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The Globe

The student news site of Clayton High School.

The Globe

The student news site of Clayton High School.

The Globe

Major League Baseball 2013 Season Preview

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, left, keeps an eye on the Philadelphia Phillies’ Chase Utley as he takes a lead from second base during the first inning in Tampa, Florida, in spring training action on Wednesday, March 13, 2013. (David Maialetti/Philadelphia Daily News/MCT)

Baseball fans across the nation are growing excited. Why? Opening day is tomorrow. Here are the Globe predictions for the season, including a player to watch for each team. The player to watch is not necessarily the best player on the team, just one who may have a big impact.

American League (AL) East

Predicted finish:

1. New York Yankees- The Yankees will get off to a slow start due to injury, then regain their footing for yet another division title.

Player to watch: Michael Pineda will not be able to pitch until June due to injury, but expect his presence to lift the Yankee rotation.

2. Toronto Blue Jays (First wild card)- Big off season moves will pay off and the Blue Jays will make it to the playoffs.

Player to watch: Josh Johnson did not live up to his hype in Miami, but don’t rule out a strong season in a new league.

3. Tampa Bay Rays (Second wild card)- Despite trading away James Shields, the Rays still have strong pitching and an improved offense.

Player to watch: Wil Meyers is a rookie that will raise a lot of eyebrows in 2013.

4. Baltimore Orioles- The Orioles are a solid team, but the tough AL East will make a playoff birth difficult.

Player to watch: Manny Machado is a star in the making.

5. Boston Red Sox- Like the Orioles, the Red Sox struggles will mostly be due to an extremely tough division.

Player to watch: Joel Hanrahan is a new addition, and has turned in a number of strong seasons in the past.

AL Central

Predicted finish:

1. Detroit Tigers- The 2013 Tigers are healthier team than last season, a season where they made the World Series. Expect big things from Detroit.

Player to watch: Austin Jackson had a nice season last year. The outfielder could turn in an All-Star caliber season.

2. Kansas City Royals- Their strong farm system will pay off, but the squad will fall short of a playoff birth in 2013.

Player to watch: Eric Hosmer will bounce back from a disappointing season in 2012.

3. Cleveland Indians- The Indians sport a solid squad but are not ready to make the leap to the postseason.

Player to watch: Trevor Bauer had an extremely strong arm and a bright future. The former Arizona Diamondback will pitch well for the Indians.

4. Chicago White Sox- The struggles the White Sox saw at the end of the 2012 season will continue. The team does not have the depth to succeed.

Player to watch: Chris Sale is an extremely good pitcher. He will be one of few bright spots for the White Sox.

5. Minnesota Twins- Do not expect much from the Twins. They are an injury prone team lacking depth- not a good spot to be in.

Player to watch: Joe Benson is a younger player that could play well.

AL West

Predicted finish:

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- Their lineup is one of the best in the league. With decent pitching, they will make the playoffs.

Player to watch: Mark Trumbo is a very good hitter. Expect another All-Star season.

2. Texas Rangers- Though they have decent pitching and a good offense, the Rangers will continually miss Josh Hamilton’s big bat in their lineup.

Player to watch: Jurickson Profar is another rising star. He will make an impact when he is called up to the big leagues.

3. Seattle Mariners- The Mariners could surprised some people. They have pitching depth and an improved (but still mediocre) offense.

Player to watch: Kendrys Morales was a very good player before he was plagued with two years of injury. He looks to rebound with the Mariners.

4. Oakland Athletics- They won’t surprise anyone this year and will not have a successful season.

Player to watch: Yoenis Cespedes will further adjust to U.S. pitching. He will have a breakout year.

5. Houston Astros- The Astros are moving into a tougher division and have a weak squad. Sorry, Houston, but expect to see them at the bottom of the AL.

Player to watch: Jose Altuve is a decent hitter and will be good for the Astros. Expect him to hit over .300.

National League (NL) East

Predicted finish:

1. Washington Nationals- Pitching depth, offensive depth and a strong bullpen. The Nationals are emerging as an NL force.

Player to watch: Jordan Zimmerman had a good season last year. Expect them to be even better in 2013.

