We’re closing in on the 2019 MLB season, with Opening Day starting in three days. So it’s time to break down what I think will be the results come October. Here we go:

AL East

1. Boston Red Sox

2. New York Yankees

3. Tampa Bay Rays

4. Toronto Blue Jays

5. Baltimore Orioles

I think this division will shake out just like it did last year. The Yankees get a lot of love by people, but until they prove they can take down the Red Sox, Boston will get my vote. I expect those two teams to have similar years to last year, with less wins by Boston to make it a closer race. But both of those two teams are clearly better than the rest of the division, so I think it will ultimately come down to those teams. The Rays will be good again, but not quite good enough for postseason play.

AL Central

1. Minnesota Twins

2. Cleveland Indians

3. Chicago White Sox

4. Detroit Tigers

5. Kansas City Royals

I’m going out on a limb here, but I have a gut feeling the Twins will overtake the Indians this year for the AL Central crown. Nelson Cruz is a big addition to the middle of their order, and I think Buxton will finally break out and contribute. Not that he’ll have an absolutely sensational year or anything, but I think he will steadily contribute to the success of this team. The Indians will be right behind them though, and I think both of those teams will be neck and neck by the time October rolls around. The White Sox will be an improved team from last season and will have some young players to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

AL West

1. Houston Astros

2. Oakland Athletics

3. Los Angeles Angels

4. Seattle Mariners

5. Texas Rangers

It’s very difficult to bet against the Astros with their once-again loaded squad. Alex Bregman really came along last season and should just improve. I think Carlos Correa will bounce back from his disappointing season last year and produce numbers closer (although not equivalent) to what he did in 2017. I really like Oakland a lot too, but just don’t think they have enough firepower to overtake the Astros. They’ll finish a close second in the division, 3-4 games back. I wish the Angels would get more help for Trout, especially pitching, so he could go to the playoffs. And the Rangers current starting rotation is laughable (Mike Minor Opening Day starter, anyone?)

NL East

1. Atlanta Braves

2. Philadelphia Phillies

3. Washington Nationals

4. New York Mets

5. Miami Marlins

If you look at pre-season power rankings, the Braves are once again being overshadowed by the Nationals and the Phillies (they are predicted 4th in the division according to this MLB.com Power Ranking), but that’s how the team prefers it. Last season they welcomed the underdog role and rode it all the way to the NL East pennant. They have a lot of young talent who should be even better than last year. The Phillies and the Nationals will be close behind, however, and it will be a three team race from mid-August to the end of the season. While the Mets have improved significantly since last year, I don’t expect them to be there when it’s all said and done. This will be a very fun division to watch all season long.

NL Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals

2. Milwaukee Brewers

3. Chicago Cubs

4. Cincinnati Reds

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

I think this will be the most interesting division to watch throughout the season. They will be rolling out five good teams, since the Reds have drastically improved. The Cardinals have improved from last year as well, and that starts with Paul Goldschmidt in the middle of their lineup. They are solid all around and with plenty of veteran leadership should be a dangerous team. The Brewers and Cubs should both be very good once again, with a lot of returning players from last year. Cincinnati will be the intriguing team. I think Puig has a huge year with a chip on his shoulder, and all the new pieces they’ve added this offseason should be instant contributors. The Pirates have a solid pitching staff, which should get them a good amount of wins. This division is loaded.

NL West

1. Colorado Rockies

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

3. San Francisco Giants

4. San Diego Padres

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

I really like this Rockies squad. They made the right move in signing Arenado long term so that won’t be a distraction during the season, and will have so much firepower in their lineup around him. I think their pitching is good enough to put them in the number one spot over the Dodgers this year. The Dodgers, though, won’t be far behind. They still have a lot of talent and will have Corey Seager back this year. After those two teams, they’ll be a drop off from the final three teams. How those teams finish is hard to predict, but I think the Giants will finish third in Bruce Bochy’s final season as manager.

NL Wildcard

Philadelphia Phillies

Los Angeles Dodgers (Winner)

AL Wildcard

New York Yankees (Winner)

Cleveland Indians

World Series

Houston Astros (Winner)

Colorado Rockies

NL Rookie of the Year

Nick Senzel (Cincinnati Reds)

AL Rookie of the Year

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)

NL Cy Young

Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals)

AL Cy Young

Chris Sale (Boston Red Sox)

NL MVP

Nolan Arenado (Colorado Rockies)

AL MVP

Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels)

Garett

MLB 2019 Season Predictions