The MLB season is just about to end and with the playoffs nearly set, here is a look at some postseason predictions, awards contenders and potential World Series matchups for October. Check here for updates on clinched teams and the final playoff series that are now set.
MVP Award
The American League and National League MVP races have major favorites in Josh Donaldson and Bryce Harper and it has been that way for most of the season. Donaldson has over 40 home runs and 120 RBIs this season and his Blue Jays are AL East champions for the first time in two decades. The Washington Nationals have had a disappointing season, but Bryce Harper has had his best career season with over 40 home runs and nearly 100 RBIs while hitting for a .330 batting average.
Prediction: Harper wins in NL. Donaldson in AL.
Cy Young
The National League race is very tight and it has Zack Greinke, Jake Arrieta and Clayton Kershaw as the main candidates for the award. Greinke has been the most consistent pitcher in baseball this season and he has put up historic numbers with an ERA under 2.00 for the year. Greinke is 18-3 with a 1.68 ERA in his 31 starts and he has put up nearly 200 strikeouts. Teammate Clayton Kershaw has been right there in the race and he is 16-7 with a 2.16 ERA and 294 strikeouts this year. Arrieta has had a historic run over the back stretch of the season and he is 21-6 with a 1.82 ERA this year. The AL has Dallas Keuchel and David Price as strong options and it should be a close vote for the award.
Prediction: Greinke in NL. Keuchel in AL.
World Series prediction
There are some very strong teams in both the AL and NL this year coming into the playoffs and teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankee and Pittsburgh Pirates all feel confident that they can make World Series runs. The National League has five teams that all could realistically make a run and the wild card teams will be the Cubs and Pirates, who kept things close with the Cardinals at the end of the season. The Mets and Dodgers have great pitching and the Cards are built for October. The Royals have been solid all season, while the Blue Jays have surged in the AL and could be the favorites over Kansas City.
Prediction World Series matchup: Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets.
Check here for the MLB standings and more on the clinched teams.