2013 MLB Preview

As the Red Sox and Yankees prepare to start the season in the Bronx, here is the annual TheBostonInsider MLB Preview.

Five Baseless Predictions

1. The Yankees won't just be saying goodbye to Mariano Rivera this year, they'll also be seeing the last of Derek Jeter too.

You can also add Andy Pettitte to that as well but he's retired before so I won't count him in with the other two Yankee icons who will both play their final season this year.  It's hard to imagine the Yanks without Jeter at shortstop or with Rivera coming out of the bullpen but that will be the case at the end of 2013.

No, this is not a reprint of last year's prediction.

2. The Rays will trade David Price to the Dodgers for prospects and still will qualify for the playoffs.

The Rays have built a player development machine and even losing a rare talent like Price - which will save them millions of dollars in arbitration hearings and then from losing him in free agency - is something they can survive because of all their young talent.

3. Behind comeback years from Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, the Red Sox will make the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Lester and Buchholz are both excellent pitchers who have spent the entire spring looking like they're ready to make up for subpar performances in 2012.  With two aces at the top of the rotation and a solid lineup, the Sox will play in October.

4. Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay will do the same thing for the Phillies.

The two aging aces - plus Cole Hamels - will put together a fantastic summer and get the Phillies into the playoffs.  Having Jonathan Papelbon, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley doesn't hurt either.

5. The Dodgers roster of All-Stars won't be enough to win the National League.

The Dodgers will be heavy favorites but in the end, the Reds will claim the N.L. pennant.

Division Predictions (* = Wild Card)

A.L. East

1. Rays
2. Red Sox*
3. Blue Jays
4. Orioles
5. Yankees

A.L. Central

1. Tigers
2. Indians
3. Royals
4. White Sox
5. Twins

A.L. West

1. Angels
2. Rangers*
3. Athletics
4. Mariners
5. Astros

N.L. East

1. Phillies
2. Nationals*
3. Braves
4. Marlins
5. Mets

N.L. Central

1. Reds
2. Cardinals
3. Pirates
4. Cubs
5.  Brewers

N.L. West

1. Dodgers
2. Giants*
3. Rockies
4. Diamondbacks
5. Padres

Postseason Predictions

A.L. Wild Card Playoff

Red Sox over Rangers

ALDS

Tigers over Red Sox
Angels over Rays

ALCS

Angels over Tigers

N.L. Wild Card Playoff

Nationals over Giants

NLDS

Dodgers over Nationals
Reds over Phillies

NLCS

Reds over Dodgers

World Series

Angels over Reds

Awards

A.L. MVP - Albert Pujols, Angels
N.L. MVP - Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers

A.L. Cy Young -  Felix Hernandez, Mariners
N.L. Cy Young -  Roy Halladay, Phillies

A.L. Rookie of the Year - Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox
N.L. Rookie of the Year - Dominic Brown, Phillies

A.L. Manager of the Year - Terry Francona, Indians
N.L. Manager of the Year - Charlie Manuel, Phillies