How the 2021 Big League Baseball Season is Shaping Up
Contents
- How the 2021 Big League baseball season is Shaping Up
- The top teams to Watch This Season
- The Players to Keep an Eye On
- The Rookies to Watch
- The Comeback Players to Watch
- The Teams That Could Surprise Us
- The Key Matchups to Watch
- The Players Who Could Make or Break Their Teams
- The Darkhorse Candidates for MVP
- The Teams That Could Disappoint Us
How the 2021 Big League Baseball Season is Shaping Up
How the 2021 Big League baseball season is Shaping Up
With spring training now in Full Swing it’s time to start thinking about how the 2021 Major League Baseball season is shaping up.
The 2021 season will be an important one for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it will be the first season since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 season. Secondly, it will be the first season with expanded playoffs, as 16 teams will now qualify for the postseason instead of 10. Lastly, it will be the first season in which all 30 teams will play in their home ballpark, as 2021 will mark the completion of MLB’s year-long stadium migration project.
So what can we expect from the 2021 MLB season? Let’s take a look at some of the most pressing questions heading into Opening Day
How will players perform after missing a year of baseball?
The cancelation of the 2020 season was a tough pill to swallow for many players, especially those who were on the verge of making their Major League debut. While some players were able to stay sharp by playing in independent leagues or foreign leagues, others had to sit on the sidelines and wait for an opportunity that never came.
Now that they’ve finally been given a chance to suit up again, it’ll be interesting to see how these players perform. Will they be rusty? Will they be inspired? Or will they be somewhere in between? Only time will tell.
Who are some breakout candidates?
Every year, there are always a few players who come out of nowhere and have breakout seasons. In 2021, there are a few candidates who could fit that bill.
Outfielder Pedro Leon is one name to keep an eye on. The 24-year-old was one of baseball’s top prospects heading into 2020 but missed the entire season due to injury. He’s healthy now and ready to make his mark on the league. Another player to watch is pitcher Dillon Peters, who was acquired by the Cubs in a trade with the Angels this offseason. Peters has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career and could be ready to take things to the next level in 2021.
Which teams are primed for a deep playoff run?
As always, there are a handful of teams that look like they could make a deep run in this year’s playoffs. The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be the team to beat in 2021 thanks to their star-studded lineup and dominant pitching staff. The San Diego Padres also look like they could make some noise in October thanks to their young core of talented Position players Lastly, don’t sleep on the Minnesota Twins who have one of baseball’s best lineups from top to bottom and should benefit from playing half their games at home in hitter-friendly Target Field
The top teams to Watch This Season
With the 2021 MLB season underway, there are a few teams that are already standing out as the top contenders. The Los Angeles Dodgers Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres are all off to strong starts and look like they could be in for a long season. Here’s a closer look at each of these teams:
Los Angeles Dodgers The Dodgers have looked dominant so far this season, with their scoring offense leading the way. They also have a strong pitching staff, which has been key to their success. If they can keep this up, they could be in for a deep playoff run.
Tampa Bay Rays The Rays have been one of the most consistent teams over the past few seasons, and that doesn’t seem to be changing in 2021. They have great pitching and just enough firepower on offense to put them in contention for a World Series title.
San Diego Padres The Padres made some big splashes in the offseason, signing star players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado So far, those moves are paying off, as they sit atop the standings in the National League West. If they can keep up this level of play, they could be one of the best teams in baseball.
The Players to Keep an Eye On
In a season that is sure to be full of surprises, there are a few players that baseball fans should keep an eye on. Here are four players that are sure to make an impact in 2021.
Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
Betts is one of the best all-around players in baseball and he is coming off a World Series win with the Dodgers. He is a five-tool player that can do it all on the field. Betts is a legitimate MVP candidate and he will be one of the best players in the league this season.
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Trout is arguably the best player in baseball and he is coming off a monster season where he hit .300 with 45 home runs and 104 RBI. Trout is a once-in-a-generation talent and he will be must-see TV this season.
Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
Cole was the big free agent signing of the offseason and he will be pitching in front of one of the best lineups in baseball. Cole is a strikeout machine and he has the potential to win 20 games this season. He will be one of the best pitchers in baseball this year.
Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
Soto burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old rookie in 2018 and he has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the last three seasons. Soto has improved his power numbers each year and he could challenge for the Triple Crown this season. He will be must-watch TV this year.
The Rookies to Watch
Big League Baseball is gearing up for another season, and there are plenty of rookies to watch. Here are some of the players who are expected to make an impact this year.
Outfielder Jo Adell is one of the most highly-touted prospects in baseball. The 21-year-old was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 and made his Big League debut last September. In just 22 games, he hit .290 with five home runs and 13 RBIs. Adell is expected to be a key player for the Angels this season and could be a future superstar.
