National League Champ: Dodgers
American League Champ: Yankees
World Series Champ: Dodgers
Three Bold Predictions …
* Orlando Arcia takes a Francisco Lindor-like leap offensively in his second full major league season, finishing top-six at the loaded shortstop position.
* James Paxton manages to avoid the disabled list and delivers a 2.35 ERA with 245 strikeouts in 195 innings, but the rest of the Mariners rotation struggles mightily as Seattle again falls short of postseason play.
* Moving back home to the Bay Area helps Stephen Piscotty rebound in a big way, as he racks up a career-high 30 home runs and 95 RBI. Piscotty and Khris Davis bring back the Bash Brothers forearm bump made famous by Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco.
National League Champ: Nationals
American League Champ: Astros
World Series Champ: Astros
Three Bold Predictions …
* After missing most of 2017, Noah Syndergaard returns with a vengeance and finishes as the runner-up to Clayton Kershaw for the NL Cy Young Award. His rivalry with Mr. Met only intensifies.
* 20-year-old Ronald Acuna continues the trend of impact rookie contributors in fantasy leagues, topping 20 homers and 30 steals for the Braves while running away with the NL Rookie of the Year honors.
* Coming off a strong rookie showing last season, Luis Castillo emerges as a top-20 starter in 2018 and provides some long-term hope for Reds fans. Sorry, Marlins fans.
National League Champ: Dodgers
American League Champ: Yankees
World Series Champ: Yankees
Three Bold Predictions …
* The Yankees break the 1997 Mariners’ record for home runs by a team and go on to win their 28th World Series title. The team leader in homers is... Greg Bird.
* Trevor Bauer continues to build upon the momentum he gathered in 2017, posting a 3.30 ERA with 230 strikeouts while emerging as a front-line fantasy starter.
* Walker Buehler spends most of the first half at Triple-A, but by the end of the season he is the Dodgers’ best starter not named Clayton Kershaw, helping to lead Los Angeles back to the World Series.
National League Champ: Dodgers
American League Champ: Indians
World Series Champ: Dodgers
Three Bold Predictions …
* Finally fully recovered from wrist surgery, Trevor Story hits 30 homers and drives in 100 runs hitting behind Nolan Arenado in the Rockies’ lineup.
* The Angels get solid results from their rotation, led by Shohei Ohtani, but fall just short of reaching the postseason because of subpar production from Albert Pujols, Zack Cozart and Ohtani as a hitter.
* The new humidor at Chase Field ends Paul Goldschmidt’s reign as fantasy baseball’s No. 1 first baseman, as Freddie Freeman edges him out for that crown.
National League Champ: Nationals
American League Champ: Indians
World Series Champ: Nationals
Three Bold Predictions …
* Anybody remember Adam Eaton? Back and healthy, he picks up where he left off last April, leading the league in runs scored and finishing as a top-15 outfielder.
* Luke Weaver, not even guaranteed a spot in the Cardinals’ rotation entering the spring, becomes the least-likely 200-strikeout pitcher of 2018.
* The oft-injured Devon Travis finally stays healthy, making 600 plate appearances and posting career-best numbers, including 20 homers and 10 steals. Unfortunately, under President Trump’s newly enacted law, only those statistics accrued in the United States count.
