Major League Baseball (MLB) is back and ready for another 162 game season. This new season brings new players, new playoff contenders, and new teams chasing for a spot at the World Series.

The 2016 offseason has brought baseball new elite World Series competitors.

“I see the Cubs being the one to win the World Series by the end of the year,” said senior Drew Daczkowski.
The Chicago Cubs made an unexpected run in the 2015 playoffs, and this year it will be no surprise if you see the cubs holding a World Series trophy at the end of the season. After the Cubs resigned Cy Young pitcher Jake Arrieta, signed all star outfield Jason Heyward off of free agency, as well as Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant returning, it opened people’s eyes and showed how scary the Cubs will be in the new season.    

Although the Cubs may have the best line up in the MLB, they do not have last year National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bryce Harper. After being the youngest player to win MVP in baseball history, most people see him as a potential back-to-back winner of the award.

“[Bryce Harper] is only 23-years-old, and has been doing well in spring training, I don’t see him doing anything different than he did last year,” said sophomore Grant Huller.

In spite of the Washington Nationals falling short of making the playoffs last year, analysts believe Harper could lead his team to stop the Cubs from making it the World Series.

“If they can pitch well, get their bats going, and stop the Mets from winning the division, they can go all the way,”  said Huller.

With Nationals division rival, the New York Mets, having the highest ranked pitching staff the Nationals will have to face Cy Young front runner, Jake deGramme, and their top notch pitchers.

“If the Nationals can win most their games against the Met,s there is nothing stopping them,” said junior Trevor Krohn.

The excitement and unexpected results of a new season are what keeps fans watching the long 162 game season. The new season, brings more thrill to the game of baseball.

“The anticipation in every game and never knowing what’s going to having to happen next [is the great part about baseball],” said Daczkowski.