As some of you may have noticed, many of the LWOS baseball department writers have been making bold predictions for the upcoming MLB season. In keeping with this new tradition, it seems time to make some bold predictions of my own. Opening Day is now only two days away, so take notes because the following five ‘bold’ predictions won’t seem so bold by seasons end.
Five Bold Predictions for 2015 – Greg Hogan Edition
1. The Oakland A’s will finish last in the AL West
Look, I’m not saying Billy Beane is a bad GM for what he did this offseason, or that he doesn’t have some master plan for the future. I’d never doubt him. The A’s historically have found ways to piece together contending teams on a minuscule budget, but not this season.
For the last 15 years the A’s have pretty much used the same formula for success. And no, I’m not talking about moneyball. I’m talking about dumping their talented players every three or four years in exchange for prospects who eventually become the talented players that are dumped three to four years later. It has helped lead the A’s to plenty of success in Beane’s era, but this year they’re going to take a big step back.
With the AL West looking like perhaps the strongest division in baseball, the A’s are in for a bumpy ride. With a depleted pitching staff, a thinner bullpen, and no big hitters to speak of, this team will finish in the cellar of the division. With Josh Reddick and Coco Crisp already suffering injuries (two historically injury prone players), things don’t look good for the Athletics.
2. George Springer will lead the American League in Home Runs
Springer’s rookie season might lead some to believe he will be the next king of ‘Three True Outcomes’ (Strikeout, Walk, Home Run). While that isn’t out of the question, I think he will cut down on his strikeouts a bit and up his average to the .250 range. Assuming Springer can stay healthy and rack up 500+ plate appearances while also making more contact, he’s going to have a monster 2015. The power is real; like, Giancarlo Stanton real. As a quick refresher, Springer blasted 20 homers in just 78 games last season before succumbing to a hamstring injury. Playing in a hitters park in a lineup that has loads of potential means Springer will have ample opportunity to fulfill his potential this season.
According to multiple sources, Springer will be batting 2nd in the Astros’ lineup to start the season. Hitting between Jose Altuve and Chris Carter should generate a lot of good pitches for the young right fielder.
3. The Miami Marlins will make the Playoffs
Despite having the lowest payroll in the National League by $20 million, the Miami Marlins will make the playoffs in 2015. Just to clarify, by playoffs I mean they’ll make the NL Wild Card game at the least.
The Marlins have one of the best outfields in all of baseball, and it may very well be the best. Even if we neglect to discuss the monster that is Giancarlo Stanton, Marcel Ozuna and Christian Yelich are no slouches themselves. The additions of Dee Gordon, Michael Morse, Ichiro, Jared Cosart, and Mat Latos make this team a substantial upgrade over last season’s roster. In addition, assuming Jose Fernandez is able to make a strong return sometime in June or July, this team is going to have a very strong pitching staff. With the NL East appearing to be wide open behind the Washington Nationals, the Marlins have an outstanding chance of breaking their 11-year playoff drought.
4. Matt Harvey will win the NL Cy Young
The Mets have a slightly better offense this season… at least on paper. With a few more runs scored comes more opportunities for wins for the Mets’ pitchers, including young ace Matt Harvey. While intelligent baseball fans understand that wins really aren’t a great barometer of success for a pitcher, they certainly can’t hurt a Cy Young case.
Harvey’s had a remarkable spring, posting a dazzling 1.19 ERA, 0.794 WHIP, and, perhaps most impressive of all, a 21:1 K:BB. It’s important to take spring numbers with a grain of salt, but, at the very least, Harvey has silenced any who doubted whether or not he had fully recovered from his Tommy John surgery. If Harvey can pitch even a fraction as well as he has this spring, he’s in line for a career year. Now at the age of 26, Harvey’s entering the heart of his prime. He’s going to reap the benefits of that this season.
5. The Chicago White Sox will make the Playoffs
I’ve saved what I think is my most outlandish prediction for last. The AL Central is wide open this season with the Tigers and Royals appearing to have taken steps back. The White Sox had perhaps the best offseason in baseball, bringing in Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson, Zach Duke, Melky Cabrera, Emilio Bonifacio, and Adam LaRoche. Last season’s team had talent, but also a few obvious flaws. White Sox management has to be hoping all of these offseason additions have addressed those areas and frankly, I think they have.
With one of the best top-three starting pitching trios in baseball, a revamped bullpen, and an offense that appears quite formidable, the White Sox have as good a chance as any team in the AL Central. Winning the division is probably a bit of a stretch, but a wild card spot is well within reach.
There they are, everybody! My five bold predictions for the 2015 MLB season. Can’t wait to look back at these come season’s end and say, “I told you so”.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Houston Astros/Getty Images
