Spring Training is officially underway, and there’s just about a month until Opening Day. After an offseason involving a flurry of moves, it’s time for each team to work toward the goal of winning the World Series. Last season there were a few surprise teams, and this time around there are some new teams expected to be in the race for the postseason, but will they make the cut?
AL West: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
This division is tricky. The A’s traded away their top producers from the past two seasons, but with Billy Beane you never know how his new acquisitions will turn out. Then there’s the Seattle Mariners, who made a run last year and just came up short on making a postseason appearance. They’ve built off a strong 2014 campaign by adding a power bat in Nelson Cruz and their rotation continues to stand strong; they have a good chance at the division as well.
All that being said, it seems to be the Angels title to lose heading into the season. They’re getting Garrett Richards back and they have a star studded lineup with Albert Pujols and Mike Trout. The took the West last year, and didn’t perform like they’d hoped in October, this year they look to improve and play some October baseball once again.
AL Central: Detroit Tigers
The AL Central looks to be a tough division this year. The Tigers took the title last year, but the Kansas City Royals made the Wild Card and are the defending American League Champions. This offseason, both the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox made strides to contend in 2015. Needless to say, this will be an entertaining division this season.
Detroit seems to always be in the playoffs, and despite losing a few pitchers this offseason, they continue to have one of the best lineups in the league with the addition of Yoenis Cespedes, who will provide plenty of spark for the Tigers this season.
The Royals have to prove last season wasn’t a fluke, while overcoming the loss of Billy Butler and James Shields to their roster, the White Sox have greatly improved on paper, but we have yet to see how it transfers to the field, and the Indians have added some pieces, but nothing too splashy.
AL East: Boston Red Sox
It was difficult to decide between the Red Sox and the Blue Jays when it comes to the East. While the Orioles took the division by a long shot last year, they will have some better competition in 2015. The Sox went back to their ways of bringing in the top free agents as they signed Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. After winning the World Series in 2013, they struggled last year, but hope to make another run for the title in 2015 with a revamped roster.
The Blue Jays will have a stellar lineup featuring Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and new addition, All Star Josh Donaldson. The only question mark revolving around the Jays is their starting rotation, which isn’t very flashy.
Neither the Yankees or Rays have done much this offseason, and will have troubles like they did last year.
Wild Card Teams: Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners
There looks to be a lot of talent in the American League this year, making for an entertaining season and strong contention in pursuit of October baseball. For an early preseason prediction, the Blue Jays are an interesting team. Their lineup is their strength, and while the pitching staff is questionable, the improvement in offensive production should be enough to pick up where pitching falls short.
This also looks to be the season the Mariners return to the postseason. Their rotation is just too good and while the lineup may not be so flashy they have solid hitters and added Cruz to provide more spark.
NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers have one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball led by Clayton Kershaw. They’ve made the postseason the past few years, but haven’t had much success advancing. This year they hope to have resolved their clubhouse drama and bring a World Series title to Los Angeles.
The Padres have made an abundance of moves to improve for the 2015 campaign, and could pose as an interesting darkhorse in the National League. With the addition of guys like Matt Kemp and James Shields, they also look to be the Dodgers biggest competitor as the Rockies and Diamondbacks are expected to struggle and the defending World Series Champion Giants will be without one of the guys who carried them offensively for some time in Sandoval.
NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals
This division looks to be a battle between the Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates, but it will be a battle the Cards will win. St. Louis has made the postseason four years in a row, and their pitching staff looks to be improved with the return of Michael Wacha.
The Cubbies could be a darkhorse in the division with a chance to surprise after an exciting offseason. Their roster will feature many of new faces, and while they will contend this season, it’s reaching to expect a playoff appearance.
NL East: Washington Nationals
The Nationals are not only a favorite in the East, but in the entire National League. This rotation is arguably the best in baseball, especially now with the addition of Max Scherzer. Adam LaRoche is gone, but this team can pick up the slack and win the NL East once again. They had a disappointing playoff appearance last year and would like to redeem themselves.
The Mets and Marlins have an opportunity to be potential surprise teams here, but while they may contend, this is greatly the Nats division to lose.
National League Wild Card: San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates
The Padres are my surprise team for 2015. They’ve made some impressive moves to significantly improve their roster, and being in a weaker division should help them this year with improving their record. They have a good chance to be a wild card team and make the postseason this year.
The Pirates will make the postseason again in hopes of advancing with the addition of A.J. Burnett to their rotation. They have a stacked roster and solid offensive production led by Andrew McCutchen.
Some of MLB’s best will sport new uniforms this season, making for an exciting year with great competition. Many teams have improved this winter, but all 30 clubs have their eyes set on one goal, a World Series Championship.