MLB

National League Central

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Chicago Cubs

While they faltered at the end last season, it was an encouraging sign that they were trending in the right direction.

2. Cincinnati Reds

The youth movement is in full swing and now is the time for them to capitalize on it with a weak division.

3. St. Louis Cardinals

Getting Sonny Gray puts the top of their rotation in a stable setting, but will they be able to get production out of Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado once again?

4. Milwaukee Brewers

Their pitching staff as a whole has taken a hit and not having Craig Counsell as their manager could put this franchise in a state of flux for a while.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

Like their counterparts in Cincinnati, there is a fair amount of prospects ready to take the leap into the majors. Time to see if it clicks for Pittsburgh.

Player to Watch: OF Cody Bellinger – Chicago Cubs

Best Acquisition: P Sonny Gray – St. Louis Cardinals

New Kid on the Block: OF Jackson Chourio – Milwaukee Brewers

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American League West

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Houston Astros

They still have a stacked lineup, a solid rotation and a strong bullpen got even better with the addition of Josh Hader as their closer.

2. Texas Rangers

As the defending champions, they proved last year that they were the best team and still have the resources to keep this going should the need arise again to go all-in for another title.

3. Seattle Mariners

With the best rotation in the division, they have a leg up on the rest. The lineup though cannot get off to a sluggish start like they did last year if they want a Postseason berth.

4. Los Angeles Angels

For their sake they are lucky to be playing in the same division as the Oakland Athletics. They would finish dead last in every other division in baseball.

5. Oakland Athletics

Folks care more about where this franchise will play than what has become of the city of Oakland.

Player to Watch: OF Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels

Best Acquisition: P Josh Hader – Houston Astros

New Kid on the Block: OF Wyatt Langford – Texas Rangers

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American League Central

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Minnesota Twins

They are the clear cut best team with their overall roster construction in the division. If Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton stay healthy for a full season, look out.

2. Cleveland Guardians

They continue to doll out solid starting pitchers and their bullpen is among the best in baseball. Their lineup outside of Jose Ramirez has a lot of holes in it.

3. Detroit Tigers

They are poised to make a gigantic leap this season. The additions they made in the rotation could be the reason they make that leap in a weak division.

4. Kansas City Royals

A lot of moves were made that on the surface should result in them competing for a top spot in the Central. Yet, outside of Bobby Witt Jr. and Cole Ragans, we’ll have to wait and see what their teammates do before putting them any higher than fourth.

5. Chicago White Sox

It’s going to be a painful rebuild with a few more players likely to be dealt at some point this season.

Player to Watch: SS Bobby Witt Jr. – Kansas City Royals

Best Acquisition: P Kenta Maeda – Detroit Tigers

New Kid on the Block: SS Colson Montgomery – Chicago White Sox

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American League East

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* – indicates new to team

+ – indicates injury

1. Baltimore Orioles

The acquisition of Corbin Burnes is a gigantic step for this franchise to show that they won’t be going away anytime soon.

2. Toronto Blue Jays

Their rotation is the best in the division and they’ll need bounce back seasons from Vlad Jr. and Bo Bichette.

3. Tampa Bay Rays

It’s possible they will still be in contention for another Postseason berth, but with the amount of injuries in their rotation that could be their downfall.

4. New York Yankees

If Gerrit Cole didn’t have arm issues, they would be higher up in the standings. Trading away Michael King in order to get Juan Soto doesn’t look like the right call.

5. Boston Red Sox

There’s a new leader in the front office in Craig Breslow. Time will tell if there is a clear direction for this franchise and how much patience ownership or the fanbase for that matter will have.

Player to Watch: P Kevin Gausman – Toronto Blue Jays

Best Acquisition: P Corbin Burnes – Baltimore Orioles

New Kid on the Block: INF Jackson Holliday – Baltimore Orioles

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2023 World Series Champions

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We kind of got an inkling of what to expect after Game 1 of the World Series. Arizona had the early 5-1 lead to start the game. A Corey Seager game tying 2-run home run in the 9th inning took the game into extra innings where ALCS MVP Adolis Garcia hit a walk-off home run in the 11th. The Texas Rangers were not going to go away that easily.

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