With the Dodgers & Padres having already started---everyone else begins regular season play March 28---it's time to close this year's preview with thumbnails of the remaining four divisions.
National League Central:
1. St. Louis: The Cardinals are overdue. Brandon Crawford comes over from San Francisco to help the defense, and add some punch in the batting order.
2. Cincinnati: Last year's division champs will contend for a Wild Card.
3. Milwaukee: Not enough pitching. Not enough offense.
4. Pittsburgh.
5. Chicago.
National League West:
1. San Francisco: Bob Melvin takes over for Gabe Kapler, and has a better situation than he did in San Diego.
2. Los Angeles: Dave Roberts' streak of division titles, despite the addition of Shohei Ohtani, ends this year. Wild Card at best.
3. Arizona. As the top two made some key moves, the D-Backs will play for a Wild Card.
4. San Diego. The Padres got hosed by the Yankees in the Juan Soto trade. 'Nuff said.
5. Colorado. Not this year.
American League Central:
1. Minnesota.
2. Cleveland.
3. Detroit.
4. Chicago.
5. Kansas City.
American League West:
1. Houston: The Astros have much to prove that last year's loss to Texas was just an aberration.
2. Texas: If they get Jacob deGrom back, they could get back to the World Series.
3. Seattle: They'll contend for a Wild Card, nothing more.
4. Los Angeles: The Angels have to replace not only Shohei Ohtani, but Jared Walsh as well. Not enough offense behind Mike Trout.
5. Oakland.
Of course, I could be wrong.
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