This week, Danny gave his 2019 Major League Baseball predictions:
The Red Sox have begun their World Series championship defense, and it has not been such a great start. Before the season began, I gave my predictions for the upcoming season, per usual.
And you may be surprised with who I picked to win the 2019 World Series. But before we get there, let’s see who I picked to win each division.
Here are my predictions for the 2019 MLB season and postseason:
AL EAST: Boston Red Sox
This will end up being the fourth straight year that Boston will win the division. The Red Sox might not win 108 games again like they did last year, but I’ll say they’re good for 95 wins, which would hit the Over in Vegas, as their win Over/Under win total is 94.5. The loss of Craig Kimbrel could hurt the Sox at some point, but who knows, maybe he returns in the middle of the season. Either way, it’s not like they lost too much this year, at least, not enough for me to take somebody else to win the AL East.
AL CENTRAL: Cleveland Indians
The Indians are also looking for their fourth straight division title. And I think they’ll also get it. Cleveland had 91 wins last year. They held onto Corey Kluber. And the rest of the division didn’t make major improvements in the offseason. I’m taking the Indians all day here.
AL WEST: Houston Astros
Houston won the West last year with 103 wins. They just signed Justin Verlander to an extension. And I just don’t see anybody knocking the Astros off that mountain. Not even Oakland, who had 97 wins last year. This is once again the Astros’ division.
AL WILD CARDS: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Angels
The Yankees won the AL Wild Card game last year, and I expect them to do the same in 2019, this time beating an Angels team that teases the baseball world with a Mike Trout playoff run. Trout and the rest of LA will have to wait.
NL EAST: New York Mets
The popular pick in this division is Philadelphia, mainly because of their offseason acquisitions of Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto. The Phillies will be good, but I’m putting my money on the Mets’ starting rotation to finally stay healthy. And if that happens, then anything’s possible for a team that also acquired Robinson Cano in the offseason. The Big Apple could light a spark under Cano’s behind. Mets will shock everyone and win the East.
NL CENTRAL: Milwaukee Brewers
I’m expecting big things from a Brewers team that won the Central last year with 96 wins and advanced to the NLCS, only to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Milwaukee has the reigning NL MVP in Christian Yelich, they brought back Mike Moustakas, and signed catcher Yasmani Grandal. The Brewers have one of the best closers in baseball, and their lineup is dangerous top-to-bottom. I can see them adding a starting pitcher at the trade deadline, maybe someone like Madison Bumgarner, who will be a free agent after this season. Milwaukee could win 100 games.
NL WEST: Los Angeles Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw might be held out the entire first month because of shoulder inflammation. But that shouldn’t prevent the Dodgers from winning the NL West again. LA won the division last year with 92 wins. Keep an eye on San Diego. But the Padres might need another year before they contend.
NL Wild Cards: Chicago Cubs over Philadelphia Phillies
The Cubs had 95 wins last year as a Wild Card. Their team is just too good to not put them in the tournament. The Phillies will be a 90-win team for the first time since 2011. Give them a Wild Card as well.
ALDS
Yankees over Astros
Red Sox over Indians
ALCS
Yankees over Red Sox
NLDS
Brewers over Cubs
Mets over Dodgers
NLCS
Brewers over Mets
WORLD SERIES
MILWAUKEE BREWERS over New York Yankees
-Like I said before, this won’t be a very popular pick. And I’m not just predicting the Brewers to win it all because I feel I have to “go out on a limb.” I’m doing it because I remember watching them last year thinking, “This team is no cinderella.” Milwaukee is for real. And they will prove that in October.
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