2014 MLB Predictions

Another season of Major League Baseball has begun, which means after the cold, damp and freezing winter we've all lived through these past few months, it is now time for spring weather.

The start of baseball usually means warmer weather is soon to follow.

I hope.

But this is Ohio, so we may be watching baseball of all levels in the snow and cold. I wouldn't doubt it.

Either way, MLB begins Sunday Night and into Monday (though two games have already been played in Australia), with ESPN having the Sunday Night game and the rest of MLB having games on Monday.

I can't express how much I'm looking forward to this season in the MLB. I'm anxious to see if the Boston Red Sox can repeat as champions. I believe the St. Louis Cardinals are the best team in the NL (and in baseball), and if we are going by the "every other year" pattern. look out for the San Francisco Giants as they've won two of the past four World Series titles.

For fans of the two Ohio teams, the Cincinnati Reds are all beat up, and they haven't played a single regular-season game yet. They are beginning the '14 season with eight players on the disabled list. Cleveland Indians fans are expecting to reach the postseason as well, but the AL is very tough yet again, so we'll see if they can continue with the momentum they gained last season.

And as I like to do every season, I like trying my hand at predicting the MLB season, from individual team standings to the postseason and eventual World Series champion. Plus, I like to try to see who'll win some individual awards as well.

There are a lot of interesting storylines for MLB this season, and I could write all day about it, but let's get to the point at hand. Here are my 2014 MLB Predictions.

Feel free to share your own as well … that's what makes this fun. At the end of the season, we can see just how close we were.

National League Standings (Predictions)

NL East
Washington Nationals (94-68)
Atlanta Braves (89-73)
Philadelphia Phillies (80-82)
New York Mets (77-85)
Miami Marlins (64-98)

With the NL East, I really see this as a two-team race between the Nationals and the Braves, but this year, it will be the Nationals who overtake the team from Atlanta. These two teams meet up on the first weekend series of the season in D.C., so that will be a good, early test for these top two NL East teams.

Don't forget about the Phillies, and possibly the Mets, because they could be the dark horses of this division, more so the Phillies than the Mets. And the Marlins … their season will probably be over once the first pitch of the season occurs in their season opener on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies.

NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals (93-69)
Pittsburgh Pirates (91-71)
Cincinnati Reds (88-74)
Milwaukee Brewers (79-83)
Chicago Cubs (64-98)

Is there a better team in baseball than the St. Louis Cardinals? I don't believe so, but I don't believe they will have the best overall record in the regular season because the Central will be tough again.

The Reds and Pirates will be in the Wild Card battle once again, but the month of April will be a very rough month for the Reds. If they can get through all the players being on the DL this month, they might be able to gain that second wild card spot.

The Brewers will be a little improved if Ryan Braun can stay away from the PEDs, and the Cubs' biggest offseason addition was their mascot Clark the Cub.

NL West
L.A. Dodgers (96-66)
San Francisco Giants (93-69)
Arizona Diamondbacks (87-75)
San Diego Padres (80-82)
Colorado Rockies (78-84)

I'm really looking forward to all the Dodgers and Giants games this season, because not only are they big rivals, but they are (or should be) two of the better teams in the NL. I like the pitching each team offers.

I might have the Diamondbacks rated a little top high, but I believe they are on the rise, and possibly the Padres as well. The Rockies will struggle once again.

AL East
Boston Red Sox (94-68)
Tampa Bay Rays (93-69)
New York Yankees (88-74)
Baltimore Orioles (80-82)
Toronto Blue Jays (72-90)

I see this division going through Boston and Tampa Bay and not New York. I think the Yankees are a team to watch out for as they've made a lot of roster additions, but in terms of being the best team in the division … that honor belongs to the Red Sox.

Baltimore will take a step back if Manny Machado misses extended time recovering from his ACL injury suffered late last season, and the Blue Jays are the Cubs of the AL East.

AL Central 
Detroit Tigers (93-69) 
Cleveland Indians (89-73) 
Kansas City Royals (80-82) 
Chicago Chite Sox (68-94) 
Minnesota Twins (61-101)

This is the Tigers' division to lose, with the Indians and Royals being the only real competition for the team. I like what Cleveland has to offer, but I question whether they will take a step back.

The Royals … I can never say they are in the hunt for a division title until they prove it. As for the White Sox and Twins … they will try but still end up in the cellar of the division. Bless their hearts.

AL West 
Texas Rangers (91-71) 
Oakland Athletics (90-72) 
L.A. Angels (85-77) 
Seattle Mariners (77-85)
Houston Astros (60-102)

This might be the best division in all of baseball or has the possibility to be that. The Rangers could be much improved with their signing of Prince Fielder this offseason, but the "Moneyball" Oakland A's are always surprising as they always seem to come out and battle for the division or wild card.

The Angels are overpaid and are learning they can't buy a championship. Maybe they aren't overpaid, but underachieving? They need to stay healthy and see a resurgence in Albert Pujols to compete with the Rangers and A's.

The Mariners need more than giving Robinson Cano most of their payroll, and the Astros are going to be a fun young team to watch but probably won't win much again this season. Give them time, and they will eventually impress.

Postseason Predictions 
Wildcard Round
NL - San Francisco Giants over Pittsburgh Pirates 
AL - Tampa Bay Rays over Oakland Athletics

Divisional Series
NL - San Francisco Giants over L.A. Dodgers 
NL - St. Louis Cardinals over Washington Nationals 
AL - Texas Rangers over Detroit Tigers 
AL - Boston Red Sox over Tampa Bay Rays

Championship Series
NL - St. Louis Cardinals over San Francisco Giants 
AL - Texas Rangers over Boston Red Sox

World Series 
St. Louis Cardinals over Texas Rangers

Individual Awards
NL MVP - Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona Diamondbacks) 
AL MVP - Prince Fielder (Texas Rangers)

NL ROY - Billy Hamilton (Cincinnati Reds) 
AL ROY - Masahiro Tanaka (New York Yankees)

NL Cy Young - Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco Giants) 
AL Cy Young - Yu Darvish (Texas Rangers)