For the New York Yankees the new season has started out quite well, they are presently number four in all of baseball with a 9-4 record in the most competitive division in baseball. But how will the MLB 60 game season turn out? In this coronavirus season with all the twists and turns suffered, and yet to come, you would have to have a crystal ball to answer that question.
There are some things we do know, and they are quite surprising. As of today, the lowly Miami Marlins that have suffered the worst outbreak of the coronavirus, sit at number one with a .857 winning percentage. The Chicago Cubs and the Minnesota Twins are tied for number two, both being 10-3.
The new rules: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
First the good: The universal DH. I am strongly in favor of this rule in the short season, but would also like to see it continue. It equalized the playing field between the leagues and with teams paying hundreds of millions for pitchers these days, it is foolish to have them running the bases where they might pull a hamstring or the like, and end up on the IL.
On the other side of the plate, it will help extend the careers of many talented players. Also, it opens up more chances for free agents or talented rookies to obtain high paying jobs.
The man on second: At first I was opposed to this new rule. But after seeing how it works so far this season, I guess I’m okay with it. Plus for someone who calls games on Facebook, it’s nice to see games not going fifteen or more innings. I’m sure the teams that have won extra-inning games, they are quite fond of the rule, however, those teams that came out on the losing side of the game, are still opposed to the rule.
It has also been interesting to watch the different strategies managers have used. Some have tried to move the runner over to third by bunting or hitting a ground ball to the right side and then getting the next hitter to hit a sacrifice fly, yet some look to the stolen base to help out.
Now the ugly: The pitcher must pitch to three batters rule, is just bad. First, the reason proposed that it will save time, is faulty, at the most it might save just a few minutes in some games. What it does do is take some of the management of the game away from the manager, particularly at the end of close games. I prefer to see the best possible batter-pitcher matchups and this rule takes away from that. I’m not a believer.
The 60 game season:
While the imposed season is 60 games, not all teams will play 60 games, and maybe none of them if the season is canceled. It appears at this point the MLB is determined to get the season in, no matter how many twists and turns it might take. some teams may luck out and play all 60 games, but my guess is that most won’t. Teams like the Miami Marlins that have already missed seven games likely won’t play many more the 50 games. You must remember the season ends 67 days after the start. There are few makeup possibilities in this short season. MLB has already made it known that the season will be determined by winning percentage, not by the number of games won.
Where do several high profile teams stand?
The New York Yankees ahead of the season were projected to go all the way this year, and for the most part that has not changed. For the first time in the last couple of years, both Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are healthy. The two at the beginning of this season have a total of 9 home runs and batting averages near or above .300. Add to that the other big bats like DJ LeMahieu, Gio Urshela, and others, and the Yankees have as good of a lineup as any team in baseball.
The only thing that will keep them from going to a World Series is their suspect starting pitching. Even with Gerrit Cole leading the rotation, the remainder has been shaky at best. If they can fix that there will be nothing stopping them.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in second place in the NL West, with the Colorado Rockies leading them. Don’t expect the Rockies to stay there, just as the Marlins will not stay at the top of the NL East. The Dodgers have just too much talent behind the plate and on the mound. Ross Stripling has won all three of his starts. Rounding out the first four spots is Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urias, and Alex Wood.
The Houston Astros are playing .500 ball and will probably stay that way. The most significant problem the Astros face is that they lost pitching co-ace Gerrit Cole to the New York Yankees in the offseason. Add to that, Justin Verlander the other ace has a lat strain that will cause him to miss at the least a few weeks, at worst the whole season. Although they still have a powerful lineup, lacking pitching will keep them out of contention.
The Boston Red Sox 2018 World Champions are a shadow of a team they were in the winning season. In a big blow, they couldn’t control Mookie Betts and he went to the Dodgers. The most significant problem the Sox have is that they have no pitching. Sale and Rodriguez are on the IL, they lost David Price to the Dodgers, and their bullpen just isn’t very good. To put it mildly, the Boston Red Sox are a mess.
The Washington Nationals the defending World Champs are in a pretty good place. This, even with the fact that they haven’t been away from National Park yet, and have a losing percentage at home. They are just off to a slow start, the team despite losing Rendon, is as talented as last year.
Who will when the divisions?
The New York Yankees will win the East. The Chicago Cubs the Central (why not the Twins, because of opt-outs) and the West will be won by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Who will be the main contenders for a Wild Card Spot?
In the East: The Washington Nationals, the Atlanta Braves, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Philadelphia Phillies. In the Central, the Minnesota Twins, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cleveland Indians, and the Chicago White Sox. In the West, it’s the Colorado Rockies, the Oakland Athletics, the Houston Astros, and the San Diego Padres.
What players could have a huge impact on the season?
The highest-paid pitcher in the game, New York Yankees’ Gerrit Cole, Cole will be big for the Yankees this year. The Yankee’s Aaron Judge, after a quick start he looks to eclipse his 2017 season. Watch for Trent Grisham to have a positive impact on the Brewers. Shane Bieber’s pitching will put the Indians in the conversation. The Rays Charlie Morton will make them contenders even though they will suffer the loss of Emilio Pagan. CF Luis Robert will elevate the White Sox.
Mike Yastrzemski might just help put the San Franciso Giant in the conversation for a Wild Card spot. Bryce Harper may rebound from a poor season last year to help the Phillies regain some prominence. If RF Kyle Lewis turns out to be another Alex Rodgriguez for the Seattle Mariners they might see some Wild Card action as well.
Will the season be completed?
No. Not if the players continue to take the MLB safety protocols with as little seriousness as they have so far. Every day you see players bunched in the dugout, not wearing masks. You see high fives and spitting from many players. And then there is the rogue player who decides he’s bored and needs a trip to the bar or the club, and brings home more than just a hangover. The players must take health protocols more seriously.
Who will win it all?
I’m not going to touch that prediction this early in the MLB season, but I will say this, it will not be the New York Yankees unless they solve their starting pitching problem. Cole cannot carry the team on his back, no matter how good he is. In the World Series teams like the Yankees will be facing all Cole-like pitchers. The Yankees with only one dependable pitcher, at this point, will not cut it in championship situations and will fall short once again.