Editor's note: If you struggled with 12th century British history, that's fine, you can understand the title above, here. If you still don't get it, just move on and continue reading...
World Series
Bobby DiNapoli:
Houston Astros over Chicago Cubs- A
formidable rotation headlined by 2015 AL Cy Young winner Dallas Kuechel rounded
out with a number 5 starter with the likes of Mike Fiers who has no-hit stuff, (pun intended) being that he threw one last year. Their bullpen is strong with
newly acquired Ken Giles and returners Tony Sipp and Pat Neshek. With that
said, their lineup is also impressive and more than complimentary to their
pitching staff. Altuve, Gomez, Correa, Springer, Gattis, along with a plethora
of other capable everyday players leads me to believe they have what it takes
to go the distance. Just last postseason they were one game away from beating
the Royals who now are seeking a dynasty, and the Astros only got better.
Sal Pellone:
St. Louis Cardinals over Kansas City Royals- It's almost forgotten that the Cardinals were the MLB's regular season champ last season, earning 100 wins. Those wins came from a team missing Adam Wainwright, Matt Adams, Stephen Piscotty, and Matt Holliday for a chunk of the season. The Cubs are the talk of the town and even stole Jason Heyward and John Lackey away from the Redbirds. The Cards are coming in with a chip on their shoulder and ready to add another year of waiting to Cubs fans. The Cardinals will win the division once again, knock off the Giants and Cubs in the NL playoffs, and win the state of Missouri back from the defending champion Royals.
Jack Kavanagh:
Toronto Blue Jays over Washington Nationals- Toronto's loaded lineup takes down Washington after Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper carry the Nationals to the NL pennant.
Nick Del Bene:
Houston Astros over San Francisco Giants-
Houston is in this weird position where people
are really excited about them, but ultimately don’t think they’ll succeed. My question is: Why? If healthy, this team has: a MVP candidate, a
Cy Young candidate, a deep and talented bullpen, and a dynamic, powerful
lineup. We’ve seen what happens when a
young team gets focused and gets on a roll (see 2015 Chicago Cubs), and it just
might happen again.
James Decker:
Toronto Blue Jays over New York Mets- The Blue Jays have the highest powered offense in baseball. Tulowitzki is healthy and had a great spring. If the starting rotation can hold the fort down they will be tough to beat.
MVP
Bobby DiNapoli:
(AL) Mike Trout- Simply because he’s the best player in the game right now.
(NL) Bryce Harper- The Trout of the NL,
seems like these two guys are always pinned against each other. That is good
company though. I think Harper re-ups on similar numbers as last year with a
less disappointing team outcome. Harper goes back to back.
Sal Pellone:
(AL) Carlos Correa- Correa bursted onto the scene mid-season last year and propelled the Astros to the playoffs. The 2015 Rookie of the Year is on the brink of stardom and ready to tally his first full season under his belt.
(NL) Giancarlo Stanton- Stanton jacked 27 homeruns in only 74 games in 2015. If Stanton keeps his bones intact for 2016, with the addition of Barry Bonds as hitting coach, I am all in on Stanton cranking 50-plus homers this season and carrying the Marlins to relevancy.
Jack Kavanagh:
(AL) Robinson Cano- Cano turns back the clock seven years, on his way to batting .330 with 30 homers 125 RBIs.
(NL) Bryce Harper- Harper can't live up to last year's numbers, but he still dominates NL pitching on his way to another NL MVP.
Nick Del Bene:
(AL) Mike Trout- It’s a generic pick, but it’s the most likely to
happen. Trout is always in serious consideration
for the award – and it’s deserved. Mike
Trout is the best in the biz, plain and simple.
If the Angels see any success this year, Trout will certainly be seen
as the catalyst of that outcome.
(NL) Giancarlo Stanton- I really wanted to say that I think Paul
Goldschmidt will finally get his MVP, after finishing second in the past two
seasons, but I can’t. If he’s healthy,
Stanton’s numbers will be as monstrous as his 6’6" frame. And if the Marlins improve, much like the
case with Trout, Stanton will be looked at as the driving force behind the
team’s success.
James Decker:
(AL) Mike Trout- Although Josh Donaldson could very well have another MVP year, Trout is the all around best player in baseball when healthy.
(NL) Giancarlo Stanton- He will come back with a vengeance in 2016 after his torrid 2015 was put to a halt. He may hit 50 homers in a season in the worst hitters park in baseball.
