2014 MLB Postseason and Awards Predictions

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With Opening Night of the 2014 baseball season taking place tonight, it’s that time again to present my annual postseason and awards predictions as the preseason comes to an end. Feel free to check out the rest of the United Cardinal Bloggers for their thoughts on how the 2014 post season will play out.
Oct 18, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak (second from left) hoists the National League championship trophy while standing next to chairman William DeWitt, Jr. (left) and manager Mike Matheny (right) after game six of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: David J. Phillip/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Last season, I didn’t do all that bad. I had the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series but bought into the hype over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I should know better by now that just because a team has the money doesn’t mean it will have a shot at winning the World Series.

I’m hesitant to pick the Atlanta Braves to win their division mainly because of how their pitching will be hurting this year with a few players out for the season.

This season, with the Cardinals improving two positions that didn’t help all that much in the postseason, I have complete faith in the team contending for another World Series.

On the subject of the Rookie of the Year awards predictions, there are a few candidates on the Opening Day rosters but most of them will be playing for the AAA affiliates until after the Super 2 deadline ends in June. Teams will do what they will to extend their arbitration years with promising rookies.

National League
East: Washington Nationals
Central: St. Louis Cardinals
West: Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Cards: Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves

National League Pennant: St. Louis Cardinals

MVP: Yadier Molina, Cardinals
Cy Young Award: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (my other choice here is Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw)
Rookie of the Year: Gregory Polanco, Pirates (Other candidates will include Kolten Wong, Javier Baez, Billy Hamilton, Archie Bradley, or Oscar Taveras)

American League
East: Boston Red Sox
Central: Detroit Tigers
West: Oakland Athletics
Wild Cards: Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

American League Pennant: Detroit Tigers

MVP: Mike Trout, Angels
Cy Young Award: Justin Verlander, Tigers
Rookie of the Year: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox

World Series
Cardinals over Tigers in 6 games

The ESPN expert predictions: postseason and awards.