2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Atlantic Division Winner

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Players to Watch: F Artemi Panarin and F Nikita Kucherov

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins

Players to Watch: D Morgan Rielly and F David Pastrnak

Who Wins: Bruins in 7 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals

Players to Watch: G Petr Mrazek and F Evgeny Kuznetsov

Who Wins: Capitals in 5 games

Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders

Players to Watch: F Jake Guentzel and G Robin Lehner

Who Wins: Penguins in 6 games

Western Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Pacific Division Winner

Colorado Avalanche vs. Calgary Flames

Players to Watch: F Nathan MacKinnon and D Mark Giordano

Who Wins: Flames in 7 games

Pacific Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2

Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks

Players to Watch: F Mark Stone and D Erik Karlsson

Who Wins: Golden Knights in 6 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Central Division Winner

Dallas Stars vs. Nashville Predators

Players to Watch: G Ben Bishop and F Viktor Arvidsson

Who Wins: Predators in 6 games

Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2

St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets

Players to Watch: G Jordan Binnington and F Mark Scheifele

Who Wins: Jets in 6 games

2019 MLB World Series & Awards Predictions

MLB Awards

NL MVP – 1B Paul Goldschmidt – St. Louis Cardinals

AL MVP – OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels

NL Cy Young – Aaron Nola – Philadelphia Phillies

AL Cy Young – Gerrit Cole – Houston Astros

NL Rookie of the Year – OF Victor Robles – Washington Nationals

AL Rookie of the Year – OF Eloy Jimenez – Chicago White Sox

NL Manager of the Year – Craig Counsell – Milwaukee Brewers

AL Manager of the Year – Rocco Baldelli – Minnesota Twins

Postseason Projections

NL Division Winners – Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers

NL Wild Card Winners – Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals

AL Division Winners – Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians

AL Wild Card Winners – Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins

NLCS – Dodgers over Brewers

ALCS – Yankees over Astros

World Series – Dodgers over Yankees in 6 games

National League West

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Two straight World Series appearances, but no title to show for it. Third time’s the charm?

2. Colorado Rockies

With a pitching staff that is quickly developing into a force they should be contenders with their stacked lineup as well.

3. San Diego Padres

While the pitching staff isn’t expected to match what their lineup is capable of, they should push for a .500 record this year.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks

They quickly traded away Paul Goldschmidt once the offseason started and it immediately sucked the life out of the franchise.

5. San Francisco Giants

This is going to be the last time we see Bruce Bochy in the dugout managing a baseball team. Too bad it wasn’t under better circumstances.

Player to Watch: 3B Nolan Arenado – Colorado Rockies

Best Acquisition: 3B Manny Machado – San Diego Padres

New Kid on the Block: SS Fernando Tatis Jr. – San Diego Padres Continue reading →

National League Central

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Milwaukee Brewers

Last year they were within one game of reaching the World Series. They’re motivated to cash in this year.

2. St. Louis Cardinals

They are instantly back in contention with Paul Goldschmidt in the middle of their lineup.

3. Chicago Cubs

This could be an interesting year as manager Joe Maddon doesn’t have an extension and there are rumblings about the future of Kris Bryant.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

By no means are they among the worst teams in the National League. They just play in a stacked division.

5. Cincinnati Reds

With the moves they made they could be classified as a ‘sleeper’ team this season.

Player to Watch: OF Christian Yelich – Milwaukee Brewers

Best Acquisition: 1B Paul Goldschmidt – St. Louis Cardinals

New Kid on the Block: 2B Keston Hiura – Milwaukee Brewers Continue reading →

National League East

* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Not only did they sign Bryce Harper, but they also traded for one of the best catchers in J.T. Realmuto.

2. Washington Nationals

A new ‘face of the franchise’ will emerge with the departure of Harper. Technically Max Scherzer has been doing that since his arrival.

3. Atlanta Braves

This doesn’t mean they won’t be competitive. They will be in the middle of a crazy race in the NL East.

4. New York Mets

With stability in the bullpen, maybe Jacob deGrom will get at least 15 wins this year.

5. Miami Marlins

Time to see what prospects will begin to emerge in the middle of a long and deliberate rebuilding process.

Player to Watch: OF Bryce Harper – Philadelphia Phillies

Best Acquisition: OF Bryce Harper – Philadelphia Phillies

New Kid on the Block: OF Victor Robles – Washington Nationals Continue reading →