The 2014 MLB season was one to remember.
Who could have predicted the Kansas City Royals making a run as a wild card team to win the American League Pennant and coming one game away from winning the World Series? Who saw the dominant run from San Francisco Giants starter Madison Bumgarner in the postseason coming? Who could have predicted that Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter’s final career at bat at Yankee Stadium would be a walk-off?
Two wild card teams advanced to the World Series last season in the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals. The Giants rode the arm of Bumgarner to capture their third World Series title in five seasons and solidified themselves as the new dynasty in baseball. What’s funny about the Giants is that every season after winning the title, the Giants have missed the playoffs.
Unlike other seasons, the race for a World Series crown is wide open. There is no definitive favorite, and there are many teams competing for a title.
Spring time is here, and the grass is greener. The weather is warmer, the beer is colder, and fans have new hope with the arrival of a new season. Spring training is wrapping up, and teams are getting set for opening day. Here is a division-by-division preview of the upcoming 2015 season.
American League East
The AL East was won by the Baltimore Orioles last season, but the division has been dominated by the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays for the past five years. The Red Sox bolstered their offense by adding Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez to the lineup. Sandoval and Ramirez should complement David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli in a stacked lineup that should produce some runs. The problem with the Red Sox is the pitching rotation; there is not a No. 1 starter in the rotation and could cost them later in the season. The Orioles will take a step back by not making any significant moves in the offseason, and the Yankees’ and Toronto Blue Jays’ aging roster won’t take them far.
Winner: Boston Red Sox
American League Central
In a division dominated by the Detroit Tigers over recent years, the AL Central may be the deepest division in baseball. The Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals will compete with the Tigers for the division crown with the moves they made in the offseason. The division came down to the wire last season, and it may happen again this season. The Tigers have too much talent and veteran leaders, such as Miguel Cabrera, for other teams to handle.
Winner: Detroit Tigers
American League West
It’s looking like a two-team race to win the AL West with the Los Angeles Angels and the Seattle Mariners making a run for the crown. The Mariners made a big splash in the offseason, adding star outfielder Nelson Cruz to team up with second baseman Robinson Cano in a potent lineup. The Angels have arguably the most talented lineup in baseball headlined by Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton. The Angels finished with the best record in the American League last season but lost to the Royals in the playoffs. The Angels won’t let that down.
Winner: Los Angeles Angels
National League East
The clear favorite in the division are the Washington Nationals. A stacked lineup, featuring Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman along with a pitching rotation with Stephen Strasburg, newcomer Max Scherzer and Jordan Zimmermann, makes this Nationals team the deepest in baseball. Between 98 and 100 wins is a realistic expectation for this team. The New York Mets and Miami Marlins are both young up-and-coming teams that will put up a fight, but this is the Nationals’ division to win.
Winner: Washington Nationals
National League Central
The Chicago Cubs rebuilt roster headlined the offseason in the division, but it is the familiar faces that still run the NL Central. The St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates brought back most of their playoff rosters from last season with a few minor tweaks to make another run. If the Cardinals can remain healthy and newcomer Jason Heyward can make an impact in the lineup and in the outfield, the Cardinals should win the division, but the Cubs and Pirates are creeping up.
Winner: St. Louis Cardinals
NationaL league West
The defending champions, the San Francisco Giants, are almost bound to miss the playoffs. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the team to beat in the division. Headlined by the best pitcher in the game Clayton Kershaw and a talented lineup, featuring star outfielder Yasiel Puig and first baseman Adrian Gonzales, the Dodgers are poised to make another run. A solid lineup and starting rotation should give the Dodgers the division crown once again.
Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
