Predictions for the 2020 MLB Season
Last year, I made some outlandish predictions on how I thought the 2019 MLB season would play out. I made 19 predictions and almost none of them happened. So, in the spirit of making outlandish predictions, I'm going to do it again, but this time with 20 predictions. I should preface this by saying I am a Rays fan, but my predictions are as free of bias as I can make them. In my predictions, I'll be picking who I think will lead certain statistical categories and moments I think could take place throughout the season. Afterward, I'll give my predictions for the standings, the playoffs, and how the award season will transpire. Warning: Anything negative I say about a team or player is not meant to be malicious and, more importantly than that, these are just my opinions and aren't set in stone.
20 Predictions
1. The season will begin by June and will be a full 162-game season. With the coronavirus delaying the season for at least eight weeks, I have reason to be skeptical of this coming true. Add the Yankees minor leaguers who have tested positive and we have a recipe for disaster. I'd imagine the league is in no hurry to expose its players and fans to the virus. With all this being said, I think we'll get started before June 1 rolls around and we'll play a full season, with a shortened offseason or spring training to follow. This is extremely optimistic, but I think it may be possible.
2. The Astros scandal will unite the entire league at Houston's expense. Call me mean, but I've enjoyed every bit of the crap the Astros have been getting for their cheating scandal on the way to their World Series win in 2017. There will come a point in time where I get tired of it, but this season will not be that time. The Astros are going to be the butt of every joke for the entirety of the season if Spring Training is any indication. I'm not sure how this will be measured, but I think the fans are going to give them a hard time.
3. There will be 3 no-hitters. Last year I said there would be five no-hitters. There ended up being four. Naturally, I suspect there are going to be three. I won't go as far as to predict who will throw them, which teams will be on either end of them, but I have broad hunches as to these things. First, one no-hitter will be thrown by a player who has thrown one in his career already. Second, one of the no-hitters will be a combined no-hitter. Lastly, the Rays will be a part of one of them in some fashion.
4. The Rays will win 90+ games again. It may come as a surprise to some, but the Rays have won 90+ games in each of the last two years. Last year they tied their 2010 total of 96 wins, the second-most in franchise history behind their 97 win effort in 2008 when they reached the World Series. Fun fact, the Rays had the 6th most wins in the MLB in the 2010s. It's just a shame that two of the five teams in front of them are in the AL East. Regardless, I really like the pitching staff the Rays have. It would come as no surprise to me if they win at least 90 the year.
5. The New York Yankees will lead the league in home runs. The Yankees hit 306 home runs last season but still finished second to the Twin, who hit 307. This year, not only will they beat that mark, they'll return to the top of the list this season. They have benefitted from the short porches of Yankee Stadium and have been blessed with power hitters that make it look super easy. If there is a full season, they'll hit over 310 as long as they stay healthy. Even at half-strength, I'm confident they can lead the league.
6. The AL and NL Home Run leaders will be... Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger. With the Yankees being my pick for team home run leaders, Stanton will lead the charge. Bellinger, as the reigning NL MVP, hit 47 last season, and I expect him to hover around that number without eclipsing it. I see Stanton hitting 51 or 52 home runs, with Bellinger hitting 45.
7. Ronald Acuna Jr will join the 40/40 club. He almost did it last year, hitting 41 home runs and stealing 37 bags, but this year someone will do it and I'm picking Acuna to do it. Last year I said either Betts or Trout would do it and, as we can see, that didn't pan out despite Trout's MVP season. My prediction is based on my belief that Acuna's numbers are bound to improve from last year. If I had to have a back-up guess it would be Christian Yelich.
8. Gerrit Cole won't be the best free agent signing of the season. Cole is likely to put the Yankees over the edge in the American League, but I don't think he'll make the largest impact in his first season with a new team. There are a few strong candidates but my pick for largest impact is Anthony Rendon with the Angels. He was magical in the Nationals run to the World Series last season and that magic is bound to carry over when you put Rendon with Mike Trout.
