During spring coaching, MLB.com’s beat writers surveyed the clubhouse and requested gamers for his or her opinions on quite a lot of subjects. Over 100 gamers participated in alternate for anonymity. In the run-up to Opening Day, MLB.com is publishing a collection of articles based mostly on its findings.
Today’s matter: 2024 World Series Champions
At this time of yr, we frequently hear the phrase, “Hope springs everlasting.” After all, something is feasible as soon as groups arrive at spring coaching camp. Players at every membership are definitely dreaming of profitable the World Series within the fall, however which crew (if not theirs) do they suppose can win all of it?
That’s precisely what we requested gamers all through the sport. The outcomes of the vote are as follows:
1. Dodgers
The Dodgers outranked the Braves amongst gamers surveyed, and the ballot put the 2 golf equipment in a league of their very own. But the Dodgers are the crew most frequently cited by gamers (if not their very own membership) because the crew they suppose will win this yr’s World Series. Why not? Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto had been added to an already stacked roster, particularly this offseason. The prime three within the lineup, Mookie Betts, Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman, are all MVP award winners.
One American League reduction pitcher summed it up properly: “I imply, they had been already fairly good…they usually positively received some guys.”
They positively did. The National League outfielder could not assist however say the Dodgers are a winnable crew, saying, “I do not see why they can not win.”
The AL infielder mentioned: “They have expertise, don’t they?”
They definitely have it in abundance. But throughout his time with the Dodgers, the National League beginning pitcher could have, maybe inadvertently, made a powerful level about current developments: “We predict yearly.”
Still, because the AL beginning pitcher identified, it is arduous to not decide a crew with such a deep roster.
“They must be the principle reply to this drawback, proper?” he requested. proper.
2. Braves
The Braves weren’t far behind the Dodgers in participant voting, which isn’t any shock contemplating Atlanta’s extremely deep roster.
With present National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and hard-hitting nook infielders Matt Olson and Austin Riley, the offense is poised to be a power once more. And on the mound, Spencer Strider and Max Fried can be on the entrance of a vaunted beginning rotation, with Chris Sale additionally becoming a member of them, who has been doing properly this spring.
“They have a really proficient roster,” the AL reduction pitcher mentioned. “He was a extremely good beginning pitcher.”
AL outfielders, like many people, stay in awe of Atlanta’s energy on the plate. “You can by no means put them out with the hitters they’ve,” he mentioned.
An American League reduction pitcher would most likely describe it like this. “They might be an absolute drawback this yr.”
According to many gamers who participated in our survey, you’ll be topped the 2024 World Series Champion.
“That younger expertise gained precious expertise final yr,” the National League reduction pitcher mentioned.
Multiple respondents who answered sure cited the addition of right-hander Corbin Burnes, who many see as the ultimate piece of the World Series puzzle for Baltimore.
“They had an ideal crew final yr, they usually had an ideal pitching employees as normal,” mentioned the AL beginning pitcher. “Now they’re getting even higher with the addition of extra gamers. They’re going to be a tricky crew to beat.”
4. Phillies
When the Astros defeated them within the 2022 Fall Classic, they had been very near profitable their first World Series in 14 years. Last yr, a promising October efficiency ended with them only one recreation away from the National League pennant. Will the Phillies lastly be capable of make all of it the best way in 2024?
One American League catcher definitely thought so, reasoning, “They all the time appear to play properly in October.”
One of the explanations is the house stadium. As we noticed within the 2022 postseason, the Phillies have an unbelievable benefit with regards to enjoying at Citizens Bank Park. That’s one motive why a few of the gamers in our examine ended up with the Phils.
The American League outfielder defined, “I’m going to Philadelphia. I feel we’ll have a giant dwelling discipline benefit.” “I performed there, and there is electrical energy over there.”
Still, it is arduous to depend out the Yankees, as evidenced by the variety of gamers who selected them because the projected World Series champion.
A National League infielder mentioned, “With the addition of Soto, they only stepped up their offense.” “It’s going to be actually arduous to beat them.”
Also voting: Astros, Blue Jays, Mariners, Rangers, Rays, Reds