2015 MLB Picks

Some exciting trends to look for in the new season soon to start. Lots of excitement about several teams which have been down but look like they are ready to move up--Cubs, Astros, Marlins, Padres, Mariners. Any of these teams could be the Royals of 2015. With Joe Maddon at the helm of the Cubs, it will be particularly interesting to see what their year will look like.  Here are the picks:

AL East  --  Blue Jays, Orioles, Red Sox, Rays, Yankees

NL East  --  Nationals, Braves, Marlins, Mets, Phillies

AL Central  --  Royals, White Sox, Indians, Tigers, Twins

NL Central  --  Cubs, Cardinals, Pirates, Reds, Brewers

AL West  --   Mariners, Angels, A's, Astros, Rangers

NL West  --  Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Rockies, D-Backs

I have learned my lesson about making sentimental, or idiosyncratic, picks. But the Mariners, my new "home team" since I moved to the Pacific Northwest, look to be much stronger, and I pick them over the Angels, one of my favorite teams. Similarly, I hate to bet against the Cardinals, one of my other favorite teams besides the Angels, but the Cubs might well strike gold this year, and what a fun trip that would be. Reason suggests the Cubs are a year away, but for fun I pick them this year. Reason also suggests the Royals will drop back down after their great run last year, but I don't know who else to pick for first in that division.

For comparison purposes, here are the picks made by "Sports Illustrated" magazine.

AL East:  Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Yankees, Rays

NL East:  Nationals, Marlins, Mets, Braves, Phillies

AL Central:  Indians, Tigers, White Sox, Royals, Twins

NL Central:  Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs, Brewers, Reds

AL West:  Mariners, Angels, A's, Rangers, Astros

NL West:  Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Rockies, D-Backs

And here are the picks from "USA Today":

AL East:  Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays, Yankees

NL East:  Nationals, Marlins, Mets, Braves, Phillies

AL Central:  Tigers, Indians, White Sox, Royals, Twins

NL Central:  Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs, Reds, Brewers

AL West:  Angels, Mariners, A's, Rangers, Astros

NL West:  Dodgers, Giants, Padres, D-Backs, Rockies