2021 MLB Season Preview

So the MLB season is here and to the shock of no one I was not able to complete the MLB Offseason Prediction blog, but I have some pretty good excuses as to why I didn’t. First off I started pretty late. I started the blog pretty late this season. It was hard to do multiple blogs a day with my current schedule, even though it is pretty empty, so it was not happening. I also was sick for a couple of days last week, which resulted in me losing any thought of wanting to do a blog, but that’s what this blog is for. I’m here to give my complete prediction of what is going to happen this season, which teams did the best and worst this offseason, and more. Let’s get into it.

Best Offseasons: San Diego Padres

Notable Moves: Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, Ha-Seong Kim, Joe Musgrove

The Padres had the best offseason and it’s not even close. They were miles ahead of everyone and it’s not shocking. All three of the starting pitching that was acquired are #1 or #2 type guys on any rotation. Their starting pitching has gotten so much better, even with losing Mike Clevinger for the season. Then on the hitting side, the Padres go and add one of the best Korean free agents available. He might not make an impact right away, but he will be in rookie of the year talks by the end of the season. The Padres have made great moves this offseason, but will it be enough by the end of the season

Worst Offseasons: Tampa Bay Rays

Notable Moves: Blake Snell, Charlie Morton, Aaron Loup

The Rays went from competing in the World Series to probably not making the playoffs this season. They decided it was a good idea to get rid of the two best pitchers from their team last season in some mindboggling moves. Of course, their offense is still going to be pretty good, but in an improved AL East, I see it hard for them to compete. 

Best Offseason: Toronto Blue Jays

Notable Moves: George Springer, Marcus Semien, Kirby Yates, Robbie Ray

The Blue Jays had a very sneaky offseason as I do not think a single person saw them making these big moves. Very smart of them as most of their team is young, so they are going ball to the wall now. Springer and Semien will be very valuable assets on the offensive sides as both will help this young team early in the lineup. They also get Kirby Yates, who should be back to form after only 4 appearances last season. I would have liked to see them improve their starting pitching a little, but resigning Robbie Ray was a wise move and the Blue Jays hope they can get something out of Steven Matz after his worst season in the MLB. 

Worst Offseason: Colorado Rockies

Notable Moves: Nolan Arenado, David Dhal

The real story here is that the Rockies lost Nolan Arenado. Arenado is a top 10 position player in the league and the Rockies got very little in return for him. It’s not like the Rockies were going to do much this season, but the return is why the Rockies had one of the worst offseasons. Also, letting David Dhal go was stupid. I get he had his worst season in the MLB last season, but Dhal is a very good young player. They let an All-Star leave because he played badly during a pandemic season. Very dumb move in my mind that only hurts the Rockies more in the future. 

Best Offseason: New York Mets:

Notable Moves: Francisco Lindor, Taijuan Walker, Carlos Carrasco, James McCann 

The Mets did a lot this season to improve almost every need they had. They got a star shortstop who plays fantastic on both offense and defense. They got a very underrated catch who is a stud on defense and is a pretty decent hitter. They added two starting pitchers who are going to help in the middle of the rotation while also keeping Marcus Stroman for another season. But just like the Padres, will all these moves be enough at the end of the season.

Worst Offseason: Cleveland Indians 

Notable Moves: Francisco Lindro, Carlos Carrasco, Carlos Santana, Brad Hand
Broke teams stay broke. Just like Colorado, Cleveland could not keep their star player because the player wanted to be paid so the team shipped him off and did not get much in return. Andres Gimenez has some real potential, but Rosario is a dead horse, and the prospects that they received were not very good. They also let go one of the best closers in baseball over the last couple of seasons. Real head-scratcher moves here by Cleveland. 

2021 Standings Predictions:

AL East: 

1. Yankees
2. Blue Jays (#2 WC)
3. Rays
4. Red Sox
5. Orioles

The Yankees are a good baseball team, there I said it. They will win this division with ease because they have experience and have made some good moves this offseason to help their biggest need, starting pitching. Following the Yankees, I have the Blue Jays finishing 2nd in the East and being the #2 Wild Card team. I think their offense is going to be good enough to carry their lack of starting pitching and make a wild card spot. Then, we have the Rays, who regressed so I find it hard for them to compete in this division. Maybe they can make some moves at the trade deadline, but for now, I am certain they won’t be making the playoffs. Finally, we have the Red Sox and Orioles rounding out the division, and there’s not much to say as both teams STINK.

 

AL Central: 

1. White Sox
2. Twins (#1 WC)
3. Indians 
4. Royals 
5. Tigers

Now onto the AL Central, we have one that’s going to be a tight race between two very good teams, but I think Chicago will win the race. I think their team is all around better, and that’s no knock on Minnesota. The talent in Chicago is scary and has real potential to be a World Series winner in a couple of years. Then you have the bottom three teams and there’s not much to say about Kansas City and Detroit. They stink but have some good potential. The Indians on the other hand will win around 75-80 games. They have good, young talent, but their team is not complete. They have holes to fill and could be back to where they were in a year or two.

