The 2015 Major League Baseball season kicked off two Sundays ago with the Cardinals topping the Cubs 3–0. After the Giants’ thrilling World Series win last season, this year promises to be just as exciting.
In the American League East, expect a transition of power as the Red Sox look to go from worst to first after adding Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. The AL Central has quietly become one of the strongest divisions in baseball, with four teams that have playoff potential.
The Royals won the AL last year behind strong defense and baserunning, though Corey Kluber and the balanced Indians are the favorites to win the division. The Seattle Mariners are expected to be World Series contenders out of the AL West, though a lack of position depth could spell trouble.
The Washington Nationals are overwhelmingly favored to win the World Series out of the NL East, as their rotation is stocked with All-Star pitchers. In the NL Central, the consistent Cardinals look to be a playoff team with Yadier Molina leading the charge.
In the west, the Dodgers could challenge the Nationals if NL MVP Clayton Kershaw continues to dominate his opponents. Other contenders include the Giants, the defending World Series champions, and the Padres, who added James Shields, Justin Upton and Craig Kimbrel in the offseason.
In the American League, watch for the Red Sox, Indians and Mariners to claim division titles, with the Tigers and Athletics grabbing the wild cards. In the NL, expect the Nationals, Cardinals and Dodgers to win their divisions and the Pirates and Giants to take the wild cards.
While the Nationals are the favorite to win it all, the baseball world is in for another wild season.