Ah, baseball how we have missed you. It’s finally time to break out the large bag of sunflower seeds that you’ve been working on for the past three seasons. Before your team begins their quest for the dream 162-0 season, please allow me to present my three bold predictions for the upcoming MLB season.
Ahem.
3 Bold Predictions for the Upcoming MLB Season
1. Trevor Rosenthal will be the best closer in baseball
This may or may not be the boldest choice, depending on who you ask. Rosenthal solidified the biggest question mark in an otherwise robust Cardinals bullpen. The team had been without a true closer since Jason Isringhausen left and Adam Wainwright became an ace. Two consecutive seasons of 45+ saves and a WAR rating of 2.7 in 2015 points to him taking the crown as the lethal weapon in the ninth.
2. Neither the Cubs or Cardinals will win the Central
This one will have the hounds coming my way, but hear me out. The Pirates stayed very competitive despite an injury-riddled lineup. They quietly enjoyed a successful off season by acquiring bench depth in David Freese. A young lineup featuring Jung Ho Kang, Starling Marte, Josh Harrison, and Gregory Polanco will be tough to face. And we can’t forget the most underrated player in the last ten years, Andrew McCutchen. Indeed, fear the Bucs.
3. Manny Machado will finish top 3 in MVP vote
The Orioles third baseman has been through the top prospect phase, the disappointment phase, and the All-Star phase. Truth is, he is an absolute talent and a joy to watch if Buck Showalter can keep the kid’s head on straight. He’s only 23 and is coming off a thirty-five home run season. I fully expect his name to be in the conversation with guys like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper as to who will be the face of the future for the league.
Completely agree or completely disagree? Sound off on the comment board! Give me your boldest predictions and your hopes, or just make fun of my hair. Whatever sounds best. Have fun, and happy baseball!
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