Gregor’s MLB predictions: Sox in 2nd, Cubs in 3rd, Braves at the top

NL East

1. Braves — They lost star SS Dansby Swanson to the Cubs, but still have more than enough to win this rugged division for the sixth straight year.

2. Phillies — Trea Turner adds even more firepower to a sturdy lineup, but Bryce Harper might miss the first half of the season after elbow surgery.

3. Mets — Justin Verlander is on board after winning with the AL Cy Young with Houston last season. That’s a big add, but losing closer Edwin Diaz for the season is a major blow.

4. Marlins — They traded for AL batting champion Luis Arraez to add some pop, but another lost season is in store.

5. Nationals — Hard to believe this shell of a team won the World Series in 2019.

NL Central

1. Cardinals — There is plenty of pop in the offense, but questions in the starting rotation could hurt St. Louis in the playoffs.

2. Brewers — Unlike the Cardinals, Milwaukee has plenty of starting pitching. The offense is woeful.

3. CUBS — Dansby Swanson, Jameson Taillon, Cody Bellinger and Trey Mancini help them get over the .500 mark, but not much farther.

4. Pirates — They have some decent young talent, but a blatant lack of spending keeps taking a toll.

5. Reds — It’s looking like this is Joey Votto’s final season in Cincinnati. Besides that, not much to see here.

NL West

1. Dodgers — They aren’t as strong as last season’s 111-win team, but the Dodgers still have the best depth in baseball and will win the division for the 10th time in 11 years.

2. Padres — Out for a year and a half, Fernando Tatis Jr. returns to a powerhouse team that still has a suspect rotation.

3. Diamondbacks — They’re a third-place team at best in the difficult division, but loaded with young talent.

4. Giants — If they play .500 baseball, Gabe Kapler deserves Manager of the Year consideration.

5. Rockies — Is Kris Bryant still on this team?

AL East

1. Yankees — Aaron Judge is going to be mashing again, but can they overcome the injury bug?

2. Blue Jays — A solid rotation and potent lineup will help them push the Yankees for first place.

3. Rays — A seventh straight winning season is possible, but it won’t be easy.

4. Orioles — A great story last season, the arrow remains pointed up on this talented young team.

5. Red Sox — Is Chris Sale still on this team?

AL Central

1. Guardians — An impressive young team a year ago gets even better with Josh Bell and Mike Zunino in the lineup.

2. WHITE SOX — If they can stay healthy, which has been a huge problem in recent seasons, a return to the playoffs is possible.

3. Twins — Carlos Correa is back, but is that enough for a first- or second-place finish?

4. Royals — Loaded with young talent, a glaring lack of starting pitching makes for another long season.

5. Tigers — It’s not his fault, but A.J. Hinch is likely to be the first MLB manager fired this year.

AL West

1. Astros — Losing Jose Altuve (fractured thumb) for two months or more hurts, but the defending World Series champs have a deep, dangerous offense that now includes Jose Abreu.

2. Mariners — Julio Rodriguez is the real deal, but he needs some help if this team is going to return to the playoffs.

3. Angels — They have Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout and won’t make the playoffs. Sound familiar?

4. Rangers — New starter Jacob deGrom has to stay healthy if they hope to get turned around.

5. Athletics — Baseball’s worst team? You’re looking at it.

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy bats during a spring training baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in North Port, Fla., Saturday, March 4, 2023.
– Associated Press

Playoff predictions

Wild-card teams: Padres, Phillies, Mets (NL); Blue Jays, Mariners, Rays (AL)

NLDS: Braves over Phillies; Dodgers over Mets

NLCS: Braves over Dodgers

ALDS: Astros over Blue Jays; Guardians over Yankees

ALCS: Astros over Guardians

World Series: Braves over Astros

Awards

NL MVP: Trea Turner, Phillies

AL MVP: Aaron Judge, Yankees

NL Cy Young: Aaron Nola, Phillies

AL Cy Young: Gerrit Cole, Yankees

NL Rookie of the Year: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks

AL Rookie of the Year: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles