Major League Baseball finally returns after a COVID-shortened season concluded with the Dodgers becoming world champions. Since that point, new faces have gone to new places, new expectations are held for each team, and the excitement is buzzing 2 weeks off of Opening Day. In this article I will be predicting the standings, playoffs, and even my pick for the 2021 World Series winner. Without further ado, here are my standings predictions for each division, starting with those in the National League. 

NL East:

1. Braves
2. Mets
3. Phillies
4. Nationals
5. Marlins

NL Central:

1. Cardinals
2. Brewers
3. Cubs
4. Reds
5. Pirates

NL West:

1. Dodgers
2. Padres
3. Giants
4. Diamondbacks
5. Rockies

The top of every NL division is wide open. Both the Padres and Mets have improved their teams with huge acquisitions to contend with reigning division champion Dodgers and Braves, respectively. In the central, there is no clear favorite, but the Cardinals trading for star third baseman Nolan Arenado puts them over the rest for me. While the bottoms of each division are likely set, it will be interesting to see how the top 2-3 spots in each division play out. Onto the AL…

AL East:

1. Yankees
2. Blue Jays
3. Rays
4. Red Sox
5. Orioles

AL Central:

1. White Sox
2. Twins
3. Indians
4. Royals
5. Tigers

AL West:

1. A’s
2. Angels
3. Astros
4. Mariners
5. Rangers

Similar to the NL, there are 2-3 teams in every division that have a valid argument for finishing on top. The Blue Jays had a fantastic offseason, putting them over a Rays team who in my opinion significantly regressed especially after trading Blake Snell. In the central, the White Sox are super talented but the Twins retained their core pieces and have shown they can compete with anyone. And in the west, I think Mike Trout in the Angels have what it takes to finally push towards the playoffs. Now, onto my full postseason projections and who I believe will win the 2021 World Series title.

Wild Card:

Padres over Mets

Blue Jays over Twins

NLDS:

Padres over Dodgers

Braves over Cardinals

ALDS:

White Sox over Blue Jays

Yankees over A’s

NLCS:

Padres over Braves

ALCS:

White Sox over Yankees

World Series:

Padres over White Sox

Yes, it’s going to be hard for the Padres to go from being a wild card to winning it all, but I think they have the tools to do it. While the Dodgers may finish with a better regular season record, the Padres have the starpower and depth to get past them and Atlanta on their way to a title. As for the White Sox, they have so much talent and new manager Tony La Russa knows how to manage a winning club, and I believe that they’ll have the best regular season record in the AL, but ultimately fall short in the Fall Classic.

That’s how I see the 2021 season playing out, but all things are possible when the season returns for a full 162 games. Find out through the season starting April 1st who will make a run for October.