By Alex Rea
If you would have asked me back in May for my predictions about the 2015 Major League baseball season, I would have shrugged and said, “Nationals and Tigers for the World Series, all the way.”
As October and fall draw near, only half my prediction stands somewhat proud. The Tigers sit dead last in the American League Central, while the Nationals are in second place behind the red-hot Mets.
The New York Mets are one of two teams that no one wants to play. Their pitching rotation is really performing well and the offensive support is there with former-Tiger acquisition Yoenis Cespedes, who is putting up MVP numbers. The St. Louis Cardinals is the other team making their opponents tremble. On pace for over a 100 wins this year, the Cardinals (88-51) continue to show why they have been World Series contenders these past few years.
In the American League, baseball experienced an unusual curve ball, the Houston Astros. We, as an audience, have always known there has been talent in this young organization, but to dominate their division hit me, at least, with shock. The Astros (76-64) sit comfortably on top of the American League West, but they shouldn’t be too cocky as the Texas Rangers are creeping only 3.5 games back.
If we move across the country to the American League East, we find what is possibly the most exciting and interesting power struggle between the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. Since Colorado beloved Troy Tulowitzki made his way to Toronto, the Blue Jays’ offensive threat backed with a experienced pitching rotation, sit atop the division. The Yankees are 1.5 games back and are knocking on the door.
If the MLB were put to a halt right now, I can honestly say I would be excited for the postseason. The former World Series Champions San Francisco Giants would be out of the playoffs, and we would see an abundance of young teams making an appearance.
As you can see by my predictions, baseball is almost at the climax of it’s rollercoaster. Teams will continue to flip flop the standings into October, which in turn should definitely set up an exciting postseason.
