The 2021 season prediction thread

On the eve of the season, it is time to make our predictions for the 2021 season. You can look back at how inaccurate last year’s predictions were, but this year is different!

We asked our writers to weigh in on their predictions, and we surveyed fans as well.

Reader vote

Royals position player WAR leader: Whit Merrifield 47.7%, Adalberto Mondesi 30.6%, Salvador Perez 9%

Royals pitcher WAR leader: Brad Keller 55%, Brady Singer 30.6%, Josh Staumont 7.2%

Critical spirits! The Royals will win it all! Or at least, in a small way. Let’s turn to the American League.

Reader vote

AL East: Yankees 74.8%, Rays 17.1%, Blue Jays 5.4%

AL Central: White Sox 50%, Twins 42.9%, Royals 5.4%

AL West: Astros 37.8%, Athletics 31.5%, Angels 29.7%

AL Wild Card: Royals 33.3%, Rays 25.2%, Blue Jays 22.5%, Twins 19.8%, White Sox 18.9%, Yankees 18%, Astros 11.7%, Athletics 8.1%

No writer is willing to say the Royals will make the playoffs....yet. How bout the inferior National League?

Reader vote

NL East: Braves 75.9%, Mets 12%, Phillies 7.4%

NL Central: Cardinals 62%, Brewers 21.3%, Cubs 13%

NL West: Dodgers 86.1%, Padres 13%

NL Wild Card: Padres 73.1%, Mets 30.6%, Brewers 14.8%, Cardinals 14.8%, Nationals 13.9%, Dodgers 12%, Braves 11.1%, Phillies 9.3%

Will any Royals come home with some hardware?

Reader vote

AL MVP: Mike Trout 56%, Shohei Ohtani 9.2%, Jose Abreu 5.5%, Aaron Judge 4.6%

NL MVP: Fernando Tatis, Jr. 32.4%, Ronald Acuna, Jr. 19.4%, Mookie Betts 14.8%, Francisco Lindor 6.5%

AL Cy Young: Gerrit Cole 33.3%, Shane Bieber 21.3%, Lucas Giolito 15.7%, Zack Greinke 9.3%, Tyler Glasnow 5.6%

NL Cy Young: Jacob deGrom 32.4%, Walker Buehler 16.7%, Trevor Bauer 12%, Blake Snell 10.2%, Clayton Kershaw 9.3%, Max Scherzer 6.5%

AL Rookie of the Year: Bobby Witt, Jr. 25%, Kyle Isbel 22.2%, Randy Arozarena 19.4%, Andrew Vaughn 8.3%, Wander Franco 6.5%

NL Rookie of the Year: Ke’Bryan Hayes 21.7%, Sixto Sanchez 16%, Ha-Seong Kim 11.3%, Dylan Carlson 10.4%, Mackenzie Gore 9.4%, Christian Pache 8.5%, Jazz Chisolm 7.5%

What about the whole shebang? Who brings home a title this year?

Reader vote

American League pennant: Yankees 52.7%, White Sox 16.1%, Royals 11.6%, Rays 5.4%

National League pennant: Dodgers 53.7%, Padres 25%, Braves 13%, Cardinals 5.6%

World championship: Dodgers 45.9%, Padres 17.4%, Braves 10.1%, Yankees 7.3%, Royals 7.3%

Any other predictions for this season?