2. Atlanta Braves (First wild card)- Though the leadership of Chipper Jones will be missed, the Braves will win the wild card for a second straight season.

Player to watch: Brandon Beachy will be a very good pitcher when he returns from injury.

3. Philadelphia Phillies- The Phillies are unpredictable. It is hard to tell where they will wind up. Expect improved pitching but decreased offense.

Player to watch: Domonic Brown may start to hit like the Phillies hope he will.

4. New York Mets- Young pitching will not be ready but expect good things from the Mets in a year or two.

Player to watch: Matt Harvey is a very good young pitcher. Getting a few innings of experience will help him this season.

5. Miami Marlins- The Marlins are a wreck. Ownership traded away their best players (aside from Giancarlo Stanton). Fans and players are angry in Miami.

Player to watch: Zack Cox, a former Cardinal prospect, could make his Major League debut in 2013.

NL Central

Predicted finish:

1. Cincinnati Reds- The Reds have good pitching and a good lineup. Their team disappointed in the playoffs last year, but will give themselves a chance to redeem themselves in 2013.

Player to watch: Shin-Soo Choo is a great fit with the Reds. The former Indian will have a nice 2013 season.

2. St. Louis Cardinals- The injury prone Cardinals may have a tough time in 2013. They will finish with a decent record but miss the playoffs.

Player to watch: Shelby Miller was a top prospect at one point. He has a chance to prove himself in the starting rotation in 2013.

3. Milwaukee Brewers- Though they have solid pitchers, the Brewers lack an ace.

Player to watch: Norichika Aoki is a decent outfielder. He will continue to improve in 2013. If the Brewers are lucky, he will hit over .300.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates- The Pirates will get off to a hot start but will struggle d0wn the stretch and finish below the .500 mark.

Player to watch: Starling Marte is a great player. The all around talent will have a very nice season in 2013.

5. Chicago Cubs- The Cubs are not where they need to be to succeed. The lack pitching and an offense other than Starlin Castro.

Player to watch: David DeJesus may have a nice season and make it to the All-Star game.

NL West

Predicted Finish:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers- The Dodgers will start to play like a team. Their late season moves from 2012 will pay off.

Player to watch: Hanley Ramirez will preform well in his first full season outside of Florida.

2. San Francisco Giants (Second wild card)- Their pitching will be dominant, but the Giants may lack offense. That said, the defending champs will make it to the postseason.

Player to watch: Tim Lincecum could return to his Cy Young form. Expect some improvement, maybe even to where he once was as a pitcher.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks- The Diamondbacks will not have a very good season. Their main trade in the off season (trading Bauer) was not a good one.

Player to watch: Heath Bell will rebound from a tough season in Miami.

4. Colorado Rockies- They lack pitching, but a decent offense will prevent them from finishing in last place.

Player to watch:  Dexter Fowler is a speedy baserunner and a decent hitter. He could make the All-Star game in 2013.

5. San Diego Padres- The Padres do not have a strong rotation, nor a quality batting order. Expect them to finish in the cellar of the AL West.

Player to watch: Cameron Maybin has not been very good so far in his career, but he could have a breakout season in 2013.

Playoff Predictions

AL:

Wild card- Toronto (4) over Tampa Bay (5)

Division series- Toronto (4) over Los Angeles Angels (1)

New York Yankees (2) over Detroit (3)

ALCS- New York Yankees (2) over Toronto (4)

NL:

Wild card- San Francisco (5) over Atlanta (4)

Division series- Washington (1) over San Francisco (5)

Los Angeles Dodgers (2) over Cincinnati Reds (3)

NLCS- Los Angeles Dodgers (2) over Washington (1)

World Series

Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees

Six games

Awards Race

AL MVP- Albert Pujols

NL MVP- Matt Kemp

AL Cy Young- Justin Verlander

NL Cy Young- Stephen Strasburg

AL Rookie of the Year- Wil Meyers

NL Rookie of the Year- Adam Eaton

AL Manager of the Year- Ned Yost

NL Manager of the Year- Bruce Bochy

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Major League Baseball 2013 Season Preview