The 2021 MLB season has begun, with teams kicking off the grind of a 162-game schedule. Everyone is competing for a spot in the October lineup and a chance to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers. We identify division champions, wild-card teams, and a 2021 World Series champion in our revised MLB predictions. Below are free sports picks you need to know.
We'll adjust predicted standings if injuries occur, rookies are promoted, and player performance stabilizes. Although the disparity in roster strength between divisions is significant, competition between divisions should be intense throughout the year.
MLB Playoff team prediction
The Atlanta Braves have had a slow start to the 2021 season, but not for star Ronald Acua Jr. The 23-year-old, who is already an All-Star slugger, is about to take the next step in his career. On Sunday, Acura had seven home runs, a 1.6 fWAR, and a ridiculous 1.409 OPS. So look no farther for the MLB playoff schedule.
But it hasn't come close to being enough for Atlanta, which is currently below.500. Meanwhile, the New York Mets are overcoming their failure to provide run support for Jacob deGrom, as well as an inevitable string of postponements. Unfortunately, we have yet to recognize the best of what New York's lineup can do when its studs (Michael Conforto, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Dominic Smith) are on fire. Add in Noah Syndergaard's comeback this summer, and you've got a World Series contender.
It won't be easy to win the NL East. The Atlanta Braves are significantly better than their record suggests, the Miami Marlins can cause difficulties, and the Philadelphia Phillies can give anyone a tough series. The division will produce two playoff teams, but the Mets will win the NL East.
MLB Predictions: Projecting American League ranks, playoff teams
The New York Yankees aren't the American League's worst team. However, the team's run differential (-9) is concerning, and the fact that they are being pushed around by the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays makes matters worse. However, this is still a talented group. Luis Severino will return, Aaron Judge and DJ LeMahieu will return, and this club will right the ship.
However, the Yankees' expectations were out of control to open the season. Many regarded New York's rotation as the third-best in MLB, implying that everything would go according to plan. Unfortunately, Corey Kluber isn't going to reclaim the form that made him great, and Domingo German is a liability as a regular starter free sports picks.
Before the season began, we divined that the Blue Jays would win the AL East. While the Tampa Bay Rays are the defending American League champions, they decimated their rotation this offseason and have one of baseball's worst bullpens. On the other hand, Toronto has a team full of young players and a rotation that can get the job done most weeks.
Summary
The Boston Red Sox can surprise, but their blazing start and early advantage appear to be a fluke. So, in the end, this should be a three-team contest, and we'll choose the Blue Jays to win. But, of course, it would help if you got the MLB playoff schedule, as we have stated here.
