Higher late than by no means, now we have arrived at opening week of the 2022 MLB season.
With — among other changes — extra playoff spots obtainable, is that this the 12 months your favourite workforce will make a run in October? Will your favourite participant win a postseason award?
Nobody can know for certain, which is why we put 38 ESPN writers, analysts and editors on the spot to foretell what is going to occur in baseball this 12 months, from the wild-card contenders all the way in which as much as the World Sequence champion, plus the MVP, Cy Younger and Rookie of the 12 months in each leagues.
For every class, we have requested a contributor or two to clarify why they selected what they selected. Have been they on the mark … or method off? We’ll find out about seven months from now, in the event that they publish this web page on social media — or fake it by no means existed.
Right here goes!
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AL picks | NL picks | AL awards | NL awards
AL East
Our decide: Blue Jays (29 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Rays (5), Crimson Sox (2), Yankees (2)
The Blue Jays are heavy favorites amongst our voters within the AL East. You picked the Rays. Inform us why.
The secret in 2022 is pitching depth and energy hitting. You want plenty of pitching to get via a season and you need to hit house runs to attain — and that is how the Rays received 100 video games in 2021. No workforce has the pitching depth to match Tampa Bay’s — and younger arms Shane McClanahan, Luis Patino and Shane Baz can enhance or, in Baz’s case, as soon as he returns from arthroscopic surgical procedure on his elbow, make a direct influence as a rookie. The Rays, oh by the way in which, scored extra runs than the Blue Jays final season. Possibly the offense overachieved a bit, however it can profit from a full season from sophomore Wander Franco, the rising famous person who would possibly win the batting title. — David Schoenfield
AL Central
Our decide: White Sox (34 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Twins (4)
All however 4 of our voters selected the White Sox to win the division. You picked the Twins. Clarify your self!
I’m leaning into the nice potential of their lineup. The upside up the center is limitless with Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Jorge Polanco (33 house runs final season) and a targeted Gary Sanchez. You then add Miguel Sano, and a contact hitter like Luis Arraez they usually could make pitchers really work. They had been an above-average defensive workforce final season that added a Gold Glove shortstop. It should take some breakout seasons by the opposite younger gamers, particularly on the mound, however they’ve the expertise to just do that. — Doug Glanville
AL West
Our decide: Astros (35 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Angels (2), Mariners (1)
The Astros had been a virtually unanimous decide right here. You had been the only voter who took the Mariners. Why Seattle > Houston?
Did you see Seattle’s offseason? The Mariners are loaded and may truly nonetheless play the underdog card regardless that they turned a identified amount final 12 months. The addition of Robbie Ray could be the only most essential addition for any workforce. He fills such a giant void on the prime of the rotation, whereas Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez deliver the sort of veteran bats any workforce wants when it needs to make a leap within the standings. Whereas they had been including, the Astros misplaced their star shortstop and pitching coach. Do not underestimate the latter change as Brent Strom was instrumental in helping along Houston’s young pitchers. It’s going to be a good race, however Seattle will prevail. — Jesse Rogers
AL wild playing cards
Our picks: Yankees (30 votes), Crimson Sox (25), Rays (24)
Who else acquired votes? Angels (9), Blue Jays (8), Mariners (5), Twins (4), Tigers (3), White Sox (3), Astros (2), Rangers (1)
Blue Jays, Yankees, Crimson Sox, Rays. We have chosen all 4 AL East groups to make the playoffs (there is a rumor the AL East has a fifth workforce, however that is unconfirmed at press time). What is going to make this division so dominant?
There’s lots that goes into it, but it surely begins with the Yankees setting a excessive bar for profitable the division. Not solely has New York stretched its exceptional streak of profitable seasons to 29, however in 26 of these campaigns, the Yankees have posted a profitable share of .537 or higher, which interprets to 87 wins over a full season. That is the place to begin for the Rays, Crimson Sox and Blue Jays. (And in addition these poor Orioles.) We’re at an inflection level the place all of these contending golf equipment have constructed their rosters to be a minimum of 87-wins good. On the similar time, not one of the groups within the different AL divisions, past projected champs Chicago and Houston, venture to be a lot better than .500. After all, one or two of them will in all probability get away and cross that barrier, so the wild-card races aren’t more likely to be the routs they give the impression of being to be proper now for the AL East. These groups within the Central and West even have a big benefit: In contrast to the AL East contenders, they do not must play the Yankees, Rays, Crimson Sox and Blue Jays 19 instances apiece. — Bradford Doolittle
AL champion
Our decide: Blue Jays (16 votes)
Who else acquired votes? White Sox (10), Rays (4), Yankees (4), Crimson Sox (2), Angels (1), Astros (1)
You picked the Yankees to win the pennant. What do you suppose provides them the sting over our panel’s favorites — particularly, the Blue Jays and White Sox?