9. 3 Pitchers will win 20 games this season. Last season, Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole were the only two to break the 20 win plateau. I didn't think anyone would do it, but they proved me wrong. This season I'm picking three guys to do it. There are plenty of pitchers who can do it, but my three choices are Walker Buehler, Stephen Strasburg, and Luis Severino. I don't know why I'm picking these guys, but these are the three most appealing names to do it this season.
10. Vanderbilt's Austin Martin will be Detroit's selection at #1 in the draft. Admittedly, I don't know much about this season's draft class other than the Tigers own the first pick. From what I've read, the consensus seems to be Austin Martin going #1, with Nick Gonzales and Spencer Torkelson being among the names towards the top of the class. It does appear to be pretty college-heavy at the top of the draft. I'll agree with the masses and say that Martin will likely be the first pick.
11. The Houston Astros won't lead the league in strikeouts this season. It's no lie the Astros pitching staff took a major hit when Gerrit Cole decided to sign with the Yankees. They have led the league in strikeouts as a staff each of the last two seasons behind the brilliance of Verlander and Cole. With one of those two gone, it is likely to hurt the team. With Cole moving onto New York, the Yankees will likely hold the top spot, but the Rays are likely to give them a run for their money after finishing third last year.
12. The AL West will be the most tightly contested division in baseball. I've always overvalued the teams in the AL West and it has never come true. I'd be crazy to continue this trend, but I'm all in on the teams out West. I think the division is still Houston's to lose, but I would love to see a new team rise to the top. Oakland has often exceeded my expectations and I think they'll be in the hunt again this season. The Angels' offense got instantly better, though pitching is still a question. I think the Rangers are a sneaky, decent team. And the Mariners...well they're there too. I think top to bottom, this might be the most competitive division in the sport.
13. 13 Players will hit 40 home runs this season. Ten players broke the mark last season, with another seven coming within at least three home runs. This year I think there will be more, but with a lot of the same faces. The 13 players will be Stanton, Bellinger, Acuna, Yelich, Trout, Arenado, Bregman, Bryant, Freeman, Chapman, Olson, Bell, and Harper. There are many more who are capable and some of the guys who did it last year likely won't do it again.
14. Francisco Lindor will be traded by the trade deadline. All offseason, we were enticed by the idea of some major superstars changing teams. Kris Bryant, Nolan Arenado, and Francisco Lindor were all subject to a fair share of rumors, and the Red Sox pulled the trigger on a trade involving Mookie Betts and David Price. I think Lindor is the likeliest of the group of superstars to be moved this season. The Cubs will likely remain in the hunt all season and though I don't see the Rockies making to much of a splash, I can't envision Arenado being moved. I don't know where Lindor would go, but I think his name is going to be dangled a lot all year.
15. The Los Angeles Angels will have the largest win improvement. I had the Angels making the playoffs last year as a Wild Card team. That didn't quite pan out. Despite having the AL MVP on their team, the Angels only won 72 games. This year, I'm back in on the Angels. Had they've signed Gerrit Cole, they'd be my pick to come out of the AL. But they signed Rendon, which makes them better instantly. I think they will win somewhere between 86 and 89 wins, for a 14 to 17 win improvement.
16. The Cleveland Indians will see the largest win decline. The Indians sold off Corey Kluber and while they still have Lindor, Jose Ramirez, and Shane Bieber, I don't think it'll be enough for them to compete this season. They finished three games behind Tampa Bay for the second Wild Card spot last season despite 93 wins. I think they'll be out of the race by the time the trade deadline comes around, sell off Lindor, and only win 76 games this season.
17. One division will send three teams to the postseason. I've debated whether I think this will be the NL East or the AL West and I think I've settled on three teams coming out of the NL East. I can't overlook how strong the NL East is on a team-by-team basis outside of the Miami Marlins. Four teams could likely come out of the division. They may beat up on each other for the playoff spots, but I think eventually they will provide three of the five playoff teams in the NL.
