Dutch Lion’s 2024 MLB Preview

Dutch Lion’s 2024 MLB Preview

Here we are, another change of seasons, another Spring. That means today it might be 30 and snowy, while tomorrow might bring 70 and sun. Get out your lawn mowers and your pruners. It’s time to prep for the upcoming Summer. This means eyeblack, batting gloves, and helmet nachos. Don’t forget about sunblock, sunglasses, and hopefully… sun. Boomsticks anyone? Only $29 each at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX!

What were we talking about?…. Oh yeah, Baseball! I don’t recall… who is the defending World Series Champion? Oh yeah, it’s the Texas Rangers. What a run they went on last year. Manager Bruce Bochy and superstar Corey Seager led them all the way in ’23. Which means they have absolutely no chance to win this year’s Title. Nobody repeats in baseball. The last Repeat Champs were the 2000 New York Yankees.

We usually pick the Los Angeles Dodgers to win it all. The reason why is because they care the most. They spend the most (actually not right now, they are currently 8th in spending as of April 4). They have a great organization. But they’ve won only one Title in the modern era (2020). They’ve had some bad luck, running into multiple cheaters (Houston in 2017 and Boston in 2018) along the way. And now they have gone out and bought Shohei Ohtani ($700 million). The top of their lineup consists of three MVP’s: Mookie Betts, Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman. Come to think of it, maybe we SHOULD pick the Dodgers to win it all.

Last year, we picked the New York Mets. Oh brother, what a horrid season they had. After high expectations, the Mets finished in 4th Place with a 75-87 record. Ugh sauce! Needless to say, we’re gonna pick a different Champ this year, even though we think L.A. might win it all. Keep reading to find out our choice.

A.L. East (21st Century World Series Champions: 6; Yankees 2000, ’09, Red Sox ’04, ’07, ’13 ,’18)

The A.L. East is often the best division in baseball. No different this year. Check out my predictions last year, they were God-Awful! Hopefully I’ve learned something about these Eastern seaboard ballclubs. I didn’t believe Baltimore would make a big jump last year, and boy was I wrong. Meanwhile, I thought New York would dominate, but they struggled with injuries and finished near .500. I was pretty close on Toronto. Regarding Tampa, I always underrate them b/c on paper their roster doesn’t look so good, but Manager Kevin Cash always gets them rolling (managed for nine seasons, six straight winning seasons, five straight playoff appearances). They have a solid franchise. Too bad nobody in Tampa seems to care (27th in attendance out of 30 teams). So where will Dutch Lion put them? Oh you know… 4th place.

1. Baltimore Orioles (2024 Prediction: 97-65) (’23 Prediction: 76-86, ’23 Actual: 101-61; +25)
2. New York Yankees (’24: 95-67) (’23 Prediction: 100-62, ’23 Actual: 82-80; -18)
3. Toronto Blue Jays (’24: 90-72) (’23 Prediction: 94-68, ’23 Actual: 89-73; -5)
4. Tampa Bay Rays (’24: 86-76) (’23 Prediction: 85-77, ’23 Actual: 99-63; +14)
5. Boston Red Sox (’24: 72-90) (’23 Prediction: 72-90, ’23 Actual: 78-84; +6)

A.L. Central (21st Century World Series Champions: 2; White Sox ’05, Royals ’15)

The Central stinks. This division has been bad for most of the century. Sure there have been some World Series participants, but only two World Champions (’05 Sox, ’15 Royals). Most Central teams fizzle in the playoffs. This division is marked by low-spending owners, small market complainers, and below-average attendance. The A.L. Central gets our vote for worst division in Baseball.

1. Minnesota Twins (’24 Prediction: 87-75) (’23 Prediction: 83-79, ’23 Actual: 87-75; +4)
2. Cleveland Guardians (’24: 83-79) (’23 Prediction: 92-70, ’23 Actual: 76-86; -16)
3. Detroit Tigers (’24: 81-81) (’23 Prediction: 63-99, ’23 Actual: 78-84; +15)
4. Kansas City Royals (’24: 70-92) (’23 Prediction: 74-88, ’23 Actual: 56-106; -18)
5. Chicago White Sox (’24: 68-94) (’23 Prediction: 95-67, ’23 Actual: 61-101; -34)

A.L. West (21st Century World Series Champions: 4; Angels ’02, Astros ’17, ’22, Rangers ’23)

If somebody told you before last season that the World Champions would be from this division, about 90% of you, maybe 95%, or even 99% would have bet on “Houston”. Instead, the Texas Rangers surprised the world by winning the 2023 World Series. Dutch Lion was personally very pleased with his prediction of the Rangers stealing the division away from the Astros. Not many were predicting this last Spring, but we were right about something at least. Manager Bruce Bochy did it again. He won his 4th world championship (three with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, ’12, and ’14). He’s on his way to Cooperstown. You can bet on that.