I have not beloved each transfer of the Yankees’ offseason, however they’re a minimum of stable common at each spot besides perhaps fifth starter and center reduction, although these are additionally the simplest locations to search out sudden contributors. With high quality prospect depth lingering (Oswald Peraza, Anthony Volpe, Clarke Schmidt, Ken Waldichuk, Luis Medina, Deivi Garcia, et al.) to probably contribute, the items to make one other main transfer if wanted, and the inclination to go for it this 12 months, I believe the incentives and expertise stage are proper for the Bombers to interrupt via this season, although I might like to see a pair extra pitching contributors emerge. — Kiley McDaniel
NL East
Our decide: Braves (28 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Mets (8), Phillies (2)
The Mets acquired some powerful information on Jacob deGrom heading into the season. However you continue to have them down as your NL East decide. What makes you so excessive on the Amazin’s?
Steve Cohen’s cash goes a good distance towards filling potential in-season roster holes, particularly because it’s clear he is not going to fret about foolish issues like the luxurious tax, and I believe he’d be way more apt to herald extra beginning pitching assist if and when it is wanted. However even sans deGrom, Max Scherzer is a lots gifted ace, and Chris Bassitt is underrated. On offense, I anticipate a giant bounce-back 12 months from Francisco Lindor, and I see him, Pete Alonso and Starling Marte main a formidable offense. There’s simply an excessive amount of depth right here, and Cohen’s not going to let accidents deplete it. — Tristan H. Cockcroft
NL Central
Our decide: Brewers (32 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Cardinals (6)
Inform us why you suppose the Cardinals are going to beat the Brewers, whom our voters selected overwhelmingly.
The Brewers have unimaginable pitching, and it isn’t as if the Cardinals made large strikes within the offseason. However the distinction between the groups is extremely skinny, and day after day, the Cardinals will probably be fueled by this inner push to get Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright to the top of their respective careers in type — and that push will prolong to the entrance workplace, which can fill holes and add wanted assist on the commerce deadline. Typically these milestone conditions can drag down groups, however on this case, the final dance of this trio will energize the group. — Buster Olney
NL West
Our decide: Dodgers (35 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Giants (3)
You picked the Dodgers to win the NL West. (SPOILER ALERT: You additionally picked them to win the NL pennant and the World Sequence.) You definitely weren’t alone. What makes L.A. particular?
The Dodgers have a relentless lineup, among the finest we have seen within the final 10 years. One via 9, they will have somebody who can hit it out of the ballpark. They led the NL in runs scored final 12 months. Now, they’ve Freddie Freeman and Trea Turner for a full season. Wow. — Tim Kurkjian
NL wild playing cards
Our picks: Giants (24 votes), Mets (23), Padres (21)
Who else acquired votes? Phillies (19), Cardinals (12), Braves (10), Dodgers (2), Brewers (1), Cubs (1), Rockies (1)
You picked each the Giants and the Padres to make the playoffs. Inform us why.
The Padres, who spent the 2021 season systematically dismantling excessive expectations, and the Giants, who received 107 video games and the Nationwide League West, will be a part of the Dodgers within the postseason. The Padres rescued supervisor Bob Melvin from the rubble in Oakland, and his presence alone will change the tradition. A greater rotation (with Sean Manaea) and extra energy (Luke Voit) will not harm, both. In San Francisco, the eye has been on the lack of the retired Buster Posey and spring accidents to Brandon Belt, Evan Longoria and LaMonte Wade Jr., however the Giants have retooled with the deepest — if not the very best — rotation within the NL. Logan Webb, Carlos Rodon, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood and Alex Cobb present a various right-left-right-left-right lineup. It is also a secure guess president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi as soon as once more has unearthed a couple of extra gamers — pitcher Jakob Junis could be one, infielder Luke Williams one other — who will write their redemption tales. — Tim Keown
NL champion
Our decide: Dodgers (27 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Brewers (5), Braves (4), Giants (1), Mets (1)
Why did you are taking the Braves to repeat as NL champs?
