MM Staff Predictions: Can Mike Trout Finally Win MVP?

Mar 27, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) looks on in the dugout against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Opening Day 2014 is upon us. In just 7 hours, the Miami Marlins will take the field for the first game of the 2014 season. To get ready for the season, our Marlin Maniac staff put together some predictions for the 2014 Miami Marlins and Major League Baseball season. We answered some burning questions surrounding the Miami Marlins as well as made some predictions on how the season will play out.

We have already looked at eight burning questions for the Miami Marlins in a round table type discussion earlier today, but now we are going to look at the predictions for how the staff sees the 2014 MLB season playing out. This will include divisional races, the two wild card spots, playoffs, and award races.

Here is a look at our preseason picks for the National League:

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The Nationals and Dodgers are the unanimous picks to win their divisions, and the Cardinals are close. The Wild Card is a crap shoot, as a couple of our authors even sneaked the Marlins into the picture.

The Braves are the most interesting case in the National League, as they continue to deal with the plethora of injuries in their rotation. Could their injuries be enough to sneak the Marlins into second place in the lackluster NL East?

Here is a look at how the authors feel the American League will play out:

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Most of us believe that the Rays, Tigers, and Rangers should win their divisions, but there is enough disparity in the West to make everyone think twice, as there are potentially four teams that could be in play for the division and the two wild cards.

Mike Trout is the consensus MVP choice, but I would not complain to see Derek Jeter‘s farewell gift being one last American League MVP. He truly is a legend for the game.

Finally, here are the predictions for the pennants and World Series for 2014:

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are the most popular pick to win the World Series from the Marlin Maniac staff, well as the most likely to make it to the Championship. The Rays will have a chance to be the fourth team from the Sunshine State to win a championship in the 2014 calendar year, granted the Florida Gators and Miami Heat do what most expect them to do.