agency.
25.MARLINS(70-92)
They made the postseason last year due to the expanded playoffs over the 60 game season. While it was an amazing run, keeping it up over 162, and snagging one of only two open Wild Card spots amongst 11 other teams will be a challenge, for this young Miami squad.
26.TIGERS(67-95)
AJ Hinch is their new manager, and they still have Miguel Cabrera, as well as Jonathan Scoop and some young stars still trying to develop. Expect AJ to get the best out of his players here, which is why Detroit is 26.
27.ORIOLES(66-96)
The rebuild continues, and these guys were the expanded playoff hunt for a few weeks last season, so they got a small taste of what meaningful baseball feels like. However, I don’t think it’s enough to make a difference over 162 games.
28.ROCKIES(62-100)
It’s Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon, and starter German Marquez, before the farm team takes over the roster. It’s rebuilding time in Colorado.
29RANGERS(60-102)
Veteran Joey Gallo, and youngster Leody Tavares are the only reasons why I would watch the Rangers this season, as they’re youth movement continues to develop.
30.PIRATES(55-107)
Hey, at least Pirates fans have rookie of the year favorite Kebryan Hayes.
AWARDS:
MVP:
AL: Mike Trout
NL: Mookie Betts
CY YOUNG:
AL: Gerrit Cole
NL: Jacob Degrom
ROY:
AL: Randy Arozerena
NL: Kebryan Hayes
PLAYOFFS:
Wild Card
AL: Yankees over Twins
NL: Mets over Padres
LDS:
AL:
White Sox over Yankees in 5.
Angles over Rays in 4.
NL:
Dodgers over Mets in 4.
Braves over Cardinals in 4.
LCS:
White Sox over Angles in 5.
Dodgers over Braves in 5.
World Series:
Dodgers over White Sox in 6.
WS MVP: Clayton Kershaw
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