For the first time in a long time – maybe since Barry Bonds’ home run chase? – baseball is a dominant part of the national conversation. Not for a good reason, obviously, and the continued fallout from the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal is a sustained black eye on the game that isn’t going away anytime soon. Meanwhile, there’s actual baseball to play, as spring training games have started up. As we turn toward the season to come, as opposed to bicker about 2017, there are a pair of overwhelming favorites in each league.
In a sport that’s largely seen its preseason favorites be in the thick of it come October – defending World Series champion Nationals aside – here are the six teams that are likeliest to hoist the piece of metal... err... Commissioner’s Trophy this fall:
6) Minnesota Twins:
The Twins largely came out of nowhere last year in mashing a Major League-record 307 home runs and winning 101 games in cruising to an AL Central title. They only lost one real piece (CJ Cron), and replaced him with Josh Donaldson in the lineup. Miguel Sano, Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler and Nelson Cruz are all back, likely to be among the league leaders in runs scored once again.
They also bolstered their rotation, acquiring Kenta Maeda and signing free agent Rich Hill. The pitching doesn’t have to be amazing with that lineup. But of course, winning a World Series means likely beating the Yankees in October. If you’re at all familiar with the last 20 years that seems... daunting.
5) Washington Nationals:
The defending champions lost a bit of luster with the signing of Anthony Rendon with the Angels, but don’t count out the Nats just yet. Rendon walked in large part because the franchise paid for World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, keeping him in DC for the next seven years. He, Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin might be the best 1-3 in baseball, though the bullpen could be suspect (then again, most bullpens are).
4) Houston Astros:
Yeah, the villains of baseball – heck, of the sports world – will still be good in 2020. The core is still there for at least one more year, with Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, George Springer and others. Gerrit Cole is gone, but reigning Cy Young winner Justin Verlander isn’t. There are some teams who could theoretically topple them in the West – the Angels? The Athletics? – but it’s unlikely. And although they’ll be mercilessly booed for 81 road games, isn’t there at least a chance they all band together and go on a giant “prove them wrong” season?
3) Atlanta Braves:
The Baby Braves grew up from plucky (lucky?) 2018 NL East champion into a repeat 2019 featuring 97 wins and a status as legitimate contenders. The loss of Josh Donaldson (37 home runs) will hurt, but there’s a ton of talent up and down the roster. Freddie Freeman (38 HR, 121 RBIs) is only 30, Ozzie Albies could transform into the best-hitting second baseman in baseball this year, and Ronald Acuna is coming off a 41-homer, 37 stolen base season... and he’s only 22. Your 2020 NL MVP, perhaps?
2) Los Angeles Dodgers:
The Dodgers won 106 games last year, didn’t lose anyone of major significance and traded for a former MVP in the prime of his career in Mookie Betts... and they aren’t the favorites to win it all? It speaks to the power of the team above them. Regardless, if the Dodgers don’t advance to their third World Series in four years, it will likely be a disappointment of a season. If they don’t make the NLCS, it will be a failure. If they don’t win an eighth consecutive NL West division title, it will be a downright disaster.
Cody Bellinger is off an MVP campaign and now plays in an outfield with perennial Gold Glover Betts. Corey Seager should bounce back after an average 2019 and Justin Turner probably has at least one more good season in him at age 34. Their rotation starts with Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and David Price, and the bullpen is anchored by Kenley Jansen. Good luck, NL.
1) New York Yankees:
The Bronx Bombers went an entire decade without a World Series appearance. That will not occur in the 2020s. After falling two games short of the Fall Classic last year with a lineup devastated by injuries that still won 103 games, watch out.
The lineup still boasts Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit and DJ LeMahieu. The bullpen lost Dellin Betances, but still features Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle. Oh, and they spent $324 million on Gerrit Cole, maybe the best pitcher in the world at this moment. The Astros are a mess, the Red Sox are down and just traded a superstar, and no one else seems ready to be a true contender in the AL. If not this year for the Yankees... when?