18. At least two of last year's playoff team won't make the postseason this year. This may be a tad bit of a stretch, but I think to predict that only one doesn't make the playoffs is an easy way out. There aren't many options for this, seeing as I think many of last year's division winners are locks, but I have one that I'm pretty sure of and a few that might fall off. I'm convinced that Milwaukee, despite the presence of Yelich, won't be returning this year. The second is harder to guess. I think the Cubs could rise back up to reclaim the NL Central title, dethroning St. Louis. The Angels could knock off Oakland for a Wild Card spot. But I think the second team that won't make it will be the Atlanta Braves. I think the NL East is a monster and will prove more difficult this season.
19. The New York Yankees will have the best record in the MLB. I've seemed to be hyping up the Yankees during these predictions despite my love for the Rays. But the truth is they are likely to be a juggernaut this season. I think they have the best power-hitting lineup in the league, which works for them since they have a small field. I like the top end of their rotation a lot too. The Rays can't stand up to the amount of money New York spends on their team but will give them a fight on the field. New York will lead the way with 104 wins and the Dodgers will be just behind with 102.
20. The 1st pick in the 2021 MLB Draft goes to... the Baltimore Orioles. I think it's a three-team race between Baltimore, Miami, and Detroit, much like last season. It is tough to find much redeeming about the Orioles roster compared to the other two. They only won 54 games last year, second-worst in the league. This year it'll be a lot of the same, with them winning 57 times in 2020.
Standings Projections
AL East
1. New York*
2. Tampa Bay *
3. Toronto
4. Boston
5. Baltimore
AL Central
1. Minnesota*
2. Chicago
3. Cleveland
4. Kansas City
5. Detroit
AL West
1. Houston*
2. Los Angeles*
3. Oakland
4. Texas
5. Seattle
NL East
1. Philadelphia*
2. Washington*
3. New York*
4. Atlanta
5. Miami
NL Central
1. Chicago*
2. Milwaukee
3. Cincinnati
4. St. Louis
5. Pittsburgh
NL West
1. Los Angeles*
2. San Diego
3. Arizona
4. Colorado
5. San Francisco
Postseason Predictions
AL Wild Card Game- Tampa Bay over Los Angeles
NL Wild Card Game- Washington over New York
ALDS- New York over Tampa Bay 3-1, Houston over Minnesota 3-2
NLDS- Los Angeles over Washington 3-2, Philadelphia over Chicago 3-2
ALCS- New York over Houston 4-3 (MVP: NYY Gleyber Torres)
NLCS- Los Angeles over Philadelphia 4-2 (MVP: LAD Walker Buehler)
World Series- New York over Los Angeles 4-2 (MVP: NYY Luis Severino)
Award Predictions
AL MVP- Mike Trout, LAA- It would be foolish of me to pick against Mike Trout given his track record. This year's field will likely be familiar faces, but Trout is the best player in baseball for a reason. He was hurt at the end of the season, but his body of work was still good enough to win the AL MVP. This year, he'll be healthy the entire year and run away with the title again. Runner-ups- Giancarlo Stanton, NYY and Matt Chapman, OAK
AL Cy Young Award- Luis Severino, NYY- Wins aren't too important a stat to me when picking a winner, but Severino, on a staff that will center around Gerrit Cole, will be who we are talking about at the end of the season. Cole is the presumptive favorite to win the award, but I don't want to take the obvious choice. There are going to be plenty of arms worthy of recognition, but Severino will emerge as the winner by season's end. Runner-ups- Gerrit Cole, NYY and Justin Verlander, HOU
AL Rookie of the Year Award- Luis Robert, CWS- It's always tough to predict the Rookie of the Year. You never know who is going to be in the league at the beginning of the year and who is going to get called-up to avoid a stupid rule. For me, there are a few names that I want to choose from, including one from my own team. To me, the Rookie of the Year is more likely to come from a contending team, but to me, Robert is the pick. There isn't much rhyme or reason or fanfare to it. Runner-ups- Brendan McKay, TB and Jesus Luzardo, OAK
