The 2021 baseball season is quickly approaching and it looks like this year will be fairly normal. I am sure there will be players who miss games due to COVID, but nothing like the short season last year that had teams missing a week or more because of an outbreak. As always, these predictions will most likely be way off, but it is fun to try.

I think the Yankees are still the best team in the American League (I thought so last year, but the short season definitely did not play to their strengths). I think the Rays will see a drop off, but they will still squeak into the wild card. I also think the Angels will finally make the playoffs for Mike Trout. The White Sox are ready to take the next step and I think they win the Central easily. 

The East is the toughest division in the NL and i could honestly see any team winning. My guess is that four of the teams end with a winning record and the Marlins may end up close. The Central is the weakest division in baseball and if the Cardinals do not win it, I will be shocked. The Pirates will definitely finish in last place. They are awful. I went out on a limb with the Cubs finishing in fourth because I think they could end up trading some pieces away if they are struggling early on in the season. The West is basically the Dodgers and the Padres. It will be a fun battle between the two this year. I think San Diego and the Mets end up with the wild cards.

I swear I take the Yankees to win it all every year, but damn it…they are just such a complete team. They have a shot. I think the NLDS between the Dodgers and Padres will end up being one for the ages. Whoever wins it will easily handle the winner of the Braves/Cardinals. 

If the Angels make the playoffs, it will be because Mike Trout had a huge year. Gerrit Cole should have another fantastic season. I think Kopech finally reaches that potential and helps the White Sox secure a division title.

I feel stupid. When I created my image, I forgot to label the players. Ugh. Anyways, I think Mookie Betts and Walker Buehler have monster years that give the Dodgers the division. Ke’Bryan Hayes will be the only bright spot for the Pirates. 

Pirates Record: 63-99

Final Thought

This year becomes the breaking point for analytics. I think the increase in strikeouts will be to a point where fans and people in the league start to shake their head. We will see successful hitters who find a niche by hitting to all fields and not striking out. I look at someone like Ke’Bryan Hayes and think he could be that type of hitter. There will be other young guys who find that beating shifts help their teams win games. Or I could be totally wrong and the trend will continue until all we see is players striking out or hitting home runs. Do not get me wrong, this is not a condemnation of analytics, I think most of you who know me, know that I love analytics. I just believe that the pendulum has swung too far to one side (not to mention that strikeouts are not considered all that bad anymore). Usually when a shift happens like this, there is a counter swing. The pitchers continue to adjust, which means the hitters will adjust as well. Hence why I believe there will be a bunch of high average, low power guys who thrive over the next few years. 

What are your thoughts for the upcoming season?