OC Register: Staff predictions: SCNG baseball writers call their shots for 2019 season

[AngelsWin.com]

Six members of the Southern California News Group sports department offer you their predictions for everything from how the final 2019 division standings will look to which teams will prevail in the postseason and which players will earn regular-season awards.

—– JEFF FLETCHER (Angels beat writer) —–

DIVISION RACES (in predicted order of finish)

AL West: Astros, Angels, Mariners, A’s, Rangers

AL Central: Indians, Twins, White Sox, Tigers, Royals

AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles

NL West: Dodgers, Padres, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Giants

NL Central: Cubs, Brewers, Cardinals, Reds, Pirates

NL East: Nationals, Phillies, Mets, Braves, Marlins

Playoffs

AL wild card: Angels over Twins

ALDS: Yankees over Angels

ALDS: Astros over Indians

ALCS: Yankees over Astros

NL wild card: Brewers over Phillies

NLDS: Nationals over Brewers

NLDS: Cubs over Dodgers

NLCS: Nationals over Cubs

World Series: Yankees over Nationals

Awards

AL MVP: Mike Trout (Angels)

AL Cy Young: Mike Clevinger (Indians)

AL Rookie of the Year: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

NL MVP: Kris Bryant (Cubs)

NL Cy Young: Noah Syndergaard (Mets)

NL Rookie of the Year: Victor Robles (Nationals)

 

—– BILL PLUNKETT (Dodgers beat writer) —–

AL West: Astros, A’s, Angels, Mariners, Rangers

AL Central: Indians, Twins, White Sox, Royals, Tigers

AL East: Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles

NL West: Dodgers, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Padres, Giants

NL Central: Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, Reds, Pirates

NL East: Nationals, Phillies, Braves, Mets, Marlins

Playoffs

AL wild card: Yankees over A’s

ALDS: Yankees over Red Sox

ALDS: Astros over Indians

ALCS: Astros over Yankees

NL wild card: Cardinals over Phillies

NLDS: Dodgers over Cardinals

NLDS: Brewers over Nationals

NLCS: Brewers over Dodgers

World Series: Astros over Brewers

Awards

AL MVP: Mike Trout (Angels)

AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (Astros)

AL Rookie of the Year: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

NL MVP: Anthony Rendon (Nationals)

NL Cy Young: Aaron Nola (Phillies)

NL Rookie of the Year: Touki Toussaint (Braves)

 

—– J.P. HOORNSTRA (MLB writer/columnist) —–

AL West: Astros, A’s, Angels, Mariners, Rangers

AL Central: Indians, Twins, White Sox, Tigers, Royals

AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles

NL West: Dodgers, Rockies, Padres, Diamondbacks, Giants

NL Central: Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Pirates

NL East: Nationals, Phillies, Mets, Braves, Marlins

Playoffs

AL wild card: Rays over Red Sox

ALDS: Yankees over Astros

ALDS: Rays over Indians

ALCS: Yankees over Rays

NL wild card: Brewers over Phillies

NLDS: Nationals over Brewers

NLDS: Dodgers over Cardinals

NLCS: Dodgers over Nationals

World Series: Yankees over Dodgers

Awards

AL MVP: Mike Trout (Angels)

AL Cy Young: Chris Sale (Red Sox)

AL Rookie of the Year: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

NL MVP: Kris Bryant (Cubs)

NL Cy Young: Max Scherzer (Nationals)

NL Rookie of the year: Peter Alonso (Mets)

 

—– MARK WHICKER (Columnist) —–

AL West: Astros, Angels, Athletics, Mariners, Rangers

AL Central: Indians, Twins, White Sox, Royals, Tigers

AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles

NL West: Rockies, Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks, Giants

NL Central: Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, Pirates, Reds

NL East: Nationals, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Marlins

Playoffs

AL wild card: Red Sox over Rays

ALDS: Yankees over Red Sox

ALDS: Astros over Indians

ALCS: Astros over Yankees

NL wild card: Dodgers over Cardinals

NLDS: Dodgers over Rockies

NLDS: Brewers over Nationals

NLCS: Dodgers over Brewers

World Series: Astros over Dodgers

Awards

AL MVP: George Springer (Astros)

