MLB 2014: City Of Champions Staff Predicts Pittsburgh Pirates Results & Rest Of Baseball Season

Mar 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman

(6) celebrates his three run home run against the New York Mets during the tenth inning of an opening day baseball game at Citi Field. Washington Nationals won 9-7. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Zac Weiss

NL East –

1. Nationals

2. Braves

3. Phillies

4. Marlins

5. Mets

The Nationals have a manager in Matt Williams that will refresh their team. The bats are there as is their rotation. Anthony Rendon is the projected eighth hitter and that shows their depth.

NL Central –

1. Cardinals

2. Pirates

3. Reds

4. Brewers

5. Cubs

I have the Cardinals running away with this as long as Allen Craig stays healthy. Their bullpen also gets Jason Motte back.

NL West –

1. Dodgers

2. Diamondbacks

3. Giants

4. Padres

5. Rockies

 The Dodgers easily are the best team in this division. I’m concerned about Yasiel Puig‘s attitude but this rotation if healthy is the deepest in the league and the back end of the bullpen with Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen is fairly formidable.

AL East –

1. Red Sox

2. Rays

3. Orioles

4. Yankees

5. Blue Jays

Again this division is wide open but it ends with the Red Sox taking it. Nice to see Grady Sizemore healthy again and I think Felix Doubront will surprise. With Edward Mujica now with the team, they have a solid set up to close Koji Uehara.

AL Central –

1. Tigers

2. Indians

3. Royals

4. White Sox

5. Twins

 The Tigers have no reason to lose this division. Prince Fielder is gone and in is Ian Kinsler who gives the Tigers a legit leadoff hitter. I think Rajai Davis in left was a sleeper signing. Miguel Cabrera moves back over to first base and is underrated there. I’m excited to see Nick Castellanos this season.

AL West –

1. A’s

2. Angels

3. Rangers

4. Mariners

5. Astros

 Much like the Rays, the A’s are quietly good and adding Scott Kazmir and Jim Johnson is huge. I’m curious to see if A’s fans will see first half Yoenis Cespedes or the second half version.

NL Wild Cards – Pirates and Reds rematch at PNC Park again. CUETO CUETO.

AL Wild Cards – Indians meet the Rays.

Pirates prediction – I will go with a number near and dear to Pittsburgh’s heart – 87. I think the Pirates aren’t at the Cardinals ‘level and have some holes but have that confidence. Last season was the year that the streak was broken; this is the year they prove they’re for real.

NL MVP – I will take Yadier Molina. He is the best defensive baseball player by far and improves offensively every season. Put me down for .315 20 homers and 90 RBI.

AL MVP – No surprise here I’m taking Miguel Cabrera. He is the best offensive player in baseball and again a triple crown threat. Probably the best player in the game period.

NL Cy Young– It’s Clayton Kershaw and it shouldn’t be close. By far the best pitcher in baseball. Now he has an offense so he will have more pressure but his off-speed is unfair.

AL Cy Young – I’ll take Jon Lester in a small shocker. This isn’t wings and beer anymore. He’s the Red Sox ace and I have him for 20 wins this season. The Red Sox improved in many aspects this season.

NL Rookie – In a time where power thrills, it will be speed that wins this award. Billy Hamilton from the Reds will take it. He’s a game changer.

AL Rookie – Xander Bogaerts takes it this year. Fans saw a sample size but the full course meal is this season. I like his plate discipline which is an underrated quality of his.

NL Manager – I’m going with Matt Williams. The Nationals greatly underachieved last season and he will refocus them.

AL Manager – Have to give it to Bob Melvin. He runs things the right way. The A’s skipper wins his second in the last three seasons.