Thinking #CapsOn ! Predicting 2017

Spring is easily the best time for the world of sports.

Major League Baseball just finished up their spring training. The NFL has had one of the busiest and interesting offseasons in a while with players switching teams and teams switching locations. The NBA and NHL regular seasons are winding down with the postseason just around the corner. Men's and Women's March Madness never fails to disappoint- except to everyone's brackets. Who knew the South Carolina Gamecocks would be this year's Cinderella team? Golf is getting back into the swing of things themselves with the Masters coming up in a few days. The World Baseball Classic took place not too long ago, and each game had a playoff-like atmosphere. What a time it has been for sports the past couple of weeks and weeks to come.

The World Baseball Classic was an incredible segway for the 2017 regular season for Major League Baseball. Retired players like Eric Gange and Ryan Dempster laced up their cleats to play for perhaps one more time, while others such as Andruw Jones and Omar Vizquel were managers. Israel turned the heads od many as they made their debut in the WBC and won their pool. The Dominican Republic rocked Marlins Park, as the crowd seemed to be chanting louder for them than they were the United States, despite the game being in Miami, Florida. Adam Jones, otherwise known as Cap10 America, may have already captured the best catch in all of baseball for this year! There were many memorable moments in this year's World Baseball Classic.

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And now, we are here. Only a couple more days stand until the start of the 2017 MLB season. What can we expect from this season? Will we see another Cubs-Indians World Series? Will there be any surprise, or MLB's own cinderella, teams that will make substantial noise? Who will be the breakout and breakdown players this season? I will give my best insight on these questions with what I think could occur during the course of the season.

AL East

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The Boston Red Sox sure do look like the team to beat. They have been favored before to take away the division many times because of moves they made in the offseason and ended up not living up to expectations. Their rival the New York Yankees, who are believed to be partially rebuilding due to their young team, had the best record in Spring Training. They seem to be clicking on all cylinders and could sneak their way into winning the division. Their only concern is their pitching staff. The Blue Jays lost Edwin Encarnacion this season in free agency but look to Kendrys Morales and Justin Smoak to fill the void of power and RBIs. Toronto's pitching staff has risen to be one of the top rotations in baseball. Baltimore is always predicted to finish last, but prove people wrong just about every year. The squad the O's bring with them in 2017 is quite similar to their 2016 team. If their starting staff can stay consistent and last about 6 or 7 innings each game, they will have a solid year, but that's a big "if." Many are predicting Tampa Bay to arise from last year's poor season. It's the AL East, it's anyone's to win...

But it's Boston's.

1) Red Sox 94-68
2) Orioles 86-76
3) Yankees 85-77
4) Blue Jays 84-78
5) Rays 77-85

AL Central

This division seems to be the Indians favorite- according to everyone. Do not be surprised if the Tigers give Cleveland a run for their money. Kansas City was unhealthy all season, but are looking healthy at the start of this season and look to bounce back. The defending World Series champs from just two seasons ago have a decent majority of the same players from their 2015 run. They look to dedicate this season to the late "Ace" Yordano Ventura. Chicago and Minnesota are in rebuilding stages and will probably not win the division, but could potentially give contending teams problems as the season unfolds. 

"Cleveland vs Everybody" would be better stated as "Cleveland with Everybody" as they are also my pick to take the division title once again.

SamLeeSportEdits.com/fakewebsite

1) Indians 95-67
2) Tigers 87-75
3) Royals 81-81
4) White Sox 63-99
5) Twins 60-102

AL West

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This may be the most underrated division in the MLB in terms of the division race. Texas always has a strong team and will again this year. Houston will bounce back from a disappointing 2016 season. Seattle has improved each season since 2014, will this be the year they reach the postseason for the first time since 2001? The Angels, like the Astros, will also have a bounce back year. They are not expected to bounce back into playoff contention like Houston is expected to, but I would not rule out Mike Trout and his Halos. Last but not least, who knows what Billy Beane has put together out in Oakland. A player who I think has potential to be their next Josh Donaldson is third baseman, Ryon Healy. Last season, Healy made his major league debut in August. In just 72 games, he hit for a .305 batting average with 13 home runs and 37 RBI's, only striking out 21% of the time. Healy, along with some other youngsters on this A's team could lead their team to early success.

Houston, we have a solution.

1) Astros 91-71
2) Mariners 89-73
3) Rangers 87-75
4) Athletics 76-86
5) Angels 74-88

AL Wild Cards

In the Wild Card race, I have the Mariners as the first place Wild Card and a tie between the Tigers and the Rangers for the second wild card. There has never been a tie for the second wild card, so my assumption is they will take the series winner between the two teams, or perhaps play in a Game 163 🤔? My hope is for the second option, but I think the Tigers will earn the second wild card. Last year their bullpen was an embarrassment, but this is a new year. As for Seattle, they have been clawing their way for a playoff spot for the past 2 seasons, and I think they have the team to make it this season. 

