The current MLB season is different than any other. With Covid-19 impacting last season, fand knows less than usual about teams this year and it is harder to predict what will happen this season. However, it is not impossible.

The favorite to win the World Series is yet again, the Los Angeles Dodgers. They’re by far the most balanced team in the league, with great pitchers and a solid hitting lineup. However, teams in the off-season splashed on big-name free-agent targets to try to improve their chances of catching the reigning champion: The Dodgers. 

For starters, the New York Mets signed superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor to a 10-year $341 million contract. They also have one of the best pitchers in baseball, Jacob DeGrom. Starting pitchers Marcus Stroman and Edwin Diaz should help out DeGrom, and if star pitcher Noah Syndergaard recovers from his recent injury struggles, the Mets are serious World Series contenders. They have the potential to improve the most out of any team in the league with the key pieces they have on their roster. 

On the other side of town, the powerhouse New York Yankees look to continue their legacy with another AL East championship. With Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, they can hit homers at any time. Yankees fans are used to winning, and they hope to be just as dominant this season. Sophomore Ethan Goldstein despises the Yankees “As Red Sox fan, I hope the Yankees have a terrible season and don’t win the division,” Goldstein said.

Locally, The Washington Nationals have a strong squad. With star pictures Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin, opposing hitters must be having nightmares. In the batting lineup, they have Juan Soto, Trea Turner, and Ryan Zimmerman. They will be extremely competitive in a tough division, the National League East. Sophomore Parker Lebowitz said, ”I’m so excited for the season, and I hope that the Nats can be playing October baseball at the end of the season.”

 On the other hand, the Baltimore Orioles are bound to be one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball. Their lineup has several flaws and the pitching staff is not frightening whatsoever. They also have to go up against difficult teams in the AL East division. The Tampa Bay Rays made the World Series last year,  and the Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball, as well as the Boston Red Sox. All things considered, it’s probable that it will be a rough season for O’s fans. Sophomore Ryan Kunst said, ”Sometimes rooting for the Orioles can be really disappointing.”

Out west, the San Diego Padres look to steal the Dodgers’ championship thunder. In recent history, the Padres have not been anything to worry about with subpar season after a subpar season. But now there is excitement around the Padres team. Their pitching staff is quite good with guys such as Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, Mark Melancon, and Keone Kela. They have locked up Fernando Tatis Jr. through 2034, a top-five shortstop in the league and one of the best young talents in the world. This roster is set up to compete with any team, and will definitely be scary for years to come.

With multiple teams in contention for the World Series and more in the playoff hunt, it looks to be an intriguing season ahead of us in the MLB.