2024 Miami Marlins season preview: The 3 AL division winners and Wild Cards

I consulted MLB.com projected team rosters for this. You will see how certain off-season moves led us here in a positive way, and also in a negative way for the others. The Miami Marlins are unlikely to get to the World Series, but no one expected Arizona to make it last year either...

The Miami Marlins might be facing one of these teams in a miracle World Series.

AL EAST

The New York Yankees have a loaded lineup anchored by CF Aaron Judge and RF Juan Soto in his contract year. Add 2B Gleyber Torres in his, a supposedly more in-shape DH Giancarlo Stanton and young star SS Anthony Volpe and this is one of the best lineups in the Majors. The rotation will be without the injured Gerrit Cole to start the season however, which definitely creates some issues. Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman all have upside, but also health issues that could decide the season. They're committed to making a deep run and look good enough to do it.

The Boston Red Sox look terrible. The rotation lacks both an ace and a true #2 starter. CP Kenley Jansen is past his prime and the lineup hangs on 3B Rafael Devers. SS Trevor Story and RF Tyler O'Neill bouncing back is a must, but can't be guaranteed. Story at least is raking in Sping Training so far. A LOT has to go right for them to even have a shot at the playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Rays look pretty bad too. The lineup relies on platoon bats and there's no one who you can really call an MVP candidate or a true trusted middle of the order bat. Zach Eflin (4.28 career ERA) and Aaron Civale (3.92 career ERA) are their top starting pitchers. They certainly don't look as good as they did the last few seasons. Hard to see them as a playoff team.

The Toronto Blue Jays look...mediocre. Kevin Gausman is leading a rotation that otherwise has little upside, and mostly mid-rotation inning-eaters. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and SS Bo Bichette will need to step up big time to carry the average looking lineup, that got worse from last season.

The Baltimore Orioles look promising with all of their youngsters but... I'm not impressed. I know that Corbin Burnes is a legit ace, Grayson Rodriguez could take steps forward too, but Kyle Bradish is hurt. The lineup looks good but would you take C Adley Rutschman, RF Anthony Santander, CF Cedric Mullins, 2B Jordan Westburg... over Judge, Soto, Torres, Volpe? I wouldn't. It's tempting to pick them to repeat, but I don't see it.

Predicted finish:

1. NEW YORK YANKEES

2. BALTIMORE ORIOLES

3. TORONTO BLUE JAYS

4. TAMPA BAY RAYS

5. BOSTON RED SOX

NEXT: THE WORST DIVISION IN THE MAJORS?

AL WEST

The Houston Astros have a bit of a shaky rotation. Justin Verlander is past his prime, Framber Valdez struggled down the stretch last season... but the bullpen is anchored by CP Josh Hader. They also have a loaded lineup, that looks to again be one of the best in the league.

The Los Angeles Angels have a pretty weak pitching staff with no ace, or reliable closer. Their lineup is pretty weak as well, depending on CF Mike Trout to finally stay mostly healthy. They look like a .500 team at best.

The Oakland Athletics have actually improved a bit. Their bullpen is still a mess and the rotation has no top of the rotation arms, but their lineup has some promise. 2B Zack Gelof, DH Brent Rooker and 1B Ryan Noda can at least be somewhat productive, with Gelof having some real potential.

The Texas Rangers may have the best lineup in the division, with only Houston in contention. The bullpen seems a bit shaky, and the rotation especially. Pitching may be what decides Texas's season, as Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle coming back mid-season might just decide their season.

The Seattle Mariners have by far the best rotation in the division, with a solid bullpen. Their lineup however heavily depends on CF Julio Rodriguez and that puts it well behind both Texas teams. It looks like a three team division race this upcoming season and they can finish in any order. I am down on Texas's pitching enough, to give the division to Houston once again.

Projected finish:

1. HOUSTON ASTROS

2. SEATTLE MARINERS

3. TEXAS RANGERS

4. LOS ANGELES ANGELS

5. OAKLAND ATHLETICS

PLAYOFF SEEDS AMONG THE DIVISION WINNERS: 1. NEW YORK YANKEES 2. HOUSTON ASTROS 3. MINNESOTA TWINS

WILD CARDS: 4. SEATTLE MARINERS 5. TEXAS RANGERS 6. BALTIMORE ORIOLES

AL WILD CARD PLAYOFF ROUND: BALTIMORE BEATS MINNESOTA; TEXAS BEATS SEATTLE.

AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES BEAT TEXAS; HOUSTON BEATS BALTIMORE.

AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: YANKEES BEAT HOUSTON.