2013 World Series Picks and Predictions: Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers to Win World Series:Pitchers and catchers are already reporting, and the 2013 Major League Baseball season is fast approaching. There has been plenty of player movement this offseason, and the hierarchy in the league appears to be shifting. The defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants are on the verge of a dynasty while perennial powers like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox aren’t nearly as intimidating as in recent years. As a result, there are more teams with a legitimate chance of contending for a championship than ever before. With that in mind, here is a look at the frontrunners and other contenders to win the 2013 World Series.
2013 World Series Predictions: Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers to Win World Series
The Favorites
After leading the National League with 98 wins and a 3.33 team ERA last year, the Washington Nationals only got better in the offseason. They added a legitimate leadoff man in Denard Span to bolster an offense that was likely to improve anyway since young players like Bryce Harper and Ian Desmond develop. Meanwhile, the starting rotation will get a full season of Stephen Strasburg in 2013, and he, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmerman all have ace-caliber stuff. Last but not least, Washington’s bullpen full of power arms got even stronger thanks to the offseason addition of Rafael Soriano. There just aren’t any glaring weaknesses for this team.
The front office opened up the checkbook and fleeced the Miami Marlins in a trade, and suddenly, the Toronto Blue Jays are looking like the team to beat. Speedsters Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera and Emilio Bonifacio were added to the top of a lineup that features sluggers Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Brett Lawrie. On the mound, defending NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey was signed to anchor a staff that will also feature fellow newcomers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle as well as Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero. With so much new firepower in their lineup and their rotation, the Blue Jays have the pieces in place to win a lot more than just the AL East in 2013.
The Contenders
Coming off their second World Series title in three years, it would be foolish to rule out the San Francisco Giants as contenders in 2013. Granted, they still don’t have a lot of power in the lineup, but they do have defending MVP Buster Posey behind the plate to lead an offense that ranked fifth in the majors in batting average last year. More importantly, Matt Cain leads an excellent starting rotation that could be even better this year if Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito carry their momentum from the playoffs into the regular season. The Giants have been proof positive the chemistry counts for a lot in the baseball, and with their roster basically intact, they have a chance to establish a true dynasty.
Even though you can’t buy a championship, the Los Angeles Dodgers certainly bought themselves the ability to contend for one. After struggling to score runs in 2012, this year’s lineup will have a healthy Carl Crawford at the top to set the table for the likes of Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Andre Ethier. Not to mention the fact that MVP candidate Matt Kemp is fully healthy after battling hamstring issues all of last season. Meanwhile, a rotation that already featured former Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw and ranked third in the majors in ERA last year added another former Cy Young winner in Zack Greinke. As long as all the new parts gel, the Dodgers have a chance to do something special in 2013.
After landing former MVP Josh Hamilton in the offseason, the Los Angeles Angels have quite the intimidating lineup. Hamilton joins Albert Pujols, Mark Trumbo and Mike Trout and gives the Angels four players that will hit 30-plus homers and at least approach 100 RBIs. Meanwhile, the rotation that already featured perennial Cy Young contender Jered Weaver will get a boost from newcomers Tommy Hanson and Jason Vargas. Ryan Madson was also brought in to stabilize the bullpen, and in general, this year’s Angels have more depth than the team that won 89 games a year ago.
Although they got smashed in the World Series last fall, the Detroit Tigers have the pieces in place to make another run at a title in 2013. For one, a lineup that features defending MVP Miguel Cabrera and slugger Prince Fielder should be even more balanced with the addition of Torii Hunter and the return of Victor Martinez from injury. More importantly, workhorse ace Justin Verlander anchors a rotation that features power arms Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer and the reliable Doug Fister. Assuming highly-touted rookie Bruce Rondon works out as the closer, the Tigers should be in the mix.
Sleeper Specials
With outfielder Shin-Soo Choo brought in to stabilize the leadoff spot, the Cincinnati Reds may finally have a roster that can translate the team’s regular season success into the playoffs. Choo should provide a steady bat at the top of a lineup that features former MVP Joey Votto, stars Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips and some improving youngsters and help iron out the up-and-down offensive production that has plagued this team in recent years. Not to mention that fact that a pitching staff that ranked fourth in the league in ERA could be even better if flamethrower Aroldis Chapman makes a successful transition to the starting rotation. After an epic playoff collapse in 2012, the Reds have a chance to make amends in 2013.
Defending AL Cy Young winner David Price is back for a staff that led the majors in ERA in 2012, and the Tampa Bay Rays are always going to have a puncher’s chance because of their pitching. This year’s team also has a chance to be solid on offense with slugger Evan Longoria healthy and speedster Desmond Jennings continuing to mature. Throw in solid additions like Yunel Escobar, Kelly Johnson and James Loney and highly-touted prospect Wil Myers waiting in the wings, and the Rays could become really dangerous if their now-look offense starts clicking.
2013 Odds to Win World Series
5001 Arizona Diamondbacks +5000
5002 Atlanta Braves +1500
5003 Baltimore Orioles +5000
5004 Boston Red Sox +2000
5005 Chicago Cubs +10000
5006 Chicago White Sox +4000
5007 Cincinnati Reds +1200
5008 Cleveland Indians +9000
5009 Colorado Rockies +10000
5010 Detroit Tigers +800
5011 Houston Astros +25000
5012 Kansas City Royals +5000
5013 Los Angeles Angels +600
5014 Los Angeles Dodgers +650
5015 Miami Marlins +20000
5016 Milwaukee Brewers +5000
5017 Minnesota Twins +10000
5018 New York Mets +8800
5019 New York Yankees +1250
5020 Oakland Athletics +3200
5021 Philadelphia Phillies +1650
5022 Pittsburgh Pirates +6500
5023 San Diego Padres +8500
5024 San Francisco Giants +1000
5025 Seattle Mariners +7000
5026 St Louis Cardinals +1800
5027 Tampa Bay Rays +1600
5028 Texas Rangers +1500
5029 Toronto Blue Jays +800
5030 Washington Nationals +800
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