INTRO
With the 2024 MLB season around the corner, it’s time to look at the most guaranteed picks to win each division. The offseason has had the biggest contract handed out and also left the reigning Cy Young winner without a team by the time pitchers are supposed to report for spring training. As of March 5th, these are my division predictions.
AL EAST: Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles will repeat as AL East champions. With the addition of perennial Cy Young candidate Corbin Burnes and a chance for the top prospect and 2022 number 1 overall pick Jackson Holliday to come up midseason, they should easily push for the top seed in the American League. The O’s should build on a strong 2023 to outlast the injury-prone Yankees for the East.
AL CENTRAL: Minnesota Twins
With Pablo Lopez manning the ace in the rotation, the Twins should take a weaker AL Central. Despite losing Jorge Polanco, the emergence of Royce Lewis in the infield to pair with Carlos Correa and a hopefully healthy Byron Buxton should provide enough for Minnesota to win 90 games. The Kansas City Royals will surprise many with an underrated offseason but won’t have enough to overtake the Twins.
AL WEST: Seattle Mariners
You could call me biased, but the combination of the best rotation in the show and a potential Julio Rodriguez MVP season combined with multiple offensive additions will have to produce. A burst in production from George Kirby and a plus bat at second Jorge Polanco, as well as stealing a top-of-the-line designated hitter in Mitch Garver from division rival Texas Rangers, will be key to the success in Seattle. An injured and incomplete rotation in Texas and a regression from the squad down in Houston will allow Seattle to claim the west.
NL EAST: Atlanta Braves
Arguably, the best team in baseball only got better last year. Adding an aging Chris Sale to the rotation will finish out one of the best in the show. Atlanta boasts MVP-caliber players in its lineup: Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olsen, and Austin Riley. Not to mention perennial all-star second basemen Ozzie Albies and catcher Sean Murphy. With Spencer Strider leading the pitching staff, the Braves should be a lock for another season with triple-digit wins.
NL CENTRAL: Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs had one of the quieter yet best offseasons in baseball. Adding lefty international Shota Imanaga helps to shore up a solid rotation. With Cody Bellinger re-signing, the Cubs should be able to claim the title in a surprisingly tight NL Central. With a big year from young studs such as Elly De La Cruz and the flame-throwing Hunter Greene, don’t be surprised if the Reds top the Central.
NL WEST: Los Angeles Dodgers
The easiest pick in MLB history. Adding generational talent in two-way player Shohei Ohtani to an already loaded roster is unfair. A team coming off a 100-win season with the additions of Ohtani and the best international free-agent pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, should be unstoppable. Not to mention trading for Tyler Glasnow and signing one of the biggest power bats in free agency, Teoscar Hernandez. Fans should be excited about the return of the legendary Clayton Kershaw as well. Don’t be shocked if the Dodgers break the single-season win record.
