I offer my predictions for the 2013 Major League Baseball season below.
April 5, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Baseball on the opening day logo before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Image Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
AL division winners:
Blue Jays, Tigers, Angels
WC: Orioles, Athletics
AL Pennant: Angels
NL division winners:
Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers
WC: Reds, Giants
NL Pennant: Cardinals
World Series: Cardinals
AL MVP candidates:
Mike Trout, Miguel Cabera, Justin Verlander
NL MVP candidates:
Yadier Molina, Matt Kemp, Buster Posey
AL CY:
Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, David Price
NL CY:
Clayton Kershaw, Adam Wainwright
While it appears that many of the ESPN experts have written off the St. Louis Cardinals chances for the postseason, I am optimistic about the Cardinals chances. If there are two teams that have a reason to want to win the World Series, they are the Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles. Both teams are playing this season while remembering a Hall of Famer. Be it the Cardinals dedicating this season in Stan Musial’s memory or the Orioles playing in memory of Earl Weaver.
The Los Angeles teams have the pitching and offense to get to the postseason. We saw how much they spent on talent during the offseason so it should be no surprise to see them playing in October. For the Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw cannot do it alone.
I didn’t predict Rookie of the Year awards but I would expect that the Tampa Bay Rays call up Wil Myers before we get to the All-Star break. Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy will be in the race to be the top American League rookie.
I would not be surprised if Shelby Miller wins the National League Rookie of the Year. He has the talent and the will to win. It would be great to see another Cardinal player take home the rookie prize, especially a prospect as highly touted as Miller is.
If all goes as predicted, the 2014 season will see two Cardinals duking it out for Rookie of the Year: Kolten Wong and Oscar Taveras.