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

Mar 31, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA;Los Angeles Angels center fielder

(27) celebrates with teammates after hitting a 2-run homer in the first inning of an opening day baseball game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Grant Burgman

NL East- The Nationals should win this division without a doubt but I look for the Phillies to be better than expected. It’s a team full of veterans with a lot of pride.

NL Central- I’d be kidding myself to say the Pirates are going to win the Central. This is the Cardinals division and they will hold their title as the best organization in baseball as they win over 95 games again this season. Too deep of a roster, and they all get hits.

NL West- The Dodgers are at that stage where everybody believes in them, which isn’t always the best situation to be in. Mattingly, in his first two seasons, has been one of those managers who hurts his team instead of quietly doing nothing (as a good manager should). Still, there isn’t anyone who can really contend with LA’s talent: they’ll win the division but don’t book them for a playoff run.

AL East- Two years ago the Red Sox signed Adrian Gonzalez, John Lackey, and Carl Crawford in the offseason (not to mention manager Mike Valentine), totally betraying the idea of team chemistry they had used to win their first two titles. Last year they went back to a winning formula and won it all. This year they come in with mostly the same roster and the arguably the best farm system in baseball. Red Sox again.

AL Central- The Tigers are committed to their current roster (they proved that by giving Miguel Cabrera enough money to fund a small country) but they seem to me to be another team like the Dodgers. They won’t lose their division, they are too talented, but it’s not a team I’d trust in the playoffs.

AL West- If Pujols plays a full season for the Angels they will be extremely tough to beat. He has declined, yes, but he still hit 17 home runs and 64 RBIs last year while missing 63 games. He is still a weapon.  That being said, the A’s will win the West because they are the A’s, and they love beating teams that are better than them.

NL Wild Cards- The Braves will likely get a Wild Card spot and could possibly make a run. They’ve spent enough time paying their dues and could make some real noise this year. Although it may be hopeful and I may not be thinking straight, I say the Pirates get the second Wild Card spot IF they strengthen their rotation at some point in the season (TAILLON).

AL Wild Cards- The AL East will remind everyone that they are the AL East. The Rays will get the top Wild Card spot in the AL and the Yankees will get the second; because if they didn’t, the whole team would be shipped to North Korea. Except Jeter of course, he just does so much right…what a stand-up guy.

Pirates wins- My rule when picking the Pirates win total is always to be cautiously optimistic. This year a pick of 90 wins might be more realistic than optimistic. Should be enough to beat out the weakened Reds and Brewers.

AL MVP- Miguel Cabrera just won a triple crown and that’s the ONLY reason he beat Mike Trout. Take the historical context out of it and it’s Trout’s award. This year there will be nothing to stop the fish. Mike Trout.

NL MVP- MVPs in baseball don’t repeat unless they are Barry Bonds or Alex Rodriguez. Andrew McCutchen is (thankfully) neither of those people so don’t look forward to a second straight MVP. Instead I’ll say a non-playoff bound Ryan Braun will win the MVP. His presence will dramatically improve the Brewers win total and have them in the Wild Card race, that’ll be enough for voters. Steroids or not, the dude is good at baseball.

AL Cy Young- This isn’t very professional but who said I was; on a gut feeling I’m going Yu Darvish.

NL Cy Young- For my money, Stephen Strasburg is the most entertaining pitcher in baseball. I could watch every game he pitches this year and not be bored. A lot of those games will likely be wins, Strasburg for Cy Young.

AL ROY- If it’s Tanaka or anyone not named Xander Bogaerts then nothing makes sense. No one is more ready than Bogaerts.

NL ROY- Because everything the Cardinals do is right: Kolten Wong. Solid hitter, better than average glove, and will almost undoubtedly have a big hit in the playoffs cause that’s what young Cardinals players do.

AL Manager- It’s almost impossible to pick a manager of the year at the start of the season. I’m going to say Joe Maddon because he forever deserves it.

NL Manager- Fredi Gonzalez. With a lack of real surprises at the top the manger of the year might be a throwaway. Gonzalez and the Braves are like able enough where no one will be mad with this choice.