MLB 2019 Predictions: Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Astros Among Division Winners, World Series Contenders

The 2019 MLB season could feature a few very competitive divisional races. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are arguably the two best teams in baseball, and there was an arms race in the NL East this offseason. There are also three teams in the NL Central that have a real chance to win 90-plus games.

Here are predictions for all of the division winners in the 2019 MLB season:

AL East: New York Yankees

As good as the defending champion Boston Red Sox are, they aren't going to repeat their 108-win season. The Yankees improved after winning 100 games a year ago. New York has the league's best bullpen, and James Paxton will improve a rotation that's good enough. Look for Aaron judge and Giancarlo Stanton to both be serious MVP candidates in the middle of the lineup that could, once again, set a new home run record.

AL Central: Minnesota Twins

The Cleveland Indians won’t cruise to another division title. Francisco Lindor is hurt to start the season, and the starting rotation might not be able to carry the team like many expect. Minnesota could have a much-improved lineup with players like Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton having big bounce-back years. Nelson Cruz is always good for around 40 home runs. Jose Berrios could become one of the top starters in the AL. It was only two seasons ago that the Twins played in the AL Wild-Card Game.

AL West: Houston Astros

No one is better in the infield than the Astros with Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve. Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole are arguably two of the five best pitchers in the AL. Houston still has a great bullpen. All of that adds up to another 100-plus win season. The Oakland A's might be the only other AL West team that finishes above .500.

NL East: Washington Nationals

The loss of Bryce Harper won't hurt as much as the addition of Patrick Corbin will help the Nationals. Corbin, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg give Washington a potentially dominant rotation. Anthony Rendon and Trea Turner form a terrific left side of the infield. Juan Soto could take a leap in his second year to become an MVP candidate. The New York Mets are improved and Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves will, of course, be tough, but Washington is the most complete team.

NL Central: Chicago Cubs

Because of their poor finish to last season, it's easy to forget just how much success the Cubs have had over the past four years. The same core that's won at least 92 games in every season since 2015 is back. Kris Bryant should be great now that he's completely healthy. If Chicago even gets an average season from Yu Darvish, they’ve got a chance to win this division somewhat comfortably. The Milwaukee Brewers probably don't have the starting pitching to replicate their 2018 season. The St. Louis Cardinals could be a wild-card threat.

NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have won six straight division titles and this year shouldn't be any different. Manny Machado alone won't make the San Diego Padres a contender. The San Francisco Giants didn't get much better this offseason. The Arizona Diamondbacks lost just about all of their best players. The Colorado Rockies could challenge Los Angeles, but the Dodgers are still the best team. Corey Seager is back, and Walker Buehler could be an NL Cy Young candidate.