AL Cy Young: David Price (Red Sox)

AL Rookie: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

NL MVP: Nolan Arenado (Rockies)

NL Cy Young: Walker Buehler (Dodgers)

NL Rookie: Touki Toussaint (Braves)

 

—– JIM ALEXANDER (Columnist) —–

AL West: Astros, Angels, A’s, Rangers, Mariners

AL Central: Indians, Twins, White Sox, Tigers, Royals

AL East: Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles

NL West: Dodgers, Rockies, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks

NL Central: Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Pirates

NL East: Nationals, Phillies, Braves, Mets, Marlins

Playoffs

AL wild card: Red Sox over Rays

ALDS: Astros over Indians

ALDS: Yankees over Red Sox

ALCS: Yankees over Astros

NL wild card: Cubs over Brewers

NLDS: Cubs over Nationals

NLDS: Dodgers over Cardinals

NLCS: Dodgers over Cubs

World Series: Dodgers over Yankees

Awards

AL MVP: Mike Trout (Angels)

AL Cy Young: Gerrit Cole (Astros)

AL Rookie of the Year: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

NL MVP: Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals)

NL Cy Young: Max Scherzer (Nationals)

NL Rookie of the Year: Victor Robles (Nationals)

 

—– TODD BAILEY (MLB editor) —–

DIVISION RACES (in predicted order of finish)

AL West: Astros, Angels, A’s, Mariners, Rangers

AL Central: Indians, Twins, White Sox, Royals, Tigers

AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles

NL West: Dodgers, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Padres, Giants

NL Central: Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Reds, Pirates

NL East: Nationals, Phillies, Mets, Braves, Marlins

Playoffs

AL wild card: Red Sox over Rays

ALDS: Yankees over Indians

ALDS: Astros over Red Sox

ALCS: Yankees over Astros

NL wild card: Phillies over Brewers

NLDS: Nationals over Cardinals

NLDS: Dodgers over Phillies

NLCS: Nationals over Dodgers

World Series: Yankees over Nationals

Awards

AL MVP: Mike Trout (Angels)

AL Cy Young: Chris Sale (Red Sox)

AL Rookie of the Year: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

“]

NL MVP: Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals)

NL Cy Young: Max Scherzer (Nationals)

NL Rookie of the Year: Victor Robles (Nationals)

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[Broad Street]

Looks like our dude Fletch is the only one with common sense! Halos are in the playoffs this year!

[fanfromday1]

My prediction would be that the Angels make the play-offs also, but are knocked off by the Red Sox in the wild-card game. I think the Yankees then beat Boston and advance to the World Series.

In the NL, I believe the that the Nationals have the best 1-3 pitching in the league and will beat the Dodgers in the play-offs. Imo, Kershaw is going to have a significant drop-off this year and Buehler is a year or two away from carrying the team.

The Nationals pitching should outclass the Yankees in the world Series.

[Angelsjunky]

MLB Diaper Blowout of the Year: Bryce Harper (Phillies)

[Blarg]

If the Phillies don't hit the playoffs in the next four years I'm betting Harper starts demanding a trade. 

[Pancake Bear]

Pretty much each one of these has a, "Yeah, nice call" in a few spots, and also a few 'WTF?!??!' predictions. 

I'll probably be way off - I usually am -  but here's mine:

AL West: 'Stros, Halos, A's, M's, Rags

AL East: Yanks, Sox, Rays, Jays, O's

AL Central: Indians, Twins, Sox, Royals, Tigers

NL West: Dogs, Rox, Pads, D-Backs, Giants

NL East: Nats, Phils, Mets, Braves, Marlins

NL Central: Cubs, Brewers, Cards, Red, Pirates

Playoffs: 

AL WC: Sox over Rays

AL Pennant: Yanks

NL WC: Brewers over Phils

NL Pennant: Nats

WS: Yanks (ugh (Jinx? ;-]) )

AL MVP: Trout

AL CY: Verlander

AL ROY: Vlad Jr.

NL MVP: Harper

NL CY: Scherzer

NL ROY: Robles

[Broad Street]

2 hours ago, Sean-Regan said:

Pretty much each one of these has a, "Yeah, nice call" in a few spots, and also a few 'WTF?!??!' predictions. 

