There is nothing in sports quite like the excitement of the opening day of baseball season. This coming Thursday, March 28, all 30 teams in the MLB will be in action, with each and every one of them coming into the season thinking that they have a shot to go all the way to the World Series.
The harsh reality, though, is that most of them won’t even make it to the postseason, with a few of them probably out of it altogether by the time we arrive at the midway point. It is, of course, much too early to be making predictions, but that is what we are in the business of doing here. We will take a closer look at each division in a separate piece, but for now, let’s make some overall 2019 MLB Season betting predictions.
Early MLB Betting Picks & 2019 Season Predictions
These guys had ridiculous 2018s. Can they hit these milestones again? pic.twitter.com/3FC3EMepu5
— MLB (@MLB) 26 de marzo de 2019
National League
You would have to say that the LA Dodgers are going to be the team to beat in the NL. After all, they have made it all the way to the World Series in each of the last two seasons and consistently have the money to spend on pulling in the best players to fill any holes they might have. The Dodgers will open the season without Clayton Kershaw, who is injured, and they also have some other pitching issues. With that in mind, the Rockies might just sneak the win in the West.
As far as other NL contenders go, outside of the West, I think we have a couple that is worth taking a look at. The Chicago Cubs offense is going to be as dominant as ever, and with a healthy Yu Darvish in the rotation, they might also see their pitching improve. Another team to look at are the Atlanta Braves. Their young guys all hit big last season, and if they don’t have a sophomore slump, they should take the East and head back to the playoffs.
It’s going to be a good fight in the National League, and while my picks may change as the season progresses, I am taking the Colorado Rockies to represent the NL in the World Series.
American League
The Boston Red Sox will come into this season with a massive target on their backs as the defending World Series champions. It once again looks as though the East will be a 2-horse race between them and the NY Yankees. Both are probably going to be heading to the postseason, but who will go in as a division winner and who will go the Wild Card route. Injuries may well prove to be a determining factor there.
The Cleveland Guardians are the best in what is a weak Central Division, so they should be in by default. That said, I don’t think they are good enough to seriously challenge for an AL crown. The team that could upset the apple cart here are the Houston Astros. They are going to be ridiculously strong again and could well take another run at the World Series, which they won a couple of seasons ago.
I am going with the Yankees to be the team that represents the American League in the World Series later this year.
