Major League Baseball - 2021 Season Preview

After last year's shortened 60-game baseball season due to the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the game of baseball is looking forward to a more traditional season beginning on April 1 and continuing (hopefully uninterrupted) through the summer months and into October for the playoffs and World Series. 

Last year the Los Angeles Dodgers won it all, capturing their first World Series championship since 1988 while looking very dominant in the process, beating the Tampa Bay Rays in six games. The Dodgers seem to be the odds on favorite to win the World Series again this year, which would make them the first repeat champion in Major League Baseball since the 2000 New York Yankees if that happens. 

Repeating is never easy in any sport, especially baseball with the long schedule and the multiple rounds of playoffs. Plus the fact the San Diego Padres have reloaded their roster with free agent signings and players acquired in trades to compete with the Dodgers in the National League West division. Once the season gets rolling, it will be fun to see how things turn out once October rolls around. 

For a look at the divisional races and post-season forecasts, Heftyinfo will attempt to break things down and pick the World Series champions for the 2021 MLB season. 

 

National League 

East 

1. Atlanta - The Braves appear poised to win their third consecutive division title, but the East is loaded.

2. Washington - If this team stays healthy, they could contend for the title again.

3. NY Mets - They look good on paper, but the Mets must prove they can be a winning team.

4. Philadelphia - Bullpen issues a year ago must be resolved if Phillies hope to make playoffs.

5. Miami - BIG difference between 60 games and 162 games. Back to reality in 2021 for the fish.

Central

1. St. Louis - The Cardinals have big potential, now they have to get it done on the field. 

2. Chicago Cubs - Don't write this team off just yet. 

3. Milwaukee - The Brewers could finish anywhere from first to third in this division race. 

4. Cincinnati - The Reds have some holes to fill this season. 

5. Pittsburgh - The Pirates will try to avoid the 100-loss mark this season. 

West 

1. LA Dodgers - World Series or bust once again for the Dodgers. 

2. San Diego - Very hyped up team. Can they take bigger steps and make the World Series this year? 

3. San Francisco - The Giants could finish anywhere from third to fifth in the NL West. 

4. Arizona - The Diamondbacks are looking to be a .500 team this season. 

5. Colorado - The Rockies traded their best player, but still have some punch in the lineup. 

 

American League 

East

1. NY Yankees - If they can avoid injuries and the starting pitching comes through, look out. 

2. Toronto - Blue Jays ready to take flight once again this season. 

3. Tampa Bay - Last year's surprise team will be hard pressed for a repeat effort in 2021 season. 

4. Boston - The Red Sox get their manager Alex Cora back this season. 

5. Baltimore - The Orioles have a lot of young talent, but still a couple of years away from contending.

Central 

1. Minnesota - The Twins seem to find ways to win, until the post-season that is. 

2. Chicago White Sox - Losing Eloy Jimenez hurts, but this team is loaded and can go far this year. 

3. Cleveland - The Indians will try for one last hurrah before the team's name change next year. 

4. Kansas City - The Royals could surprise some folks in the 2021 season. 

5. Detroit - Rebuilding yet again it seems, but also with some veteran players still around. 

West 

1. Oakland - The A's just seem to come through when it counts and make the playoffs. 

2. Houston - The Astros will need steady pitching if they want to contend this year. 

3. LA Angels - Will Mike Trout and company make the post-season this year? 

4. Seattle - Young team that is on the rise. 

5. Texas - The Rangers are looking toward the future and will likely have a rough year.  

  

National League Playoffs 

Wild Card - San Diego over Washington 

Division Series - Los Angeles over San Diego; Atlanta over St. Louis 

NLCS - Los Angeles over Atlanta 

 

American League Playoffs 

Wild Card - Chicago over Toronto 

Division Series - Chicago over NY Yankees; Oakland over Minnesota 

ALCS - Chicago over Oakland 

 

2021 WORLD SERIES -  Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox  

 

 

 

NCAA Basketball Tournament 2021 - Let The Madness Begin

 

The 2021 Men's College Basketball Tournament gets going this weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday) following the "play in" games on Thursday. Definitely a different twist on things as the teams usually would get it started in the round of sixty four on Thursday-Sunday. 

But in this pandemic, which has gripped the world for over a year now, things have to be different and safety first is the protocol for all involved. In fact, Indianapolis and other nearby areas in the state of Indiana will be the only place the games happen this time around. No unnecessary travel to go through and hopefully none of the schools will see their players or coaches have a positive test for COVID-19 in the process, or afterward. Already it is being reported that an NCAA referee tested positive and his five dinner companions last weekend on the officiating crew are now in protocol as well and will be absent from the action for the next two weeks. 

As for the tournament itself, anything can happen and usually does. The top overall seed is Gonzaga and the other three top seeded teams include Baylor, Illinois and Michigan. The picks here for the Final Four are listed below and the call is for Gonzaga to defeat Illinois in the Championship Game to go undefeated and cut down the nets in two-and-a-half weeks. 

Stay tuned. 

 

 

                                             Heftyinfo predictions for the 2021 Final Four  

 

 

March Madness

It's that time of the year. 

March Madness 2021 style will definitely be interesting after the 2020 NCAA Basketball Tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year could also be a toss up as the virus is still prominent in everything. Kansas and Virginia had positive virus tests and were knocked out of their conference tournaments this past weekend and will have to get through protocols by Tuesday (March 16th) afternoon or else they could be replaced by teams in waiting. 

That could definitely be the X-factor this time around, so it will be interesting to see what happens once the action starts. Here at Heftyinfo, the Final Four picks will come out in a few days once it is known that (hopefully) no teams get bounced due to positive COVID-19 tests. The four top seeds are Gonzaga, Baylor, Illinois and Michigan.

The games will all be played in the state of Indiana with Indianapolis being the hub center of all the action, including the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in three weeks.

Huge COVID-19 Relief Package Passes Congress

 

President Joe Biden is ready to sign the $1.9 trillion relief bill into law.

The U.S. Senate passed the 1.9 trillion dollar COVID-19 relief package by a 50-49 count (ALL Democratic party support) and soon millions and millions of Americans will have some relief, even though Mitch McConnell (Republican Senate minority leader from Kentucky) did all he could, along with the other 49 Republican party senators, to defeat the bill. 

 

 

So, to use President Joe Biden's words from back when the Affordable Care Act passed nearly eleven years ago - This is a BFD . . .  and yes it is. 

Thank God the Democratic party sought to do the right thing even with some bumps along the way. It's always been said the wheels of Congress turn slowly, so there are still a lot of things on the Biden agenda to get done. But one thing at a time. 

Once President Biden signs the legislation into law, the American people will finally get some financial relief they need since this pandemic has been in effect from a year ago . . . and  no thanks to the Republicans on this effort. 

God Bless America - now let us continue to move onward and upward.