SENIOR ALAN ADAMS: LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Despite losing Zack Greinke with a MLB-best 1.66 ERA last season to the
Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers’ current roster depth and high payroll will carry them to their first World Series title since 1988.

Arguably, they have the best pitcher in Clayton Kershaw, as well as a dominant closer in Kenley Jansen. Additionally, they signed  key free-agent pitcher Scott Kazmir, who can fill in for Greinke as the second starter.

The Dodgers’ batter lineup is also one of the most powerful ones in all of baseball, registering the second highest OPS in the NL last year and only behind the unfairly located Colorado Rockies.

The team recently made a big move off the field, signing Farhan Zaidi as General
Manager. Zaidi’s experience in player evaluation and development from working with the Oakland Athletics paired with the Dodgers’ seemingly endless payroll could be the key to elevating the Dodgers’ game.

Although last season ended in an early playoff exit after the NLDS, expect the Dodgers’ mix of high-talent veterans and rising stars to propel them through what is shaping up to be a stacked National League.

The Dodgers are also the number one ranked farm-system in the MLB,according to the Bleacher Report. Led by potential superstars Corey Seager and Julio Urias, these two have the potential to significantly impact the team’s development later in the season and into the playoffs.

If all else fails, I would be willing to bet that the Dodgers will acquire even more impact players when the trade deadline approaches. Some teams, like the Cubs and Astros, have admirably suffered through many seasons in order to become contenders, but the Dodgers don’t have to because they can just spend their way to the 2016 World Series title.

SENIOR JOSH SUSAN-MRAK: CHICAGO CUBS

The curse of the billy goat must eventually be broken, and 2016 is the year. Last year, the Chicago Cubs earned an impressive 97 wins in the extremely competitive NL Central division, and I see no reason they can’t match that performance.

The signings of Gold Glove-winning right fielder Jason Heyward and All-Star utility player Ben Zobrist, along with the moving of young phenom Addison Russell to the shortstop position solidifies a defense that was ranked as one of the worst defensive baseball teams. While Heyward will be playing center field, I believe that he will not only smoothly make this transition, but also win a Gold Glove in this new position.

Adding starting pitcher John Lackey reinforces the top of an already stellar rotation that has Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta and All-Star Jon Lester. Lester and Lackey both provide valuable postseason experience from winning the World Series with Boston in 2013. Lester proved his ability to dominate in the Fall Classic by having the third lowest career World Series ERA of 0.43.

Chicago’s offense was successful last year and led their division in OPS, but the
additions of Heyward and Zobrist will greatly assist the team. Both hitters will add consistency to a lineup that has been a bit strikeout-prone in years past.

The biggest question for the Cubs is their group of relief pitchers, a factor that recent World Series winners have proven to be crucial for success. I have confidence in closer Hector Rondon to seal the deal in the ninth, but handing the baton from the starter to Rondon might be problematic. If manager Joe Maddon can find a solution for the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, the Cubs will hoist the trophy for the first time in over a century.

JUNIOR KEENAN HOWARD: BOSTON RED SOX

The Boston Red Sox are the frontrunner team to win the World Series. The team had a good offseason last year, and even though the team didn’t do as well as expected due to injuries, their best players should step up this season.

Their addition of closer Craig Kimbrel and left hander David Price greatly boosts their weak pitching, which struggled last season. Kimbrel, four-time Cy Young and three-time MVP award winner, is arguably the best reliever in the league. Four-time Cy Young and two-time MVP award winner Price will support the team as its best pitcher.

The Red Sox are bringing back most of their lineup which includes veterans Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. These four will be the heart of the team and a key part of their success. Pedroia has been the Red Sox’s centerpiece his whole career, and is coming back from an injury that plagued his 2015 season. Ramirez and Sandoval, who were the Sox two big pickups last season, didn’t play as expected and are now looking to towards a better baseball season. Last season, Ortiz made a career milestone by hitting his 500th career homerun. Earlier this year, Ortiz said his 20th season in the MLB would be his last, which could motivate him to end his career in a blaze of glory with a World Series championship.          

The Red Sox play in the toughest division in the league. They would have to go through last year’s AL East champ, the Toronto Blue Jays, as well as their biggest rival, the New York Yankees, who had a good offseason and  added key new players.

Even though it’s going to be tough, I have confidence that they will win the World Series. I believe the Red Sox, with their powerhouse lineup and revamped
pitching staff, will be the league’s best team.