Prediction Time

My crystal ball says the World Series Trophy is heading here:
AT&T Park, the home of the Giants is already home to three previous champions this decade (2010, 2012 and 2014). So those who like mathematical patterns feel another title is already in the air. But there's a lot more behind my prediction.
Great starting pitching, as 2014 hero Madison Bumgarner is joined by free agent signees Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija. The balanced lineup built around Buster Posey, Brandon Belt. Hunter Pence and rising stars Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik, is productive in a Royals-ish sense. When healthy Angel Pagan and Denard Span can be igniters. And manager Bruce Bochy, already on track for Cooperstown, has been the steady hand behind three titles.
Their beautiful -- and pitching-friendly ballpark helps, too.
The Royals held onto a key cog in Alex Gordon. Much like the Giants, they play in a park that makes good pitchers more effective and downplays the home run. Once they get to October, they'll outpitch any of their AL rivals.
I like the Astros to remain among the elite. And their "tear it down to build it up later" philosophy is trendy -- the Phillies and Braves, especially, are following a similar blueprint. The Diamondbacks big spending spree and aggressive trades can jump them over the Dodgers into the post-season. Dusty Baker will settle a disruptive clubhouse in Washington and turn these underachievers into winners. The Cubs look like a powerhouse -- but do you really believe in their bullpen or the aging John Lackey working in a smaller ballpark?
Welcome to a 162 game journey -- where injuries, trades and unexpected improvements or declines can change anything and everything, sometimes instantly. So don't bet the farm or your IRA on these prognostications. Still, this is how I see 2016 playing out:

AL: Boston/ Toronto (Wild Card)/ KC/ Detroit (WC)/ Houston  Pennant: KC
NL: Washington/ Mets(WC)/ Chicago/ San Francisco/ Arizona(WC)  Pennant:  San Francisco
World Series Winner: San Francisco

Comments

jdgilbert@cbs.com said…
Glad you gave the Tigers some respect. Many haven't because they had such a bad finish last year. But, that was misleading. I see an AL Central dogfight between the Tigers and Royals. Either could finish first.
April 3, 2016 at 12:30 PM
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