1. Texas Rangers (24 Prediction: 93-69) (’23 Prediction: 92-70, ’23 Actual: 90-72; -2)
2. Seattle Mariners (’24: 89-73) (’23 Prediction: 77-85, ’23 Actual: 88-74; +11)
3. Houston Astros (’24: 87-75) (’23 Prediction: 91-71, ’23 Actual: 90-72; -1)
4. Los Angeles Angels (’24: 65-97) (’23 Prediction: 84-78, ’23 Actual: 73-89; -11)
5. Oakland Athletics (’24: 55-107) (’23 Prediction: 57-105, ’23 Actual: 50-112; -7)

---

A.L. MVP – Aaron Judge/New York

“The Uncle Glen” A.L. Cy Young Award – Pablo Lopez/Minnesota

A.L. Rookie of the Year – Evan Carter/Texas

A.L. Manager of the Year – Brandon Hyde/Baltimore

---

American League Playoff Seeds

Are my eyes deceiving me? NO Houston. NO Tampa. I know what you’re thinking… “Dutch” has lost it. You’re probably right. But it’s time for some fresh blood.

1. Baltimore (AL East Champion) – BYE
2. Texas (AL West Champion) – BYE
3. Minnesota (AL Central Champion) – #3 hosts #6 in best-of-3 Wild Card Series
4. New York (AL Wild Card #1) – #4 hosts #5 in best-of-3 AL Wild Card
5. Toronto (AL Wild Card #2)
6. Seattle (AL Wild Card #3)

American League Wild Card (ALWCS) – Best of 3

• #6 Seattle Mariners over #3 Minnesota Twins

• #4 New York Yankees over #5 Toronto Blue Jays

American League Divisional Series (ALDS) – Best of 5

• #1 Baltimore Orioles over #4 New York Yankees

• #2 Texas Rangers over #6 Seattle Mariners

American League Championship Series (ALCS) – Best of 7

• #1 Baltimore Orioles over #2 Texas Rangers

---

N.L. East (21st Century World Series Champs: 4; Marlins ’03, Phillies ’08, Nationals ’19, Braves ’21)

The NL East is one of the best divisions in Baseball, year after year. Currently they house three of the top six payrolls in MLB: #2 Mets, #4 Phillies, and #6 Braves (plus the #21 Nationals & #28 Marlins). With the current Playoff format, the second place finisher has a much harder road to the World Series in that they have to win a best-of-3 Wild Card (NLWCS) while the East Division Champ will likely have a bye to the next round, the best-of-5 NLDS. Of course, in 2022 the Braves won the division over the Phillies but then were upset by Philadelphia in the NLDS. The Phils went on to the World Series. Will this happen again? Yes, we are predicting a repeat of history.

1. Atlanta Braves (’24 Prediction: 97-65) (’23 Prediction: 94-68, ’23 Actual: 104-58; +10)
2. Philadelphia Phillies (’24 Prediction: 95-67) (’23 Prediction: 90-72, ’23 Actual: 90-72!; EXACT!)
3. New York Mets (’24 Prediction: 81-81) (’23 Prediction: 95-67, ’23 Actual: 75-87; -20)
4. Washington Nationals (’24 Prediction: 69-93) (’23 Prediction: 57-105, ’23 Actual: 71-91; +14)
5. Miami Marlins (’24 Prediction: 65-97) (’23 Prediction: 78-84, ’23 Actual: 84-78; +6)

N.L. Central (21st Century World Series Champs: 3; Cardinals ’06, 11, Cubs ’16)

Under consideration for worst division of the century, the N.L. Central boasts only three World Championships. Not only that, but they routinely have plenty of tankers and many “uuugly” seasons. Take Pittsburgh, or “usually” Cincinnati. These franchises haven’t done much since your grandfather listened to baseball on his transistor radio. As for the Brewers and Cubs, they typically try to win with less. The only franchise that is fully committed to winning has been St. Louis. It’s sad, really. Sure plenty of the reasoning is economics, but many of these mostly Midwestern fans are dying for a good baseball team. It’s too bad ownership and the economics of baseball have given little to cheer for most of these cities going on decades now.

1. Cincinnati Reds (’24 Prediction: 90-72) (’23 Prediction: 68-94, ’23 Actual: 82-80; +14)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (’24 Prediction: 86-76) (’23 Prediction: 85-77, ’23 Actual: 92-70; +5)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (’24 Prediction: 84-78) (’23 Prediction: 101-61, ’23 Actual: 71-91; -30)
4. Chicago Cubs (’24 Prediction: 78-84) (’23 Prediction: 72-90, ’23 Actual: 83-79; +11)
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (’24 Prediction: 70-92) (’23 Prediction: 78-84, ’23 Actual: 76-86; -2)

N.L. West (21st Century World Series Champs: 5; Diamondbacks ’01, Giants ’10, ’12, ’14, Dodgers ’20)

