As the 2017 baseball season gets underway, it's time for HSGN's first installment of Picking the Pennant Races.
American League Central
1. Cleveland. The addition of Edwin Encarnacion gives the Tribe another bat that could lead them toward post season play and maybe another World Series.
2. Detroit. Can Justin Verlander have another outstanding season to lead the Tigers into contention?
3. Kansas City. It could be a very close race for second between Detroit and Kansas City but the big question for the Royals is who will replace Wade Davis as closer?
4. Twins. Can Brian Dozier have another great season like last year? Is this the year Byron Buxton has a breakout season?
5. White Sox. The departure of Chris Sale and Adam Eaton indicates that this could be a pale season for the Pale Hose.
American League East
1. Boston. Keep an eye on the Red Sox. The lineup got stronger with Mitch Moreland coming from the Rangers and rookie outfielder Andrew Benintendi. On the pitching side, Sale could be the key to the Red Sox heading toward the World Series.
2. Toronto. The Blue Jays have one of the game's best players in Josh Donaldson and veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitski. Mix in a solid pitching staff and Canada's team could be a contender.
3. Baltimore. A strong lineup anchored by Chris Davis and Manny Machado could once again make the AL East a competitive race once again.
4. Yankees. They have a solid rotation with Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda but can their offense be productive?
5. Tampa Bay. They have good young talent such as Evan Longoria at third base but can their pitching get them out of the AL East basement?
American League West
1. Houston. The Astros have been a team on the rise the last two seasons and the additions of Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran and Lance McCullers joining home grown talent could solidify their third straight postseason berth.
2. Texas. Though the Rangers lost Moreland to the Red Sox, they still have an outstanding bat in Adrian Beltre.
3. Seattle. They've got a pair of Cs in Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz that gives their lineup plenty of power. Can Felix Hernandez have another outstanding season.
4. Angels. Though the Angels have perhaps they best young player in the majors in Mike Trout, they don't have a great supporting cast. Will this be the year Albert Pujols joins the 600 career home run club?
5. Oakland. They lost their ace sonny gray to an injury the first part of the season. It could be another long year for the green and gold.
National League East
1. Washington. If there's any team in the National League that can dethrone the Cubs, it's the Nationals. Can the additions of Adam Lind, Adam Eaton and Matt Wieters bolster the lineup and compliment a strong pitching staff that could finally earn the franchise's first trip to the World Series since they were born as the Montreal Expos?
2. Mets. Can the Mets young pitching staff stay healthy? Will David Wright return? Will Yoenis Cespides lead the Mets to another postseason berth? These questions will be answered as the Mets attempt to challenge the Nats for the NL East title.
3. Miami. They have one of the NL's best players in Giancarlo Stanton but will he enough to bring in fans to one of the major league's newer ballparks?
4. Atlanta. A new era begins for the Braves as they move into their third home since they moved from Milwaukee in 1966, Suntrust Park. They added knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and signed former Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki. Keep an eye on shortstop Dansby Swanson. He could be a Rookie of the Year candidate.
5. Philadelphia. How long will the Phillies hang on to Ryan Howard? They have a young team that will once again be at the bottom of the division.
National League Central
1. Cubs. What a season. The 2016 season ended the Cubs 108 year World Series drought and they have the talent to defend their title with the infield of NL MVP Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist intact as well as the addition of Wade Davis in the bullpen.
2. St. Louis. They got Dexter Fowler from the cubs and their pitching staff gets a boost with the return of Lance Lynn from Tommy John Surgery. It could be another golden season for one of baseball's greatest franchises.
3. Pittsburgh The Bucs have a good, young pitching staff in Gerrit Cole and Jameson Tallon as well as veteran outfielder Andrwe McCutcheon. Will they be contenders or will McCutcheon be gone late in the season?
4. Milwaukee. Other than Ryan Braun, the Brew Crew doesn't have much to build around him in order to contend this season.
5. Cincinnati. They have outstanding power in Joey Votto and Billy Hamilton is a speedster that could put him on the leader board in stolen bases. But what about the rest of the Reds? They are a young team that could have it's fourth straight losing season under manager Bryan Price.
National League West
1. Los Angeles. They have one of baseball's best pitchers Clayton Kershaw and a rising star in third baseman Corey Seager. Can Kershaw stay healthy and lead the Dodgers into the playoffs?
2. San Francisco. The Giants have an outstanding rotation with Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Matt Cain and Jeff Samardzijia that could once again challenge their California rivals for a playoff spot.
3. Colorado. The Rockies singed Ian Desmond in the offseason to bolster their offense, but he was hit by a pitch in spring training that resulted in a metacarpal fracture. When he gets healthy. it could be (to quote John Denver) "A Colorado Rocky Mountain High" for Rockies fans. Can their pitching staff put them into contention with the Dodgers and Giants?
4. Arizona. Here's a team that had potential last season with the addition of pitcher Zach Greinke and one of the major's rising stars Paul Goldschmidt. They also have a new manager Torey Lovullo. Can the Diamondbacks shine in 2017 after a disappointing 2016?
5. San Diego. The Padres have had six straight losing seasons. It won't be easy in a competitive division.
No comments:
Post a Comment