Three batters will go up and down a lot quicker this year thanks to that wonderful new pitch clock, which means a faster pace, less wasted time, and most importantly better stories (more time to write!). So in tribute to the greatest new rule we will go three up and three down to start the season.
Here are three teams that should go up, and three down.
1. Angels. The perennially underachieving Angels had the best winter possible on “only” $92 million spent, bolstering one of the most top-heavy teams ever with Hunter Renfroe, Gio Urshela, Tyler Anderson, Matt Moore and Carlos Estevez for decent depth for a change. “We tried,” Angels GM Perry Minasian said. “It’s a very professional group. We have a lot of major league players. And we have a couple better than anyone else’s.” The playoffs finally await for Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.
2. Rangers. After spending $700 million-plus the past two years, they look ready for contention. There’s a lot of star power here now, with AL Cy Young favorite Jacob deGrom leading this year’s group of headliners. Max Scherzer predicted deGrom would “tear up the American League” and he may be right considering half the players aren’t used to a starter throwing 102 mph. I liked Chris Woodward, but new manager Bruce Bochy is on his way to the Hall of Fame.
3. White Sox. Their overall talent suggests they should be much better than the .500 team they were last year, when almost all their key players missed significant time, including Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, and Luis Robert. New manager Pedro Grifol got great reviews in camp (and he won’t intentionally walk anyone when his pitcher is up in the count 1-and-2). This team is going to be better. Or, as one White Sox person put it, “We better be better.”
1. Dodgers. They were historically great last year (111 wins) and mostly sat out a star-studded free-agent roster in winter. Of course, this is still a clear playoff team, thanks to superstars Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Julio Urias and Clayton Kershaw (who looked great last time out), plus the usual influx of fine young players drafted and developed by the fertile Dodgers system, including outfielder James Outman and infield Miguel Vargas. Still, the loss of Trea Turner will be big, especially after replacement Gavin Lux went down for the season with a torn ACL, leaving Miguel Rojas (and Chris Taylor) to man shortstop.
2. Astros. This team is not only great but consistently great, as six straight League Championship Series appearances suggest. However, there are challenges. It’s tough to repeat, anyway, but injuries are piling up. Yordan Alvarez has a nagging hand injury dating back to last year that is concerning, Michael Brantley is expected out for weeks with a shoulder and personal issues and Jose Altuve will miss two months after suffering a broken thumb in the WBC.
3. Orioles. Yes, this is a surprise pick. Their future is extremely bright, but last year’s winning record was one of the most amazing things seen in years. Give their clubhouse (and manager Brandon Hyde) credit, and a full year for new superstar Adley Rutschman and baseball’s No. 1 prospect Gunnar Henderson is a huge plus. But we were expecting more spending on a rotation in the bottom third last year despite the left-field wall being moved back practically to the Babe Ruth Museum. Expecting a pullback.