Opening day is right around the corner. The smell of baseball is in the air. There’s a long way to go and a lot of ball to be played before we inevitably reach October, but it’s never too early for some good old-fashioned prognosticating. In that spirit, the Last Word on Baseball editorial staff brings you our 2017 MLB season predictions. Enjoy.<\/p>\n
The general consensus may be that the Cubs are going to dominate the National League in 2017, but the Giants are going to be the team to beat. The Giants still have a great starting rotation (with two aces), the best catcher in baseball, a powerful lineup, and a reformed bullpen. The Cubs will likely be the favorite of many, but the loss of Aroldis Chapman<\/a><\/strong> could hurt them more than they realize. It may not be an even year, but the Giants are going back to the World Series.<\/p>\n The Cubs lost key players in Chapman, Jason Hammel<\/a><\/strong>, and Dexter Fowler<\/a><\/strong>. They tried to make up for it with acquisitions of Koji Uehara<\/a><\/strong>, Wade Davis<\/a><\/strong>, and Jon Jay<\/a><\/strong>. They may take a step back from their 103 regular season wins in 2016, but the talent is still there in the Windy City.<\/p>\n The loss of Fowler will<\/span> hurt the Cubs more than some are letting on. The Dodgers were able to retain their core, while filling a hole at second base with Logan Forsythe<\/a><\/strong>. Look for the Dodgers to knock off the Cubs in the NLCS.<\/p>\n The pitching staff should show some regression, and their defense in the outfield isn\u2019t spectacular. However, that doesn\u2019t change what this young group of talent was able to accomplish last season. Plus, Theo Epstein and Co. will do anything to fix whatever problems arise during the season. This team is loaded. After no World Series appearences for 108 years, expect Chicago to make its second consecutive trip.<\/p>\n Chicago’s offense may be even better this season. Javier Baez<\/a><\/strong> and Addison Russell<\/a><\/strong> still have room to grow, and it would be unwise to expect Jason Heyward<\/a><\/strong> to post another abysmal season in 2017. The bullpen could be a cause for concern, but Chicago has the talent and experience to overcome any obstacles.<\/p>\n The Dodgers are improved and the Cubs return much of their championship squad, but the Giants will knock both off on their way back to the Series. San Francisco was a bullpen away from besting Chicago in the NLDS last season. With\u00a0Mark Melancon<\/a><\/strong> closing out games this season, they won’t have that problem again, though the recent loss of\u00a0Will Smith<\/a><\/strong> does hurt.<\/p>\n Last year, the Indians stormed through the postseason and went all the way to Game 7 of the Word Series, where they lost to the Cubs by a single run. The tribe won\u2019t be denied in 2017, thanks to a healthy starting rotation and the addition of Edwin Encarnacion<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Red Sox were World Series contenders last season after taking the American League East title with 93 wins. While they lost an important bat in David Ortiz<\/a><\/strong>, they gained an ace in Chris Sale<\/a><\/strong>. Last year, they were first in the majors in offense and ninth in pitching. Sale can really give the team a boost in an area that could use improvement.<\/p>\n Cleveland could’ve gone without making any moves and still would’ve been the favorite in the AL Central. The addition of Encanarcion and the possibility of a full season with Michael Brantley<\/a><\/strong> makes the Tribe an easy pick to repeat.<\/p>\n The Astros pitching staff had a tough 2016. Dallas Keuchel<\/a><\/strong>, Lance McCullers<\/a><\/strong>, and Collin McHugh<\/a><\/strong> all had setback seasons, which could result in Houston making a deal for a starter by the trade deadline. But this mixture of young stars and crafty veterans, plus arguably the best bullpen in baseball, will bring the Astros to the top of the dreaded American League West and into the World Series for the first time since 2005.<\/p>\n Boston is primed for October, after the acquisition of Sale. David Price<\/a><\/strong>‘s health is a concern, but the offense has enough pieces to be special this season.<\/p>\n Though the retirement of Ortiz created a leadership vacuum, this team still has the firepower to out-hit just about anyone. The highly-underrated acquisition of\u00a0Mitch Moreland<\/a><\/strong> will improve the infield defense and allow\u00a0Hanley Ramirez<\/a><\/strong> to focus entirely on hitting. If that rotation stays healthy (admittedly, a big question mark already), Boston could run away with the American League.<\/p>\n The Indians will win their first World Series since 1948.<\/p>\n The Cubs were simply dominant last year, and things shouldn’t be very\u00a0different this year. In a series with the Red Sox, Jake Arrieta<\/a><\/strong>, Jon Lester<\/a><\/strong>, Kyle Hendricks<\/a><\/strong>, and John Lackey<\/a><\/strong> should be able to edge out Sale, Price, Rick Porcello<\/a><\/strong>, and whoever the Sox choose for a fourth starter (Steven Wright<\/a><\/strong>, Drew Pomeranz<\/a><\/strong>, or Eduardo Rodriguez<\/a><\/strong>). World Series experience should also be a plus for the Cubs.<\/p>\n While Cleveland will<\/span> be looking to make up for last year, the Dodgers boast one of the deepest rosters in the game. Kenley Jansen<\/a><\/strong>, specifically, will<\/span> be a major factor when the Dodgers win the 2017 World Series.<\/p>\n A hard fought series will go to Houston, with the Astros bullpen weathering the storm of the Cubs lineup in close games. The Astros will win their first championship in franchise history, and Chicago will go back to being favorites to win it all in 2018.<\/p>\n Cubs in six. Chicago’s experience will pay off, as the Cubs complete back-to-back championship seasons. Baez will win MVP after a masterful series at the plate and in the field. Boston’s pitching staff will keep the series close, with many tightly contested outcomes.<\/p>\n In a seven game series, the Giants won’t be able to stand against a pitching staff of Sale, Price, Porcello, and either Wright or Rodriguez. If the Red Sox take leads late into games,\u00a0Tyler Thornburg<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Carson Smith<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Craig Kimbrel<\/a><\/strong> will end things in Boston’s favor.<\/p>\n Main Photo:<\/p>\nJohn Jackson<\/a>: Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Will Cheney<\/a>: Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Brandon Murphy<\/a>: Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Paul Harvey<\/a>: Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Josh Greenberg<\/a>: San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/h3>\n
American League Champion<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sean: Cleveland Indians<\/strong><\/h3>\n
John: Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Will: Cleveland Indians<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Brandon: Houston Astros<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Paul: Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Josh: Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/h3>\n
World Series Champion<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sean: Cleveland Indians<\/strong><\/h3>\n
John: Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Will: Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Brandon: Houston Astros<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Paul: Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Josh: Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/h3>\n