Beyond all the predictions, one fact remains: the reigning World Series champions play in the American League. After triumphing in 2023, the Texas Rangers maintain a good team, especially since the organization is banking on the most intriguing recruit of this training camp, Wyatt Langford.
Aged 22, Langford has hit four home runs in his first nine games in the Cactus League and should logically join the Rangers, who already have a good mix of young and veterans. More certainly, outfielder Evan Carter is among the brightest prospects in major league baseball.
Among the older players, Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia find themselves at the heart of the lineup while Corey Seager, MVP of the last World Series, is recovering from surgery to treat a sports hernia. Alert on the mound, on the other hand: this is not the form for Jacob DeGrom, nor Max Scherzer. Starter Nathan Eovaldi can do the job, but we lack depth.
Jacob deGrom
Photo Getty Images via AFP
Obviously, the Houston Astros remain a perennial threat to the Rangers in the West section while the Seattle Mariners risk surprising.
The year of the Yankees?
While money can inevitably impact a championship, the New York Yankees, with the notable addition of outfielder Juan Soto, are ones to watch with a payroll approaching $300 million. On the contrary, the Oakland Athletics seem to have no chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
Juan Soto
Photo Getty Images via AFP
The absence of pitcher Gerrit Cole, injured for the start of the season, could however greatly harm the Yankees. Will the Toronto Blue Jays take advantage of this to move ahead of them in the East Division standings at the end of the first weeks of the calendar? Quite possible.
Watch out for the Orioles!
Even though they are in the bottom third of major league baseball teams in terms of money paid to players, the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays could still compete with the Yankees, Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in the thrilling Eastern section of the Americana.
Moreover, in 2023, it was the Orioles who surprised everyone by finishing first in the section with a record of 101 wins and 61 losses. The Baltimore club had at the same time presented the best performance of the regular season in the American, ahead of the Rays (99-63).
During the playoffs, however, the Rays and the Orioles were swept in turn by… the Rangers.
Success for Les Twins
In the Central, Quebecer Édouard Julien and the Minnesota Twins have the opportunity to win a second consecutive section title. This is my humble prediction.
Édouard Julien Photo Greg M. Cooper / QMI Agency
Last year, the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals all finished with a deficit record, falling below .500. It is not impossible that this scenario repeats itself, but we dare to imagine the blossoming of the young Tigers.
Eastern Section
ORIOLES DE BALTIMORE
Corbin Burnes, acquired by the Orioles during the offseason. Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Brandon Hyde
› Sheet in 2023: 101-61 (1er)
Analyse
The last time the Orioles had back-to-back seasons of 100 or more wins was in 1979 and 1980. That was during the Eddie Murray era! Former Expos Dennis Martinez was then, in Baltimore, in his first years in major baseball while the legendary Cal Ripken Jr. was not yet playing with the Orioles.
The feat seems within reach of this surprising team, especially since the club acquired starting pitcher Corbin Burnes in February. For the Orioles, their brilliant catcher Adley Rutschman and infielder Gunnar Henderson, the future is bright, but the future is also now.
BLUE JAYS DE TORONTO
Vladimir Guerrero fils.
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : John Schneider
› Sheet in 2023: 89-73 (3e)
Analyse
The Toronto club will begin the campaign with 10 road games before hosting the Seattle Mariners from April 8 to 10 at a revamped Rogers Center.
Obviously, Quebec’s interest is first and foremost in Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but Bo Bichette, George Springer and newcomer Justin Turner will also need to be in shape if the Blue Jays are to have a good season.
On the mound, starters Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios suggest that the club will experience some success while, in the shadows, relievers Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson and Tim Mayza are doing an excellent job.
And why not get ahead of the Yankees again in the standings?
YANKEES DE NEW YORK
Gerrit Cole
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Aaron Boone
› Sheet in 2023: 82-80 (4e)
Analyse
More fear than harm for pitcher Gerrit Cole who, nevertheless, will miss the first weeks of activities in major baseball. With the arrival of Juan Soto, the Yankees find themselves with a more impressive payroll than ever.
The talent is there, but the results never seem obvious with the Bronx Bombers. No doubt Aaron Judge can hit forty home runs. Soto will definitely support him, as will Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres.
It remains to be seen how the Yankees will fare on the mound, especially during Cole’s absence. Left-hander Nestor Cortes is handsome with his mustache, but he doesn’t have the makings of a number one starter.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Kevin Cash
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Kevin Cash
› Sheet in 2023: 99-63 (2e)
Analyse
The tradition is likely to continue. Every season, I place the Tampa Bay Rays a little too low in the standings. Last year, I predicted them to be third in the American League East when they quite easily beat the Blue Jays and the Yankees to get second place, behind the Orioles.
Once again, it’s manager Kevin Cash who seems to produce miracles with the players he has on hand. On the other hand, for 2024, the absence of starting pitcher Shane McClanahan could be felt, he who had to undergo the second Tommy John operation of his career last August.
Section Centrale
TWINS YOU MINNESOTA
Pablo Lopez
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Rocco Baldelli
› Sheet in 2023: 87-75 (1er)
Analyse
Quebecer Édouard Julien and his Twins teammates have a great opportunity to win a second consecutive section title. If the Minnesota team is solid both on offense and on the mound, it must be admitted that the American Central division is certainly not the toughest in major baseball.
Manager Rocco Baldelli is a keen strategist, using advanced statistics to his advantage. And what about the Twins’ starting rotation led by Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober?
Among hitters, there are many who can accumulate 15, 20 or even 25 home runs and more. Julien is part of the lot.
