Chicago Cubs

MLB Preview: Who Will Win the World Series?

The MLB season will get underway on Thursday, and while some teams made big improvements for the 2018 campaign, the top tier teams likely will be teams that competed for the championship a season ago.

The defending World Series champion Houston Astros, National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers, and NL Central champion Chicago Cubs are all poised to make another run at the title, and teams like the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals also are fully loaded as they look to force their way into the championship conversation.

Before the season gets underway, here are our picks for the upcoming season.

National League East: Nationals

Wild Card: Phillies

The Nationals are absolutely loaded in both their lineup and their rotation, and the team will likely be making every effort to win it all this year before they likely lose Bryce Harper to free agency at season’s end.

We’re also going with a bit of a curveball in the wild card race, as the Philadelphia Phillies have the hotshot prospects and veteran know-how to potentially make a run, especially after their acquisition of Jake Arrieta.

National League Central: Cubs

The Brewers have a great lineup, but their pitching rotation is lackluster. The Cardinals made some big moves this offseason but also have bullpen and rotation questions.

The fact of the matter is that the Cubs are the most complete team in the division, and are one of the most complete teams in all of baseball. Their offense is deep, their pitching rotation is among the best in the game, and while they don’t have a guaranteed closer, they have a ton of talented arms to mix and match in their bullpen.

National League West: Dodgers

Wild Card: Rockies

The San Francisco Giants can’t seem to get any luck on the injury front, so their efforts to overtake the top three teams in the West will be impeded from the start.

The Dodgers still have a top-tier team, and they should still be able to win the division even if their pitching takes a bit of a step back. The early absence of Justin Turner could also prove to be problematic for the squad.

The second NL wild card spot should come down to this division, and we’re giving the edge to the Rockies based on their incredible lineup and their bullpen.

National League Championship Series:

Cubs Over Nationals

There are some really good teams in the National League, but we’re guessing that the Cubs will come out on top of the pile. Their depth in the lineup is truly remarkable, and if they can add a healthy and productive Kyle Schwarber to a mix that got the job done through the second half of last season, then they are an incredibly dangerous team come October.

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American League East: Yankees

Wild Card: Red Sox

The Yankees have one of the most explosive lineups in baseball, and having Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge in the same outfield almost seems unfair. This team is absolutely loaded, and they are a definite threat to the Astros atop the American League.

The Red Sox also improved quite a bit this season, and with a solid rotation and an improved lineup, the team will have what it takes to be in the thick of the race all season.

American League Central: Indians

The Indians are still one of the most complete teams in baseball, with a very good rotation and a very good lineup that is filled with talented hitters.

The Tribe will get all they can handle from the Minnesota Twins, but outside of that threat, they likely won’t have to deal with much opposition as the Tigers, Royals, and White Sox don’t seem poised to take a step forward.

American League West: Astros

Wild Card: Mariners

Look, the Astros are really good, and their rotation is somehow even better than a season ago. This team has all the pieces to become the first repeat champion in baseball in nearly 20 years, and they’ll be a difficult team to eliminate come October.

It’s very tempting to pick the Angels as a wild card team, but that’s assuming they’ll take big steps forward with Shohei Otani and Justin Upton in the mix. They are a very interesting team, but we’re leaning Seattle at the moment as a team that could potentially secure a wild card spot.

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American League Championship Series:

Yankees Over Red Sox

Baseball has been fairly predictable the last few seasons, with the top teams reaching the World Series in 2016 and 2017. We’re looking for a bit more chaos this time around, with the Astros getting knocked out in the ALDS and the Yankees beating their long-time rivals in their first year under Aaron Boone.

World Series:

Yankees Over Cubs

The Cubs have the pitching to slow down the potent and incredible Yankees’ lineup, but we’re still going with New York, simply because of how young and hungry the team is. The Cubs have every chance of winning a second title in three years, and they’re likely better than last year’s club, but this feels like the dawn of a new Yankees dynasty. 

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