AL Manager of the Year Award- Joe Maddon, LAA- I have extremely high expectations for the Angels this season and this is the driving force behind it. I'm a huge fan of Joe Maddon. It may have to do with bringing the Rays out of the gutter, but he also is just a great manager. He'll have stiff competition from the other managers in the AL, but if the Angels perform the way I expect them to, the title is Maddon's to lose. Runners-up- Kevin Cash, TB and Aaron Boone, NYY
NL MVP- Ronald Acuna Jr, ATL- If you go 40/40 like I expect him to, you should be the MVP without question. The award picture has been Yelich and Bellinger for the last few years, with Acuna finishing 5th in last year's voting. Acuna is going to be a pillar in the future of the Atlanta Braves. Runner-ups- Cody Bellinger, LAD and Christian Yelich, MIL
NL Cy Young Award- Walker Buehler, LAD- There are many fire-throwers in the league, but fewer are better and more consistent than Buehler. He only lost four of his 30 starts last season while punching out over 200 in under 200 innings. This season he will likely face a heavier workload as the new ace of the Dodgers. Runner-ups- Stephen Strasburg, WAS and Jacob DeGrom, NYM
NL Rookie of the Year Award- Gavin Lux, LAD- This race is a tad easier for me to predict than the AL since Gavin Lux is the only major prospect I've heard about cracking a major league roster. The Dodgers always seem to have someone in the running for the Rookie of the Year thanks to their superb drafting. The season hasn't started but it feels like it's Lux's to lose if he makes the Opening Day roster. Runner-ups- Brendan Rodgers, COL and Sixto Sanchez, MIA
NL Manager of the Year Award- Joe Girardi, PHI- This is a toss-up for me given my standings and both are first-year guys. To me, the experience Girardi brings will be essential to the Phillies' success this season. I like Philly more than most I would assume. Bryce Harper is bound to be the leader of this team, plus I think the addition of Zach Wheeler to the rotation will give this team hope. Runner-ups: Luis Rojas, NYM and David Ross, CHC
20 Predictions
1. The season will begin by June and will be a full 162-game season. With the coronavirus delaying the season for at least eight weeks, I have reason to be skeptical of this coming true. Add the Yankees minor leaguers who have tested positive and we have a recipe for disaster. I'd imagine the league is in no hurry to expose its players and fans to the virus. With all this being said, I think we'll get started before June 1 rolls around and we'll play a full season, with a shortened offseason or spring training to follow. This is extremely optimistic, but I think it may be possible.
2. The Astros scandal will unite the entire league at Houston's expense. Call me mean, but I've enjoyed every bit of the crap the Astros have been getting for their cheating scandal on the way to their World Series win in 2017. There will come a point in time where I get tired of it, but this season will not be that time. The Astros are going to be the butt of every joke for the entirety of the season if Spring Training is any indication. I'm not sure how this will be measured, but I think the fans are going to give them a hard time.
3. There will be 3 no-hitters. Last year I said there would be five no-hitters. There ended up being four. Naturally, I suspect there are going to be three. I won't go as far as to predict who will throw them, which teams will be on either end of them, but I have broad hunches as to these things. First, one no-hitter will be thrown by a player who has thrown one in his career already. Second, one of the no-hitters will be a combined no-hitter. Lastly, the Rays will be a part of one of them in some fashion.
4. The Rays will win 90+ games again. It may come as a surprise to some, but the Rays have won 90+ games in each of the last two years. Last year they tied their 2010 total of 96 wins, the second-most in franchise history behind their 97 win effort in 2008 when they reached the World Series. Fun fact, the Rays had the 6th most wins in the MLB in the 2010s. It's just a shame that two of the five teams in front of them are in the AL East. Regardless, I really like the pitching staff the Rays have. It would come as no surprise to me if they win at least 90 the year.