Another player to watch is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero The third baseman made his Major League debut last year with the Toronto Blue Jays and quickly established himself as one of the best hitters in baseball. In 131 games, he hit .272 with 15 home runs and 69 RBIs. Guerrero Jr. is still just 21 years old and will be a key player for the Blue Jays for years to come.
Pitchers Luis Robert (Chicago White Sox) and Carter Kieboom (Washington Nationals) are also rookies to keep an eye on this season. Both players are expected to make an immediate impact on their respective teams.
The 2021 MLB season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with plenty of young talents looking to make their mark on the league. Be sure to keep an eye on these rookies as they look to take the league by storm.
The Comeback Players to Watch
After a difficult 2020, baseball fans are looking forward to the 2021 season with optimism and excitement. While there are many big names to watch this year, there are also some players who are looking to make a comeback after an injury or a difficult stretch. Here are some players to keep an eye on this season:
Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto is one of the most exciting young players in baseball, and he’s looking to rebound from a 2020 season in which he was limited to just 36 games due to injuries.
New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton missed most of 2020 with a hamstring injury, but he’s healthy and ready to power the Yankees lineup this season. Stanton is one of the game’s top power hitters when he’s at his best.
Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale missed most of 2020 with elbow problems, but he’s healthy and ready to anchor the Red Sox pitching staff this season. Sale is one of the game’s top strikeout pitchers, and he’ll be looking to return to form in 2021.
These are just a few of the players who will be looking to make a big impact in 2021. With so many talented players returning from injury or looking to rebound from a tough 2020, it promises to be an exciting season of baseball.
The Teams That Could Surprise Us
We’re just a few weeks into the 2021 baseball season and it’s already shaping up to be an exciting one. There are a few teams that could surprise us this year and make a run at the playoffs.
The San Diego Padres are off to a hot start and look like they could be a force to reckon with in the National League West. The New York Mets are also off to a strong start and look like they could contend for the division title.
In the American League the Detroit Tigers are surprising everyone with their performance so far. They’re currently in first place in the AL Central and look like they could be a force to reckoned with all season long
It’s still early in the season, but these teams have already shown that they have what it takes to compete at a high level. It’s going to be an exciting year of baseball!
The Key Matchups to Watch
The 2021 Major League Baseball season is still young, but there are already a few key matchups that are emerging as must-watch battles. Here are three of the biggest matchups so far this season:
1. The New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox
This age-old rivalry is always one to watch, and this year is no different. The two teams are currently battling it out for first place in the American League East and with both teams looking strong early on, this could be a preview of a heated pennant race in October.
2. The Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the San Diego Padres
The Dodgers and Padres are two of the best teams in baseball, and they just so happen to share the same division. These two teams have already met seven times this season, with the Dodgers winning five of those matchups. But with both teams being loaded with talent, there’s no telling who will come out on top in this battle for supremacy in the National League West.
3. The Houston Astros vs. the Oakland Athletics
The Astros and A’s are two more of baseball’s best teams, and they’re currently locked in a tight race for first place in the American League West. These two teams have met eight times already this season, with each team winning four times. This looks like it could be another battle that comes down to the wire in September and October.
The Players Who Could Make or Break Their Teams
baseball season is nearly upon us, and fans are eagerly awaiting the action. There are a lot of storylines to follow this year, but one of the most exciting is which players could make or break their teams. Here are some of the names to watch out for:
Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels – Arguably the best player in baseball, Trout is always a force to be reckoned with. However, he missed significant time last season due to injury and the Angels will be hoping he can stay healthy this year so that they can compete for a playoff spot.
Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees – After signing a massive contract with the Yankees last offseason, Cole will be under immense pressure to perform well in 2021. He was excellent last year, but if he doesn’t live up to his billing this season, it could cost the Yankees dearly.
Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves – One of the brightest young stars in baseball, Acuna has already shown what he is capable of on the field. However, he will need to take his game to another level if the Braves are going to win a World Series title this year.
these are just a few of the names to keep an eye on as the 2021 season gets underway. It promises to be an exciting year of baseball and these players will have a big impact on how their teams fare.
The Darkhorse Candidates for MVP
There are a few darkhorse candidates who could take home the MVP Award this season. One is Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs He’s coming off a down year, but he’s still one of the best hitters in baseball. If he can stay healthy, he could be in line for a big season.
Another darkhorse candidate is Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros He’s another player who is coming off a down year, but he has the ability to put up big numbers. If he can get back to his 2019 form, he could be in line for a big season.
Finally, there’s Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians He’s one of the best all-around players in baseball and he’s due for a big year. If he can stay healthy, he could be in contention for the MVP award
The Teams That Could Disappoint Us
The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers are two teams that could potentially disappoint their fans this season. The Yankees, who spent a lot of money in the offseason to improve their team, have been beset by injuries to Key Players The Dodgers, on the other hand, seem to be relying too much on their star players and may not have enough depth to withstand injuries or slumps.