I'll probably be way off - I usually am -  but here's mine:

AL West: 'Stros, Halos, A's, M's, Rags

AL East: Yanks, Sox, Rays, Jays, O's

AL Central: Indians, Twins, Sox, Royals, Tigers

NL West: Dogs, Rox, Pads, D-Backs, Giants

NL East: Nats, Phils, Mets, Braves, Marlins

NL Central: Cubs, Brewers, Cards, Red, Pirates

Playoffs: 

AL WC: Sox over Rays

AL Pennant: Yanks

NL WC: Brewers over Phils

NL Pennant: Nats

WS: Yanks (ugh (Jinx? ;-]) )

AL MVP: Trout

AL CY: Verlander

AL ROY: Vlad Jr.

NL MVP: Harper

NL CY: Scherzer

NL ROY: Robles

Why so low on the Braves?

[Lou]

Why so high on the Cubs? 

[Pancake Bear]

1 hour ago, Kody Mac said:

Why so low on the Braves?

I feel bad having the Braves that low, but I lean NYM over them. Could be wrong. It’s one of the picks I feel least confident in. 

16 minutes ago, Lou said:

Why so high on the Cubs? 

I’m not high on the Cards, and I feel like the Cubs are do for a bounce back. Brewers are closer, IMO. But I’m not really much of an NL guy, so I could easily be way off. 

[ScottT]

Anyone picking any team over the Dodgers is just looking for a self pat on the back if it happens. It was close last year, but the in depth numbers say it shouldn't have been.  Even run differential.  The Rockies have developed a couple young pitchers, it seems.. That bodes well for the future.... but they do not match up to the Dodgers when it comes to depth.

The top four NL East teams could easily finish in any order. It will probably be the most interesting division in baseball. Fangraphs projections currently....

Nationals 89-73

Phillies 86-76

Mets 85-77

Braves 84-78

 

[Broad Street]

9 hours ago, ScottT said:

Anyone picking any team over the Dodgers is just looking for a self pat on the back if it happens. It was close last year, but the in depth numbers say it shouldn't have been.  Even run differential.  The Rockies have developed a couple young pitchers, it seems.. That bodes well for the future.... but they do not match up to the Dodgers when it comes to depth.

The top four NL East teams could easily finish in any order. It will probably be the most interesting division in baseball. Fangraphs projections currently....

Nationals 89-73

Phillies 86-76

Mets 85-77

Braves 84-78

 

Yeah but the Dodgers also lost some players and who knows if Kershaw is going to stay healthy and Buehler can repeat what he did last year. I still think the Dodgers win that division, but it's not in the realm of the unthinkable for the Rockies to surprise them.

 

Also, the Marlins are going to win their division.

[Lou]

both Kershaw and Hill are starting the season on the Injured List 

[2112]

Personally I would like to see the Nats in the World Series, and if they're not playing the Angels, I would root for them.  

 

Interesting the writers show improvement for the Angels.

[AngelsLakersFan]

Most of these predictions are about the same, so here is where I differ.

The Rays will not make the wild card game.

The Phillies will finish in 3rd place.

[ScottT]

If your life depended on it would you pick the Rockies over the Dodgers?  I wouldn't.  It could happen, sure. A lot of things can.

[Second Base]

I'll play.

AL WEST: Houston (95-67), Angels (86-76), Oakland (84-78), Seattle (75-87), Texas (72-90)

AL CENTRAL: Cleveland (88-74), Minnesota (85-77), KC, Chicago and Detroit. (No one cares about them winning 64 games).

AL EAST: Red Sox (102-60), Yankees (102-60), Rays (86-76), Blue Jays (76-86), Orioles (45 wins).

Yankees beat Sox in game 163 for the division title, Angels beat the Rays for WC2, Boston beats the Angels in the WC game.

Yankees beat Red Sox, Cleveland beats Houston, Cleveland upsets New York behind very strong pitching from Kluber, Bauer, Clevigner and Carrasco.