5. The New York Yankees will lead the league in home runs. The Yankees hit 306 home runs last season but still finished second to the Twin, who hit 307. This year, not only will they beat that mark, they'll return to the top of the list this season. They have benefitted from the short porches of Yankee Stadium and have been blessed with power hitters that make it look super easy. If there is a full season, they'll hit over 310 as long as they stay healthy. Even at half-strength, I'm confident they can lead the league.
6. The AL and NL Home Run leaders will be... Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger. With the Yankees being my pick for team home run leaders, Stanton will lead the charge. Bellinger, as the reigning NL MVP, hit 47 last season, and I expect him to hover around that number without eclipsing it. I see Stanton hitting 51 or 52 home runs, with Bellinger hitting 45.
7. Ronald Acuna Jr will join the 40/40 club. He almost did it last year, hitting 41 home runs and stealing 37 bags, but this year someone will do it and I'm picking Acuna to do it. Last year I said either Betts or Trout would do it and, as we can see, that didn't pan out despite Trout's MVP season. My prediction is based on my belief that Acuna's numbers are bound to improve from last year. If I had to have a back-up guess it would be Christian Yelich.
8. Gerrit Cole won't be the best free agent signing of the season. Cole is likely to put the Yankees over the edge in the American League, but I don't think he'll make the largest impact in his first season with a new team. There are a few strong candidates but my pick for largest impact is Anthony Rendon with the Angels. He was magical in the Nationals run to the World Series last season and that magic is bound to carry over when you put Rendon with Mike Trout.
9. 3 Pitchers will win 20 games this season. Last season, Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole were the only two to break the 20 win plateau. I didn't think anyone would do it, but they proved me wrong. This season I'm picking three guys to do it. There are plenty of pitchers who can do it, but my three choices are Walker Buehler, Stephen Strasburg, and Luis Severino. I don't know why I'm picking these guys, but these are the three most appealing names to do it this season.
10. Vanderbilt's Austin Martin will be Detroit's selection at #1 in the draft. Admittedly, I don't know much about this season's draft class other than the Tigers own the first pick. From what I've read, the consensus seems to be Austin Martin going #1, with Nick Gonzales and Spencer Torkelson being among the names towards the top of the class. It does appear to be pretty college-heavy at the top of the draft. I'll agree with the masses and say that Martin will likely be the first pick.
11. The Houston Astros won't lead the league in strikeouts this season. It's no lie the Astros pitching staff took a major hit when Gerrit Cole decided to sign with the Yankees. They have led the league in strikeouts as a staff each of the last two seasons behind the brilliance of Verlander and Cole. With one of those two gone, it is likely to hurt the team. With Cole moving onto New York, the Yankees will likely hold the top spot, but the Rays are likely to give them a run for their money after finishing third last year.
12. The AL West will be the most tightly contested division in baseball. I've always overvalued the teams in the AL West and it has never come true. I'd be crazy to continue this trend, but I'm all in on the teams out West. I think the division is still Houston's to lose, but I would love to see a new team rise to the top. Oakland has often exceeded my expectations and I think they'll be in the hunt again this season. The Angels' offense got instantly better, though pitching is still a question. I think the Rangers are a sneaky, decent team. And the Mariners...well they're there too. I think top to bottom, this might be the most competitive division in the sport.
13. 13 Players will hit 40 home runs this season. Ten players broke the mark last season, with another seven coming within at least three home runs. This year I think there will be more, but with a lot of the same faces. The 13 players will be Stanton, Bellinger, Acuna, Yelich, Trout, Arenado, Bregman, Bryant, Freeman, Chapman, Olson, Bell, and Harper. There are many more who are capable and some of the guys who did it last year likely won't do it again.
