The 2024 Major League Baseball season is underway, and a lot has already happened. For one, a bombshell gambling scandal involving the league’s most talented player, a heated boycott and massive tailgate party with one of the most historic teams in the sport, oh, and we have already seen a no-hitter thrown. Before any more action goes down in the 2024 season, I want to make sure I get my season awards and predictions out of the way. Here are my 2024 American League predictions.
Division Winners
- AL East: Baltimore Orioles
- AL Central: Minnesota Twins
- AL West: Texas Rangers
- Wildcard: Yankees, Astros, Mariners
ALCS:
New York Yankees over Baltimore Orioles in 6
The Orioles are finally going to get to the ALCS after building off one of the most improbable seasons in recent memory. The O’s have such an insane core coming up, but they are young and inexperienced and I’m just not sure they are going to be able to get through an older Yankee team that has guys who have dealt with tons of postseason pains and have added a World Series MVP in Juan Soto.
World Series:
Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees in 5
The Yankees simply won’t be able to compete with the Dodgers who have one of the most insane lineups ever assembled in Major League Baseball. The Yankees will likely add some pitching at some point this season, but I am just not sure it will be enough to get through a potent Dodger lineup.
AL MVP:
Juan Soto – New York Yankees
Soto is likely about to cash in before hitting the open market in free agency. The short porch in Yankee Stadium is literally built for a guy like Soto to destroy. He has a ton of great pieces around him in this lineup to feel comfortable and likely won’t ever need to press. Soto hit 35 home runs a year ago. I am going to up that number and say he hits somewhere between 45-50 and drives in over 130 runs this season.
AL Cy Young:
Corbin Burnes – Baltimore Orioles
Burnes already has a Cy Young under his belt in the National League and will now look to add another with the Orioles. Burnes has nasty stuff, and he is exactly the type of pitcher that the Orioles needed at the top of their rotation as they hunt down an AL East title. Burnes had a 1.069 WHIP which was the top in Major League Baseball last season.
AL Rookie of the Year:
Wyatt Langford – Texas Rangers
The jump that Langford made from being drafted last spring to the majors is pretty insane. He was taken 4th overall in the 2023 draft and is already in the lineup for the Rangers. The outfielder will contribute immediately for Texas. Most teams try to manipulate service time for these younger guys, but the Rangers decided they had no choice but to get him in the lineup now.
AL Manager of the Year:
Scott Servais – Seattle Mariners
It’s never easy getting the Mariners to the playoffs and in the current AL West it is even tougher with the Rangers and Astros breathing down your neck. I think they get back to the postseason and I think his managing will be rewarded for it.