Cy Young
Bobby DiNapoli:
(AL) Felix
Hernandez- I believe the Mariners will have a strong year under first year
GM Jerry DiPoto, they will push for a Wild Card spot, maybe even get it, led by
King Felix.
(NL) Matt Harvey- Second
year back from Tommy John surgery and just removed from a World Series birth. The
competitor Matt Harvey brings along with the fact that he is seeking redemption for a fall
classic loss, being pushed by a staff of aces, and adding his slider back into
his arsenal, I expect a very big year from the Dark Knight.
Sal Pellone:
(AL) Chris Sale- Sale notched his worst ERA and win-loss (13-11, 3.41) total of his career last year. It was partially from poor defense and lack of run support. New addition Todd Frazier should trim those down with his bat and defense.
(NL) Max Scherzer- Despite the 14-12 record, Scherzer had his best WAR, ERA, WHIP, and strikeout total of his career last season. Surprisingly, one of the Mets' flamethrowing pitchers won't win Cy Young, a National will.
Jack Kavanagh:
(AL) Dallas Keuchel- Keuchel wins 20-plus games en route to becoming the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez to win back to back Cy Young awards in the AL.
(NL) Jose Fernandez- Fernandez is healthy and ready to start 30 games for the first time in his career. His career ERA of 2.40 will be even lower by season end.
Nick Del Bene:
(AL) Chris Archer- This guy is my absolute favorite pitcher to
watch in the MLB. He improves his game
with every year that passes and if he can be slightly more consistent, there’s
no reason he can’t be one of the best in the league.
(NL) Clayton Kershaw- He is the best pitcher in baseball – you won’t
convince me otherwise. It took career
years from Jake Arrieta and Zack Grienke to force Kersh’ into third place last
season. The Dodgers will win games,
Kershaw will deal, and the $200 million man will be taking home another Cy
Young.
James Decker:
(AL) Chris Sale- He'll somehow have a similar K-rate to his 2015 season. His intensity is also heightened after the LaRoche fiasco.
(NL) Madison Bumgarner- He'll thrive having the best wide receiver in the MLB to bolster the Giants' rotation. Bumgarner is the ace that leads the Giants to the NL West Crown.
Disappointing Team
Bobby DiNapoli:
San Francisco Giants- Seems as if all the pundits are buying into the narrative San Fran
takes the crown every other year, and it will stay that way. I am telling you
it won't and sorry Giants fans, but your team will be hitting pebble beach come
October instead of a playoff game. Weak bullpen, Shaky backend of the rotation,
and average daily starting fielders isn’t the recipe for championships.
Sal Pellone:
Chicago Cubs- Everyone and their mother is picking the Cubs as the team to beat. The Cubs are loaded with young talent, a balanced pitching staff, and a long curse waiting to be broken. Sounds a lot like the 2015 Nationals. No season is a guarantee with the Cardinals and Pirates in your division.
Jack Kavanagh:
Chicago Cubs- The Cubs, like the 2015 Nationals, have high expectations. The Cardinals and Pirates pose problems in NL Central and the Cubs could find themselves playing one playoff game.
Nick Del Bene:
New York Mets- Some of my fellow writers will hate me for this
one. Expectations for those guys that
play in Queens are understandably high after reaching the World Series, but
this roster is far from refined. They
have the pitching firepower to get them far, but think about what it took to
get them as far as they did last year. They
can’t rely on Cespedes to throw the lineup in one of his million-dollar exotic
cars and drop them off at the World Series again. And I don’t think Asdrubal Cabrera, Neil
Walker, or any other Mets player has a Daniel Murphy-like run in him any time soon.
James Decker:
J Los Angeles Dodgers- I'm a Scott Kazmir fan but he will struggle to fill the Zack Grienke void in the rotation.
Surprising Team
Bobby DiNapoli:
Cleveland Indians- The
Indians have a three-headed monster (Kluber, Salazar, and Carrasco) that can
match up with the best rotations in baseball. Complimented by a solid lineup with the likes of Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, and Michael Brantley,
I think the Indians can hang with the big boys and shock a whole lot of people
by dethroning the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central.
Sal Pellone:
Tampa Bay Rays- The Rays finished a game under .500 last season under first-year manager Kevin Cash and with the core of their deep rotation hurt. The best rotation in the league, not named the Mets, will have Matt Moore, Drew Smyly, and Alex Cobb (after All-star break) back to tag along with the dominant Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, and Erasmo Ramirez. The additions of Corey Dickerson, Steve Pearce, Logan Morrison, and Hank Conger should add some pop and fit Cash's platoon-heavy lineups.
