Division Reports
AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West
Award Picks
AL MVP: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners OF
One of the game’s most well-rounded stars, the 25-year-old already has two 30–30 seasons—and could go 40–40.
AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet, Red Sox SP
The majors’ reigning strikeout king also led all pitchers last year in xFIP, a strong metric for predicting future success.
AL Rookie of the Year: Kazuma Okamoto, Blue Jays 3B
No ordinary rookie, the 29-year-old averaged more than 30 homers in his last eight seasons in Japan and will earn $15 million this year.
AL Manager of the Year: Craig Albernaz, Orioles
Baltimore’s offseason spending spree has set up the first-year skipper to guide the O’s from last place to the postseason.
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers SP/DH
It’s a safe bet to pick the guy who’s won an MVP award in four of his last five seasons, especially now that his mound work will increase.
NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes, Pirates SP
Skenes had an ERA half a run lower than anyone else in the NL. Perhaps this year he’ll get enough support to improve his 10–10 record.
NL Rookie of the Year: JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals 2B
The 2023 NCAA batting champion at West Virginia is a legitimate leadoff option for St. Louis on Opening Day.
Postseason Predictions
AL Wild Card
AL Division Series
AL Championship Series
NL Wild Card
NL Division Series
NL Championship Series
World Series
More MLB from Sports Illustrated
- Shohei Ohtani Squeezes In One Last Amazing Feat Before Opening Day
- SI:AM | Can Anyone Dethrone the Dodgers?
- Ranking the Most Intriguing MLB Opening Day Pitching Matchups
- Logan Webb’s Best Shot to Conquer Aaron Judge on MLB’s Opening Night
- The Best Version of Max Fried Is Still Being Unearthed
This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLB Season Preview: Playoff Predictions, Award Picks and Division Reports.
