LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
It’s harder to imagine in this day and age that one person can stay in the same place, doing the same job for 20 years. It does happen and it will continue to happen, but from a sports perspective this is very rare.
Eastern Conference
Wild Card Team #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals
Players to Watch: F Wayne Simmonds and G Braden Holtby
Who Wins: Capitals in 6 games
Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2
New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Players to Watch: F Derek Stepan and F Phil Kessel
Who Wins: Penguins in 7 games
Wild Card Team #1 vs. Atlantic Division Winner
New York Islanders vs. Florida Panthers
Players to Watch: F John Tavares and D Aaron Ekblad
Who Wins: Panthers in 6 games
Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2
Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Players to Watch: F Dylan Larkin and G Ben Bishop
Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games
Western Conference
Wild Card Team #2 vs. Central Division Winner
Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars
Players to Watch: F Zach Parise and F Tyler Seguin
Who Wins: Stars in 6 games
Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues
Players to Watch: F Patrick Kane and F Vladimir Tarasenko
Who Wins: Blackhawks in 6 games
Wild Card Team #1 vs. Pacific Division Winner
Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks
Players to Watch: F Filip Forsberg and F Ryan Kesler
Who Wins: Ducks in 6 games
Pacific Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings
Players to Watch: F Joe Pavelski and D Drew Doughty
Who Wins: Kings in 6 games
MLB Awards
NL MVP – OF Bryce Harper Washington Nationals
AL MVP – OF Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels
NL Cy Young – Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers
AL Cy Young – Chris Archer Tampa Bay Rays
NL Rookie of the Year – SS Corey Seager Los Angeles Dodgers
AL Rookie of the Year – OF Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins
NL Manager of the Year – Bruce Bochy San Francisco Giants
AL Manager of the Year – A.J. Hinch Houston Astros
Postseason Projections
NL Division Winners – Cubs, Giants, Mets
NL Wild Card Winners – Cardinals, Pirates
AL Division Winners – Royals, Blue Jays, Astros
AL Wild Card Winners – Rangers, Red Sox
NLCS – Giants over Cubs
ALCS – Royals over Astros
World Series – Royals over Giants
* – indicates new to team
1. New York Mets
Their patience paid off and the benefits should continue for the foreseeable future.
2. Washington Nationals
Hiring Dusty Baker should light a fire, but they need some more re-tooling on the roster.
3. Miami Marlins
The same question remains; Will owner Jeffrey Loria get out of the way of his new manager?
4. Philadelphia Phillies
There are a lot of pieces in place to bring the Phillies back from the cellar.
5. Atlanta Braves
They probably have another two years of ‘planning’ left before they start contending.
* – indicates new to team
1. Toronto Blue Jays
Some question marks in the pitching staff will be overlooked thanks to their scary good lineup.
2. Boston Red Sox
Getting a legitimate closer and an ace in the rotation puts them back into the contender category.
3. New York Yankees
They’re one injury in the lineup and/or rotation away from struggling mightily.
4. Baltimore Orioles
They also have a good lineup, but their pitching staff has far too many question marks.
5. Tampa Bay Rays
Pitching is something they have plenty of, but their lineup has always struggled to keep pace within the division.
