Bob Haynie: 2015 NL & MLB Postseason Predictions
On Thursday, I broke out my Major League Baseball predictions for the upcoming 2015 campaign. I started with the National League and I tabbed the Nationals, Pirates and Dodgers as the division winners. Today, we will do the American League picks. I will also reveal my Wild Card choices and the teams that I think will make it to the World Series.
Let's do it.
AL East
1. Orioles: Won the AL East by 12 games in 2014. The starting staff returns after posting a 3.19 ERA after June 1st. Looking for healthy and productive seasons from 3B Manny Machado and C Matt Wieters. 1B Chris Davis expects to bounce back after a terrible '14.
2. Blue Jays: RF Jose Bautista, 1B Edwin Encarnacion and new 3B Josh Donaldson lead an offense that can bash with the best. Knee injury to RHP Marcus Stroman was a brutal blow to the rotation. If Jays can get some pitching, they will be dangerous.
3. Red Sox: Trying to rebound from an ugly 71-win '14. Acquired 3B Pablo Sandoval and SS Hanley Ramirez in the offseason. Ramirez will move to LF. RHP Rick Porcello is one of the new faces in a retooled rotation.
4. Yankees: Only projected starting position player under 30 is new SS Didi Gregorius. The health of starting pitchers CC Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda will be a big factor in the Yanks ability to compete.
5. Rays: A new manager in Kevin Cash. Already dealing with injuries to the rotation. However, when healthy, they may have the best staff in the division. The Rays will be offensively challenged.
AL Central
1. Tigers: Going for their fifth-straight division title. RHP Justin Verlander looks to regain his dominant form after a so-so '14. Pitchers Max Scherzer and Porcello are gone. LF Yoenis Cespedes joins an already potent offense.
2. Royals: Exciting postseason run ended with a loss in Game 7 of the World Series to the Giants. Closer Greg Holland leads an outstanding bullpen. Very good defensive team. Can they score runs?
3. White Sox: Veterans Adam LaRoche and Melky Cabrera were brought in to help boost the offense. 1B Jose Abreu was a force. RHP Jeff Samardzija was added to the rotation and RHP David Robertson is the new closer.
4. Indians: RHP Corey Kluber won the '14 AL Cy Young Award. LF Michael Brantley will try to duplicate last year's All-Star performance. 2B Jason Kipnis hopes to regain his '13 form.
5. Twins: Hall of Famer Paul Molitor takes over as manager. Twins brought back RF Torii Hunter and signed RHP Ervin Santana. 2B Brian Dozier has some pop.
AL West
1. A's: The team was remade after a disappointing finish to '14. RHP Sonny Gray is one of the fine young pitchers in baseball. The lineup now features DH Billy Butler, 3B Brett Lawrie, 2B Ben Zobrist and 1B Ike Davis.
2. Mariners: Nelson Cruz was signed away from the Orioles after hitting 40 HR's in '14. RHP Felix Hernandez is a stud and 2B Robinson Cano is the best in the business. M's will contend.
3. Angels: Had the best record in baseball in '14. Hoping RHP Garrett Richards can return from a serious knee injury and RHP Matt Shoemaker can be as good as he was last season. OF Mike Trout is fun to watch.
4. Astros: OF George Springer and 1B Chris Carter both hit HR's and strike out a ton. 2B Jose Altuve won the AL Batting crown. LHP Dallas Keuchel posted a 2.93 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in '14.
5. Rangers: Season-ending injury to RHP Yu Darvish decimates an already shaky rotation. 1B Prince Fielder played in only 42 games last season and needs to be a positive factor. OF Shin-Soo Choo was a bust in '14.
Related: Bob Haynie: Ranking The National League 2015
Wild Cards
NL: Cardinals, Giants AL: Blue Jays, Mariners
NLCS: Dodgers vs. Nationals ALCS: Orioles vs. Tigers
World Series: Orioles vs. Nationals
World Champs: Nationals
The Nationals are the best team in baseball. They will prove it in 2015.
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