Back in March, just as the baseball season was about to get underway, I made my annual predictions on who was going to win what. Now that the regular season has come to an end, it is time to take a look back and see what, if anything, I got right.
American League
East: Rays
Well, not a great selection here, as the Rays finished 4th in the East. Instead, the Orioles won the division for the first time since 1997.
Central: Tigers
It came down to the last day of the season, but the Tigers were able to hold off the upstart Royals and win the division for the fourth consecutive season.
West: Angels
Well, what do you know? Year after year, I pick the Angels to win the division and year after year, they disappoint. This year looked to be no different, but they caught fire just as the A’s started to fade, leading to their first divisional title since 2009.
Wild Cards: Red Sox, Rangers
Oof. The Rangers, thank to injury after injury, finished the year with the worst record in the American League. The Red Sox, fresh off a World Series title, were not too far behind. Instead, the small market A’s and Royals took the wild card spots.
AL Champion: Tigers
Cy Young: David Price
MVP: Mike Trout
Only 1 of these still seem like viable choices. The Tigers managed to get swept in the ALDS by the Orioles and David Price has little to no chance of bringing home another Cy Young Award. Mike Trout, meanwhile, is certainly still in the MVP conversation.
National League
East: Nationals
Central: Cardinals
West: Dodgers
Would you look at that? I totally called all 3 division champions in the NL this season. I think I deserve some sort of prize.
Wild Cards: Braves, Giants
To top it off, I even managed to pick one of the wild card teams. Unfortunately for me, but probably good for the game of baseball, the Pirates managed to return to the post-season for the second year in a row.
NL Champion: Dodgers
Cy Young: Stephen Strasburg
MVP: Jason Heyward
While the Dodgers may still find themselves triumphant, my two award choices are shot. Clayton Kershaw will take home the Cy Young Award and may even find himself in the running for MVP.