MLB 2018 Season Predictions

The day has finally arrived. Opening Day of the 2018 Major League Baseball season is upon us. Who will make a name for themselves in 2018? Let's take a look.

American League East- New York Yankees

(Photo: NJ.com)

The biggest splash of the offseason was made in December when the Bronx Bombers traded for NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. Pair him with AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge, as well as Gary Sanchez, and the Yankees have a middle of the order trio more deadly than any in baseball. The offense will not come into question this season, however the rotation may. Can Masahiro Tanaka stay healthy all season? Can Luis Severino be the ace he showed promise for last season? Can Sonny Gray get back to being the Sonny Gray of old? If the answers to all of these questions are yes, the Yankees win this division easily.

American League Central- Cleveland Indians

(Photo: SI.com)

The Tribe disappointed last year after bowing out in the ALDS to the Yankees, and they are back in 2018 looking for vengeance. The notable change is at first base, where Carlos Santana has moved on to Philadelphia and is replaced by Yonder Alonso. However, this team wins with pitching, and that starts with reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber. Over his past two seasons, Kluber has been downright dominant, posting a 2.71 ERA, a 0.965 WHIP and 492 strikeouts in 61 starts. Simply put, he has been filthy.

American League West- Houston Astros

(Photo: USA Today)

The Astros should be the favorite to come out of the American League, and perhaps win it all, yet again. Everyone from last year's World Series winning team is back, including AL MVP Jose Altuve. However, they add former Pittsburgh Pirate Gerrit Cole to a pitching staff that already includes Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander. This team has the potential to be historically good this season.

American League Wild Card- Boston Red Sox (1) and Minnesota Twins (2)

(Photo: USA Today)

The Red Sox will win over 90 games again this season, however they have the misfortune of sharing a division with the Yankees. The return essentially the same squad from last season, with the addition of much-needed power bat J.D. Martinez in the middle of the order. Many Sox players underachieved last season, but look for bounce back years from Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts in 2018.

As for the Twins, they were the surprise of the American League last season. They made some noise this offseason by picking up Logan Morrison, Fernando Rodney, and Lance Lynn, among others. They have a young core of guys that now know how to win, led by budding star centerfielder Byron Buxton, who is primed for a big season.

National League East- Washington Nationals

(Photo: USA Today)

For yet another year, this division should be a walk in the park for the Nationals. However, this year is make-it-or-break-it time, as Bryce Harper is a free agent after this season. For a team that has yet to get out of the NLDS since moving to the nation's capital, that will have to be the mission if they hope to keep Harper from walking this offseason. Without a doubt, no team has more at stake this year than the Nats.

National League Central- Chicago Cubs

(Photo: NBC Chicago)

Yes, the Cubs added Yu Darvish to their rotation this season, but perhaps even more importantly is that they will have a full season of Kyle Schwarber. A much thinner Kyle Schwarber at that. In 2016, Schwarber only played in two games due to a knee injury. In 2017, he was sent to the minors after struggling mightily out of the gates. Upon his return to the bigs last year on July 6, he hit .255 with 18 bombs down the stretch. In Spring Training, the 30-pounds lighter Schwarber hit well over .300 and looks to be ready for a career year. For Cubs fans, there can be no prettier sight.

National League West- Los Angeles Dodgers

(Photo: Dodgerblue.com)

Losing Justin Turner to a broken wrist definitely hurts, but the Dodgers are one of the few teams that have enough depth to survive such an injury. Logan Forsythe will man the hot corner for Dave Roberts' bunch, a team looking to bounce back from the World Series defeat from last October. It's been 30 years since the Dodgers last won it all. Is this finally the year?

National League Wild Card- Arizona Diamondbacks (1) and Milwaukee Brewers (2)

(Photo: Sporting News)

Under first year manager Torrey Lovullo, the Diamondbacks won 93 games and made the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray were both dynamite arms in the rotation, Paul Goldschimdt had an MVP-caliber season, and Jake Lamb has a career year at third base. This team is well coached, and I expect them to have the same success in 2018.

The Brewers, on the other hand, were one of the more active teams this offseason. They made two big splashes in acquiring Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins, as well as signing former Royal Lorenzo Cain. Remember, this is a Brewers team that led the NL Central as late as July 25 last year. If their pitching can have a strong showing in 2018, look for the rest of the team to follow suit.

 

AL Wild Card Game- Red Sox beat Twins

NL Wild Card Game- Diamondbacks beat Brewers

ALDS- Astros beat Red Sox, Yankees beat Indians

NLDS- Cubs beat Diamondbacks, Nationals beat Dodgers

ALCS- Astros beat Yankees

NLCS- Cubs beat Nationals

World Series- Astros in 6

 

AL MVP: Carlos Correa

AL Cy Young: Chris Sale

AL Rookie of the Year: Willy Adames

AL Manager of the Year: AJ Hinch

 

NL MVP: Bryce Harper

NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw

NL Rookie of the Year: Ronald Acuna

NL Manager of the Year: Dave Martinez

 

Matt Ambrose is an Assistant Sports Director at 89.5 FM WSOU. He can be reached at matthew.ambrose1@student.shu.edu and can be found on Twitter @mambrose97.