2019 MLB Projected Standings - Part I: The East
For the first part of this report, let's focus on the American League East. It's one of those divisions that is certainly top heavy with the two powerhouses at the top in the, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, followed by the always surprising Tampa Bay Ray, along with the, rebuilding Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles. There's not much to look forward to outside of the top 3 teams in this division right now, but all eyes are set to the future for Toronto and Baltimore meaning that brighter days are ahead once the fog from the rebuild process clears.
With that being said, here is how we expect the American League East to look when all is said and done.
1. Boston Red Sox (AL East Champions)
- Projected Record: 97-65
- Winning Percentage: .599
- Team MVP: OF Mookie Betts
One could certainly make the argument that the New York Yankees are the better team, but the bullpen is going to overcome the worries of those doubters and Boston will find a way once again to reign over the AL East. Never doubt a team that features the best outfield trio in the league, a power hitter in J.D. Martinez, and a starting rotation that found a way to get the job done last season. Don't be shocked if Mookie Betts once again has an other-worldly type of season either.
2. New York Yankees (AL Wild Card I)
- Projected Record: 95-67
- Winning Percentage: .586
- Team MVP: 3B Miguel Andujar
The New York Yankees might not look like AL East division winners in these projected standings, but that doesn't mean that there won't be a dog fight until the very end with the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees obviously have the better bullpen, but might be set back a bit by the absence of shortstop, Didi Gregorious, for the first part of the season. Still, there's enough talent to give the, Boston Red Sox a serious run for their money, once again in 2019.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
- Projected Record: 86-76
- Winning Percentage: .531
- Team MVP: 2B Joey Wendle
In the perfect world, there is a situation where the Tampa Bay Rays could potentially remain in contention and vying for the second AL Wild Card spot, but it just seems inevitable that the team will take somewhat of a step back this year. Still, that's not to take anything away from the Rays creativity regarding "The Opener", the fascination that Blake Snell aka Snellzilla has become, or the fact that the Rays always find a way to make the impossible possible.
4. Toronto Blue Jays
- Projected Record: 70-92
- Winning Percentage: .432
- Team MVP: 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The coming season, certainly has the makings of a potentially long one for Blue Jays fans, but that doesn't mean that everything that happens is going to be bad. After all, every team goes through some sort of rebuild process eventually and that's exactly where Toronto is. Still, the highlight of this season will likely be the eventual callup of third baseman/projected Team MVP, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who is expected to be the next best star in all of baseball.
5. Baltimore Orioles
- Projected Record: 64-98
- Winning Percentage: .395
- Team MVP: 2B Jonathan Villar
The 2019 season is going to be a rough one for the Baltimore Orioles, as they continue to find their identity, and navigate their way through the rebuild process. Still, with the bleak outlook of the coming season, they don't seem like they'll be a team that necessarily finishes with the worst record of all 30 teams. However, there's not a lot to look forward to in Baltimore, unless you find Andrew Cashner, Jonathan Villar, and Trey Mancini as interesting players to watch.
Alright, now that the American League East is taken care of, let's switch over to the other eastern division in the MLB, the National League East. There was plenty of noise made by this division this offseason and some might argue, it's the best division in all of baseball because there are four teams that could legitimately take the division crown. First of all, you have the New York Mets and their improved team under the direction of rookie General Manager, Brodie Van Wagnen followed up by the Washington Nationals, who continued to bolster their roster this offseason, the stupid money Philadelphia Phillies, an organization that certainly made a significant splash this winter, and the young Atlanta Braves, a team that surprised everyone last year by winning the division. Finally, there's the Miami Marlins, another team that is in the midst of a cloudy rebuild process, but an organization with their eyes set to the future.
With that being said, here is how we expect the National League East to look when all is said and done.
1. Washington Nationals (NL East Champions)
- Projected Record: 91-71
- Winning Percentage: .562
- Team MVP: SP Max Scherzer
Even in the post-Bryce Harper Era in Philadelphia, things will continue to remain victorious, as the team has the makings of being a division champion. You can't overlook a starting rotation that consists of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, or Patrick Corbin and have to get really excited when you start to think about the potential that youngsters, Juan Soto and Victor Robles, bring to the yard everyday. Still, it won't be an easy task for the Nationals, but they'll find a way to pull off the division crown.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (NL Wild Card I)
- Projected Record: 88-74
- Winning Percentage: .543
- Team MVP: CF Andrew McCutchen
The two golden words in the City of Brotherly Love right now, are Bryce Harper, and that's going to be a constant theme this year for the Philadelphia Phillies. Harper is going to have a significant impact on the Phillies lineup, along with Rhys Hoskins and another offseason acquisition, Andrew McCutchen. Don't be shocked if McCutchen ends up being the team MVP and, while there was plenty to be excited about this offseason, you have to remember that it takes time for new players to gel which means that the Phillies fall just short of their NL East pursuits, and finish with the 1st NL Wild Card spot.
3. New York Mets
- Projected Record: 85-77
- Winning Percentage: .525
- Team MVP: SP Jacob deGrom
If everything were perfect, the New York Mets would ideally tie the Washington Nationals for first place, but since there has to be a team that comes in third, it looks likely that it will be them. Although that's the case, it doesn't mean that the Mets 25-man roster is devoid of talent or that rookie General Manager, Brodie Van Wagnen, is building a roster for failure. The division is extremely challenging and while this offseason was fun for Mets fans, some fans might end up becoming a little disappointed, down the stretch this coming season.
4. Atlanta Braves
- Projected Record: 84-78
- Winning Percentage: .519
- Team MVP: 3B Josh Donaldson
A fourth-place finish would be disappointing in many ways for a team that won the NL East last season, but it seems inevitable that the young Atlanta Braves will take somewhat of a step back this season. It's hard to ask the young starting pitchers to repeat their performance from last season and you have to imagine that there could be a sophomore slump for second baseman, Ozzie Albies, but don't overlook the potential of a healthy Josh Donaldson either. Donaldson might end up being the team's MVP this season, if he can stay healthy, while proving to all of baseball why he still has plenty of rain showers left in his bat.
5. Miami Marlins
- Projected Record: 60-102
- Winning Percentage: .370
- Team MVP: 3B Brian Anderson
Last, but certainly not least, are the Miami Marlins a team that is going to have significant struggles this coming season. When you have the ingredients of a young roster, that has been gutted (no pun intended!) and you mix that with a tough looking NL East, you end up with a dish that looks like a team that will occupy the cellar. If that wasn't bad enough, expect the Miami Marlins to be the worst team in baseball this season with 102 losses, but don't forget that while the tide might be rough right now, there are brighter days coming to match the sunshine of Miami.
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