2023 MLB Season Preview: World Series Predictions, Burning Questions & More

Image credit: Braves (Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

The BA editorial staff goes on record with their bold—and not so bold—predictions for the 2023 MLB season.

Below, The BA editorial team predicted the order of finish, postseason participants and award winners for the 2023 season, plus answered eight burning questions facing baseball this year. As always, you can also find all of our 2023 prospects coverage here.

Our nine Crystal Ball prognosticators this year are Ben Badler, Carlos Collazo, J.J. Cooper, Matt Eddy, Kyle Glaser, Chris Trenkle, Savannah McCann, Josh Norris and Geoff Pontes.

2023 MLB Standings Predictions
NL East	NL Central	NL West
1. Atlanta Braves	1. St. Louis Cardinals	1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. New York Mets	2. Milwaukee Brewers	2. San Diego Padres
3. Philadelphia Phillies	3. Chicago Cubs	3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. Miami Marlins	4. Cincinnati Reds	4. San Francisco Giants
5. Washington Nationals	5. Pittsburgh Pirates	5. Colorado Rockies
AL East	AL Central	AL West
1. New York Yankees	1. Cleveland Guardians	1. Houston Astros
2. Toronto Blue Jays	2. Minnesota Twins	2. Seattle Mariners
3. Tampa Bay Rays	3. Chicago White Sox	3. Los Angeles Angels
4. Baltimore Orioles	4. Kansas City Royals	4. Texas Rangers
5. Boston Red Sox	5. Detroit Tigers	5. Oakland Athletics

 

 

National League Postseason And Awards

Wild Cards: Padres, Mets, Phillies.
Pennant: Braves (4 votes), Padres (3), Dodgers (2).

MVP: Ronald Acuña Jr. Also receiving votes: Nolan Arenado, Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Trea Turner.

Cy Young Award: Aaron Nola. Also receiving votes: Sandy Alcantara, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried. 
Rookie of the Year: Corbin Carroll. Runners-up: Kodai Senga, Jordan Walker, Miguel Vargas, Ezequiel Tovar.

American League Postseason And Awards

Wild Cards: Mariners, Blue Jays, Rays.
Pennant: Astros (5 votes), Blue Jays (2), Yankees (2).

MVP: Shohei Ohtani. Also receiving votes: Yordan Alvarez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Julio Rodriguez. 
Cy Young Award: Gerrit Cole. Also receiving votes: Shane Bieber, Luis Castillo, Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Alek Manoah. 
Rookie of the Year: Gunnar Henderson. Runners-up: Grayson Rodriguez, Triston Casas.

WORLD SERIES PREDICTIONS 

Matt Eddy: Astros defeat Braves 

Josh Norris: Padres defeat Yankees

Carlos Collazo: Braves defeat Blue Jays

Kyle Glaser: Braves defeat Yankees

Ben Badler: Astros defeat Padres 

Geoff Pontes: Padres defeat Astros

Chris Trenkle: Dodgers defeat Astros 

Savannah McCann: Dodgers defeat Blue Jays

J.J. Cooper: Braves defeat Astros 

Eight Burning Questions

1. Which Team Will Be The Biggest Surprise Of 2023?
2. Which Team Had The Best Offseason?
3. Which Team Had The Most Disappointing Offseason?
4. Who Is The Breakout MLB Hitter Of 2023?
5. Who Is The Breakout MLB Pitcher Of 2023?
6. Which Player Will Bounce Back In 2023?
7. What Will Be The Biggest Storyline Of 2023?
8. Which Division Winner From 2022 Has The Most Downside For 2023?