With the MLB season just a few days old, people are buckling up their seatbelts for another amazing MLB season. With many teams taking huge steps, others fall back and others picking up right where they left off, let’s take a look at who I believe are the top 5 teams for the 2016 MLB season, starting with the fifth best and working our way to number 1!
1. Houston Astros
(source: bleacherreport.com)
This may surprise some people, but I feel that the young Houston Astros will be a top five team this year. Their best hitters in their lineup are all extremely young, led by Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa and their pitching staff is always improving and is led by CY Young winner Dallas Kuechel. And after last year’s playoff run, these guys have some experience and I expect them to be even better this year.
2. Toronto Blue Jays
(source: bleacherreport.com)
The Jays have bats, power and offense unlike any other team in the majors and there is no reason why this will stop. In fact, the Jays scored 127 more runs than any other team. And with making various re-signings, the Jays are poised to make another run in the playoffs. It also doesn’t hurt that they had three of the top 10 home run hitters in the AL, including MVP Josh Donaldson.
3. New York Mets
(source: http://inningseaters.sportsblog.com/)
While their offense is decent and improving, it is without a doubt their outstanding pitching staff that puts them so high on my list of the best teams in the MLB for 2016. Not only was the rotation the best in the league last year, but they are also still extremely young and not even in their primes yet. Yet still, their five starting pitchers could all likely be #1’s for various other teams, and the fact that they are all on one team is not fair for the rest of the majors. This team will be a tough out every single day.
4. Kansas City Royals
(source: northplatepost.com)
While projections weren’t too high for the Royals last year, they surpassed them all by winning the World Series for being the best team in baseball, and they are poised to be in a similar positon this year. They re-signed a lot of their great talent from last year and players now have more playoff experience for this young team. Also, Lorenzo Cain is a dark horse MVP candidate for me as he finished third in voting last year. It will be fun to see if this team can recreate their stunning run to glory from last year.
5. Chicago Cubs
(source: cbssports.com)
And the Cubs are my pick to be the best team in baseball this year and win their elusive title to break the curse. Not only did the Cubs retain most of their talented team from last year, the also made additions. These additions include power hitter Jason Heyward, great fielder Ben Zobrist and solid pitcher John Lackey. Add this to a team that features last years Rookie of the Year (Kris Bryant), Cy Young winner (Jake Arrieta) and a top 5 MVP vote-getter (Anthony Rizzo), and you have all the makings of a champion. They’re solid all around and their depth will help them throughout a long season. Also, they are among the youngest teams in baseball and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them dominate for years.
