2019 Major League Baseball Season Preview

Photo courtesy of mlb.com

March 28 was the day Major League Baseball season got kicked into high gear with Opening Day around the country. Some of the most poignant headlines going into the season were superstar free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado getting acclimated to new homes in Philadelphia and San Diego after an anti-climactic free agent period. Can the Red Sox repeat being World Series champions? Are Clayton Kershaw’s injuries the beginning of the end of the Dodgers National League dominance?

Jon Painter and CJ Cecil of The Campus sifts through the unrest of an unsettling offseason and offers up a guide for how the MLB season plays out.

Painter's Picks

AMERICAN LEAGUE

American League East: New York Yankees (96-66)

Despite injuries to ace Luis Severino, the Yankees have plenty of firepower in their lineup and coming out of the bullpen to make up for a lack of frontline starting pitching. They will face tough competition from a young Rays squad as well as the formidable lineup of the Red Sox.

American League Central: Chicago White Sox (87-75)

In the worst division in baseball, the White Sox shock the world. The talent is there on the South side of Chicago, and with injuries mounting for a shaky Indians squad, which has dominated the division recently, the White Sox sneak by them and the Twins.

American League West: Houston Astros (100-62)

The Houston Astros get a full season of health and productivity from Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa and remind baseball how talented they are. While the A’s had a magical run from a piecemeal starting rotation, don’t expect that success to repeat itself.

AL Wild Card 1: Boston Red Sox (93-69)

AL Wild Card 2: Tampa Bay Rays (90-72)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

National League East: Philadelphia Phillies (93-69)

This division has made the most significant moves during the offseason; the Mets adding Robinson Cano, Phillies adding Bryce Harper and JT Realmuto and the Nationals adding Patrick Corbin to a loaded rotation. The Phillies lineup, however, has too much firepower and punch their way back into the postseason.

National League Central: St. Louis Cardinals (90-72)

Last year, the Brewers were able to ride MVP Christian Yelich’s bat and the arm of lefty reliever Josh Hader to the division title while lacking power arms in their rotation. Lightning does strike twice, and a rebuilt Cardinals lineup powers them to take the division. Paul Goldschimdt, along with young power arms, does the trick as the Cardinals win arguably the best division in baseball.

National League West: Colorado Rockies (89-73)

In a division owned by the Dodgers in recent years, the Rockies unseat them this year. Without a horse like Kershaw to lead them, the Dodgers regress. The Rockies have the constant bat of Nolan Arenado and a good young rotation led by Kyle Freeland and Jon Gray to negate the Coors Field effect.

NL Wild Card 1: Washington Nationals (91-71)

NL Wild Card 2: Los Angeles Dodgers (87-75)

WORLD SERIES: Nationals over Astros

Cecil's Picks

AMERICAN LEAGUE

American League East: Boston Red Sox (100-62)

Despite the Yankees’ overpowered lineup, it will be pitching that will be their downfall. The Red Sox will ignore their bullpen woes with the loss of closer Craig Kimbrel, amongst others. They will win their fourth straight AL East title with Mookie Betts and young Andrew Benintendi leading the way.

American League Central: Cleveland Indians (88-74)

In a fairly weak division as of recently, the Indians have won three straight AL Central titles, and this year will be no different. The Indians starting rotation is one of the best in baseball. With always-consistent Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez, they will be able to score enough runs and win enough games to slide into the postseason.

American League West: Houston Astros (90-72)

No surprise here, the Houston Astros are the clear favorite to win the AL West. With a lineup that includes Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and the addition of Michael Brantley, it is hard to imagine anyone taking the division from the Astros.

AL Wild Card 1: New York Yankees (93-69)

AL Wild Card 2: Oakland Athletics (84-78)

NATIONAL LEAGUE

National League East: Atlanta Braves (91-71)

The NL East could go a number of ways this year. The teams in this division got busy in the offseason. With the Mets adding powerhouse guys such as Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, and the Phillies paying Bryce Harper big money, anyone could take it this year. However, I’m going to have to give the nod to the Braves. With young stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies, and impressive young arms, the Braves will glide their way into the playoffs.

National League Central: St. Louis Cardinals (91-71)

In possibly the strongest division in baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals were able to make some key moves in the offseason to make them the NL Central champions. They went out and traded for the hot bat of Paul Goldschmidt and the deadly lefty out of the pen Andrew Miller. Because of these trade acquisitions, and the young talent they have coming up, the Cards will make some noise in the playoffs.

National League West: Los Angeles Dodgers (95-67)

Despite the loss of Manny Machado, and a crucial blow in losing Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers have captured six straight NL West crowns and it’s difficult for me to see 2019 be the year they’re dethroned. With an impressive lineup that includes stars Justin Turner and Corey Seager, back from last year’s injury, the Dodgers will take the NL West.

NL Wild Card 1: Colorado Rockies (91-71)

NL Wild Card 2: Chicago Cubs (88-74)

WORLD SERIES: Red Sox over Rockies