Bernie on the Scene: Standings Predictions for the Sprint

Here are my MLB standings predictions for the "2020 Sprint." For me, the National League East is the toughest call. And I think the Yankees will win the World Series. They may even sweep. I don't want them to win it all, but man, they are one very good baseball team.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

New York Yankees - The best team in baseball with balance at the plate and on the mound. They have terrific players who can't make the opening day lineup including Miguel Andujar and Mike Ford. This is an awesome baseball team — especially if they keep Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton healthy.

Tampa Bay Rays - Over a 162-game season there is a wide gap between the Yankees and Rays. It may be closer this year. The Rays outfield is a weakness, but their pitching is awesome. One through five in the rotation and the entire bullpen impress. Can they score enough runs? Maybe.

Boston Red Sox - This isn't anything close to a normal Red Sox team. Their pitching is abysmal, both in the rotation and in the pen. I still like J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers. That's it. I think this could be a long short season in New England. I'm Bettsing they'll miss Mookie. 

Toronto Blue Jays - How could months have passed and the Blue Jays not figure out an alternative location to play home games? That's on Mark Shapiro. If they had a home, I'd like them more. Watch out for Nate Pearson. He and the infield are worthwhile. Not much else.

Baltimore Orioles - No Trey Mancini for the season and no John Means to start the year mean no  hope. I do like Anthony Santander. Tommy Milone is the No. 1 starter. Need I say more? This is a bad team, but not as bad as a couple others. They still have Camden Yards. I love it there.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Cleveland Indians - In a short season, I think the Indians pitching separates them. I like everyone in their rotation. I'm looking for Franmil Reyes to have a huge year, along with Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana. Don't sleep on Cesar Hernandez. Bullpen could lose it for them.

Minnesota Twins - Losing starter Jake Odorizzi for even one start is not good. I don't like their rotation, other than Jose Berrios and Kenta Maeda. They have an awesome offense with thunder everywhere. Can they carry the club? The pitching can't. They'll have to score in bunches.

Chicago White Sox - Not having Michael Kopech is a setback. The rotation needs another year to meld and grow. But man, what a team. They could be the division leader in 2021 — with this year as a time to mix and match and see what they have. This is one dangerous outfit.

Kansas City Royals - Brady Singer is the experiment, but I think he can pitch. They really, really need rotation starters badly. The offense remains Meh-but a healthy Adalberto Mondesi          could shine. I like the addition of Franchy Cordero for them. Jorge Soler is feast or whiff guy.

Detroit Tigers - Pitching is coming around with Casey Mize, Matt Manning and Tarik Skubal (among others) waiting in the wings. Rushing Spencer Torkelson would not be smart. They are still a few years away from contention. But they are on the right track. Matthew Boyd can still be inconsistent.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

Houston Astros - This isn't the team that we expect to dominate baseball. Six of their nine starters have reached age 30. Justin Verlander is 37 and now injured. Zack Greinke is 36. I'm not that worried about them, but the clock is ticking. They should breeze in the West and then … ? No World Series.

Los Angeles Angels - The Angels got better when they signed Anthony Rendon. They also have a healthy Shohei Ohtani and a new starter in Dylan Bundy. If Bundy straightens things out, he can make a huge difference. I like them a bit better than the Athletics, but not by much. Jo Adell waits his turn.

Oakland Athletics - I really like their corner infielders. I'm not as bullish on the pitching as others, but I've picked them up in fantasy. Marcus Semien is a very underrated player. If they pitch they beat out the Angels. The rotation isn't deep enough for me. They're scrappy and compete.

Texas Rangers - A new park and nobody in the stands. That's a shame. I like their new pitching staff with Corey Kluber joining Lance Lynn and Mike Minor. I still think Joey Gallo is a dangerous dude. They have to hope Rougned Odor wakes up and they are able to squeeze another year from Choo. Not a bad club.

Seattle Mariners - A miserable baseball team with a rotation that has underachievers up and down. The lineup is weak, without a true home-run threat other than Daniel Vogelbach. This team can be summed up in one word … meh! All his trading yielded Jerry Dipoto zilch. Nada. Nothing.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Atlanta Braves - Tell me how strong Freddie Freeman is after his bout with the virus, and I'd be more sure of the Braves. If he has strength, along with Ronald Acuna, Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies, they could threaten. I like Mike Soroka and Max Fried at the top of the rotation. I don't like the pen. Tough division.

Washington Nationals - This is not a great team anymore. They'll miss Anthony Rendon. I have to say it is only their pitching that could carry them to the title. Can't beat a trio like Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg (when healthy) and Patrick Corbin. And the pen is solid as well. Offense is just mediocre. It needs more pop.