TIGERS DETROIT
Spencer Torkelson
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : A.J. Hinch
› Sheet in 2023: 78-84 (2e)
Analyse
After several difficult seasons, the Tigers seem on the verge of blooming thanks to Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene and potentially Colt Keith.
We dare to imagine, for the first time since 2016, a campaign above .500 for the Detroit team. Without banking on an ace like Justin Verlander at the time, the Tigers have a few starters capable of surprising, including Tarik Skubal.
The prediction may seem bold, but I’m going for at least second place in the Central section. We can’t predict Orioles-like success in 2023, but the Tigers have the opportunity to silence many of the denigrators.
GUARDIANS DE CLEVELAND
Jose Ramirez
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Stephen Vogt
› Sheet in 2023: 76-86 (3e)
Analyse
For years, manager Terry “Tito” Francona seemed to have the Cleveland club at arm’s length. After 11 seasons, he chose to leave his position and we believe that the Guardians will have less success under the orders of the inexperienced Stephen Vogt.
Despite everything, Jose Ramirez remains a star player for the Guardians while it will be interesting to follow the Canadian brothers Josh and Bo Naylor.
The starting rotation may look solid with Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Tanner Bibee, but there is uncertainty among these pitchers who all seem to be able to rack up as many wins as losses.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Bobby Witt fils
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Matt Quatraro
› Sheet in 2023: 56-106 (5e)
Analyse
Young Bobby Witt Jr. needs to be much better supported in Kansas City. He can’t do everything alone. The 23-year-old would be one of major league baseball’s biggest stars if he played in a different market.
It’s incredible that he was able to amass 97 runs scored and 96 RBIs last year with the Royals. He owes it, in large part, to his 11 triples, 30 circuits without forgetting his 49 stolen bases.
Around him, veteran Salvador Perez does what he can while several other young people are progressing. The fourth rank in the Central section is predicted, mainly thanks to the miraculous
WHITE SOX DE CHICAGO
Luis Robert fils
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Pedro Grifol
› Sheet in 2023: 61-101 (4e)
Analyse
It’s hard to believe that the White Sox could have a season as awful as last year. However… The recent transaction sending pitcher Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres is enough to make White Sox fans cry.
We took the opportunity to replenish the bank of prospects, but this leaves the club with an unconvincing rotation of starters. It’s not much better in the bullpen.
Despite Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn on offense, I bet that the “Bas Blancs” will even finish behind the poor Royals. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the White Sox allowed, on average, more than six runs per game.
West Section
HOUSTON ASTROS
Alex Bregman
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Joe Espada
› Sheet in 2023: 90-72 (1er)
Analyse
The Astros have won the American League West championship six times in the last seven seasons. Only the Oakland Athletics were ahead of them in 2020 during a campaign shortened to 60 games.
Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are still at the heart of the team’s success while Kyle Tucker has become the centerpiece of the attack.
In addition to a good starting rotation, the Astros are banking on relievers Josh Hader and Ryan Pressly, among others. It is believed that the mighty Astros can win the battle again, but only just.
MARINERS DE SEATTLE
Julio Rodriguez
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Scott Servais
› Sheet in 2023: 88-74 (3e)
Analyse
Menés by star Julio Rodriguez, the Mariners should not be taken lightly in the West. They undoubtedly share the top three with the Astros and Rangers.
I place them in second place, after a heated struggle. We can very well imagine these three teams qualifying for the playoffs.
Since the Twins will be the only ones to leave the Central, that leaves five places to be taken for the other two sections.
The Mariners have one of the best starting rotations in major league baseball with Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo.
RANGERS YOU TEXAS
Evan Carter
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Bruce Bochy
› Sheet in 2023: 90-72 (2e)
Analyse
You have to go back to the turn of the century to list the last team to win the World Series twice in a row. At the time, the New York Yankees had even won three consecutive titles, between 1998 and 2000.
It would be bold to predict another triumph for promising Evan Carter and the Rangers.
Even the West section title, at the end of the regular season, will be difficult to obtain. The club has not dominated its division since 2016, although last year it finished with the same record as the Astros. In the tiebreaker, Houston had the upper hand.
ANGELS OF LOS ANGELES
Mike Trout
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Ron Washington
› Sheet in 2023: 73-89 (4e)
Analyse
The Angels lost Japanese Shohei Ohtani to their Los Angeles neighbors: the Dodgers. Without getting anything in return, it should be remembered, because the phenomenon has become an independent player.
Even if they still count on the excellent outfielder Mike Trout, the “Angels” risk going through hell. Luis Rengifo, Brandon Drury and Taylor Ward will try to support Trout as much as possible while Anthony Rendon is no longer a shadow of his former self.
Where it might be really difficult is on the mound. Starters Griffin Canning and Reid Detmers will try to save the day, but the season is likely to be long and difficult in the Anaheim district. The Dodgers will gain new fans.
ATHLETICS D’OAKLAND
Zack Gelof
Photo Getty Images via AFP
> Manager : Mark Kotsay
› Sheet in 2023: 50-112 (5e)
Analyse :
Having amassed just 50 wins in 2023, the Athletics are dying in Oakland before one day moving to Las Vegas. I resisted the temptation to place the A’s anywhere other than fifth in the West.
On the other hand, I don’t think they will finish 40 games in the lead, as was the case last season. It is even believed that the club led by Mark Kotsay could appear in the Angels’ rearview mirror for a good part of the campaign.
Young Zack Gelof, who plays second base, is promising. On the mound, starters Mason Miller and JP Sears can do well.