2014 MLB Season Preview

This is going to be quick and simple: I believe this is the year of the Ray.

They have been hanging around for about a half decade now. And they got close in 08-10, coming so short of a WS title. And while I think the model is well put together and should ensure sustained success over .500 over the next few of years, this is the “push the chips all in” moment. This is almost definitely David Price’s last year. Combine that maybe one more year of Zobrist’s prime and the ascension of Wil Myers/Matt Moore, and I think this is the breakthrough year.

Team Predictions:

AL East – Tampa Bay Rays

AL Central – Detroit Tigers

AL West – Oakland Athletics

AL Wild Cards – Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals

NL East – Washington Nationals

NL Central – St. Louis Cardinals

NL West – Los Angeles Dodgers

NL Wild Cards – Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinatti Reds

ALCS – Rays over Athletics

NLCS – Cardinals over Dodgers

World Series – Rays over Cardinals

I love the pitching of the Cardinals, and that is why I have them going so far here. But, overall the Rays to me are the best team with probably the best managing and tactics. I like Matt Moore and Chris Archer to develop into top of the rotation with a last stand by David Price roaring them to a title.

Individual Awards:

AL MVP: Evan Longoria (I’ve explained this one right? Offense is nice, but leadership and defense matters too). Runner up: Mike Trout

AL Cy Young: David Price. Runner Up: Yu Darvish

AL ROY: Jose Abreu (I love his power potential, especially with that team in Chicago). Runer Up: Xander Boegarts.

NL MVP: Joey Votto. Runner Up: Andrew McCutcheon

NL Cy Young: Adam Wainwright. Runner Up: Cliff Lee (Kershaw is on the DL, probably won’t matter that much but I’d rather take a fresh guy off the top).

NL ROY: Archie Bradley. Runner Up: Javier Baez