2030 Season Preview

Steve and I return with out annual preview of the league right before opening day. Here is an outlook on how we see things going this year. These picks are sure to go wrong, but hey, we gave it a shot. I (Nick TX) did the NL and Steve (PGH) did the AL. Here we go.

National League

NL East

This is a tough division...one where almost every team is either trying to win or very close.

Marlins 102-60 With by far the most productive offseason, they should establish themselves as the clear favorite in this division and do well in the playoffs.

Phillies 92-60 The defending WS champions are getting older, and lost Mel Ott, but they remain a deeply talented team, and will make the playoffs again and defend their crown as a wild card.

Mets 83-79 After a huge draft and adding David Ortiz, in addition to a maturing and improving young staff, the Mets will come one step closer this season. Watch out in a year or two.

Expos 81-81 After losing a few players, they added perhaps the best closer in the league from the draft. They will stay about the same, but are probably on the rise.

Braves 64-98 Despite some pretty good talent, they will continue to struggle in a tough division.


NL Central

In this division, standing pat is a big step down.

Pirates 98-64 With probably the 2nd best offseason (adding 3B Cepeda and 1B Palmiero among others) in the league, the Pirates should get the monkey off their back and take the division. This team has quickly made itself scary.

Reds 90-72 They lost Gehrig, but added P Perez and 1B Lee to an already good team. Should create problems for other teams in the league and could make a puch for a Wild Card.

Cardinals 82-80 Has a lot of young talent and a great GM who won't let them finish last 2 seasons in a row.

Cubs 80-82 Another team that has young talent and is on the way up...but still a few years away.

Astros 74-88 After becoming perhaps the hottenst team in recent history at the end of last season, the Astros will cool off in a division where everyone else is getting better.

NL West

This division has the most defined roles of any. Will be interesting to see if injuries or trades could shake this up.

Giants 95-67 They are building a winner in San Fran, and the gap between them and the aging Dodgers gets bigger every year.

Dodgers 88-74 The window is closing, but it is not closed yet. This veteran team could play spoiler.

Rockies 69-93 An overhaul was needed, but it won't pay immediate dividends.

Padres 60-102 One of the top teams in baseball as far as talented prospects go. It takes several years at the bottom before a team is ready to make it to the top, though. The new GM understands this.

NL Sleepers:

Cardinals: when they hit on all cylanders, as they have been known to do, they can surprise you.

Mets: Sometimes teams come together faster than you think. That could be the Mets.



American League

AL East

Will this be the year that this division regains respectability? With just 2 contenders and 3 teams rebuilding, probably not.

Division Champs: New York Yankees, 90-72

New GM Scott Dinnis has been very active since moving to the Bronx. The Cepeda trade has been highly criticized, but it brought in the 4 skilled veterans(Hernandez, Larkin, Bonderman and Shouse) that may be the difference in this race. The lineup will be stellar as always, but will the pitching be improved enough to win the race?

Runner-up: Boston Red Sox, 88-74

After 2 straight divisional championships, GM Mike George left for San Diego. Most of the team returns, and they know how to win. So, if they do lose the division, it won’t be without a fight. They still easily boast the best pitching staff in the division, but will they be able to score enough runs to win it again?

Third: Detroit Tigers, 73-89

Picking up Matthew Lecroy and closer Randy Myers will help this club compete. However, there just aren’t any stars here. There are quite a few nice players, but just not enough horses to hang with the Yanks and Sox.

Fourth: Baltimore Orioles, 69-93

This team is still a couple of seasons away, but they have some future stars in guys like Chuck Klein and Clue Haywood. Keep an eye on David Wells. The former #2 overall pick could have a huge breakout season.

Fifth: Toronto Blue Jays, 65-97

The good news is that this team has by far its best rotation in years. Ohka, Belcher and Tewksbury will help this team win some games. The bad news is the bullpen and lineup are still very pedestrian. Crawling out of the cellar would be a good goal for this season.

AL Central

4 different clubs won championships from this division in the decade, will the next be as kind?

Division Champs: Minnesota Twins, 93-69

17 game winner Andy Van Hekken left for Florida, ho hum, super prospect Mike Hampton was waiting in the wings. This club still may boast the deepest pitching staff in all of HABLA. However, if Snider and Dawson do not stay healthy, which has been a big if lately, they have trouble scoring runs. If that happens, they may be on the outside looking in, in October.

Runner-up: Chicago White Sox, 87-75

Without any real weak spots in the lineup, with 4 solid starters and a good bullpen, this might be their year. However, Konikowski may miss the entire season recovering from a torn hammy. Oh yea, long time GM Dinnis is gone, too. That being said, it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see this team in the playoffs.

Third: Cleveland Indians, 84-78

The Tribe now boasts 2 legit aces in Witt and Dravecky. The losses of Palmeiro and Olerud could make what was a strong lineup very mediocre, though. If things fall into place, however, this team is still capable of making a run at the division.

Fourth: Milwaukee Brewers, 71-91

It may be time for this club to begin rebuilding. With no star youngsters, but a bunch of solid vets, this team could greatly improve their prospect pool.

Fifth: Kansas City Royals, 60-102

The rebuilding process is in full force in KC. Jered Weaver should be a stud and will be a serious candidate for AL ROY.

AL West

Habla’s toughest division last season should be very strong again.

Division Champs: Texas Rangers, 104-58

For the first time since 2022 this club was left out of the playoffs. Well, they didn’t like that too much, so, they added Gehrig to what may have already been the best lineup in the league. Could Speaker score 200 runs as a result? Probably not, but the Rangers lineup will be fearsome.

Runner-up: Seattle Mariners, 100-62, Wild-Card

What’s the best way to combat a great lineup? Great pitching is, of course. They added ace Josh Beckett and stud reliever Joe Borowski to an already very tough pitching staff. Expect a dogfight for the divisional race. Fortunately, for the loser, the wild-card should be waiting.

Third: Oakland Athletics, 90-72

They finally got to the top of the mountain last season, only to see their competitors go out and get even better. This club still has a lot of star power, however, they are probably in the wrong division to make a serious run.

Fourth: Anaheim Angels, 60-102

GM KL definitely has this team moving in the right direction. They have more good prospects than anyone in the league, but most are still a couple seasons away from helping this team get back to respectability. In other news, star pitcher Chief Bender will be receiving his high school diploma in 2 months. Yea folks, he’s still just 18.

AL Sleeper:

White Sox: If Langston returns to Cy Young form, this team has enough pieces to make a deep run in the playoffs.