By Mickey Donovan Posted April 17, 2013
As the 2013 MLB season begins, many questions are being asked about the teams this season. Who is going to make it to the postseason and who isn’t? I am here to tell you who the top contenders are for the World Series title.
Although the Giants are hands down the best team; I’m not writing this to pick favorites. During the off-season, many different trades and deals were made and basically, no teams were left the same.
National League West: I hate the Dodgers, but the Dodgers picked up many players that will help them later in the season. Although the Dodgers picked up star-shortstop Hanley Ramirez, he is not playing due to injuries. Considering the fact that the Dodgers gave up only Nate Eovaldi and Scott McGough for Ramirez and reliever Randy Choate, the Dodgers got away with good deals this year. The Dodgers will win the NL West. The Dodgers picked up a lot of new great players such as Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford.
National League Central: With stars such as Joey Votto and Shin Soo Choo paving the way for them. The Cincinnati Reds will rise to the top. Although last season the Reds had their season ended by the Giants in the National League Division Series, they will come back strong this year and win the division.
National League East: The Washington Nationals did not have their best season last year due to injuries and a lack of pitching. But this year with the addition of Steven Strasburg having little or no restrictions on how many innings he can pitch, Strasburg will definitely contribute to the victory of the NL East, along with the star Bryce Harper.
American League West: Last year the Angles were expecting a very successful season because they picked up Albert Pujols. They did not have a successful season. Pujols had one of the worst seasons in his career. I have a feeling that Pujols will have to get out of his slump and have a decent season and he will help them win the division. Mike Trout can not go unnoticed. Last year winning the Rookie of the Year award, and he will only come back this year with more experience and skill. Not to mention Josh Hamilton contributing to the division.
American League Central: Headed into the 2013 season, the Tigers have high hopes of Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera guiding them to a successful season. Last year, the Tiger’s pitching staff was ranked number three in the American League.
American League East: In Spring Training the New York Yankees lost some of their great players due to injuries. The Rays pitching staff is very talented this year. Because of that, the Rays will win the American League East. But right behind them are the powerful-hitting Jays.
But the big question is, who is going to win it all? The two teams will be the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels have a spectacular pitching staff but the Dodgers have a very solid offense. As they always say, “good pitching beats good hitting and vice versa”. In that case, the Angels will win the 2013 World Series.