2020 MLB Bold Predictions, Season Preview

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Of the 115 World Series ever played, the Dodgers and Yankees have opposed each other in 11 of them. That accounts for 9.5 percent of total World Series matchups and is by far the most common.

It’s also the matchup forecast by Baseball America in a near-unanimous vote by our editorial team—and it’s easy to see why.

 

The Dodgers traded from their wealth of prospects to acquire right fielder Mookie Betts and lefthander David Price from the Red Sox. Betts and reigning National League MVP Cody Bellinger co-headline a Los Angeles lineup that led the league in runs scored last season.

Price slots in as the No. 3 starter behind Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw in the Dodgers’ deep stable of rotation arms.

The Yankees advanced to the American League Championship Series in 2017 and 2019, only to lose to the Astros both times. Houston’s accomplishments have since been called into question by its sign-stealing scheme, but the Yankees left no question with their free agent signing of former Astros co-ace Gerrit Cole.

With Cole heading the rotation, New York should improve its middle-of-the-pack showing in ERA and now has an ace for October.

While the Yankees have won eight of the 11 previous World Series matchups with the Dodgers, the BA editorial team predicts that the Dodgers will emerge victorious this time.

Find all of our 2020 predictions below.

2020 MLB Standings Predictions
NL East	NL Central	NL West
1. Atlanta Braves	1. St. Louis Cardinals	1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Washington Nationals	2. Chicago Cubs	2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. New York Mets	3. Cincinnati Reds	3. San Diego Padres
4. Philadelphia Phillies	4. Milwaukee Brewers	4. Colorado Rockies
5. Miami Marlins	5. Pittsburgh Pirates	5. San Francisco Giants
AL East	AL Central	AL West
1. New York Yankees	1. Minnesota Twins	1. Houston Astros
2. Tampa Bay Rays	2. Cleveland Indians	2. Oakland Athletics
3. Boston Red Sox	3. Chicago White Sox	3. Los Angeles Angels
4. Toronto Blue Jays	4. Kansas City Royals	4. Texas Rangers
5. Baltimore Orioles	5. Detroit Tigers	5. Seattle Mariners

 

National League Postseason And Awards

Wild Cards: Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals
Pennant: Los Angeles Dodgers

MVP

1. Mookie Betts, Dodgers
2. Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves
3. Cody Bellinger, Dodgers

Cy Young

1. Jack Flaherty, Cardinals
2. Walker Buehler, Dodgers
3. Luis Castillo, Reds

Rookie of the Year

1. Gavin Lux, Dodgers
2. Dylan Carlson, Cardinals
3. Dustin May, Dodgers

American League Postseason And Awards

Wild Cards: Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays
Pennant: New York Yankees

MVP

1. Mike Trout, Angels
2. Francisco Lindor, Indians
3. Aaron Judge, Yankees

Cy Young

1. Gerrit Cole, Yankees
2. Mike Clevinger, Indians
3. Justin Verlander, Astros

Rookie of the Year

1. Luis Robert, White Sox
2. Jo Adell, Angels
3. Jesus Luzardo, Athletics

 

WORLD SERIES PREDICTIONS 

Ben Badler: DODGERS defeat Yankees in 6 games.

Carlos Collazo: DODGERS defeat Yankees in 7 games.

JJ Cooper: DODGERS defeat Astros in 6 games.

Matt Eddy: DODGERS defeat Yankees in 6 games

Kyle Glaser: YANKEES defeat Dodgers in 6 games.

Joe Healy: DODGERS defeat Yankees in 7 games. 

Josh Norris: DODGERS defeat Yankees in 7 games

Chris Trenkle: DODGERS defeat Yankees in 6 games.

 

10 Burning Questions

1. Which team will be the biggest surprise of 2020?
2. Which team had the best offseason? 
3. Which team had the most disappointing offseason? 
4. Who is the breakout hitter of 2020?
5. Who is the breakout pitcher of 2020? 
6. Which player will bounce back in 2020?
7. The biggest storyline of 2020 will be?
8. The top three picks in the 2020 MLB Draft will be…
9. Which losing team has the most upside in 2020?
10. Which division winner has the most downside in 2020?