7 daring predictions for July

Just do not forget that you heard it right here first. Right right here, on this very area, one month in the past, I informed you that the Reds had a date with first place. Lo and behold, behind the electrical Elly De La Cruz, the return of Joey Votto and me — a blind squirrel discovering a nut — it occurred. It actually did occur.

How did the remainder of my June predictions prove? Well, they have been fairly horrible, really. But don’t rain on my victory parade with pesky little issues like information. I’m simply right here to have a very good time and infrequently scratch off a winner.

Let’s attempt it once more with these seven predictions for July.

1. There will likely be a Metsurrection!

This prediction is unnecessary.

The Mets don’t appear to be a very good staff proper now. They are previous. They have depth points. Their protection is making primary blunders on the common. Their July schedule begins with the Giants, D-backs, Padres and Dodgers. And with a $350 million payroll, taking over wage to enhance this dud of a membership on the Trade Deadline would appear an outrageous financial transfer, even by Steve Cohen requirements.

All of which is why, someway, the Mets will pull themselves up off the mat midsummer. Don’t ask me the way it occurs, as a result of I don’t really imagine it occurs. Maybe it’s so simple as José Quintana becoming a member of a rotation that finds its kind and factors the best way. I don’t know.

All I do know is that baseball will make a mockery of our convictions. And I’m so robust in my conviction that the Mets are D.O.A. that it’s a veritable certainty they’ll resuscitate themselves and get into the NL playoff image. Book it.

2. There will likely be a number of trades!

This is a July predictions piece. The Trade Deadline is Aug. 1. If you need to get actually technical, possibly there gained’t be many trades in July. Maybe there gained’t be many trades in any respect, given the relative lack of stock.

But ever since MLB went to 1 “true” Trade Deadline in 2019, we’ve seen a slew of swaps annually. That’s going to occur once more.

The Cardinals are making this very fascinating. They might suppose lengthy and laborious about dealing not only a pending free agent like Jack Flaherty however a famous person like Paul Goldschmidt. Other 2022 playoff golf equipment just like the Padres and Mariners are in equally tenuous positions. And I don’t must let you know how fascinating it might get in Queens if my above “Metsurrection” prediction doesn’t pan out.

It seems like Cody Bellinger might wind up with the Yankees if Aaron Judge remains to be ailing. It feels just like the D-backs, Rangers and Reds will make the most of their shock momentum (I don’t know that it might really assist, however the Reds ought to give us the reward of Zack Greinke and Votto on the identical staff).

But look, rather a lot can change in MLB in 4 weeks. I’m going to cease in need of making too many particular commerce predictions till issues get a bit of clearer. (The actual reality is, I’m anticipating my editor to have me file a Trade Deadline predictions piece, and I can solely be improper so many instances within the span of a month.)

I’m prepared to make one guess for now, although …

3. The Angels will purchase a pitcher from the L.A. space!

We have already seen the Angels make aggressive in-season strikes this 12 months, selling every of their prime two picks from final 12 months’s Draft (Zach Neto and Ben Joyce) and not too long ago buying and selling for Mike Moustakas and Eduardo Escobar. With the clock ticking on Shohei Ohtani and the longest playoff drought in MLB (tied with the Tigers), the Halos must proceed to capitalize on the opening that exists for them to not solely vie for a Wild Card spot however maybe even contend for the AL West crown.

Doing so would require a rotation improve. I used to be amongst those that had excessive hopes for this Angels’ beginning group after it completed a decent sixth in ERA final season after which added Tyler Anderson. Alas, Halos starters not named Shohei Ohtani, Reid Detmers and Griffin Canning haven’t gotten the job executed.

This is not going to be a straightforward market to swing a deal for a starter, however the Angels have as a lot (or extra) incentive as anyone. I finally don’t suppose the Guardians will commerce Orange County native Shane Bieber, however Los Angeles natives — and, extra importantly, pending free brokers on disappointing groups — Lucas Giolito and Flaherty are one other story. Giolito is having the superior season. If it takes post-hype prospect Jo Adell or the Angels’ catching depth to land him, so be it. Now’s the time.

4. The Orioles will take over first place within the AL East!

This is the second consecutive month through which I predicted a staff will overtake the Rays. Despite what you would possibly suppose, I’ve nothing in opposition to the Rays. In truth, I fairly just like the Rays. But the purpose of those predictions is to be daring, and what’s extra daring than predicting the staff that has been the runaway finest in baseball since Opening Day will get despatched to second place?

Alas, I couldn’t have been extra improper after I predicted the Yankees would vault previous the Rays in June. Judge injured his toe inside about 84 hours of that prediction being printed. That is the ability of my predictions. No staff — or toe — is secure.

But it wouldn’t be the craziest factor on the planet for the O’s to get forward of the Rays this month, solely as a result of the 2 golf equipment have a four-game sequence in opposition to one another from July 20-23. The O’s have gained three of the primary 5 conferences. The Rays have seemed extra human as of late and may ill-afford any extra rotation accidents. Baltimore has the higher bullpen. Gunnar Henderson heated up in June, and Cedric Mullins has returned. This can occur!

But if any O’s harm their toes within the subsequent few days, I quit.

5. Mookie Betts will win the Home Run Derby!

This one doesn’t make sense, both. Betts doesn’t look the a part of a Derby champ.

Obviously, he’s a generational expertise. He’s been an MVP. He’s gained a World Series. His initials are actually M.L.B. He was born to play baseball … and bowl. But Betts is 5-foot-9, 180 kilos. He’s taking over his first Derby problem (on the behest of his spouse) in a ballpark the place it may be troublesome to go deep. This occasion figures to spook Mook and go away him huffing and puffing whereas somebody larger and stronger (cough … Vladimir Guerrero Jr. … cough) takes the crown.

We’re right here to be daring, although! So, very like when he picks up a 7-10 cut up, Betts goes to rise to the event in Seattle. He’s acquired these lightning fast wrists that can overcome his lack of bodily measurement, permitting him to get in a pleasant rhythm to tie Miguel Tejada (2004) for the vaunted title of Shortest Derby Champ.

6. The American League will win the All-Star Game!

This is my reward to the National League. For the previous few years, I’ve picked the Senior Circuit to get off the All-Star schneid and beat the AL (one other custom is yearly wanting up the proper spelling of “schneid”).

All that’s occurred is that the NL’s dropping streak has been prolonged to 9 Midsummer Classics. The NL has solely three victories since 1996 and 6 since 1987. Brutal.

For no matter it’s price, the AL’s present streak started firstly of an odd stretch through which seven of 9 of those video games have been performed in NL parks. So the AL gamers have dominated on the highway. Now the subsequent two video games are scheduled for AL parks.

What does that imply? Absolutely nothing. But now that I’m lastly choosing the AL (with Pacific Northwesterner Adley Rutschman the MVP), the NL is sure to lastly prosper. You’re welcome, Rob Thomson.

7) The LSU guys is not going to go 1-2 within the Draft!

Right-hander Paul Skenes appears like a generational pitcher. He is a bodily imposing presence with a sophisticated energy arsenal and a fantastic character. Dylan Crews is an athletic, hard-hitting outfielder with a fast stroke and the pace and defensive capacity to stay in heart. Either could be a decent decide at No. 1 total, and so they stand a really actual likelihood of turning into the primary pair of teammates to go 1-2. Geaux Tigers!

Bonus) Scott Rolen and Fred McGriff will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame on or round July 23!