MLB Season Predictions Review: May 22
We’re well over a month into the season, so it’s time to check in on our staff’s preseason MLB predictions. Take it easy on us. All the comments are mine, unless otherwise specified.
NL Predictions
NL East
Kory: Mets (18-24; 7.5 GB)
Dustin: Nationals (26-17; 1st place)
Charles: Mets
Kyle: Nationals
Original Comment: It’s an even split (Neil breaks the tie, I’m sure, by picking the Mets), as each team has a few question marks. Ultimately, I think the Mets will take it. Their staff, even with its current question marks, will be tough to beat. Once Matz is healthy, look out.
Updated Comment: I would like a do-over. Dustin and Kyle are going to win this one.
NL Central
Kory: Cubs (22-20; 3rd place; 2 GB)
Dustin: Cubs
Charles: Cubs
Kyle: Cubs
Original Comment: I’m glad to see that nobody here is insane. Sure, the Cardinals or Pirates could keep it interesting until August or so, but barring some very unforeseen setback, the Cubs should handle this mediocre division nicely.
Updated Comment: Clearly everyone here is insane. We clearly should’ve known that the Brewers would get off to the hottest start out of any NL Central team. I hate baseball.
NL West
Kory: Dodgers (26-19; 2 GB)
Dustin: Dodgers
Charles: Dodgers
Kyle: Giants (19-26; 9 GB)
Original Comment: My prediction is Kyle will be wrong.
Updated Comment: My prediction was pretty good here.
NL Wild Cards
Kory: Nationals (26-17; 1st in NL East) and Diamondbacks (26-19; T-1st in NL Wild Card)
Dustin: Mets (18-24; 6.5 GB in NL Wild Card) and Rockies (28-17; 1st in NL West)
Charles: Nationals and Giants (19-26; 7 GB in NL Wild Card)
Kyle: Mets and Dodgers (26-19; T-1st in NL Wild Card)
Original Comment: It’s interesting to note that we essentially agreed on a core of teams who would make the playoffs in the NL, even though we chose different avenues for those teams to get there. Each one of us chose the Mets, Nationals, Cubs, and Dodgers to make the playoffs. Unlike Charles and Kyle, Dustin and I have no faith in the Giants. We chose to put our faith in the Rockies and the Diamondbacks to sneak in the second wild card, instead.
Updated Comment: Thank you, Colorado and Arizona for making Dustin and I look like we deserve to have baseball opinions.
NL Pennant
Kory: Cubs
Dustin: Cubs
Charles: Cubs
Kyle: Cubs
AL Predictions
AL East
Kory: Red Sox (22-21; 3rd place)
Dustin: Red Sox
Charles: Red Sox
Kyle: Red Sox
Original Comment: Kyle says: “The Bawston Killer B’s (Benintendi, Betts, Bradley) keep the mojo going, and a resurgent Panda (or resurgent enough) hold off the biggest threat…the Blue Jays?”
Charles says: “I think they will win the division, but we shouldn’t underestimate how big of a loss Big Papi is. It will come down to the wire for the division, I think, between Baltimore and the Yankees [competing with the Red Sox].”
Updated Comment: Well…the Yankees are in 1st place. So everything is awful. The Red Sox have shown signs of life recently, and if David Price comes back healthy, I’m not too worried about this prediction. One thing is certain, though, this division is quite a bit better than we anticipated. Some things never change.
AL Central
Kory: Cleveland (23-19; 2nd place)
Dustin: Cleveland
Charles: Cleveland
Kyle: Cleveland
Original Comment: It’s a relatively easy clean sweep. They won’t have much of a challenge in this division.
Updated Comment: Things started off iffy for the reigning AL Pennant winners, but Cleveland looks find now. When Kluber returns, I’d expect them to build a pretty sizable lead. The Twins have been a pleasant surprise (even if Buxton hasn’t been), but they’re still getting outscored on the season. That doesn’t bode well, long-term.
AL West
Kory: Astros (29-15; 1st place)
Dustin: Mariners (20-25; Last place)
Charles: Astros
Kyle: Astros
Original Comment: Kyle (he’s an Astros fan) says : “Accept it, boners. We finally avoid the Rangers voodoo.”
Updated Comment: Accept it, boners. Also, accept it, Dustin.
AL Wild Cards
Kory: Mariners (20-25; 4.5 GB in the AL Wild Card) and Rangers (24-21; 0.5 GB in the AL Wild Card)
Dustin: Astros (29-15; 1st place in the AL West) and Blue Jays (19-26; 5.5 GB in the AL Wild Card)
Charles: Rangers and Orioles (25-17; 1st in the AL Wild Card)
Kyle: Blue Jays and Mariners
Original Comment: Charles says: “The Orioles underachieved relative to their talent level last year.” I say they overachieved.
Updated Comment: Charles is right on the money with his picks so far.
AL Pennant
Kory: Astros
Dustin: Cleveland
Charles: Cleveland
Kyle: Astros
Your 2017 World Series Winner is…
Kory: Astros in 6
Dustin: Cleveland in 6
Charles: Cleveland in 7
Kyle: Cubs in 6
Original Comment: Kory says: It’s hard to bet against the teams that made it to the final series last season, especially when neither of them got noticeably worse in the offseason. My money is on the Astros cashing in on their offseason investments.
Kyle says: “Bullpens, offense, and versatility wins championships. And so it goes. Astros grind out a few wins between McCullers and the offense throughout the playoffs, but are out of their element against the best team in baseball.”
Charles says: “The Chapman-less Cubs can’t close it out this time. And so ends the only remaining WS drought. With no “curses” remaining, MLB needs to figure out how to manufacture some good story lines. Otherwise, what do we have to root for/against? They better hope Harper signs with the Yankees and revives the Evil Empire otherwise we’re looking at a league with no driving story lines that struggles to promote its stars.”
Updated Comment: Nobody is looking terribly bad with their World Series pick, so far. I’ve got the most reason to be optimistic.
Bonus Pick: Winner of ABC’s The Bachelorette
Kory: DeMario
Dustin: DeMario
Charles: DeMario
Kyle: DeMario
Duh.