The Team at Slasher Sports have brought you another year of Division Winners for this season in Major League Baseball. Plenty of changes in the MLB this year, and with that brings new surprises to each division.
AL EAST
Billy Graves – Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto was my World Series pick from 2021, and I feel they’ve only gotten better in spite of losing Marcus Semien to free agency. The addition of Matt Chapman got lots of attention, and rightfully so, but I feel there’s another signing that will quietly get Toronto over the hump. Raimel Tapia was acquired via trade (Randal Grichuk) and having a bat like this at the BOTTOM of your order is going to assure the Jays there will no easy outs on this squad.
Christian Rauh – Toronto Blue Jays
It’s hard not to love what the Blue Jays have done this offseason. Adding another perennial gold glove in the infield like Matt Chapman to the young talent across the rest of the diamond is nothing but intimidating for the rest of the American League.
The Rotation additions also needs mentioning as they have what it takes to play into October competitively. Additions such as Jose Berrios and Kevin Gausman bolster this pitching staff as one of the best in all of baseball.
AL Central
Billy Graves – Chicago White Sox
The ChiSox already had a top notch rotation, so adding RP Joe Kelly to the bullpen only means runs will be harder to come by for opposing teams. Chicago is largely the same team they were last season. A.J. Pollock and Josh Harrison joining the party means the Central Division Title runs through Guaranteed Rate Field.
Christian Rauh – Chicago White Sox
The White Sox are a damn good team, and I believe that is often forgotten about within the American League. If they can get consistent pitching and stay healthy (especially in the outfield) they should win this division by a decent margin.
AL West
Billy Graves – Texas Rangers
Do I make silly predictions sometimes? Sure. I’m a grown man who’ll own up to it. I might be making one here too. I feel like the AL West perennial leaders have gotten worse while the Rangers have gotten better.
This one is my bold prediction for 2022, but shedding that Gallo skin, adding in two of the best middle infielders, and a little bit of luck are putting the Texas Rangers in unfamiliar territory: the win column.
Christian Rauh – Houston Astros
This division has taken the biggest step back over the offseason with the likes of Oakland moving to a rebuild down to the nuts and bolts. Although some teams like Texas have spent a heavy chunk to revamp their squads, I still think they are one year away from dethroning the Astros. Even with the departure of Carlos Correa, it is their division to lose.
NL EAST
Billy Graves – New York Mets
Full disclosure – this prediction was made before the big deGrom injury news. Also disclosing that I’m unfazed. Jake is coming back and he’s going to be dealin’ cards. That’s who he is and that’s what he does. Make no mistake, this is the best pitching staff, at full strength, in the NL East. Cohen spending dollar dollar bills y’all and the offense is going to put it together.
This is easily the most competitive division in baseball, top to bottom. The snakebit Mets can’t stay down forever.
Christian Rauh – Atlanta Braves
Freddie Freeman leaves and somehow the Braves get better. Whoever had that one on their bingo card needs to play the lottery. This team is going to be electric and will need all the help they can get in this very tough division.
With the return of Ronald Acuna Jr., a revamped bullpen, and the addition of Matt Olson on a long-term deal, this team should pick right up where they left off this past October.
NL Central
Billy Graves – Milwaukee Brewers
I don’t even need to say it. The best pitching staff in baseball got this team to the Divisional Round where they were bounced by eventual World Series champion Atlanta Braves. This team couldn’t score runs. I’m counting on bounce back seasons from the likes of Keston Hiura and Christian Yelich, continued excellence from Kolten Wong, and big contributions from the new kids on the block, Andrew McCutchen and Hunter Renfroe.
Bob Uecker will be calling playoff games this season. Listen and love it.
Christian Rauh – Milwaukee Brewers
With the set back of Jack Flaherty for the Cardinals and not much help being added to the Cardinals rotation this was an easy selection for me. Although I am ecstatic for Albert Pujols to return to The Lou, the Cardinals needed a bigger splash this offseason and they fell flat.
The Brewers will be a very good baseball team this season. With the best rotation in baseball, (although i do believe some regression will occur from 2021) and a new and improved offensive outfield this team should hit 95 wins easily. Christian Yelich is due, and I believe we see him in the running for NL Comeback Player of the year in 2022.
NL West
Billy Graves – Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s not so much about how good the Dodgers are on paper. It’s about the fact the SF Giants aren’t as good as their record would indicate from 2021 and The Padres epic meltdown in the second half of 2021 don’t do them any favors either. I think that’s an indication of who they actually are. The Dodgers will run away with this division and it won’t be close.
Christian Rauh – Los Angeles Dodgers
Let’s be real, when is the last time the Dodgers won less than 100 games (not counting 2020)? Now add Freddie Freeman to the mix? The Giants were a great story this year, but no way they can repeat that again this season. The real question isn’t will they win the division, its if they can catch the Seattle Mariners 2001 Regular season wins at 116.
How’d We Do?
Do you agree with our picks for division winners for the 2022 MLB season? Disagree? Be sure to let us know on SlasherSports.com as well as on our Twitter account or Facebook Page. Enjoy the season and be sure to look for plenty more content from the Team at Slasher Sports.
