We’re thrilled to welcome Major League Baseball back into the societal fold this week, even though this year’s 60-game campaign represents just 37 percent of a typical 162-game season.
In a nutshell … a little something, something beats a whole lot of nothing — every time.
To ring in the new baseball year, BATSBY Sports would like to get a few predictions on record, covering both team play and individual accomplishments.
CLEMONS: A 5-year analysis of each NL club’s run of 60-game starts
CLEMONS: 5-year breakdown of every AL team’s run of 60-game starts
TEAM PREDICTIONS
AMERICAN LEAGUE
EAST
Yankees — 36-24**
Rays — 34-26
Red Sox — 30-30
Blue Jays — 29-31
Orioles — 25-35
CENTRAL
Indians — 33-27**
Twins — 32-28
White Sox — 29-31
Royals — 27-33
Tigers — 24-36
WEST
Astros — 34-26**
Athletics — 31-29
Angels — 30-30
Rangers — 28-32
Mariners — 25-35
PLAYOFFS
WILD CARD GAME: Rays over Twins
ALDS: Yankees over Rays … Astros over Indians
ALCS: Astros over Yankees
NATIONAL LEAGUE
EAST
Nationals — 32-28**
Braves — 31-29
Mets — 29-31
Phillies — 28-32
Marlins — 26-34
CENTRAL
Brewers — 33-27**
Cardinals — 33-27
Cubs — 32-28
Reds — 31-29
Pirates — 26-34
WEST
Dodgers — 37-23**
Diamondbacks — 31-29
Rockies — 30-30
Padres — 29-31
Giants — 25-35
PLAYOFFS
NL CENTRAL TIEBREAKER: Brewers over Cardinals
WILD CARD TIEBREAKER: Braves over Diamondbacks
WILD CARD GAME: Braves over Cardinals
NLDS: Dodgers over Braves … Brewers over Nationals
NLCS: Dodgers over Brewers
2020 WORLD SERIES
Astros over Dodgers in 7 games
INDIVIDUAL HONORS
HITTERS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
American: Astros 3B Alex Bregman
National: Dodgers OF Cody Bellinger
HOME RUN CHAMPIONS
American: Angels OF Mike Trout
National: Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado
BATTING TITLES
American: Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers
National: Brewers OF Christian Yelich
STOLEN BASE KINGS
American: Royals SS Adalberto Mondesi
National: Nats SS Trea Turner
PITCHERS
CY YOUNG
American: Astros SP Justin Verlander
National: Dodgers SP Walker Buehler
STRIKEOUT KINGS
American: Indians SP Shane Bieber
National: Mets SP Jacob deGrom
MOST SAVES
American: Liam Hendriks, Athletics
National: Josh Hader, Brewers