The Big Lead 2018 Major League Baseball Predictions
By The Big Lead
Opening Day is here, on a dreary March Thursday across much of the country. But, hey, it’s baseball season! Here are our picks for the season, where there are around 8 teams that are seen as head-and-shoulders above the others. Then again, people thought the Cubs were a juggernaut at this time last year, and the Astros were coming off a season where they collapsed over the second half and missed the postseason.
American League East
Koster: New York Yankees. They’re going to make everyone sitting in the left-field bleachers sign a special release due to vicious Aaron Judge/Giancarlo Stanton home run balls.
Phillips: Boston Red Sox
Lisk: Boston Red Sox, over the Yankees in a mild upset based on hype.
American League Central
Koster: Cleveland Indians. With 100-plus wins.
Phillips: Cleveland Indians
Lisk: Cleveland is the class of the division, could have three really bad teams to beat up on.
American League West
Koster: Houston Astros. A full season of Justin Verlander makes this borderline unfair.
Phillips: Houston Astros
Lisk: Houston Astros, they still has too much for everyone else and are loaded.
Wild-Card
Koster: Los Angeles Angels over Boston Red Sox
Phillips: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Angels
Lisk: New York Yankees over the Los Angeles Angels, as Angels finally get to playoffs with Mike Trout.
ALDS
Koster: Indians over Angels; Astros over Yankees
Phillips: Indians over Yankees, Red Sox over Astros
Lisk: Yankees over Indians, Red Sox over Astros
ALCS
Koster: Astros over Indians
Phillips: Red Sox over Indians
Lisk: Red Sox over Yankees
National League East
Koster: Washington Nationals. Here’s what’s going to happen: the Capitals are going to win the Stanley Cup midseason, convincing everyone in the DMV that something special is happening. And it will only end in more disappointment.
Phillips: Washington Nationals
Lisk: Washington Nationals
National League Central
Koster: Chicago Cubs. Featuring multiple 12-game winning streaks. Willson Contreras makes a push for unlikely MVP.
Phillips: Chicago Cubs
Lisk: Chicago Cubs
National League West
Koster: Colorado Rockies.
Phillips: Los Angeles Dodgers
Lisk: Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild-Card
Koster: Los Angeles Dodgers over Milwaukee Brewers
Phillips: Arizona Diamondbacks over New York Mets
Lisk: Arizona Diamondbacks over Milwaukee Brewers
NLDS
Koster: Dodgers over Cubs; Nationals over Rockies
Phillips: Dodgers over Cubs; Nationals over Diamondbacks
Lisk: Cubs over Diamondbacks; Nationals over Dodgers
NLCS
Koster: Dodgers over Nationals
Phillips: Nationals over Dodgers
Lisk: Cubs over Nationals
World Series
Koster: Astros over Dodgers
Phillips: Red Sox over Nationals
Lisk: Red Sox over Cubs
MVPs
Koster: Jose Altuve, Willson Contreras
Phillips: Mike Trout, Bryce Harper
Lisk: Mike Trout, Kris Bryant
Cy Youngs
Koster: Luis Severino, Noah Syndergaard
Phillips: Chris Sale, Clayton Kershaw
Lisk: Chris Sale, Noah Syndergaard
Rookies of the Year
Koster: Willie Calhoun, Ronald Acuña
Phillips: Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña
Lisk: Gleyber Torres, Ronald Acuña
Best Player Traded In Season
Koster: Nick Castellanos
Phillips: Chris Archer
Lisk: Josh Donaldson
Bounce-back Player of the Year
Koster: Miguel Cabrera
Phillips: Adam Eaton
Lisk: Andrew McCutcheon
Biggest Disappointment (Team)
Koster: Arizona Diamondbacks
Phillips: Milwaukee Brewers
Lisk: Colorado Rockies
Worst Team in Baseball
Koster: Miami Marlins
Phillips: Miami Marlins
Lisk: Detroit Tigers