Seven Bold Predictions for the 2017 MLB Season

Spring training has finally arrived and Opening Day is right around the corner. Team’s respective offseason acquisitions are getting accustomed to their new teams and are gearing up for another 162 games. The 2016 season was a fun one, capped off with the Chicago Cubs’ memorable postseason run. The 2017 season should be wild, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store. Here are my 7 bold predictions for the 2017 MLB season.

 

1. Gary Sanchez wins the AL MVP 

Everyone remembers Sanchez bursting onto the scene last year hitting home runs at an alarming rate. While I don’t expect him to keep up the same level of production, I do think he’s in a good position to be successful. Despite playing in only 53 games last year, he finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year Voting. I expect Sanchez to hit third in the lineup, behind Gardner and Gregorius, two guys who excel in getting on base. The Yankees will need Sanchez to have an MVP-like season to stay competitive in the AL East.

 

2. Neither the Red Sox nor Cubs win the World Series

Although they seem to be everyone’s pick to win it all, I’ll take the field. Chris Sale is now in Boston creating what may be the league’s best 1-2 starting pitching combo.  Dustin Pedroia and Mookie Betts anchor what should end up being one of the most explosive offenses in the league. I think Big Papi will be missed greatly in Boston and the Red Sox will end up folding in the playoffs.

The Cubs are coming off a championship year in which they continued their momentum from the regular season into the playoffs and found themselves defeating the Indians in one of the best World Series in recent memory. This lineup is stacked, especially with Schwarber ready to play the whole year. Even with all the sluggers on the roster, I think Jake Arrieta and the pitching staff will struggle in the playoffs which will lead to an early exit for the Chicago Cubs.

Teams I like: Indians, Astros, Mets

 

3. The Seattle Mariners Finally Make the Playoffs

It’s been 15 long years since the Mariners have found themselves in the playoffs, and this is the year they finally do it. This team is better than people realize, with Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, and Kyle Seager leading an offense that’s ready to surprise people (and hit a lot of home runs). The Mariners struggled to get on base last season, but adding Nori Aoki and Adam Lind, two guys who are solid on-base players, could solve that problem. This pitching staff, led by Felix Hernandez, will be just good enough to allow this team to clinch a wild card spot and end their postseason drought.

 

4. The Toronto Blue Jays Will Not Make the Playoffs

This team went 89-73 last year and just snuck into the playoffs (played the Orioles in the wild-card game). This team’s 2016 leader in home runs and runs batted in is now in Cleveland and the Blue Jays could prove to miss his bat. This pitching staff led the American League in ERA last year, and although I don’t think they’ll do that again, I still think this team will put up very respectable numbers on the mound in 2017. Jose Bautista will have one of the worst years of his career and the Blue Jays’ offensive struggles will be the reason they miss the playoffs.

 

 

 

 

5. The Pirates Will Have a Better Record Than the Cardinals

The Cardinals signed outfielder Dexter Fowler in hopes to be able to compete with the Cubs, but I don’t see that happening. Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina are both entering the season in their mid-30s and could prove to be injury prone. The Cardinals led the National League in home runs last year, but with Matt Holliday and Brandon Moss out-of-town, I don’t see this team sustaining their power output.

After shopping Andrew McCutchen around all summer the Pirates were unable to trade him away. I think he will view this as motivation rather than disrespect, and McCutchen will have another solid year for the Pirates. Starling Marte is poised to have another productive year, and given his all-around game, I think he will be a player receiving votes for the NL MVP in November.

 

6. Freddie Freeman Will Lead the League In Home Runs

Last year Freddie Freeman finished sixth in the NL MVP Vote, but he would have finished higher if his team was better. He hit for a .302 average with a .400 on-base percentage, higher than Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, who both finished ahead of him in the voting. The Braves’ new stadium, SunTrust Park, is more favorable to lefty hitters than Turner Field, which should only improve Freeman’s power numbers. The Braves will be more competitive than last year (68-93), which will allow Freeman to be crowned the National League’s Most Valuable Player.

Bonus Prediction: Freddie Freeman will hit 4 home runs in one game this year.

 

 

7. Three Closers Will Have 50+ Saves

Only one pitcher in the league accomplished this last year. but Aroldis Chapman, Craig Kimbrel, and Wade Davis are all going to eclipse the 50 saves mark. Chapman is back with the Yankees after winning a ring in Chicago and he’s going to find himself closing games for this team again. Although he struggled a bit in the playoffs, as long as the Yankees can find a way to lead games, the combination of Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman is going to secure a lot of wins for this ballclub. Craig Kimbrel converted 31 saves out of 33 opportunities last year with the Red Sox. Currently, Vegas has the Red Sox’ win total around 91, which should provide Kimbrel with ample opportunities to achieve this feat. Wade Davis finds himself with the Chicago Cubs, the team that scored the third-most runs in the league last year. Led by reigning NL MVP Kris Bryant, the Chicago Cubs could very well lead the MLB in runs scored and provide Davis with numerous save opportunities.

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