Picking the Nats, Not the Cubs ... and all the Rest of My Fearless Baseball Predictions for 2015

Could this, 2015, finally be the year of the Cubs?

No, I don't think so.

If some of their promising prospects--Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and especially Kris Bryant, when brought up--do what they seem capable of, along with now established veterans like Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, the Cubs should be much better than in recent years.

But even though I think Joe Maddon should be a great manager, between the "ifs" about Soler and Baez, as well as pitchers Jason Hammel, Kyle Hendricks and whoever the 5th starter winds up being, I think there are far too many uncertainties--including a ballpark in disrepair--to assume this will be a magical year on the North Side of Chicago.

I actually think the White Sox should have a better year, and might well make a run at the playoffs, though the AL Central may be the best division in baseball.

Anyway, as always, take this with a grain of salt--with the caveat that I can't find anyone who picked the Giants to win it all last year--but enjoy perusing:

Seth Saith's Fearless Baseball Predictions for 2015

American League East   

1. Toronto Blue Jays
2. Baltimore Orioles
3. Boston Red Sox
4. New York Yankees
5. Tampa Bay Rays

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Minnesota Twins

American League West

1. Seattle Mariners
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3. Oakland Athletics

4. Texas Rangers
5. Houston Astros

Wild Cards: Angels and Orioles
AL Pennant Winner: Blue Jays
AL MVP: Mike Trout, Angels
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
AL Rookie of the Year: Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays
White Sox Record: 86-76

National League East  

1. Washington Nationals
2. Miami Marlins
3. Atlanta Braves
4. New York Mets
5. Philadelphia Phillies

National League Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Pittsburgh Pirates
3. Chicago Cubs

4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Milwaukee Brewers

National League West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. San Francisco Giants
3. San Diego Padres
4. Colorado Rockies
5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Wild Cards: Marlins and Pirates
NL Pennant Winner: Nationals
NL MVP: Bryce Harper, Nationals
NL Cy Young: Madison Bumgarner, Giants
NL Rookie of the Year: Kris Bryant, Cubs
Cubs Record: 83-79

World Series Winner: Washington Nationals