Thursday, March 31, 2016

Major League Baseball - 2016 Season Preview

The 2016 Major League Baseball season gets started this Sunday with three games on tap when an inter league battle between the defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets, whom they defeated last year in five games to win the crown, takes place on the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball opener.
The other two games on Sunday include The Toronto Blue Jays traveling to face the Tampa Bay Rays in an American League East division tilt and a National League Central division battle between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
It looks to be another exciting season for baseball fans everywhere, especially in Chicago, where the Cubs are expected to have their biggest success in over 100 years.
Many so called "experts" are picking the Cubs to either make and/or win the World Series this year.
Wow!
The Cubs did enjoy a surprisingly successful 2015 season, making it all the way to the National League Championship Series before falling to the New York Mets.
There always seems to be that one team everyone jumps on each season as the consensus choice to have a big year in the big leagues. Last year that team was the Washington Nationals and they didn't even make the post-season, finishing with a disappointing 83-79 record.
Will that be the case for the Chicago Cubs this season?
Only time will tell, but rest assured it should a great battle between the Cubbies, St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central division once again this year.

The following offers a look at both the American and National League races with predictions for all the races as well as the post-season and World Series winner.

A look at the division races (with  Wild Card teams in italics)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

East - 1. NY Mets 2. Washington 3. Miami  4. Philadelphia  5. Atlanta

The Mets appear to be the top team here with their stellar pitching staff. The Nationals will challenge the Mets for the East title.

Central - 1. Chicago  2. St. Louis  3. Pittsburgh  4. Milwaukee  5. Cincinnati

The Cubs appear ready to contend for the World Series title this season but both the Cards and Pirates will have something to say about it before October arrives.

West - 1. San Francisco  2.  Los Angeles  3. Arizona  4. Colorado  5. San Diego

It's an even-numbered year so the Giants will win it all again, right?  Not necessarily but they will battle the Dodgers for the West title and make a deep post-season run.


AMERICAN LEAGUE

East - 1. Toronto  2. Baltimore  3. Boston  4. NY Yankees  5. Tampa Bay

The Blue Jays, much like the Orioles, have a power laden lineup but the pitching is suspect. Boston could challenge for the division title. Yanks are too old and the Rays have pitching, but a very anemic offense.

Central - 1. Detroit  2. Kansas City  3. Cleveland  4. Minnesota  5. Chicago

The Tigers appear ready to over take the world champion Royals for the division crown. The Tribe has too many question marks while the Twins have deficiencies with their pitching. 

West1. Texas  2. Houston  3. Seattle  4. Los Angeles  5. Oakland

Rangers and Astros will battle it out until the end in this division. Mariners and Angels will fade away after All-Star break.


THE  POST - SEASON 

National League 

Wild Card Game - St. Louis over Washington

NLDSChicago over St. Louis;  San Francisco over NY Mets

NLCS - Chicago over San Francisco


American League

Wild Card GameBaltimore over Houston

ALDSToronto over Baltimore;  Detroit over Texas

ALCSToronto over Detroit


                                             

                                                   WORLD SERIES

                                                                Chicago Cubs over Toronto Blue Jays




                                                                                    






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