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The 2017 MLB season officially began Sunday with six teams kicking things off, but Opening Day across the majority of stadiums comes Monday. That includes the Los Angeles Dodgers, who host the San Diego Padres, as they begin their quest to end a World Series drought.
The Dodgers’ last time winning the Fall Classic was in 1988 when they won it by defeating the favored Oakland Athletics in five games. Los Angeles overcame a historic number of injuries last season to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive National League West division title.
But the season ended in disappointment. The Dodgers ultimately fell short against the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 NL Championship Series, losing in six games.
The Boston Red Sox, Cubs and Dodgers are among the 2017 World Series favorites. Each team also has players in the early discussions to take home hardware.
Some members of the DodgerBlue.com stuff submitted their 2017 predictions for division winners, the World Series, MVP Awards, and more.
Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand):
National League division winners
West: Dodgers
Central: Cubs
East: Mets
American League division winners
West: Rangers
Central: Indians
East: Red Sox
NL playoffs
Wild Card: Nationals defeat Giants
NLDS: Cubs defeat Nationals
NLDS: Dodgers defeat Mets
NLCS: Dodgers defeat Cubs
AL playoffs
Wild Card: Astros defeat Mariners
ALDS: Red Sox defeat Mariners
ALDS: Indians defeat Rangers
ALCS: Red Sox defeat Indians
World Series
Dodgers defeat Red Sox
Awards
NL MVP: Nolan Arenado (Rockies)
AL MVP: Mookie Betts (Red Sox)
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)
AL Cy Young: Corey Kluber (Indians)
NL Rookie of the Year: Dansby Swanson (Braves)
AL Rookie of the Year: Andrew Benintendi (Red Sox)
NL Manager of the Year: Terry Collins (Mets)
AL Manager of the Year: AJ Hinch (Astros)
I may be a little biased, but I really believe this is the Dodgers’ year. With Clayton Kershaw hopefully staying healthy, manager Dave Roberts and Corey Seager in their second full seasons, and key free agents back, I think the Dodgers are in a prime position to make a World Series run.
As far as my individual picks, I think the Rockies lineup is deep and with Nolan Arenado right in the middle, I predict he will put up numbers that will be hard to ignore in the MVP voting. Same goes for Mookie Betts and the Red Sox lineup.
For the Cy Young Awards, I went with a throwback to 2014, when Clayton Kershaw and Corey Kluber both took home a Cy Young. Kershaw is the best pitcher in all of baseball, and I think the way Kluber pitched towards the end of last season, he can return to his 2014 form.
Manager of the Year is a hard award to win two years in a row, so instead of choosing Roberts I elected to go with Terry Collins, as I think the Mets will surprise some people and beat out the Nationals for the NL East crown.
Matt Borelli (@MattDodgerBlue):
National League division winners
West: Dodgers
Central: Cubs
East: Mets
American League division winners
West: Astros
Central: Indians
East: Red Sox
NL playoffs
Wild Card: Nationals defeat Giants
NLDS: Dodgers defeat Nationals (three games)
NLDS: Cubs defeat Mets (five games)
NLCS: Dodgers defeat Cubs (six games)
AL playoffs
Wild Card: Blue Jays defeat Mariners
ALDS: Indians defeat Blue Jays (four games)
ALDS: Red Sox defeat Astros (five games)
ALCS: Indians defeat Red Sox (six games)
World Series
Dodgers defeat Indians (six games)
Awards
NL MVP: Corey Seager (Dodgers)
AL MVP: Mookie Betts (Red Sox)
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)
AL Cy Young: Corey Kluber (Indians)
NL Rookie of the Year: Josh Bell (Pirates)
AL Rookie of the Year: Andrew Benintendi (Red Sox)
NL Manager of the Year: Bud Black (Rockies)
AL Manager of the Year: Scott Servais (Mariners)
What sophomore slump? After an historic rookie campaign, Corey Seager continues his brilliance by posting a second consecutive seven-plus WAR season and leading the Dodgers to their first World Series championship in 29 years.
Mookie Betts claims his first MVP award after finishing as the runner-up in 2016, posting a 30-30 season with 50+ doubles and Gold Glove-caliber defense.
Completely healthy again, Clayton Kershaw takes home his fourth Cy Young Award after a dominating season in which he sets career-bests in nearly every category. After finishing third in voting last season, Corey Kluber follows up with an even better 2017 campaign, helping the Indians reach the World Series in back-to-back years.
Finishing just shy of an .800 on-base plus slugging percentage last season, Josh Bell thrives with a full-time role in Pittsburgh and lives up to his top prospect-potential. Andrew Benintendi was an offensive force in his brief showing with Boston last season, and continues his tear as their everyday left fielder in 2017.
Bud Black is recognized for a job well done as the Colorado Rockies take a major step forward in 2017, but just miss the playoffs due to a tough NL West division. Scott Servais gets the nod as the Mariners exceed expectations and end their 16-year postseason drought.
CONTINUE READING: More World Series and Awards predictions
