With a brand new baseball season approaching quick, it’s time to make some 2024 MLB season predictions. Earlier than each season, individuals all the time suppose they understand how issues will play out. However baseball is all the time unpredictable and has loads of surprises. In spite of everything, who might have predicted the Rangers and Diamondbacks would play in final 12 months’s World Collection?
Daring Predictions for the 2024 MLB Season
In honor of that shocking matchup, we determined to be daring when doing our MLB season preview and 2024 World Collection picks.
Maybe we went somewhat overboard, however that is probably not a foul factor. With that in thoughts, listed below are 10 daring and borderline loopy 2024 MLB season predictions.
Tigers Win AL Central
This isn’t as loopy because it sounds. Take into account that Detroit was simply six video games beneath .500 and 9 video games out of first place final 12 months.
The AL Central will stay large open and there for the taking. Detroit’s younger expertise has began to make an impression with veterans like Kenta Maeda, Jack Flaherty, and Mark Canha added to the combo. In a weak division, the Tigers have an opportunity to win the AL Central crown for the primary time in a decade.
Pirates Earn Wild Card Spot
Talking of ending playoff droughts, this might be Pittsburgh’s 12 months. The NL Central is a type of divisions the place absolutely anything can occur.
That offers the Pirates an opportunity to be the primary or second-place staff. Bear in mind they went from 62 wins in 2022 to 76 wins in 2023. The same step ahead in 2024 might be sufficient to get them to the postseason. Additionally, the Pirates received off to a quick begin final season, ending April with a 20-9 file. Frankly, 76 wins is spectacular for a staff that had just a few prolonged dropping streaks. Extra importantly, the Pirates have put collectively a great younger core with Oneil Cruz, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Jack Suwinski. Plus, they nonetheless have Bryan Reynolds and a great mixture of veterans that might shock some individuals in 2024.
Astros Miss Playoffs
Take into account that Houston gained simply 90 video games final season, taking a step backward. The Astros had the identical file as Texas in the course of the common season and completed simply two video games forward of Seattle.
One other step backward for an ageing staff in 2024 might imply lacking the playoffs, particularly with the Rangers and Mariners proper there and the AL East doubtlessly sending three or 4 groups to the playoffs. Whereas they nonetheless have one of many greatest second basemen of all time in Jose Altuve and some different all-star-caliber gamers, this isn’t the deep and dominant Houston staff of the previous. The Astros have been susceptible final 12 months and shall be much more susceptible to lacking the postseason final 12 months.
Julio Rodriguez Wins AL MVP
With Shohei Ohtani within the Nationwide League and Mike Trout exhibiting the consequences of ageing, the AL MVP race is large open for a younger participant like Julio Rodriguez to win it. In fact, Aaron Judge, Corey Seager, and some others will doubtless have a say within the race.
However Rodriguez was third in RBI and seventh in house runs within the AL final 12 months whereas hitting .275. He’s additionally simply 23 years outdated and already has two Silver Slugger Awards. Rodriguez will maintain getting higher and with one other large step ahead, he has the instruments to be an MVP as early as 2024.
Each AL East Staff Finishes with a Profitable Report
This virtually occurred final 12 months with solely the Pink Sox falling just a few video games quick. However with fewer in-division video games on the schedule, a deep division just like the AL East might finish the 12 months with 5 groups over .500.
The Orioles, Yankees, and Blue Jays are all protected bets to have a successful file. Tampa misplaced some items however shouldn’t fall too far. Meaning the Pink Sox are the one concern. Regardless of not making an enormous splash, Boston has made sufficient incremental enhancements to get above .500 in 2024.
Ohtani Wins (Hitting) Triple Crown
For those who thought we noticed one of the best of Shohei Ohtani final 12 months as a hitter final 12 months, suppose once more. For those who take a deep dive into the analytics, you’ll see that he’s improved in quite a lot of areas and will proceed to get higher in 2024. Take into account that he’ll be a part of a deeper lineup with the Dodgers and gained’t be pitching this season.
That’ll enable Ohtani to play extra video games and focus totally on hitting.
In 2023, he led the American League in house runs and hit over .300. It’s not that far-fetched to suppose that he can enhance his common much more whereas including to his house run and RBI totals. Ohtani had fewer than 500 at-bats final 12 months, however he ought to prime 600 if he can keep wholesome, placing the Triple Crown inside attain.
Dodgers Win 118 Video games
With the addition of Ohtani and their different offseason acquisitions, the Dodgers seem like a brilliant staff. Ohtani could have Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Max Muncy round him. Additionally, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto now lead a Los Angeles rotation that additionally has good depth and proficient younger arms.
Taking all of that into consideration, this might be a particular season at Dodger Stadium. In fact, successful 120 video games is somewhat ridiculous. However with 118 wins, the Dodgers will set a brand new file for wins in the course of the common season.
Dodgers Lose in NLDS
Sadly for the Dodgers, an excellent common season gained’t translate to postseason success. Final 12 months, three of the 4 groups that received a bye within the Wild Card Spherical misplaced within the Division Collection, together with the Dodgers. The earlier years, the Dodgers and Braves each misplaced within the NLDS after getting a bye.
In 2022, the highest seed in each leagues misplaced within the Division Collection to the Wild Card winner. This can be a severe development in baseball that may’t be ignored. The bye takes groups out of their rhythm and routine turning into extra of a curse than a blessing. With the Dodgers getting a bye and certain wrapping up the AL West early, they gained’t be sharp within the postseason and can undergo one other disappointing NLDS defeat.
Reds Win Nationwide League Pennant
If the Dodgers don’t win the NL pennant, who will? How in regards to the Reds? They have been shut to creating the playoffs final 12 months and shall be higher in 2024. Cincinnati’s roster is loaded with younger and proficient gamers like Elly De La Cruz with a beginning rotation that’s surprisingly deep. The Reds are additionally well-positioned to make some offers on the commerce deadline to deal with their wants. That may enable them to rise to the highest in a wide-open NL Central and make a stunning run to the World Collection the identical manner the Diamondbacks did in 2023.
Orioles Win the AL East and World Collection
Sadly for the Reds, they gained’t be capable to beat the Orioles, who shall be your World Series winners in 2024. Baltimore wasn’t able to win within the postseason final 12 months, however the upstart Orioles shall be higher ready this season. They have already got younger stars like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson with extra within the farm system. Baltimore’s younger rotation will be capable to take one other step ahead whereas the bullpen is deeper than individuals notice. Even with out the largest payroll, the Orioles have all the elements to shock the baseball world and win the World Collection in 2024.
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