14. Francisco Lindor will be traded by the trade deadline. All offseason, we were enticed by the idea of some major superstars changing teams. Kris Bryant, Nolan Arenado, and Francisco Lindor were all subject to a fair share of rumors, and the Red Sox pulled the trigger on a trade involving Mookie Betts and David Price. I think Lindor is the likeliest of the group of superstars to be moved this season. The Cubs will likely remain in the hunt all season and though I don't see the Rockies making to much of a splash, I can't envision Arenado being moved. I don't know where Lindor would go, but I think his name is going to be dangled a lot all year.
15. The Los Angeles Angels will have the largest win improvement. I had the Angels making the playoffs last year as a Wild Card team. That didn't quite pan out. Despite having the AL MVP on their team, the Angels only won 72 games. This year, I'm back in on the Angels. Had they've signed Gerrit Cole, they'd be my pick to come out of the AL. But they signed Rendon, which makes them better instantly. I think they will win somewhere between 86 and 89 wins, for a 14 to 17 win improvement.
16. The Cleveland Indians will see the largest win decline. The Indians sold off Corey Kluber and while they still have Lindor, Jose Ramirez, and Shane Bieber, I don't think it'll be enough for them to compete this season. They finished three games behind Tampa Bay for the second Wild Card spot last season despite 93 wins. I think they'll be out of the race by the time the trade deadline comes around, sell off Lindor, and only win 76 games this season.
17. One division will send three teams to the postseason. I've debated whether I think this will be the NL East or the AL West and I think I've settled on three teams coming out of the NL East. I can't overlook how strong the NL East is on a team-by-team basis outside of the Miami Marlins. Four teams could likely come out of the division. They may beat up on each other for the playoff spots, but I think eventually they will provide three of the five playoff teams in the NL.
18. At least two of last year's playoff team won't make the postseason this year. This may be a tad bit of a stretch, but I think to predict that only one doesn't make the playoffs is an easy way out. There aren't many options for this, seeing as I think many of last year's division winners are locks, but I have one that I'm pretty sure of and a few that might fall off. I'm convinced that Milwaukee, despite the presence of Yelich, won't be returning this year. The second is harder to guess. I think the Cubs could rise back up to reclaim the NL Central title, dethroning St. Louis. The Angels could knock off Oakland for a Wild Card spot. But I think the second team that won't make it will be the Atlanta Braves. I think the NL East is a monster and will prove more difficult this season.
19. The New York Yankees will have the best record in the MLB. I've seemed to be hyping up the Yankees during these predictions despite my love for the Rays. But the truth is they are likely to be a juggernaut this season. I think they have the best power-hitting lineup in the league, which works for them since they have a small field. I like the top end of their rotation a lot too. The Rays can't stand up to the amount of money New York spends on their team but will give them a fight on the field. New York will lead the way with 104 wins and the Dodgers will be just behind with 102.
20. The 1st pick in the 2021 MLB Draft goes to... the Baltimore Orioles. I think it's a three-team race between Baltimore, Miami, and Detroit, much like last season. It is tough to find much redeeming about the Orioles roster compared to the other two. They only won 54 games last year, second-worst in the league. This year it'll be a lot of the same, with them winning 57 times in 2020.