NL WEST: LA (90-72), Colorado (89-73), SD (84-78), Arizona (76-86), SF (70-92)

NL CENTRAL: Chicago (100-62), St. Louis 92-70), Milwaukee (88-74), Cincinnati (76-86), Pittsburgh (70-92)

NL EAST: Mets (88-74), Nats (88-74), Atlanta (86-76), Philadelphia (86-76), Miami.

Mets beat Nats in game 163, Colorado beats St. Louis in WC game, Mets upset Chicago in NLDS, Rockies upset Dodgers, Mets beat Rockies in Pennant.

Mets beat Cleveland in the World Series.

AL MVP: Mike Trout

NL MVP: Trevor Story

AL CY: Trevor Bauer

NL CY: Zack Wheeler

AL ROY: Bo Bichette

NL ROY: Carter Kieboom

[Jeff Fletcher]

2 hours ago, ScottT said:

If your life depended on it would you pick the Rockies over the Dodgers?  I wouldn't.  It could happen, sure. A lot of things can.

I sure hope my life doesn’t depend on these predictions! I’d have spent more than 20 minutes on them 

[Second Base]

14 hours ago, ScottT said:

Anyone picking any team over the Dodgers is just looking for a self pat on the back if it happens. It was close last year, but the in depth numbers say it shouldn't have been.  Even run differential.  The Rockies have developed a couple young pitchers, it seems.. That bodes well for the future.... but they do not match up to the Dodgers when it comes to depth.

The top four NL East teams could easily finish in any order. It will probably be the most interesting division in baseball. Fangraphs projections currently....

Nationals 89-73

Phillies 86-76

Mets 85-77

Braves 84-78

 

Personally, I think the balance of power is about to shift slightly in the Western divisions. After 2021, Houston will enter a small rebuild.  The Angels are going to be tough to beat in 2020 and beyond. The A's are developing some exciting pitchers that will make them dangerous in 2020 and beyond. 

And in the NL, the Rockies have a couple more arms on the way and have an offense that will feature Arenado, Story, Dahl, McMahon, Rodgers, Murphy.... that offense is as good as any without Coors Field. And the Padres have more pitching than I think I've ever seen coming up, and an offense that will feature Machado, Tatis, Urias, Hosmer, Myers, Reyes, Cordero and Mejia. But the Dodgers pitching has clearly begun to age. Still with Buehler, Urias and May, they wont go in the tank. They'll be right there. 

But the days of a runaway division winner I think are coming to an end after this year. 

[Docwaukee]

AL West:  HOU (96), LAA (88), OAK (84), SEA (79), TEX (77)
AL Cent:   MIN (88), CLE (88), CWS (72), KCR (68), DET (66)
AL East:   NYY (95), TBR (88), BOS (88), TOR (74), BAL (56)

NL West:  LAD (92), COL (88), SDP (88), ARI (75), SFG (76)
NL Cent:   CHC (88), STL (88), MIL (88), PIT (82), CIN (75)
NL East:   WAS (91), NYM (88), PHI (84), ATL (80), MIA (60) 

An insane multi team tie in both leagues.  

In the AL:
Twins beat the Indians for the division championship.  
Angels beat BOS
TBR beats CLE
Angels beat TBR

ALDS - HOU over MIN, NYY over LAA
ALCS - HOU over NYY

In the NL:
Cubs beat STL and MIL for the division 
Col and SDP ultimately win the WC slots with COL winning

NLDS - WAS beats the cubs and dogs beat the rockies
NLCS - Was beats the dogs

WS - WAS beats Houston

 

[AngelsLakersFan]

You know they would probably just eliminate the Angels and let the Yankees Red Sox into the playoffs if that happened.

[ScottT]

5 hours ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

I sure hope my life doesn’t depend on these predictions! I’d have spent more than 20 minutes on them 

I hear ya. Its sports. Played by humans, coached by humans, umpired by humans. I wouldn't take 20 on the nl west though And I'd love for the Rockies to win.

It's not as bad as someone picking anyone but the Astros to win th AL West.... but...

I just feel like some go against the grain... even say outrageous things.    so they can get credit later. If you go chalk, nobody cares. Right or wrong.  You're right more often than not, though. Is that the point?  Is fun the point?  Then I pick the Reds the play the Twins in the World Series