Opening Day means new beginnings and a clean slate for MLB teams and their fans. This Opening Day will be slightly different than years past as a new, faster paced era of the MLB is kicking off. The MLB will see the debut of the pitch clock, a drastic change to game speed that is expected to shorten games by over half an hour. Other innovations to the sport include larger bases to help promote stealing and restrictions to the shift, allowing for more balls to be hit into play. All of these revisions to the MLB are in place to add more action, more offense, and increase popularity towards America’s pastime.

Pennant Race:

After a full offseason of moves, the top competitors in both the National and American leagues made big investments. As for the pennant race, the competitors will likely consist of the Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Padres, and Astros.

After bolstering their pitching staff with Chris Bassitt and their outfield with Daulton Varsho, the Blue Jays will win the American League pennant. But the Yankees (with a healthy rotation including a top three of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Nestor Cortes) and the Astros (with a dominant lineup poised to repeat after signing Jose Abreu) will both pose a big threat to the Jays. 

Over in the National League, the Padres will return with Fernando Tatis at the head of a lineup that already had Manny Machado and Juan Soto, but also will add Xander Bogaerts. For that reason, the Padres will win the National League. The Phillies added one of the league’s best all around players in Trea Turner, but injuries to Bryce Harper, and Rhys Hoskins will affect the team in the regular season. But come October the Phillies, Mets, Dodgers, and Braves should all pose big threats to the Padres in the NL pennant race. 

MVPs:

The AL MVP race last year came down to phenoms Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge who both had sensational seasons and are generational players. But often overlooked is Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros. With the addition of Jose Abreu and more protection in an already stacked lineup, to the surprise of many, Alvarez will be this year’s AL MVP.

The NL has tons of MVP caliber players including Ronald Acuna, who hopefully will spend the entire season healthy after tearing his ACL in 2021. But the NL is also home to the likes of Juan Soto, Mookie Betts, Manny Machado, Paul Goldschmidt, and Nolan Arenado. Mookie Betts, already a one-time MVP, will be in the spotlight with the Dodgers this year. After losing Trea Turner in that lineup, Betts will have to pick up the slack and lead the Dodgers to continue to be the powerhouse of a team that they have been. With that said, being in the Los Angeles spotlight will help Mookie receive his second MVP. 

Sleepers:

Lars Nootbaar- The international sensation is bound for a breakout season. The Cardinals’ corner outfielder’s popularity exploded overnight thanks to his success in the World Baseball Classic for Team Japan, leading them to a Championship. Nootbaar was a fan favorite for the Cardinals, and had a huge impact in his rookie season down the stretch. After a year of exposure in the Major Leagues, and elite competition in the World Baseball Classic prior to the season, the young outfielder is poised for a breakout season in a lineup where he’s surrounded by superstars. 

Darick Hall- After being called up last season, Hall appeared in just 42 games for the contending Phillies. He hit nine home runs with an OPS of .804. After starting first baseman Rhys Hoskins went down with a non-contact leg injury, the Phils will be looking for a full time replacement at the position. Hall will bring more power to an already stacked lineup in 2023, and will be a big bat in the middle of the lineup.