Six months ago, at the dawn of the lockout-delayed 2022 baseball season, I made my annual predictions as to who would win what. With the regular season coming to an end today, it is time revisit those predictions and see what, if anything, I got right.
American League
East: Blue Jays
Well, that’s one down. The Yankees have owned the division pretty much from day one.
Central: White Sox
After running away with the Central Division in 2021, the White Sox were a consensus pick to repeat. Unfortunately, the baseball gods had other ideas. While the White Sox struggled all year to put things together, the Guardians hung around long enough to get really hot in September and run away with the division.
West: Astros
Hey, here’s one I got right. The Astros once again find themselves at the top of the division, winning their fifth title in six years.
Wild Cards: Yankees, Angels, Red Sox
The AL East was particularly strong this year, as both the Blue Jays and the Rays make it to the expanded Wild Card round. Rounding things out are the Mariners, who make the postseason for the first time since 2001 after missing out on the final day of the season last year.
AL Champion: Yankees
The Yankees have struggled in the second half, so they aren’t the locks they looked like early in the year. At this point, you have to assume the Astros are the team to beat.
Cy Young: Lucas Giolito
That seems very unlikely. Justin Verlander seems like the popular choice, with Dylan Cease and Shohei Ohtani likely to also get support.
MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Aaron Judge already has his name engraved on this award.
National League
East: Braves
Another one I got right, as the Braves take home their fifth straight NL East crown.
Central: Cardinals
The Cardinals win their first division title since 2019.
West: Dodgers
The Dodgers take home their ninth division title in the past ten years, with no signs of slowing down.
Wild Cards: Padres, Mets, Phillies
Wow, I am officially perfect in my National League predictions. I don’t think this has ever happened before.
NL Champion: Dodgers
Sure, why not.
Cy Young: Walker Buehler
Injuries have made this extremely unlikely. Braves starter Kyle Wright looks like the pick here.
MVP: Mookie Betts
Paul Goldschmidt seems to be the odds-on favorite here.