As a result of the Braves received simply 88 video games within the 2021 common season, the power of how they carried out within the final three months of final season appears to be underrated consistently. They received the World Sequence even with out Ronald Acuna Jr., arguably baseball’s greatest participant, and now the postseason expertise that the likes of Max Fried, Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies have amassed will probably be leveraged. They misplaced Freddie Freeman, sure, however added Matt Olson, Collin McHugh and Kenley Jansen — and sure, Acuna, who is predicted to return comparatively early within the season. — Olney
World Sequence champion
Our decide: Dodgers (16 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Blue Jays (8), White Sox (5), Braves (2), Brewers (2), Yankees (2), Giants (1), Rays (1), Crimson Sox (1)
The Dodgers are our favourite to win the World Sequence, however the White Sox acquired their share of votes too — together with yours. What makes them so harmful?
The best way everybody talks in regards to the Toronto Blue Jays jogs my memory of how we used to speak in regards to the Chicago White Sox. Whereas this workforce misplaced Carlos Rodon, the White Sox nonetheless have a extremely robust rotation led by Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, whereas prime prospect Michael Kopech may make a splash in fortifying this group. A full 12 months of well being from Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez would assist take this lineup excessive, and whereas the workforce will definitely miss having Garrett Crochet within the again finish of the bullpen, the workforce’s depth throughout its roster will make it a favourite to win the World Sequence. — Joon Lee
You picked the Blue Jays (over the Dodgers) to win the World Sequence. Why?
The Blue Jays’ offense — headlined by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Teoscar Hernandez, Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman and others — is certainly one of few that may even evaluate with that of the Dodgers. However their rotation — that includes Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Hyun Jin Ryu, Alek Manoah and Yusei Kikuchi — seems considerably higher. And the vitality they play with is palpable. It’s going to win them the ultimate sequence of the season. By then, the rigorous AL East can have this comparatively younger group examined and prepared. — Alden Gonzalez
AL MVP
Our decide: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (13 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Shohei Ohtani (9), Mike Trout (9), Aaron Judge (3), Yordan Alvarez (1), Byron Buxton (1), Luis Robert (1), Trevor Story (1)
Vladdy received an in depth three-way race in our vote for AL MVP over Ohtani and Trout. You took Trout. What made you select him to bounce again and outplay the others?
Barring one other main damage, I anticipate Trout to play the way in which he all the time has. Trout has been some of the constant athletes in all of sports activities, and his ability set will proceed to age nicely as he advances in his profession. As a lot as I really like Vladdy’s sport, I believe he’ll take a really small step backward in 2022 because the league adjusts to his success final 12 months. Ohtani presents the most important problem to Trout, and I acquired very near selecting the two-way star as a back-to-back MVP. — Lee
AL Cy Younger
Our decide: Gerrit Cole (10 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Shane Bieber (8), Lucas Giolito (7), Jose Berrios (6), Dylan Cease (2), Justin Verlander (2), Kevin Gausman (1), Chris Sale (1), Framber Valdez (1)
Our AL Cy Younger was an in depth race between 4 aces — Berrios, Bieber, Giolito and your decide, Cole. Why him?
Cole is the most secure mixture of that group of manufacturing and well being, ending fifth, second, fourth and second within the Cy Younger voting over the previous 4 seasons, together with his solely missed time coming final 12 months when he contracted COVID-19. Sure, I am just a little involved that he did not pitch as nicely after the crackdown on Spider Tack and different grip substances, however it is a sturdy energy pitcher who had the very best strikeout-to-walk ratio within the American League and can profit from an improved Yankees protection. He is attributable to lastly win his first Cy Younger Award. — Schoenfield
AL Rookie of the 12 months
Our decide: Bobby Witt Jr. (18 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Spencer Torkelson (8), Adley Rutschman (3), Riley Greene (2), Julio Rodriguez (2), Gabriel Arias (1), Shane Baz (1), Josh Lowe (1), Gabriel Moreno (1), Jeremy Pena (1)
What makes Witt so particular? What can we anticipate this season from him?
