The 2017 MLB season is officially underway and brings with it a host of story lines to follow, including: Can the Cubs repeat? Will the Indians finally go all the way? How will the Braves’ new stadium play? Is Gary Sanchez really this good? Which players and teams will surprise us?
There’s no shortage of predictions for how things will play out, but we’re going to give you more anyway. Here’s how Sporting News’ baseball writers think the MLB picture will look come October, along with a few subplots to monitor. (To compare, here’s what Vegas thinks, via SportsBetting Dime).
MORE: Opening day: Schedule for all 30 MLB teams
Ryan Fagan
Story lines I’m following: What does Kyle Schwarber do with a whole season? Will Clayton Kershaw’s back cooperate this year? How about David Price’s elbow? How much of an impact does Dexter Fowler have on the Cardinals? Do the Yankees’ young studs keep the club in contention? Has the Royals’ window closed? What superstar gets traded?
American League races
East: Red SoxCentral: IndiansWest: AstrosWild cards: Mariners, Rangers
AL awards
MVP: Mike Trout, AngelsCy Young: Chris Archer, RaysRookie: Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
National League races
East: NationalsCentral: CubsWest: DodgersWild cards: Cardinals, Giants
NL awards
MVP: Nolan Arenado, RockiesCy Young: Clayton Kershaw, DodgersRookie: Tyler Glasnow, Pirates
Postseason
AL champ: Red SoxNL champ: CubsWorld Series champ: Cubs
Jason Foster
Story lines I’m following: Will the Cubs’ Jason Heyward evolve as a hitter? Can the Padres’ Christian Bethancourt make it work as a true utility man who pitches, catches and plays outfield? Will Atlanta’s Dansby Swanson and Boston’s Andrew Benintendi live up to the hype over a full season?
American League races
East: Red SoxCentral: IndiansWest: RangersWild cards: White Sox, Astros
AL awards
MVP: Jose Altuve, AstrosCy Young: Chris Sale, Red SoxRookie: Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
FOSTER: 17 bold(ish) predictions for the 2017 season
National League races
East: NationalsCentral: CubsWest: Giants
Wild cards: Cardinals, Dodgers
NL awards
MVP: Freddie Freeman, BravesCy Young: Clayton Kershaw, DodgersRookie: Dansby Swanson, Braves
Postseason
AL champ: Red SoxNL champ: GiantsWorld Series champ: Red Sox
Tom Gatto
Story lines I’m following: The impending offensive explosion in baseball (steroid-free, one must assume); the further changing of the guard as young stars turn into superstars (Bryant, Correa, Lindor, etc.); will teams further cut starting pitchers’ innings, in particular the innings of marginal starters?
American League races
East: Blue JaysCentral: IndiansWest: RangersWild cards: Red Sox, Astros
AL awards
MVP: Manny Machado, OriolesCy Young: Corey Kluber, IndiansRookie: Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
National League races
East: NationalsCentral: CubsWest: GiantsWild cards: Dodgers, Mets
NL awards
MVP: Bryce Harper, NationalsCy Young: Madison Bumgarner, GiantsRookie: Hunter Renfroe, Padres
Postseason
AL champ: Red SoxNL champ: NationalsWorld Series champ: Nationals
Matt Lutovsky
Story lines I’m following: Will the White Sox be in the race the whole season? If not, will Todd Frazier, Jose Quintana and David Robertson be on the move? Will the Angels make the playoffs and let Mike Trout shine on the national stage? Will last season’s struggling aces — Felix Hernandez, Zack Greinke, Matt Harvey and others — have bounce-back, Cy Young-caliber seasons?
American League races
East: Red SoxCentral: TigersWest: AstrosWild cards: Indians, Rangers
AL awards
MVP: Jose Altuve, AstrosCy Young: Chris Sale, Red SoxRookie: Yoan Moncada, White Sox
National League races
East: NationalsCentral: CubsWest: DodgersWild cards: Diamondbacks, Giants
NL awards
MVP: Paul Goldschmidt, DiamondbacksCy Young: Clayton Kershaw, DodgersRookie: Tyler Glasnow, Pirates
Postseason
AL champ: AstrosNL champ: DodgersWorld Series champ: Dodgers
Alex Novick
Story lines I’m following: Will the young Yankees lineup be ready to make them competitive? Is the Royals’ window closed? How depressed will the Diamondbacks be when Dansby Swanson turns into a stud while Shelby Miller can’t even contribute in the rotation? Is Trea Turner the next Mike Trout? How long will the Cubs put up with Jason Heyward?
American League races
East: Red SoxCentral: IndiansWest: AngelsWild cards: Yankees, Rangers
AL awards
MVP: Mookie Betts, Red SoxCy Young: Justin Verlander, TigersRookie: Yoan Moncada, White Sox
National League races
East: NationalsCentral: CubsWest: DodgersWild cards: Giants, Cardinals
NL awards
MVP: Corey Seager, DodgersCy Young: Madison Bumgarner, GiantsRookie: Dansby Swanson, Braves
Postseason
AL champ: Red SoxNL champ: NationalsWorld Series champ: Red Sox
Joe Rivera
Story lines I’m watching: Are the Astros really poised for a World Series run? Will the Mets or Yankees win the back pages and the hearts of New York? Will Bud Black be able to take the Rockies to the next level, or will the team end up in the bottom third of the leage again?
American League races
East: Blue JaysCentral: IndiansWest: AstrosWild cards: Red Sox, Rangers
AL awards
MVP: Mike Trout, AngelsCy Young: Chris Sale, Red SoxRookie: Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
RIVERA: An optimist’s preview of the 2017 MLB season
National League races
East: MetsCentral: CubsWest: DodgersWild cards: Cardinals, Giants
NL awards
MVP: Bryce Harper, NationalsCy Young: Clayton Kershaw, DodgersRookie: Dansby Swanson, Braves
Postseason
AL champ: IndiansNL champ: DodgersWorld Series champ: Indians
Dan Sostek
Story lines I’m following: Will the Cubs’ young stars show progression or regression? When do White Sox prospects Yoan Moncada and Lucas Giolito get to Chicago? Can Chris Sale avoid the first-year Fenway lull? Will Bryce Harper return to 2015 form? Will Bartolo Colon hit one final home run?
American League races
East: OriolesCentral: IndiansWest: AngelsWild cards: Red Sox, Blue Jays
AL awards
MVP: Manny Machado, OriolesCy Young: Chris Sale, Red SoxRookie: Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
National League races
East: NationalsCentral: CardinalsWest: DodgersWild cards: Cubs, Mets
NL awards
MVP: Kris Bryant, CubsCy Young: Clayton Kershaw, DodgersRookie: Koda Glover, Nationals
Postseason
AL champ: OriolesNL champ: NationalsWorld Series champ: Nationals
