2020 MLB Predictions

Is it baseball season already?  Well no, not really.  It's coming up soon, though!  Yes, it's early to be making predictions, but I just couldn't wait any longer.  I'm going to rank the teams in each division based on how I think they'll finish (Sorry, no win-loss records this year).  And then, postseason predictions.  I have done surprisingly well in postseason predictions in the past, although last year's prediction of Dodgers/Yankees fell flat.  I'm more interested in the American League so I will go more in depth there.

* = Wild Card

NL East
1. Braves
2. Nationals*
3. Phillies
4. Marlins
5. Mets
Comment: The Braves have a young nucleus that just gets even better.  The defending champs Nats do well, but can only muster a wild card.  The Phillies have an up and down season.  The Marlins surprise a lot of people (again), and the Mets stink it up thanks to Beltran getting axed before he could even manage a game.

NL Central
1. Brewers
2. Cubs
3. Cardinals
4. Reds
5. Pirates
Comment: The Brew Crew do well again and claim the division.  David Ross does fairly well in his first year, but not enough for a playoff spot.  The Cards and Reds do all right, not awful.  The Pirates struggle after trading Marte. 

NL West
1. Dodgers
2. Diamondbacks*
3. Padres
4. Giants
5. Rockies
Comment: I think this is the best all-around division.  The Dodgers repeat as division champs--again.  The D-Backs fight them all the way to the end for the division crown but fall just short.  The Padres are in it most of the year but fade away late.  The Giants are rebuilding, and with a new manager, tread water for this year.  The Rockies aren't awful, but they can't pass any of their division rivals.

AL East
1. Yankees
2. Rays*
3. Blue Jays
4. Red Sox
5. Orioles
Comment: The Yankees surge again, this time hoping for a healthier regular season and more success in the playoffs.  The Rays do surprisingly well and claim a wild card spot.  The Blue Jays ride their youth movement, but are still a year away from really contending.  The Sox struggle after losing their manager.  The Orioles are.... the Orioles. 

AL Central
1. White Sox
2. Twins
3. Indians
4. Tigers
5. Royals
Comment: Surprised, are you?  The White Sox are my dark horse and surprise team of 2020.  The Twins remain competitive but are unable to claim a playoff spot.  The Indians are decent but not great.  The Tigers make progress, and the Royals are just there.

AL West
1. Angels
2. Astros*
3. Athletics
4. Rangers
5. Mariners
Comment: Joe Maddon goes into LA and leads them to a division title in his first year.  The Astros have a bit of a let-down season following their scandal, but still manage to claim a wild card spot.  They're just too talented.  The A's are in it to the end but fall short.  The Rangers chug along and aren't bad.  The Mariners surprise some teams and make progress, but the rest of the division is too tough.

Some surprises there, I'm sure.  How will the playoffs unfold?

Wild Cards:
NL: Nationals vs. Diamondbacks - Diamondbacks win
AL: Rays vs. Astros - Astros win

Divisional Round
NL: Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks - Dodgers win
Braves vs. Brewers - Braves win

AL: Yankees vs. Astros - Yankees win
White Sox vs. Angels - White Sox win

Championship Series
NL: Dodgers vs. Braves - Braves win
AL: Yankees vs. White Sox - Yankees win

World Series
Braves vs. Yankees: Yankees win in 5

Yet again I pick the Yankees to win the World Series.  Will they come through this time?  Time will tell.  I'll be content with any winner except for the Astros.  I'd prefer them to not make the playoffs, but they just have too much talent.  Coming up soon I'll talk about the Mariners, what I expect from each player going into 2020.