Witt is among the most gifted rookies we have seen in a while. He was posting eye-popping exit velocities as a prep underclassman who stood out towards the older children and has continued to beat expectations since then. There could also be some up-and-down as his good-not-great pitch choice and power-focused method may see rising pains towards the very best pitchers on this planet. However he is plus at every little thing else (bat pace, uncooked energy, in-game energy, pace, protection, arm) and has by no means actually failed on a baseball area in a significant method. Hitting .260 with 20 house runs and actual pace/defensive worth is principally anticipated, with face-of-the-franchise upside as the subsequent step. — McDaniel
NL MVP
Our decide: Juan Soto (19 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Ronald Acuna Jr. (3), Freddie Freeman (3), Austin Riley (3), Trea Turner (3), Francisco Lindor (2), Matt Olson (2), Mookie Betts (1), Nick Castellanos (1), Bryce Harper (1)
He has completed ninth, fifth and second within the NL MVP balloting the previous three seasons. Why is that this the 12 months Soto lastly wins it?
Because the starting of the 2020 season, Soto has a 1.042 OPS. That will get him into the dialog. At 23 and with a steeled work ethic, he retains making upgrades to his plate method. His stroll fee has elevated throughout all 4 of his seasons whereas his strikeout fee has dropped. Thus his on-base percentages the previous two seasons have been Barry Bonds-esque. When Soto swings, he makes contact at an elite stage, giving him a baseline of a .330 BABIP. And we have seen within the Dwelling Run Derby simply how a lot uncooked energy Soto has. All Soto must put up a season for the ages is to match that uncooked energy with sport energy for a full season. With an remoted energy determine of .291 after the All-Star break final season, that course of seems to already be nicely underway. If Soto stays on the sector for 150 video games or so, that is the season all of it comes collectively for him and the numbers might be huge. It does not harm that he is motivated by the pursuit of a possible record-breaking contract extension. — Doolittle
NL Cy Younger
Our decide: Walker Buehler (21 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Max Scherzer (6), Logan Webb (3), Jacob deGrom (2), Aaron Nola (2), Sandy Alcantara (1), Corbin Burnes (1), Zack Wheeler (1), Brandon Woodruff (1)
With deGrom on the shelf to begin the season, Buehler turned our runaway decide right here. What makes him so good — and what do you anticipate from him this 12 months?
For one, he is supremely assured and downright fearless. The Dodgers observed this instantly, then watched him channel that in a few of their largest video games over the previous 4 years — Sport 163 towards the Rockies in 2018, NLCS Sport 7 towards the Brewers later that October, NLCS Sport 6 towards the Braves in 2020, and World Sequence Sport 3 towards the Rays six days after that. Buehler can command as many as six pitches, throws into the higher 90s and has established himself because the Dodgers’ ace, taking the mantle from Clayton Kershaw. The 2021 season, which noticed him end fourth in NL Cy Younger Award voting, marked the primary time Buehler surpassed 200 innings. He mentioned he discovered lots from the expertise. Backed by a potent offense and a deep bullpen, Buehler, 27, seems primed to take the subsequent step. — Gonzalez
NL Rookie of the 12 months
Our decide: Seiya Suzuki (16 votes)
Who else acquired votes? Oneil Cruz (12), Hunter Greene (4), Joey Bart (2), CJ Abrams (1), Edward Cabrera (1), Cade Cavalli (1), Bryson Stott (1)
What are the Cubs anticipating from Suzuki — and what’s one factor followers won’t find out about him that they need to?
You do not pay a man $85 million — $17 million a 12 months — and never anticipate large issues. Having mentioned that, the Cubs will probably be greater than affected person as Suzuki transitions to his new environment and league. His energy will play through the summer time at Wrigley Area, as one scout mentioned he reveals a “pretty” right-handed swing — an outline often saved for left-handed hitters. Even through an interpreter, baseball followers ought to see his humorousness, as Suzuki has already proved to be enjoyable and self-deprecating. — Rogers
