Prediction Time 2022

My World Series pick plays here:

This is shaping up as the Toronto Blue Jays' year. To mark the 30th anniversary of Canada's first World Series champs, team president Mark Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins have assembled the best collection of young stars in the game, bolstered it with the savvy trade for 3rd baseman Matt Chapman and a pitching staff strong enough to hold off the White Sox, Astros, Yankees and Rays.

Vladmir Guerrero Junior came into his own last season. Still just 23, the reigning home run and OPS champ is the heart of fearsome lineup co-starring Bo Bichette, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Teoscar Hernandez and George Springer -- who looked like his old self in Florida after injuries held him to under 80 games a year ago. Tack on speed from recent trade steal Raimel Tapia and another potential power bat in catcher Alejandro Kirk and Toronto could easily lead the American League in scoring.

Hyun-jin Ryu, Jose Berios and free agent signing Kevin Gausman are three quality starting pitchers. Alek Manoah is very tall (6' 6) and talented (9-2 as a rookie). Canada native Jordan Romano is a capable closer; veteran David Phelps made the team in spring training and brings plenty of experience.

The Blue Jays will have to navigate past a tough collection of contenders to reach the fall classic. The White Sox have their own strong core of young talent, but it's hard to imagine worn-down veteran Johnny Cueto capably stepping in for Lance Lynn. The Rays seem to do it with smoke and mirrors -- but just prove themselves the smartest kids on the regular season block. The Yankees can hit home runs, but have too many older, unathletic and injury prone players to keep pace with Toronto. The Angels still haven't surrounded Ohtani and Trout with enough talent. The Red Sox made a smart, though pricey signing with Trevor Story, but they also have an unhappy Rafael Devers who is determined to play out his contract and enter free agency. And with the brittle Chris Sale gone til mid-season and Eduardo Rodriguez now in Detroit, is a starting staff headed by Nate Eovaldi enough? The Twins are a total puzzle. IF -- and it's a huge gamble -- Gary Sanchez learns to catch adequately and hit the way he did as a rookie, Minnesota, by teaming him with Carlos Correa, Miguel Sano and Luis Arraez, could light up the scoreboard. 

The Dodgers look like the class of the National League, while the enhanced lineups of the Mets and Phillies should help the clubs end their absence from October. In L.A., Kershaw's back and Freddie Freeman plays in his backyard after his surprise departure from the World Champion Braves.  But how much will Dave Roberts miss closer Kenley Jansen? Is aging Craig Kimbrel a good enough replacement? Now 37, can Justin Turner continue to defy Father Time? Will Gavin Lux reached the stardom that's long been predicted? Max Muncy and "the other" Will Smith join Turner in the power pool, and the rotation sports impressive names such as Walker Buhler, Julio Urias and the returning Trevor Bauer, still facing a possible suspension.

Down the freeway in San Diego, the Padres are clouded by another injury to Fernando Tatis Junior. Their lineup has strong hitters in Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth. But Wil Myers never lives up to expectations. And what mindset will Eric Hosmer bring, after San Diego tried to trade his untradeably foolish contract? Adding Sean Manaea gives the Padres an ace, something that aging Yu Darvish, Chris Paddock and Joe Musgrove aren't. 

Can the Giants overachieve for a second year in a row -- especially after not resigning mid-season pickup Kris Bryant? Will the Cardinals and their Golden Boys (with Albert Pujols joining Yadi Molina and Adam Wainwright for a final lap) outlast the Brewers in the Central? When the games count will Matt Olsen prove to be the clutch player Freeman was in Atlanta?  Will the Phillies become the worst defensive team ever to win 90 games? Steve Cohen wrote big checks, luring Hall of Famer to-be Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar to Citi Field. But will Scherzer's hamstring stop barking and can Jacob deGrom's elbow and shoulder hold up, while entrusting Edwin Diaz to close and Robbie Cano not to show why he's not a giant waste of money -- even in the Mariners kick in a few million.

Time to dust off the old crystal ball:

AL East	AL Central	AL West	NL East	NL Central	NL West
Blue Jays	White Sox	Astros	Braves	Cardinals	Dodgers
Rays*	Twins	Mariners*	Phillies*	Brewers	Giants*
Yankees*	Tigers	Rangers	Mets*	Cubs	Padres
Red Sox	Guardians	Angels	Marlins	Reds	Rockies
Orioles	Royals	A's	Nationals	Pirates	Diamondbacks

* wild card teams