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With the start of the new season of ‘America’s Pastime,’ many fans, like TV viewers, appear to fit into one of two camps.
Consider how people watch Netflix, Showtime or HBO. Many of us want to examine or absorb a show, so we take our time, see how characters evolve, plots develop, or even the use of lighting (in House of Cards it’s usually just dim).
Similarly, there are baseball fans who like to see how a team full of new free agents gels, or how a defending champion deals with everyone else gunning for their crown, like poor King Joffrey.
Then there are binge viewers – those who simply want to know the outcome and want all the twists and turns as quickly as possible. These fans are the ones who couldn’t care less about the regular season and merely want only to be woken when the Wild Card games start.
It’s like when Bran is walking around with Hodor in Game of Thrones… just fast forward until we’re in King’s Landing.
If you fall into the latter category, don’t be ashamed. You’re probably already looking at your phone now to see if there’s something better to look at than this (slightly) pompous article. You’ve probably been bracing for the Gen Y joke already too. But there won’t be one.
What follows is an oversimplified look at the top 10 contenders in the Major League for all you bingers. To keep it fair, five teams from each league will be considered.
Kansas City Royals
The champs. You can certainly see they have all the makings of a terrific team, as opposed to just some good players. Without being too clichéd, the Royals play the game the right way, almost like a Golden State Warriors of baseball. They steal bases, hit for contact, and try to get ahead early in the pitching count. Which generally works.
Houston Astros
So young, so fearless. They have a great rotation, and a solid bullpen, which, given recent history, is the crucial factor for a World Series Champion. Jose Altuve reminds me of Boston’s Dustin Pedroia, except he’s better. Is Carlos Correa the next Alex Rodriguez? We’ll soon find out.
Boston Red Sox
This should be a year when the Sox are out of the basement, and, given the names on the roster, anything less than the postseason would be embarrassing. Their rotation could be their Achilles Heel once again.
Texas Rangers
If, or rather when, Yu Darvish returns, the Rangers could potentially have the best starting pitcher duo in the league. There is power in the line-up, even if it’s old power.
Seattle Mariners
I mean, it has to happen eventually. The Mariners are my dark horses to make the playoffs. A strong line-up on paper should find its mojo eventually. The bullpen will potentially be an issue, but what if they do hit and Felix Hernandez does have a Cy Young-calibre season?
Chicago Cubs
Everything, and I mean everything, appears to be in place for the Cubs, but that pesky lovable loser stigma still persists. They are young. They are fearless. They can hit. They can pitch. They have good gloves. They have a great management. They have a redeveloped park. They just knocked down the McDonald’s opposite Wrigley for a new boutique hotel. This better work.
San Francisco Giants
Because it’s an even year I assume they’ll be up for it again. But in reality the Giants are very much complete and the front office is unchanged. Their rotation is strong and the bullpen is too. What’s not to like?
New York Mets
This pitching rotation is potentially awesome – think the 90s-era Braves. But they definitely could use a bat or two (or three). David Wright has hobbled all spring, and when you look at last year’s stats, there are no .300 hitters. Is that being somewhat narrow? Definitely. But can a team win it all when there’s no batter who strikes any fear in their opposition? No.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are stuck in a division which has the Cubs and the Cardinals, but this year they are better than the Cardinals, although not as good as the Cubs. That’s my rationale for this pick and there’s nothing you can do to dissuade me from that flawless logic.
Washington Nationals
They obviously underachieved last year, but Bryce Harper appears to be the next big thing (don’t tell Angels fans) and the Nationals still have depth in the rotation. It will be interesting to see how the team takes to Dusty Baker at the helm. Hopefully, for their sake, they’ll do it well?
Predictions
American League winner: Astros
National League: Cubs over Giants
World Series: Khaleesi
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