MLB 2020 season preview
Gerrit Cole will be the center of the Yankees’ pitching rotation in 2020. Photo by mlb.com
By Alex Bozek
Sports Editor
Baseball is back. Players are making the trek down to Florida or Arizona to begin spring training 2020. The crack of the bat, snap of the glove or smell of freshly cut grass makes any baseball fan get excited.
The 2019 season was full of surprises. The Washington Nationals won the World Series as a wildcard team. The Red Sox missed the playoffs, despite being the reigning 2018 champions. The Astros cheated, but we will get to that later.
Here are my 2020 predictions and five teams to watch for the upcoming season:
1. New York Yankees:
2019 Record: 103-59
Lost American League Championship Series vs. Houston Astros 4-2
The Yankees are coming off yet another ALCS series loss to the Houston Astros. For the second time in the last three years, they have lost to the recent MLB dynasty out of Texas. 2019 was full of injuries for New York. They had a record 30 players end up on the injured list. For any other team, that would have been a setback. However, they had a “next man up” mentality.
Over the off-season, General Manager Brian Cashman added the crown
jewel of pitchers, Gerrit Cole, signing him to a nine-year $324 million contract. This was the largest contract given to a pitcher in MLB history. Watch out for these powerhouses coming out of the Bronx in 2020.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers:
2019 Record: 106-56
Lost National League Divisional Series vs. Washington Nationals 3-2
Clayton Kershaw is arguably the best pitcher in the entire league, but when October arrives, he tends to lose his spark. He gave up back-to- back homeruns in the eighth inning of game seven to lead a Nationals comeback.
The Dodgers are still full of talent throughout their lineup. Having the reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger in the middle of the lineup is helpful too. With the recent additions of David Price and Mookie Betts from the Red Sox, do not be surprised if the Dodgers break multiple offensive records in 2020.
This could be the year that L.A. brings home a trophy for the first time in over 30 years.
3. Houston Astros:
2019 Record: 107-55
Lost World Series vs. Washington Nationals 4-3
What an off-season the Houston Astros have had. Houston has been the center of sports talk for months because of their cheating scandal. From stealing signs to banging trash cans, it has been a roller coaster for the boys from Texas. Despite all of the drama, the Astros are still full of talent.
Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman will remain the stars of the team. The trio combined for 93 homeruns, 245 RBIs and 391 hits. Alex Bregman was a finalist for American MVP in 2019, and Altuve was the
2017 MVP. They have the credentials and are offensive juggernauts.
The team lost Gerrit Cole, their ace, to the Yankees. He was part of one of the most dominant rotations in recent memory, along with 2019 American League Cy Young Award winners Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke.
It will be fascinating to see Houston’s 2020 season.
4. Atlanta Braves:
2019 Record: 97-65
Lost National League Divisional Series vs. St. Louis Cardinals 3-2
Formally known as the team of the 90s, the Atlanta Braves could become the team of the 2020s. They have one of the youngest teams in baseball, and they are already superstars. Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuña Jr. are 23, and Dansby Swanson is 26. Some may say that age means inexperience, but not with this team. All three of these stars have been to the postseason.
The Braves are playing in the NL East which is full of teams with playoff potential. The Mets and Phillies will be challenges for the Braves in the division. The city of Atlanta has not seen a championship since the ‘95 Braves.
Atlanta is a hot team with a bright future, and they could bring some shiny hardware to the 404.
5. Chicago White Sox 2019 Record: 72-89 Missed 2019 Playoffs
I have been saying to watch out for the White Sox for the past five years. My predictions have backfired every year, but this year will be different in the South Side.
They may have lost 100 games in 2018, but that was then. They have since added many pieces that will make them a very exciting team this season, including Edwin Encarnacion, Dallas Keuchel and catcher Yasmani Grandal.
The team has the numbers three and 20 MLB prospects in Luis Robert and Michael Kopech, respectively. If Tim Anderson keeps flipping his bat to record-breaking heights, the future is bright.
It is a new decade with fresh faces. The White Sox need to shake off the past seven losing seasons and make me look smart.