Jack Kavanagh:
Seattle Mariners- A few of the division races are wide open between three or more teams. One of the teams from Texas is expected to win the AL West, but the Mariners are an intriguing team with potential to be involved in the wild card come September.
Nick Del Bene:
Detroit Tigers- The Tigers went out this offseson and improved their lineup (J. Upton), rotation (J. Zimmerman), and bullpen (K-Rod, J. Wilson). Not to mention, they have one of the greatest hitters of this generation batting in the heart of their order. I’m not saying we’ll be watching them in late October, but don’t be surprised if they’re chasing a Wild Card spot in September.
James Decker:
Philadelphia Phillies- They won't come very close to the playoffs at all, but this team won't be a slouch. Maikel Franco has the potential for a breakout year.
Breakout Player
Bobby DiNapoli:
Randal Grichuk- A
handful of players could have been chosen to play this role. I decided to roll the
dice with Grichuk. Playing centerfield full time this year for the Cardinals, I expect a
break-out season. The Cardinals never die; players will have to step up this
year for them to stay relevant in the NL Central. Being able to display his
talents day in and day out will propel him into the spotlight.
Sal Pellone:
Trevor Story- Taking over Troy Tulowitzki's spot is no easy role to fill. However, Story could be the next Tulo after killing the ball in spring training, batting .378, earning his starting role at shortstop. Spring training means nothing, but Story earned the spot and gets an even better promotion hitting at Coors Field for the real season.
Jack Kavanagh:
Christian Yelich- After quietly batting .300 last season, Yelich takes the next step under the tutelage of Barry Bonds and wins the batting title.
Nick Del Bene:
George Springer- Springer has the power and speed to easily be a
30/30 player, but has been hit by the injury bug in the past two years, quite
literally – last year he missed almost 60 games after a fastball from Edinson
Volquez fractured his wrist. Springer
also made a massive jump in plate discipline last year, and will now have the
advantage of hitting between Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa for a full season.
Storyline I'm Excited for
Bobby DiNapoli:
Can the Mets Sustain
Success? - No hiding it, I love my New York Mets, but there is cause for
concern. The Nationals seem to finally have their head on their shoulders,
which will present a heated rivalry within the division. Speaking of the Giants
earlier, a lot of people say they never went back-to -back was due to the strain put
on their pitchers logging so many innings during their championship years. Can
the Mets rotation, filled with aces, stay healthy and avoid major speed bumps?
Power has shifted, as it seems to be the NL is the better league clustered with
talent, and if the Mets were unfortunately to fall short of the Nationals, can
they reach a wildcard spot? All of this is pessimistic, yet it can all happen
and I will be paying close attention. Though barring health, I expect the
Mets to make the playoffs somehow and just like last year, watch the rotation carry them the rest of the way.
Sal Pellone:
Can the Orioles make baseball fun again? - This O's team is loaded with homerun-strikeout players, which fuels my high risk, high reward baseball mind. Homeruns make baseball more fun, especially in a post-steroid era where hitting is sparse. A lineup that features Chris Davis (47 HRs), Manny Machado (35 HRs), Adam Jones (27 HRs), newly acquired Pedro Alvarez (27 HRs), Mark Trumbo (22 HRs), and JJ Hardy, Jonathan Schoop, and Matt Wieters, have the potential to set historic numbers. My full trust is in Buck Showalter sorting out this lineup and utilizing it the best way possible to make baseball fun again (without steroids, of course).
Jack Kavanagh:
Daniel Norris beat thyroid cancer in 2015 and has spent time living in a Volkswagen camper. He will start the season on the DL with a back issue, but he hopes to feature in the Tigers' rotation after coming over from the Blue Jays last season in the David Price deal.
Nick Del Bene:
Rewriting the unwritten rule book- Bryce Harper says he wants to change baseball’s
“tired” image. Bat flips, stare-downs,
personal branding – all that and more is on the way. The question is: Will there be any backlash
from the old-school?.....Bryce might want to invest in a rib guard.
James Decker:
Will Colby Rasmus continue his momentum from the 2015 playoffs?- Lost in the 2015 playoffs was that Colby Rasmus was on a Daniel Murphy-like home run pace through the six games he played. I think he's found a home in Houston and may hit 30 homers this year.
Will Colby Rasmus continue his momentum from the 2015 playoffs?Will Colby Rasmus continue his momentum from the 2015 playoffs?!" # $#%
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