NL East

This is most likely a two-team divisional race. The Phillies are still rebuilding. The Braves could be a fun team to watch with everyone's favorite player in Bartolo Colon, and other veteran's such as Brandon Phillips and R.A. Dickey. They also have one of the best young and electrifying rookies in the game in Dansby Swanson. I don't expect them to contend in the NL East, but hey, new ballpark, some fan favorite veterans, I'll be watching Atlanta Braves games this season.The Miami Marlins could be the sleeper team in the NL East. The fish can get it done with the bats, but the starting staff is somewhat of a question mark. Then we have the heavyweights of the division: the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals. These teams matchup almost evenly. Both have strong pitching staffs and solid offenses, producing hits and runs on a consistent basis. Which of these heavyweights will be crowned the champion of the NL East?

The "Metrobrawlitans" win the fight.

1) Mets 92-70
2) Nationals 86-76
3) Marlins 81-81
4) Braves 66-96
5) Phillies 61-101

NL Central

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Everyone is saying the Cubs will take the division again, without a doubt. It is certainly likely, but it's worth mentioning the other teams in the division. Cincinnati and Milwaukee are rebuilding and will most likely not contend because of each team's inexperience. Joey Votto could possibly lead the Reds, but the Reds starters and bullpen would have to REALLY step up their game from a season ago. St. Louis is looking to come back with a vengeance after a down year for them last season. In recent years, St. Louis has been a playoff team. They could give the Cubs a tough time. The other team in that division that could give the Cubs a tough time is the Pittsburgh Pirates. I am pretty high on Pittsburgh this season. Their young talent seems to be coming together. McCutchen is projected a big year, and their starters are looking to maintain consistent health for this season. "Arghn't" you glad I warned you before it was too late? 

#FlyTheW, Chicago Cub

1) Cubs 96-66
2) Pirates 90-72
3) Cardinals 85-77
4) Reds 66-96
5) Brewers 66-96

NL West

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The NL West could be more competitive than people think. The heavyweights are the Dodgers and the Giants, but could the Diamondbacks or Rockies make a case to be a heavyweight contender this season? Arizona acquired Taijuan Walker in the offseason to help their starting staff, which was a solid improvement. Their rotation could fly under the radar with Zach Greinke and Shelby Miller looking to bounce back after down seasons. The Colorado Rockies starting staff was one of their best starting staffs they have had in a while. They're bringing most of their starters back along with some guys from the minors that earned a spot in spring training. A minor injury bug has hit the Rox as they start the season without Ian Desmond, David Dahl, and Chad Bettis, as Bettis is undergoing chemotherapy (praying for you Chad!). As for the Padres, if they win more than 65 games I will be surprised. Dark days are going to settle in for San Diego this season. The Giants and Dodgers are similar to the Mets and Nationals: both teams have top pitching staffs in all of baseball and are efficient offensively.

Give me LAyeeeee

1) Dodgers 93-69
2) Rockies 87-75
3) Giants 86-76
4) Diamondbacks 77-85
5) Padres 58-104

NL Wild Card

My wild card teams are the Pittsburgh Pirates as the #1 seed and the Colorado Rockies as the #2 seed. The Rockies arguably have the best offense in the league. This is partly because of their location, but also for their talent. I think they have the pitching to get them to the postseason for the first time since 2009. As I mentioned earlier, I am all in on this Pittsburgh Pirates team. They have the best outfield in all of baseball with McCutchen, Gregory Polanco, and Starling Marte. Their starting pitching with Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Ivan Nova, and either Chad Kuhl, Trevor Williams, top prospect Tyler Glasnow for the final spot has the chance to be dangerous. 

Postseason

AL
1) Cleveland vs 4) Seattle (W)/Detroit
2) Boston vs 3) Houston

1) Cleveland vs 3) Houston 

AL Champs 1) Cleveland

NL
1) Chicago vs 4) Rockies (W)/Pirates 
2) Dodgers vs 3) Mets

4) Rockies vs 2) Dodgers

NL Champs 2) Dodgers

World Series: Dodgers over Indians in 6 games
MVP- Clayton Kershaw

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are my pick to win this year's World Series. They are due to win a World Series title and I think this year will finally be the year. Clayton Kershaw and their offensive are too good to not be a championship team. I expect Yasiel Puig to mature this season and be one of the major factors to this team winning it all. Los Angeles will not win it all unless Puig is playing at his highest potential. Cleveland, to me, is still the best all around team in the American League. The tribe has perhaps the best all-around pitching in the league; best starting pitching and best bullpen Michael Brantley is coming back from a long sustained injury and looks to contribute to their already stellar offensive. 

Just like my bracket, I am probably going to be a little (extremely) off, but hey, it's all for the fun of it. The one time I have the Orioles missing the playoffs will be the one time they win the World Series. Predictions for end of the year awards and other things that I think could occur throughout the course of the season will come later this week. Enjoy Opening Day today!