SEASON REVIEW

• Division Winners:
  • American League East : Toronto Blue Jays (93-69)
  • American League Central: Kansas City Royals (95-67)
  • American League West: Texas Rangers (88-74)
  • National League East: New York Mets (90-72)
  • National League Central: St. Louis Cardinals (100-62)
  • National League West: Los Angeles Dodgers (92-70)
• Wild Card Winners (2 wild card teams in each league play in a one game play-off to see who progresses)
  • American League: New York Yankees (87-75) and Houston Astros (86-76)
  • National League: Pittsburgh Pirates (98-64) and Chicago Cubs (97-65)
• League Statistics Leaders
  • Batting Average
    • American League: Miguel Cabrera, DET (.338)
    • National League: Dee Gordon, MIA (.333)
  • Home Runs
    • American League: Chris Davis, BAL (47)
    • National League: Bryce Harper, WSH and Nolan Arenado, COL (42)
  • Runs Batted In
    • American League: Josh Donaldson, TOR (123)
    • National League: Nolan Arenado, COL (130)
  • Earned Run Average
    • American League: David Price, TOR (2.45)
    • National League: Zack Grienke (1.66)

This regular season  was clearly dominated by the National League Central Division, which sent three teams to the playoffs- the Cardinals, Pirates, and Cubs. All three of these teams have better records than any team in the other divisions, and the 2 runners-up (Pirates and Cubs) could have won any other division out of both of the leagues. Another major storyline was that of the Mets, who took advantage of a very disappointing season for the Washington Nationals to win their division. Two division winners, the Mets and the Blue Jays, added an important boost to their team’s morale right before this year’s trade deadline. On July 31st, with the Mets adding their obvious team MVP, Yoenis Cespedes, and the Blue Jays adding perennial all-stars Troy Tulowitzki and David Price (in addition to Josh Donaldson before the season) to bolster their line-ups and pitching rotations, such enhanced performance added to the teams fervor. However above all, two of the most outstanding performances of the year were delivered by Max Scherzer, of the Nationals, who threw two no-hitters throughout the season, the last being a 17- strikeout gem in late September vs. the Mets.

Playoff Predictions (Winner in bold)

• Wild Card Games (Single Game)
  • AL: Yankees vs Astros
    • With the Yankees’ good home record and the Astros’ bad road record, Yankees’ pitcher, Masahiro Tanaka must pitch to his potential, and if he does, the Yankees will win this very close wild card game.
  • NL: Pirates vs Cubs
    • With both teams having phenomenal seasons, Cubs’ pitcher for the game, Jake Arrieta I believe will shut down the very good Pirates offense like he has with every team that he has faced thus far.
  • ALDS (best of 5)
    • Royals vs Yankees
      • The inconsistency of the Yankees will be their downfall against a very consistent Royals team.
    • Blue Jays vs Rangers
      • The Rangers simply will be no match for the immense power of the Blue Jays line-up and pitching staff in a best of 5 series.
  • NLDS (best of 5)
    • Cardinals vs Cubs
      • The Cardinals have by far been the best team in baseball this year, and other than the games that Jake Arrieta is pitching in, the Cardinals should be able to edge out the Cubs.
    • Dodgers vs Mets
      • Despite the Dodgers fantastic one-two punch of Grienke and Kershaw, I have a feeling that the Mats will be able to squeak out a few one or two run wins. It is also important to remember that the Mets’ starting rotation isn’t too shabby itself.
  • ALCS (best of 7)
    • Blue Jays vs Royals
      • In this Goliath – Goliath matchup, the strength of the Blue Jays line-up will just carry over the Royals.
  • NLDS (best of 7)
    • Cardinals vs Mets
      • The Cardinals have insane depth to their team, and in a best of 7 series, that is key. Also, the very well hitting, and consistent Cardinals will edge out the also very good Mets.
  • World Series (best of 7)
    • Blue Jays vs. Cardinals
      • The Blue Jays will beat the Cardinals in the 2015 World Series. That is a result of the Blue Jays scoring 891 runs this year, compared to the Cardinals’ 647. The Cardinals’ total is quite decent, however the Blue Jays’ total is so much higher.