New York Mets - Spoiler Alert! They could win the East. Why? Jacob deGrom could put them on his shoulders. The offense is solid with Pete Alonso, Robinson Cano and Yoenis Cespedes in the middle of the order. They have enough bullpen depth to close out games. This is an interesting club. Dangerous.

Philadelphia Phillies - They never close the deal. They spend for Bryce Harper and have Andrew McCutchen, J.T. Realmuto and Jean Segura, but why don't they win? I do like Aaron Nola and maybe Zack Wheeler, but I've very tepid on Vince Velasquez, Jake Arrieta and Zach Eflin. Is closer Hector Nerris ready? The pen is barely passable.

Miami Marlins - The Marlins pitching is their future. This is a team that will be built with a cornerstone of solid, strong arms. Sandy Alcantara is an intriguing starter with a great arm. They have great wings in the wings with Sixto Sanchez. Edward Cabrera and much more.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

Cincinnati Reds - The Reds have been built for the DH. They have a ton of solid bats that can be used in that role. I remain a Trevor Bauer fan, and I think he can help the other pitchers on a starting staff that could rank among the best. But the Reds can hit and run. I like this team.

Milwaukee Brewers - I wish they would have done more in the offseason, but the pieces are in place to build a contender around Christian Yelich. I think Lorenzo Cain can still be dangerous. Keston Hiura has huge upside, but can he deliver? Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes = solid starters. Josh Hader and Corey Knebel dominate.

Chicago Cubs - Talk about doing nothing? An aging pitching staff and an owner unwilling to get the dust off his bank book will spell trouble for a Cubs team in a downward spiral. The inconsistent pitching will catch up with them. There are too many holes in their offense as well.

St. Louis Cardinals - Another team that let the offseason slip past them. And I don't think they can recover from inactivity. They don't have enough impact players to compete like the Cardinals teams of the past. I am very bullish on Jack Flaherty. From there, ????.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Two guys stand out. Bryan Reynolds and Josh Bell. That's it for me on the Bucs. The team needs a remake with an infusion of youth and talent. This is the type of team that can hurt a contender. They are playing hard, but they can't match up on the mound. Or at the plate.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

Los Angeles Dodgers - They have a good team, but nothing like the Yankees. Clayton Kershaw's barking back is a huge issue. Mookie Betts adds some spark. Corey Seager looks healthy and much better at the plate. And they should easily win their division. After that, who knows? I'm not a believer. 

Arizona Diamondbacks - This is a very good team. This is an underrated team of solid balance. They have some robust bats and underrated players in Ketel Marte, Eduardo Escobar and David Peralta. The pitching will surprise. I look for Robbie Ray to have a fantastic season. Watch out for this club.

San Diego Padres - Why all the love? I don't see it. I do like Chris Paddack, Dinelson Lamet and Kirby Yates on the mound. I'm not a big fan of their outfield. The infield has two solid pieces in Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. I just don't think they match up well with the Dodgers or the Diamondbacks.

Colorado Rockies - The Four Tops sang it best: "It's The Same Old Song." They can hit, but they can't pitch. It isn't fiction that breaking balls don't in Coors. Fastballs get stung. For that reason, in fantasy I want every credible Rockies bat and none of their pitchers. Ever.

San Francisco - I don't see any redeeming qualities for this lost cause. They have a good catcher waiting in the wings in Joey Bart. And so they drafted another catcher instead of fixing their pitching, which is bleak. When Pablo Sandoval is all you can find at first base, watch out.

HEADING HOME

• I'd like to get your thoughts on my forbes.com article that proposed a new rule to increase stolen base attempts. I hope you give it a read and let me know what you think in the comments section below. It is still available for reading at Forbes.com/Pleskoff.

• Kudos to Kyle Hendricks who pitched a shutout against the Brewers. In today's game, that's not easy. And I commend his manager, David Ross for keeping him in the game.

• More teams will make the MLB playoffs than won't. And wasn't the Commissioner worried about extending the season? I guess not. Not if they added more playoff games and the season will be extended. It's all about … money. Of course.

• Aren't you a bit envious that your team's owner won't spend money like the Dodgers did on Betts? I am. Francisco Lindor is a great player. However, Indians owner Paul Dolan has his tailor sew all his pockets shut. It works for him.

• Follow me on twitter @BerniePleskoff. 

• And please … wear a mask out in public. And keep your distance. And if you want to wear a mask inside your house, call a psychiatrist. The solitude has gotten to you.

Have a great week.