MLB 2014 Predictions

I am writing this on the eve of Opening Day (for the United States anyway) of Major League Baseball for this fine year of 2014. That being said, it's time to make some picks…

Let's start in the National League:

National League East
Pick: Atlanta Braves
MVP: Freddie Freeman

The Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals will be battling for this division all year long. Either team could honestly win the division, but I'm going to pick the Braves. My reasoning behind this is simply that the Braves could potentially have the most explosive lineup in baseball if they can figure out B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla. The Nats seem cursed to me because they are always picked to win this division and never do.  Freddie Freeman will be the man for the Braves, as he's quickly emerged as one of the best hitters in baseball.

National League Central
Pick: St. Louis Cardinals
MVP: Adam Wainwright

The Cardinals will make it back to the World Series this season behind basically the same complete team they had last season. Matt Adams and Jhonny Peralta will have to pick up the power void left by Carlos Beltran, but that void isn't too big of a task for the two. People tend to forget how much help this lineup gets from Allen Craig and Yadier Molina. Wainwright will be the best pitcher in the National League this season.

National League West
Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers
MVP: Adrian Gonzalez

I really like what San Francisco did with their rotation in adding Tim Hudson, but the Giants lineup won't be able to produce as many runs as the Dodgers' lineup. Yasiel Puig and Hanley Ramirez are the "big names" in the lineup this season, but people forget how consistent Adrian Gonzalez has been in Los Angeles.

NL MVP: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
NL Cy Young: Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

American League East
Pick: Boston Red Sox
MVP: David Ortiz

The Red Sox are going to be tough this season, even without Jacoby Ellisbury in center field. David Ortiz is just phenomenal at the plate and will be blasting moon shots over the monster all season. This will be a competitive race through the dog days of summer that will be fun to watch.

American League Central
Pick: Detroit Tigers
MVP: Miguel Cabrera

The AL Central is the easiest division to pick in my opinion. There isn't a roster in the division that even rivals the depth of the Detroit Tigers lineup and rotation. Miguel Cabrera has been the most recent Triple Crown winner since 1967, and he's the most dependable hitter in the game. I expect big things from the Tigers this season.

American League West
Pick: Texas Rangers
MVP: Shin-Soo Choo

The Oakland A's have snuck away with this division that past two seasons. This won't be the case this season, as Shin-Soo Choo will be scoring a ton of runs in this high-octane offense that's now anchored by Prince Fielder. If the Rangers' pitching is as good as it looks on paper, they might be able to make a push into the Fall Classic.

AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
AL Cy Young: C.J. Wilson

Playoffs:

NL Wildcard: Pirates beat the Nationals
AL Wildcard: Angels beat A's

AL Divisional: Angels beat Red Sox, Tigers beat Rangers
NL Divisonal: Cardinals beat Pirates, Dodgers beat Braves

AL Championship: Tigers beat Angels
NL Championship: Cardinals beat Dodgers

World Series: Cardinals beat Tigers in 6 games

If you're not following me on twitter @griffaldo, you are wrong. Stay tuned!