The Rangers won their first ever World Series championship last year, defeating the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks in five games. Texas was a team that had a roller coaster season and then caught fire at the right time and rolled through the playoffs, which included an epic seven game ALCS victory against the reigning champion Houston Astros.
They won't be sneaking up on any teams this year and neither will the Diamondbacks, who stunned the star studded Los Angeles Dodgers in three games in the NLDS before shocking the Philadelphia Phillies in seven games to win the National League Championship Series and reach their first Fall Classic in 22 years.
All in all, it looks to be an interesting baseball season once again, especially with the way the Dodgers spent so much money in free agency this off-season, bringing in mega superstar Shohei Ohtani (DH/pitcher) and Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to bolster their already talented roster. However, the games are won on the field and not on paper, so they will have to earn their way to the World Series.
Both league races should be exciting to watch this summer as the New York Yankees added superstar outfielder Juan Soto to the mix and along with Aaron Judge and Gioncarlo Stanton should boast a power laden lineup as they look to rebound after a disappointing fourth place finish in the rugged American League East division. The Baltimore Orioles dominated the AL East last season before falling to Texas in the ALDS in three games after posting a 101-win regular season with their youthful roster. Likewise in the National League, Arizona took over October as the Dodgers, Phillies and (league best 104 win) Atlanta Braves were disposed of in the playoffs.
However, that was last year and in 2024 expect more unpredictability as the 30 teams around the big leagues battle it out and chase the pennant. Here is a preview of what might happen this season along with post-season and World Series predictions. (* represents wild card playoff team)
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East Division
Baltimore Orioles - This roster is loaded with young talent, but the pitching will be the key as the Orioles will look to get to the World Series this time around.
* Toronto Blue Jays - This team will contend for sure and could win the division if things come together for this talented bunch.
* New York Yankees - The Bronx Bombers feature a trio of power hitters, but injuries to pitching staff could hamper their effort to get back to the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Rays - This team annually turns over the roster, especially on the mound, but keep an eye on them as they always seem to contend.
Boston Red Sox - Questions abound yet again this season, but if some of the youngsters can mesh with veteran talent and the pitching comes together, they could surprise.
Central Division
*Minnesota Twins - Need to stay healthy and get solid pitching once again if they want to go further in October.
Detroit Tigers - Will this finally be the year the Tigers contend and possibly reach the playoffs?
Cleveland Guardians - Lots of questions with this team, but they cannot be taken too lightly. Some more power in the lineup would provide a big boost.
Kansas City Royals - They added pitching this off-season and have some young talent that could make them relevant in this division.
Chicago White Sox - They are overhauling the roster and the pitching staff will likely have some growing pains this season.
West Division
Houston Astros - They are once again the team to beat in the American League, but the age on this roster could be catching up with them.
* Texas Rangers - Can they go out and win again after stunning the opposition last season? Cagey manager Bruce Bochy will keep pushing them to prove the doubters wrong.
Seattle Mariners - This team is loaded with talent in a strong division and could get a wild card spot in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Angels - Shohei Ohtani bolted for the other side of town (L.A. Dodgers) this off-season and the pitching looks thin as well, so it's likely Mike Trout and company will miss the post-season for a tenth consecutive season.
Oakland A's - This team is a mess as they anticipate the move to Las Vegas in the next couple of years.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East Division
Atlanta Braves - They dominate the regular season, but in the last two years they have been bounced by Philadelphia in the playoffs. It's time to put up or shut up for the Braves.
* Philadelphia Phillies - Can they get back to the World Series this year? The pitching will be the key, especially in the bullpen.
New York Mets - Looking for a bounce back season after so many injuries last year. Starting pitching will determine how things go this summer.
Miami Marlins - Strong finish last year got them into the playoffs, but this division will likely knock them back down to earth.
Washington Nationals - This team is on the move to better days as they showed real improvement last season.
Central Division
*Chicago Cubs - The talent is there for the Cubs, so there are no excuses if they can stay healthy this season after last year's terrible collapse in September.
Cincinnati Reds - Pitching will be the key for this young, talented team as they look to get to the playoffs.
St. Louis Cardinals - The Red Birds were woeful in 2023, but should see improvement this time around. Not likely enough though to win the division.
Pittsburgh Pirates - Another young team that is on the rise, but still a year or two away from being serious contenders.
Milwaukee Brewers - They could finish anywhere from third to fifth this season as they try to fill (former manager) Craig Counsell's shoes with new leadership.
West Division
Los Angeles Dodgers - Payroll makes winning it all a must.
*Arizona Diamondbacks - Out to prove that last year was not a fluke.
* San Francisco Giants - New manager and added talent to the roster could get them back into the post-season for the first time in three years.
San Diego Padres - They lost a Cy Young winning pitcher (Blake Snell) to free agency and traded super star Juan Soto, but there is still a lot of talent on board which could keep them in contention for a wild card spot in the playoffs.
Colorado Rockies - A team that continues to go through transition with a cast of young players. Will try to avoid another 100-loss season.
American League Playoffs
Wild Card Round - Texas over Toronto; NY Yankees over Minnesota
ALDS - Baltimore over Texas; Houston over NY Yankees
ALCS - Baltimore over Houston
National League Playoffs
Wild Card Round - Chicago over San Francisco; Philadelphia over Arizona
NLDS - Atlanta over Chicago; Los Angeles over Philadelphia
NLCS - Atlanta over Los Angeles
WORLD SERIES - Baltimore Orioles over Atlanta Braves in six games.
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