The stakes are extremely high in a 60-game MLB season. Every game matters more than usual, and each contest will almost feel like a series in ordinary years. Throw in the potential for postseason expansion, and things could get crazy. No live fans aside, I think this has a chance to be the most fun season in MLB history. [UPDATE: Postseason picks have been updated with the additional three playoff teams in each league.]
Division and Postseason Picks
American League East: Yankees
It’s probably not just hype because it’s the Yankees—this squad is a scary bunch with a healthy lineup and the dominant Gerrit Cole now atop the rotation. Tonight’s season opener against the Nationals should be exciting, even with no fans in the crowd at Nationals Park. New York should have a shot at the 40-win mark, which is a milestone elite teams could be targeting over the next couple of months.
American League Central: Twins
The Yankees are the American League favorites, but the Twins shouldn’t be considered too far behind them. While a quick 60 games complicates matters, the AL Central doesn’t look too strong, so Minnesota should be able to power through it with their potent lineup.
American League West: Athletics
You can count on the A’s playing solid, all-around baseball and being in the mix at the end of September. Oakland might boast both a top-ten offense and a top-ten pitching staff at full health (they are banged-up in the rotation ahead of Opening Day), and their one-two combo of Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea is among baseball’s best at starting pitcher.
American League Wild Cards: Rays, Angels
The Astros still have a stacked lineup, but I’ll say they are a surprise miss for the 2020 postseason in part because they have to deal with a major target on their backs following their cheating revelations that came to light during the offseason. It could get tiring for Houston. The Rays are a strong bet the playoffs as a potential World Series contender, and the Angels could have their big three of Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Shohei Ohtani lift them to October baseball if the pitching holds up.
Additional three after postseason expansion: Astros, Indians, White Sox
National League East: Braves
The Braves don’t appear to have any glaring weaknesses entering the season, and they have very good depth throughout the roster. The headline feature for Atlanta is likely their power upside, and they arguably have the best lineup in the crowded NL East. Free-agent addition Cole Hamels won’t be available early in the season, but he’s a proven late-season performer that could provide a mid-year boost in this marathon campaign.
National League Central: Brewers
The NL Central might be the deepest division in baseball, but the Brewers aren’t getting much respect entering the season. Milwaukee has perhaps the best player in the National League in Christian Yelich, and Keston Hiura is a rising star. While the bullpen might not reach 2018 levels, the Brew Crew has the approach to thrive in this weird year.
National League West: Dodgers
The Dodgers won 106 games in 2019, and they added superstar outfielder Mookie Betts. They are going to be really good. Considering the NL West might be the MLB’s worst division, it would be pretty mind-blowing if LA doesn’t make it eight consecutive division titles.
National League Wild Cards: Phillies, Reds
I hope there are more than five playoff teams in each league for the NL in particular, as several squads should remain in the mix this season. The defending champion Nationals were very difficult to leave out of the playoffs in this five-team scenario, as were a few other teams. Instead, the nod goes to an undervalued Phillies squad that added key pieces this offseason including an obvious upgrade with championship manager Joe Girardi. And the Reds have been a popular postseason pick, and it’s easy to see why with the pitching staff they have paired with an offense that should improve from last season after free-agent adds.
Additional three after postseason expansion: Nationals, Cubs, Padres
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World Series Prediction
World Series: Dodgers over Athletics
Because of the nature of an accelerated season, I feel like more teams than ever can get hot and make a World Series run if everything clicks at the right time (especially if more postseason teams were to get added). However, the Dodgers might just be too powerful in the National League despite it appearing to be the deeper league of the two in 2020. And it might be fitting for Billy Beane’s A’s to rise above this strange set of circumstances and get to the World Series this fall. In the end, after what could be eight straight NL West crowns after this regular season, Los Angeles might be due for a world title.
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Award Predictions
AL MVP: Mike Trout, Angels
It’s awesome for the game that Mike Trout decided against opting out due to COVID-19 concerns, and the best player in the majors is probably feeling optimistic about both his team and his own ability to have another outstanding individual season. If the Angels make the postseason as predicted above, Trout figures to have a mighty high chance of taking home another AL MVP award.
NL MVP: Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
Ronald Acuna Jr., Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, and Christian Yelich are among the other young stars in the preseason NL MVP discussion, but we could see a repeat performance from the reigning MVP. Cody Bellinger tweaked his swing slightly this summer, but he always looks so comfortable at the plate that he should have little trouble finding a groove and doing damage with his bat.
AL Cy Young: Gerrit Cole, Yankees
Gerrit Cole should be locked in from the start, and he might be the best pitcher on the best team in the American League. Barring injury, Cole will almost certainly be toward the top of the leaderboard in victories, and he’ll again record a bunch of strikeouts with low ERA and WHIP numbers.
NL Cy Young: Aaron Nola, Phillies
A top-three NL Cy Young finisher in 2018, Aaron Nola is an undervalued pick this year following a subpar 2019. He’s looked on top of his game during summer camp, and last year’s performance could ultimately be a great learning experience that he improves from. While it turns out Nola didn’t actually have COVID-19, he’s likely to be extra careful after a scare, so hopefully he won’t miss any action in a time while other guys might be forced off the field due to positive tests.
Actually excited for baseball for once.
A’s Dodgers I could see that
Yankees unstoppable 1-0