Standings Projections
AL East
1. New York*
2. Tampa Bay *
3. Toronto
4. Boston
5. Baltimore
AL Central
1. Minnesota*
2. Chicago
3. Cleveland
4. Kansas City
5. Detroit
AL West
1. Houston*
2. Los Angeles*
3. Oakland
4. Texas
5. Seattle
NL East
1. Philadelphia*
2. Washington*
3. New York*
4. Atlanta
5. Miami
NL Central
1. Chicago*
2. Milwaukee
3. Cincinnati
4. St. Louis
5. Pittsburgh
NL West
1. Los Angeles*
2. San Diego
3. Arizona
4. Colorado
5. San Francisco
Postseason Predictions
AL Wild Card Game- Tampa Bay over Los Angeles
NL Wild Card Game- Washington over New York
ALDS- New York over Tampa Bay 3-1, Houston over Minnesota 3-2
NLDS- Los Angeles over Washington 3-2, Philadelphia over Chicago 3-2
ALCS- New York over Houston 4-3 (MVP: NYY Gleyber Torres)
NLCS- Los Angeles over Philadelphia 4-2 (MVP: LAD Walker Buehler)
World Series- New York over Los Angeles 4-2 (MVP: NYY Luis Severino)
Award Predictions
AL MVP- Mike Trout, LAA- It would be foolish of me to pick against Mike Trout given his track record. This year's field will likely be familiar faces, but Trout is the best player in baseball for a reason. He was hurt at the end of the season, but his body of work was still good enough to win the AL MVP. This year, he'll be healthy the entire year and run away with the title again. Runner-ups- Giancarlo Stanton, NYY and Matt Chapman, OAK
AL Cy Young Award- Luis Severino, NYY- Wins aren't too important a stat to me when picking a winner, but Severino, on a staff that will center around Gerrit Cole, will be who we are talking about at the end of the season. Cole is the presumptive favorite to win the award, but I don't want to take the obvious choice. There are going to be plenty of arms worthy of recognition, but Severino will emerge as the winner by season's end. Runner-ups- Gerrit Cole, NYY and Justin Verlander, HOU
AL Rookie of the Year Award- Luis Robert, CWS- It's always tough to predict the Rookie of the Year. You never know who is going to be in the league at the beginning of the year and who is going to get called-up to avoid a stupid rule. For me, there are a few names that I want to choose from, including one from my own team. To me, the Rookie of the Year is more likely to come from a contending team, but to me, Robert is the pick. There isn't much rhyme or reason or fanfare to it. Runner-ups- Brendan McKay, TB and Jesus Luzardo, OAK
AL Manager of the Year Award- Joe Maddon, LAA- I have extremely high expectations for the Angels this season and this is the driving force behind it. I'm a huge fan of Joe Maddon. It may have to do with bringing the Rays out of the gutter, but he also is just a great manager. He'll have stiff competition from the other managers in the AL, but if the Angels perform the way I expect them to, the title is Maddon's to lose. Runners-up- Kevin Cash, TB and Aaron Boone, NYY
NL MVP- Ronald Acuna Jr, ATL- If you go 40/40 like I expect him to, you should be the MVP without question. The award picture has been Yelich and Bellinger for the last few years, with Acuna finishing 5th in last year's voting. Acuna is going to be a pillar in the future of the Atlanta Braves. Runner-ups- Cody Bellinger, LAD and Christian Yelich, MIL
NL Cy Young Award- Walker Buehler, LAD- There are many fire-throwers in the league, but fewer are better and more consistent than Buehler. He only lost four of his 30 starts last season while punching out over 200 in under 200 innings. This season he will likely face a heavier workload as the new ace of the Dodgers. Runner-ups- Stephen Strasburg, WAS and Jacob DeGrom, NYM
NL Rookie of the Year Award- Gavin Lux, LAD- This race is a tad easier for me to predict than the AL since Gavin Lux is the only major prospect I've heard about cracking a major league roster. The Dodgers always seem to have someone in the running for the Rookie of the Year thanks to their superb drafting. The season hasn't started but it feels like it's Lux's to lose if he makes the Opening Day roster. Runner-ups- Brendan Rodgers, COL and Sixto Sanchez, MIA
NL Manager of the Year Award- Joe Girardi, PHI- This is a toss-up for me given my standings and both are first-year guys. To me, the experience Girardi brings will be essential to the Phillies' success this season. I like Philly more than most I would assume. Bryce Harper is bound to be the leader of this team, plus I think the addition of Zach Wheeler to the rotation will give this team hope. Runner-ups: Luis Rojas, NYM and David Ross, CHC
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