Baseball’s strength is on the coasts. The goliaths reside in NYC and L.A. Every once in awhile you get a 2015 Royals championship, but it’s not sustainable. You know what IS sustainable? The dynasty of the Los Angeles Dodgers. These guys do everything right, except win it all. The Dodgers have made the Playoffs for 11 consecutive years, yet only have one ring to their credit. Are they doing something wrong in the Postseason? I don’t believe they are. The biggest factors in my opinion are the format, which rewards underdogs, and the fact that L.A.’s dominant ace of their pitching staff, Clayton Kershaw, has struggled in October (13-13, 4.49 ERA, 1.11 WHIP despite his Hall of Fame resume in the regular season of 210-92, 2.48 ERA, 1.00 WHIP). Having said that, expect another incredible regular season for the Dodgers. As for the Postseason???

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (’24 Prediction: 105-57) (’23 Prediction: 97-65, ’23 Actual: 100-62; +3)
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (’24 Prediction: 90-72) (’23 Prediction: 68-94, ’23 Actual: 84-78; +16)
3. San Diego Padres (’24 Prediction: 87-75) (’23 Prediction: 99-63, ’23 Actual: 82-80; -17)
4. San Francisco Giants (’24 Prediction: 81-81) (’23 Prediction: 83-79, ’23 Actual: 79-83; -4)
5. Colorado Rockies (’24 Prediction: 60-102) (’23 Prediction: 72-90, ’23 Actual: 59-103; -13)

N.L. MVP : Mookie Betts/SS/2B/OF/Los Angeles Dodgers – Mookie won the A.L. MVP in 2018. Only one player have won the MVP in both leagues, Frank Robinson with Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966. Can Mookie become the second ever?

N.L. Cy Young: Bobby Miller/SP/Los Angeles Dodgers – Miller came out of nowhere to dominate hitters last year. He went 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA in just 22 starts with a 1.10 WHIP, 119 K’s, and a team-leading 2.8 WAR. He turns 25 on April 5, and the sky’s the limit.

N.L. Rookie of the Year: Jackson Chourio/OF/Milwaukee – So much hype for this phenom. Will he deliver?

N.L. Manager of the Year: David Bell/Cincinnati

---

National League Playoff Seeds

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (N.L. West Champion) – BYE
2. Atlanta (N.L. East Champion) – BYE
3. Cincinnati (N.L. Central Champion) – #3 hosts #6 in best-of-3 Wild Card Series
4. Philadelphia (N.L. Wild Card #1) – #4 hosts #5 in best-of-3 N.L. Wild Card
5. Arizona (N.L. Wild Card #2)
6. San Diego (N.L. Wild Card #3)

National League Wild Card (NLWCS) – Best of 3

• #3 Cincinnati Reds over #6 San Diego Padres

• #4 Philadelphia Phillies over #5 Arizona Diamondbacks

National League Divisional Series (NLDS) – Best of 5

• #4 Philadelphia Phillies over #1 Los Angeles Dodgers
• #3 Cincinnati Reds over #2 Atlanta Braves

National League Championship Series (NLCS) – Best of 7

• #4 Philadelphia Phillies over #3 Cincinnati Reds

---

2024 World Series – Best of 7

Philadelphia Phillies over Baltimore Orioles

The fans all up and down the eastern seaboard will be pumped for this World Series matchup, which is a rematch of the 1983 World Series. MVP Bryce Harper will finally get his World Series ring as the Phillies will pound the Orioles in late October, or even early November. A World Series Game 7 is scheduled for November 2, 2024.

Philadelphia’s last World Series championship was 2008. They’ve been knocking on the door the last few seasons, even finishing as Runner-Up in ’22. One of these years they might break down the door. Their starting pitching boasts two aces in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. Plus, the Phillies have one of the top bullpens according to Anthony Castrovince on MLB.com.

As for hitting, the Phillies boast an outstanding lineup led by bashers Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos. This team should put up plenty of round-trippers once again this year (3rd in NL behind Atlanta and L.A.). The Phils were 4th in N.L. batting average too.

As for Baltimore, their last World Series Title was in 1983, forty-one years ago. They beat Philadelphia in five games. Cal Ripken won the regular season MVP that year, while Rick Dempsey won the World Series MVP. Very little has gone well since then. Outside of a beautiful ballpark (Camden Yards) and the Cal Ripken chase for the most consecutive games played record, well… do you, the reader, have anything good to say about the Orioles?

Baltimore has been rebuilding for awhile and then suddenly exploded last year, winning 101 games! But once again, they fizzed in the Playoffs. Here’s betting they take the experience gained last year and build on it this year.

Overall, we’re picking the Philadelphia to defeat Baltimore. They have a better lineup and better aces at the top of their starting rotation. Plus, they are projected to have the best bullpen in the Major Leagues. It will be sweet revenge for Mike Schmidt.

Your 2024 World Series Champions will be…. the Philadelphia Phillies.