2014 MLB Season Projections
By Ryan W Krol
Apr 6, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; General view of the opening day logo before a game between the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
A Long-Standing Tradition
Every season since 1991, I have gathered my information and made my projections for the coming season. Now I get to do it for LA Sports Hub. So, how about we cut to the chase, and just dive right into it. Here are my 2014 MLB season projections!
National League Standings
NL East
Washington Nationals 91-71
Atlanta Braves 89-73 (Wild Card 2)
New York Mets 71-91
Philadelphia Phillies 70-92
Miami Marlins 63-99
NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals 92-70
Pittsburgh Pirates 91-71 (Wild Card 1)
Cincinnati Reds 88-74
Milwaukee Brewers 75-87
Chicago Cubs 67-95
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers 93-69
San Diego Padres 86-76
San Francisco Giants 85-77
Arizona Diamondbacks 84-78
Colorado Rockies 70-92
American League Standings
AL East
Tampa Bay Rays 92-70
Boston Red Sox 90-72 (Wild Card 2)
New York Yankees 86-76
Baltimore Orioles 83-79
Toronto Blue Jays 63-99
AL Central
Detroit Tigers 89-73
Cleveland Indians 85-77
Kansas City Royals 82-80
Minnesota Twins 74-88
Chicago White Sox 65-97
AL West
Los Angeles Angels 93-69
Oakland Athletics 91-71 (Wild Card 1)
Texas Rangers 87-75
Seattle Mariners 73-89
Houston Astros 62-100
2014 Postseason
NL Wild Card: Pirates over Braves
AL Wild Card: A’s over Red Sox
2014 NLDS: Pirates over Cardinals, 3-2; Nationals over Dodgers, 3-2
2014 ALDS: Angels over Tigers, 3-1; Rays over Red Sox, 3-2
2014 NLCS: Nationals over Pirates, 4-2
2014 ALCS: Rays over Angels, 4-3
2014 World Series: Washington Nationals over Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3
National League Awards
NL MVP: Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates
NL Cy Young: Zack Greinke, RHP, Dodgers
NL Rookie of the Year: Billy Hamilton, OF, Reds
American League Awards
AL MVP: Mike Trout, OF, Angels
AL Cy Young: Jered Weaver, RHP, Angels
AL Rookie of the Year: Jose Abreu, 1B, White Sox
What Else Could Happen in 2014?
Breakout Players: Masahiro Tanaka, RHP, New York Yankees; Taijuan Walker, RHP, Mariners; Kole Calhoun, RF, Angels; Nick Castellanos, 3B, Tigers; Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Angels.
Biggest Surprises: Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals; Hector Santiago, LHP, Angels.
Biggest Disappointments: Jose Reyes, Blue Jays; Carlos Beltran, OF, Yankees; Dan Haren, RHP, Dodgers.
Teams that will regress: Braves, Tigers, Rangers, Orioles, Royals.
Teams that will bounce back: Angels, Padres.
Teams that will stay in limbo: Astros, Marlins, Cubs, Rockies, Phillies, Mets, Twins, White Sox, and many more.
Teams that will stay the course: Dodgers, Cardinals, Pirates, Red Sox, Rays, A’s, Reds, Indians, Yankees, Giants.
Biggest Comebacks: Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels; Josh Hamilton, OF, Angels; Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees; Tim Lincecum, RHP, Giants; Chad Billingsley, RHP, Dodgers; Peter Bourjos, OF, Cardinals; Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers; Curtis Granderson, RHP, Reds; Tim Hudson, RHP, Giants.
Final 2014 MLB Season Projections
This season will be an exciting race in both leagues. There is a more evenly matched collective of talent throughout Major League Baseball. Teams that have dominated the last few years will step back. Other teams that have not contended much lately will take a shot. And teams that have been on a playoff hiatus, while still contending off and on, will make another run at glory. There will be historic milestones; all-time great performances; and we’ll get to see the next generation of ballplayers in full swing this season. 2014 will be one of the funnest seasons to watch in recent history. In a nutshell, those are my 2014 MLB season predictions.