One week. One week until the sound of roaring fans and the scents of hot dogs and fresh cut grass fills the air. One week until baseball. Opening Day is one of the best days of the year. It celebrates the return of America’s pastime and it is the most looked forward to day of the year for countless baseball fans. As the gates open, people begin to talk and hype builds around who is going win the World Series and league MVPs. The 162 game season is a grind and these are the predictions for this season.

American League MVP

Mike Trout

Really? Mike Trout? Again? Yup Mike Trout still is the best player on planet earth and still is the favorite to win the AL MVP for the gazillionth straight season, or so it seems. The guy is Mickey Mantle 2.0. He’s has to ability to be a consistent 30 homer-30 stolen base type of player. His power-speed combination is like no one we have seen so it is no surprise that he is on his way to a third MVP in six seasons.

National League MVP

Anthony Rizzo

With the Cubs remaining among the elite teams in the game, it is no fluke that a Cub will win it for the second straight year. Last year it was Bryant, this year it’s Rizzo. Rizzo is one of the best hitters in the game and has the ability to hit 45+ home runs. This along with his defensive prowess will propel him to win the award for the first time.

American League Champion

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox made some big moves in the offseason. The biggest was acquiring ace Chris Sale from the White Sox. Sale will only boost their already insane roster. The Red Sox also have a potent offense with AL MVP runner up Mookie Betts anchoring the line-up. They’re also a solid defensive team with Xander Bogaerts at short. Bottomline, the Red Sox are a dangerous team.

National League Champion

Chicago Cubs

Is there any team other than the Cubs that you would pick to win the NL pennant. The Cubs are coming off a season in which they boasted the MLB’s best record and won the World Series. They lost their late game arm in Chapman and their starting center fielder in Dexter Fowler, and their roster is still loaded. Arrieta and Lester are a scary 1-2 punch and with the best manager in the game in Joe Maddon at the helm, the Cubs will be great yet again.

World Series

Winner: Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have made all the right moves this offseason, and they will certainly pay off. Many questioned when they traded away top prospect Yoan Moncada for ace Chris Sale, but no one will have an issue with it when the World Series comes home to Boston this October.