Oct 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates with shortstop Carlos Correa (1) after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox in game one of the 2017 ALDS playoff baseball series at Minute Maid Park. Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Although it still feels like winter time in several parts of the country, baseball is back. And it officially gets started March 29. So with that, we give you the first Lindy’s power poll of the 2018 Major League Baseball season.
- Houston Astros: The best team in baseball got better in the offseason with the addition of starting pitcher Gerrit Cole.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Losing Justin Turner (wrist) for a few weeks hurts, but the Dodgers are still the best team in the National League.
- New York Yankees: The Giancarlo Stanton-Aaron Judge combo could post record-breaking home run numbers. But don’t sleep on the Yanks pitching, which is really good.
- Cleveland Indians: Is this the year the talented, pitching-rich Indians win it all? If they stay healthy, they’ll be a tough team to beat.
- Boston Red Sox: The addition of J.D. Martinez balances the lineup. But will the starting pitching hold up?
- Washington Nationals: The Nationals may lose Bryce Harper following the season so the time to win is now! The bullpen should be improved.
- Chicago Cubs: The Cubs remain one of most talented teams in baseball. And there won’t be a World Series hangover in 2018.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich improve the team’s offense and outfield D. If the starting pitching remains strong, the Brew Crew will be a major threat in the NL.
- Arizona Diamondbacks: The D-backs are loaded offensively and possess one of the more underrated starting pitching rotations in all of baseball.
- Colorado Rockies: The Rockies feature one of the best lineups in baseball. But can their pitching keep up in the rugged NL West?
- St. Louis Cardinals: The addition of Marcel Ozuna helps, but can the Cardinals squeeze one more good year out of Adam Wainwright?
- Minnesota Twins: The exciting young Twins should benefit from the additions of veterans Lance Lynn and Jake Odorizzi to the starting rotation.
- New York Mets: If the Mets can stay healthy, especially the starting staff, they could be a dark horse in the NL.
- San Francisco Giants: The roster didn’t get younger, but the Giants could rebound if its veteran additions (Evan Longoria, Andrew McCutchen) pan out.
- Los Angeles Angels: The Angels won’t win the AL West, but they could contend for a wild-card berth if Shohei Ohtani lives up to the hype.
- Seattle Mariners: The addition of Dee Gordon extends the Mariners lineup, but Seattle will only go as far as its rotation takes it.
- Toronto Blue Jays: If the Blue Jays regulars can stay healthy, they could compete for a wild card spot.
- Atlanta Braves: Freddie Freeman is a star and Ronald Acuna could be a superstar. The Braves also have young pitching out the wazoo.
- Philadelphia Phillies: The Fighting Phils are capable offensively. And the addition of Jake Arrieta will be beneficial to a young pitching staff.
- Texas Rangers: The Rangers can still hit, but how well their starting pitching holds up will likely determine the team’s fate.
- Kansas City Royals: The Royals lost popular stars Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer, but the return of Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas was big.
- San Diego Padres: The addition of Eric Hosmer should help the O, and starter Dinelson Lamet is a future star. Closer Brad Hand is lights out.
- Baltimore Orioles: Is this the last season Adam Jones is in Baltimore? If so, don’t expect him, or his teammates, to go down without a fight.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Losing longtime face of the franchise Evan Longoria was a blow to team morale. Can the scrappy Rays find a way to cope?
- Oakland A’s: The A’s won 75 games last season and appear to be trending upward. If Oakland plays better defense, it should equate to a few more Ws.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Unloading Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole didn’t sit well with the fan base, but the Pirates front office is always looking ahead.
- Chicago White Sox: The White Sox have one of the best farm systems in baseball so they won’t be down for too much longer.
- Cincinnati Reds: You have to wonder how long the Reds will hang on to Joey Votto with a team that will likely fail to finish with 70 wins … again.
- Detroit Tigers: The Tigers have an ace in Michael Fulmer and a number of expensive veterans, so they’ll be a likely trade partner for contenders in July.
- Miami Marlins: Derek Jeter is one of baseball’s all-time greats, but his first few moves as the team’s new CEO were head scratchers.
