With spring training underway, and tons of player movement within the league over this past offseason, some interesting situations in Major League Baseball are impending. For example, will the Dodgers repeat with the additions of Roki Sasaki and a healthy Shohei Ohtani, the Yankees with the addition of Cody Bellinger, or will another contender come out on top? It’s way too early to tell, but we’re going to try anyway.

AL Predictions: 

1 Seed – New York Yankees (107- 55)

The Yankees will continue their streak of winning the AL East with the addition of Cody Bellinger, a former MVP who will thrive at the short porch of Yankee Stadium. Headlined by 2024 AL MVP Aaron Judge and 2023 Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, this team is gonna be hard to beat.

2 Seed – Houston Astros (101 – 61)

Although the Astros lost Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman this offseason, the star power between Jose Altuvé and Yordan Alverez will be too much for the AL West and the rest of the league to handle. With a weak division this year, I can see the Astros winning many close games, but crumbling in front of elite teams. 

3 Seed – Detroit Tigers (97 – 65) vs. 6 Seed – Texas Rangers (90 -72)

The Rangers with the comeback of a seemingly healthy Jacob DeGrom, will put up a strong battle, but Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers will take this series 3-1 in a swift victory at home.

4 Seed – Cleveland Guardians (96 – 65) vs  5 Seed  – Baltimore Orioles (94 – 67) 

Two evenly matched teams, Cleveland and Baltimore, will face off in a clash for the ages. With Cleveland’s elite pitching staff, many would expect them to come out on top, however, I predict Baltimore’s young offense to come out on top in a 3-2 series, led by MVP candidate Gunnar Henderson.

ALDS: 

I then predict the Orioles to fall to the Yankees 4-2 and the Astros to fall to the Tigers 4-3. 

ALCS:

The Tigers will then take home the pennant once for the first time since 2012, beating the Yankees 4-2.

NL Predictions 

1 Seed – Los Angeles Dodgers (109 – 53)

This star-studded Dodgers team is fired up and looking to pick up right where they left off, as champions. Largely recognized as the best team in the MLB, and a potential dynasty, Dodgers’ P/DH, and three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani aim to lead the team to back-to-back World Series wins.

2 Seed – Philadelphia Phillies (102 – 60)

Two words: Bryce Harper. He’s one of the greatest players of our generation, and one of the few athletes that can truly say that they’ve lived up to the hype. At just 16 years old, Bryce was on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. At 19, he was called up to the MLB. Today, at 32 years old, he has collected 2 MVP awards, the Rookie of the Year award, 4 Silver Slugger awards, and 1 League Championship MVP award. Paired with the exquisite pitching staff led by Zach Wheeler, this team is looking dangerous.

3 Seed (91 – 71)  –  Milwaukee Brewers vs. 6 Seed (97 – 65) – San Diego Padres

Although the Brewers may win their division, the team chemistry of the Padres combined with the star power of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado will run up the scoreboard, taking this series in a 3-1 victory with multiple 5+ run differential wins.

4 Seed – Atlanta Braves (100 – 62)  vs. 5 Seed (99 – 63) – New York Mets

With the addition of Juan Soto, the Mets are shaping up to be a solid team and a real contender, but I doubt they’ll be able to surpass a healthy Braves team, led by Ronald Acuna Jr. and surrounded by the young core of Michael Harris II and company. I see the Braves taking this 3-2.

NLDS: Dodgers vs. Padres / Phillies vs. Braves

I then predict that the Padres will be swept by the Dodgers 4-0, not being able to contain the star power of the Dodgers lineup. 

The Phillies’ Bryce Harper will show up in the series, but Ronald Acuna Jr.’s clutch factor will lead to a Braves victory 4-3.

NLCS: Dodgers vs. Braves

The Braves, coming back with a vengeance, will start out this series 2-0; but the Dodgers will not give up, winning 4 straight. 4-2 Dodgers.

World Series: Dodgers vs. Tigers

Even though the Tigers came out of the AL as pennant winners, the pure precision and strength of the Dodgers pitching staff will be too far for the Tigers to handle, allowing for a 4-1 series win for the now back-to-back World Series champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers.