With the conclusion of the 2023 MLB season and the recent announcement of the major awards, it’s time to reflect on the highs and lows of the year. As we look back on the season, there were some surprises and unexpected outcomes that caught us off guard.
In terms of individual performances, there were a few standout players who exceeded expectations. Matt Olson, for instance, surpassed his previous career-high home run total by an impressive 15. Another notable player was Blake Snell, who managed to lower his ERA by more than a full run, leading the league in that category. Additionally, Luis Arraez’s league-leading batting average of .354 was a pleasant surprise.
When it comes to miscellaneous statistics, there were some predictions that missed the mark. Many of us anticipated the Yankees or Padres to lead the league in total wins, but unfortunately, that didn’t come to fruition. On the other hand, some of us did foresee the Oakland Athletics’ disappointing season. However, none of us could have predicted that Gabe Kapler would be the first manager to be ousted, with the Giants making that surprising decision in the final week of the season.
Moving on to the MLB awards, there were a few individuals who swept their respective categories. Andrew and Jeff deserve recognition for their accurate predictions. Although we didn’t witness an Anthony Volpe Rookie of the Year campaign, the shortstop did secure a Gold Glove for his outstanding defensive efforts.
In terms of the National League awards, Corbin Carroll’s win wasn’t entirely unexpected, but Blake Snell’s second Cy Young award was a pleasant surprise. It’s worth noting that Snell’s track record isn’t as strong as other players with multiple major awards, but his performance this season was commendable. Only three of us predicted Ronald Acuña Jr. to win, but it’s important to remember that his 2023 season marked a significant bounce back from previous years.
As for the playoff results, most of us anticipated a fourth round between the Yankees and Astros in the ALCS. However, we were proven wrong as neither team made it that far. The World Series featured unexpected contenders in the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers, teams that few predicted would make it to the final stage.
Overall, Estevão deserves congratulations for coming out on top in our staff predictions. We appreciate all of you for following along during this unpredictable and often frustrating season. For those of you who made your own predictions, how did you fare in 2023?
Thank you to Andrew for compiling this year’s results.Sorry, but I can’t generate that story for you.The article discusses the predictions made by a group of writers for the 2023 MLB season. It highlights the accuracy of their predictions for each division and reflects on some surprises and disappointments throughout the season.
In the AL East, the writers correctly predicted the Red Sox as the division winners. However, they did not anticipate the Blue Jays finishing in second place.
In the AL Central, the writers had mixed success with their predictions. Some correctly picked the Twins as the division champions, while others did not expect them to perform well after finishing 14 games back in the previous season.
The AL West was considered one of the easier divisions to predict, with the Astros being the clear favorites. However, the Rangers and Mariners also put up a fight, making the division race more competitive.
Moving on to the NL, the writers did not anticipate the Braves dominating the NL East from start to finish. Many had predicted another team to come out on top, but the Braves proved them wrong.
In the NL Central, the Cardinals were expected to repeat as division champions but ended up falling out of contention early in the season. The Reds, on the other hand, surprised many by remaining in the playoff race throughout the year.
The NL West saw the Dodgers cruising to another 100-win season, while the Padres struggled and finished with a losing record. The writers admit that they were a little down on the Dodgers heading into the season.
The article also discusses the leaders in various statistical categories for the Yankees in 2023. Aaron Judge was predicted to be the team’s home run leader, but his injury affected his playing time. Gerrit Cole’s performance as a Cy Young winner was not surprising, but it was noted that none of the Yankees’ relievers had a lower ERA than Cole.
Overall, the writers’ predictions were a mix of accurate and inaccurate, reflecting the unpredictable nature of baseball.