AL West: 

1. Astros
2. Angels
3. Athletics 
4. Mariners
5. Rangers

Not much shock to this one as there really isn’t much competition in the AL West outside of the Astros. The Angels and Athletics are talented, but the Astros are on another level in my mind. They will start out a little slow without Justin Verlander, but I am certain things will pick up quickly. They have a nice rotation behind Zack Greinke and I am certain there star players like Altuve and Bregman will get back on track. And for the Mariners and Texas, meh. Texas should be sellers and the Mariners have good young talent that should make them exciting to see in a couple of years. 

NL East: 

1. Braves
2. Mets (#2 WC)
3. Phillies
4. Nationals 
5. Marlins

The NL East will probably be the most competitive division because it is hard to see who will come out of it. The Braves and Mets are on top because they are the most talented out of the four, but people are sleeping on the Nats and Phillies. Both team’s offenses look really good and will make big impacts when it comes to them winning. What I think will be a detriment to both teams is pitching. I do not think both teams have the best pitching, and that will be what screws them in the end. Also, the Marlins had a fun run last year, but now that we will have a full season, the real teams will show up and win baseball games. The Marlins run is over and the big boys are here to show them who is in charge.

NL Central: 

1. Cardinals
2. Red
3. Cubs
4. Brewers
5. Pirates

Yikes. What a crap division. I mean PU. No real good team, but I do think the Cardinals might be a sneaky team. Adding a star player like Nolan Arenado might do that, but I think that will get them like 85 wins. This division will be a real stinker and I wouldn’t be shocked if any of the top 4 teams win the division.

NL West: 

1. Dodgers
2. Padres (#1 WC)
3. Diamondback
4. Giants
5. Rockies

Not much to say here either as it is a two-man race. The Dodger tho will have the edge as they are a really fucking good team that has experience. They have been here before and will be the team that wins this division, and that’s no knock to San Diego. They got really fucking good this offseason, but LA will be the superior team. Now on the other teams, I donn’t hate the D-Backs, but their pitching is kinda sus, and have a lot of holes in their offense. They could make some moves at the deadline this offseason, but they need to do something major if they want to compete in this division. For the Giants and Rockies, you guys suck. The Giants have good talent at least, the Rockies just flat out stink outside of Trevor Story.

Award Predictions:

AL MVP: Mike Trout

It’s a basic bitch move to do, but I don’t give a shit. Mike Trout is really fucking good and will win MVP every season. Sue me. I also don’t hate Aaron Judge fucking around and winning an MVP, but him being too injury-prone is making me scared to make the pick. 

NL MVP: Cody Bellinger

This one was a little bit harder to decide because they’re a crap ton of players who can win this. Juan Soto, Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr, and so on, but I think Bellinger will get things back on track this season and win his second career MVP. 

AL Cy Young: Lucas Giolito

I mean I have no idea why I and many others think Lucas Giolito is going to win Cy Young this season. He hasn’t proved much in his young career, and that’s why I love it. Giolito is going to have a breakout season and dominate the AL hitters. 

NL Cy Young: Jacob deGrom

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Homer pick, I do not care, deGrom is the best pitcher in the MLB and it really isn’t close. deGrom will win his third Cy Young, should be fourth, and continue his path to the Hall of Fame. 

ALCS Prediction: Astros over Yankees

I do not know why, but in my head the Astros will always be good, as long as they can keep these core players. Altuve and Bregman will be back to their normal play, Grienkie will do good, and Jose Urquidy will have a great leap season. I also like the the Astros have had the Yankees number over the past couple seasons and that’s why they are going to win the ALCS. 

NLCS Prediction: Dodgers over Braves

REPEAT. We are going to have a repeat of the NLCS from last season because the Braves and Dodgers are the best two of the best teams in the National League (obviously you have the Padres, but the Dodgers will take care of them in the NLDS.) The Dodgers will take care of the Braves once again, in easier fashion then last season, and make their fourth World Series in the last five seasons.

World Series Prediction: Dodgers over Astros

The Dodgers will finally have their revenge over the Astros this season simply because they are better. There is no team better than the Dodgers this season and they will prove it once again as they two-peat in the World Series.

I cannot wait for this MLB season. This is the most hyped I have been for a MLB season for a while now, and that’s probably because the Mets are going to be a fun, enjoyable team to watch. But baseball is such a fun sport to follow and it’s going to be a really good season. The NL is stacked with some really good teams and the AL has question marks all over the place for who can win in that league. I’m hyped and so should you be. Lets watch some motherfucking baseball. 

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