Predictions for the 60-game shortened MLB season:
Order of finish:
AL EAST
N.Y. Yankees
Tampa Bay
Boston
Toronto
Baltimore
AL CENTRAL
Minnesota
Cleveland
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City
Detroit
AL WEST
Oakland
Houston
L.A. Angels
Seattle
Texas
WILD CARDS: Houston over Tampa Bay
ALDS: N.Y. Yankees over Houston, Oakland over Minnesota
ALCS: N.Y. Yankees over Oakland
*or:
Playoff seeds: N.Y. Yankees, Oakland, Houston, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Boston, L.A. Angels
Quarterfinals: N.Y. Yankees over L.A. Angels, Oakland over Boston, Houston over Cleveland, Minnesota over Tampa Bay
Semifinals: N.Y. Yankees over Minnesota, Oakland over Houston
ALCS: N.Y. Yankees over Oakland
NL EAST
Philadelphia
Atlanta
Washington
N.Y. Mets
Miami
NL CENTRAL
Cincinnati
St. Louis
Milwaukee
Chicago Cubs
Pittsburgh
NL WEST
L.A. Dodgers
Colorado
San Diego
Arizona
San Francisco
WILD CARDS: Atlanta over St. Louis
NLDS: L.A. Dodgers over Atlanta, Philadelphia over Cincinnati
NLCS: L.A. Dodgers over Philadelphia
*or:
Playoff seeds: L.A. Dodgers, Cincinnati, Atlanta, St. Louis, Colorado, Milwaukee, Washington
Quarterfinals: L.A. Dodgers vs. Colorado, Washington over Cincinnati, Philadelphia over Milwaukee, St. Louis over Atlanta
Semifinals: L.A. Dodgers over St. Louis, Philadelphia over Washington
NLCS: L.A. Dodgers over Philadelphia
WORLD SERIES: N.Y. Yankees over L.A. Dodgers
AL MVP: Matt Chapman
NL MVP: Mookie Betts
AL CY YOUNG: Gerrit Cole
NL CY YOUNG: Walker Buehler
One note: I would have liked Toronto to contend for a Wild Card berth except that as of today the Blue Jays do not have a home ballpark. They may play at a minor league park that they clearly do not feel is up to major league standards, or they may play the entire season on the road. All in the middle of a global pandemic. Not good.
* New playoff format still being decided hours before Opening Day deadline and publication date.