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2020 MLB Bold Predictions, Season Preview



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 EastNL CentralNL West
1. Atlanta Braves1. St. Louis Cardinals1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Washington Nationals2. Chicago Cubs2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. New York Mets3. Cincinnati Reds3. San Diego Padres
4. Philadelphia Phillies4. Milwaukee Brewers4. Colorado Rockies
5. Miami Marlins5. Pittsburgh Pirates5. San Francisco Giants
AL EastAL CentralAL West
1. New York Yankees1. Minnesota Twins1. Houston Astros
2. Tampa Bay Rays2. Cleveland Indians2. Oakland Athletics
3. Boston Red Sox3. Chicago White Sox3. Los Angeles Angels
4. Toronto Blue Jays4. Kansas City Royals4. Texas Rangers
5. Baltimore Orioles5. Detroit Tigers5. 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?
Ohtani Celebration

Shohei Ohtani, Japan Top Team USA To Win World Baseball Classic Championship

Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout for the final out to give Japan a 3-2 win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic championship game.

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