2021 MLB Preseason Predictions

Cooper Woest
March 26, 2021

American League East:

The Yankees have added Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon to their already dangerous starting pitching rotation and will likely steal the division from the Rays, the reigning American League Champions. The Orioles have been the league’s worst team over the last three seasons and are going to meet similar struggles this year. However, they have been beating out the expectations and have a multitude of young stars, such as Adley Rutschman and Heston Kjerstad, making their way from the minors to the big leagues.

American League Central:

The young power hitting Chicago White Sox offense, led by Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada, will continue to knock balls out of the park while pitchers Lucas Giolito, Liam Hendriks and Michael Kopech rack up strikeouts to take over the division from the Minnesota Twins. Despite losing superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor in a trade with the Mets, the Indians still have a consistent offense and good pitching featuring Shane Bieber, who led the MLB in earned run average, wins and strikeouts during the 2020 season. Although they may drop their division champion status, the Indians will still be a playoff contender with a second-place finish.

American League West:

The Oakland A’s may be baseball’s greatest dark horse team, finding ways to win games and make the playoffs with a team full of players who may not be considered All-Stars. Their Platinum Glove winning third baseman, Matt Chapman, will help lead the A’s to a second consecutive division title. The Houston Astros have seen a dip in performance following their sign-stealing scandal in 2019, but they still have one of the most high-powered lineups in the game with Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. As for the Mariners, Rangers and Angels, it will likely be another year watching their rivals play in October.

National League East:

It has been a scary few years for baseballs in Atlanta because of the Braves’ raw power and offensive prowess at the plate. The Braves have been leaders in most offensive categories, partially due to National League MVP Freddie Freeman and power hitting outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. For the fourth straight year, the Braves will win the division, but the Mets, Nationals, Phillies and Marlins will fight for a close second, third, fourth and fifth in the East.

National League Central:

The Cubs have one of the most talented teams in the MLB that boasts first baseman Anthony Rizzo, third baseman Kris Bryant and second baseman Javier Baez, who are all perennial All-Stars. The Cubs are, in all likelihood, the easy choice for division winners. However, the Cardinals are a proud franchise looking to continue recent success. St. Louis is loading up for a big year by acquiring the best overall defensive player Nolan Arenado. The Pirates are definitely going through a rebuild period, but the Reds and the Brewers could be two sleeper-teams that have a chance to make the playoffs as wild cards.

National League West:

The National League West is going to be exhilarating to watch in 2021 as two juggernauts will duke it out for first place in the division. The Dodgers, coming off a World Series in 2020, have lost very few players and are currently the favorite to repeat as World Series Champions. Their pickup of star pitcher Trevor Bauer sets them up for a chance at four twenty game winning pitchers, a feat not accomplished since the 1971 Orioles. The Padres are one of the most dazzling and talented teams in the league and are likely to play the Dodgers for the NLCS in the playoffs. Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado and pitcher Blake Snell, one of the leauge’s aces, are ready to steal the title from the rival Dodgers.