The 2063 MLB Season Preview: Four Stories to Watch
With spring training around the corner, let's dive into the projected standings and examine the most compelling narratives of 2063.
The Cardinals' Path Back
After falling in a memorable nine-game World Series, St. Louis (+22.8 WAR) somehow got better. Their projected 103-59 record feels almost conservative given their offseason. Urban Henry and Mark Wleh (projected for a combined 2.88 ERA) front baseball's most formidable rotation, while Archer Fernández (.361/.460/.651 projection) leads an offense expected to score an MLB-best 879 runs. The NL Central race might be over by August.
Portland's Last Dance
The Stags (+5.6 WAR) face an fascinating scenario: one year to win before a mandated teardown. After pushing Baltimore in the ALCS, they've reloaded through creative trades, notably acquiring Stan Wallace (257.2 IP, 2.83 ERA projection). Their 89-73 projection puts them right in the wild card mix, but the real intrigue lies in their trade deadline approach. Will they go all-in knowing it's their last shot?
The Projection Systems Love Boston
Perhaps the winter's biggest surprise is Boston's +19.1 WAR improvement, second only to St. Louis. The projection systems see them as a legitimate threat, forecasting an 86-76 record behind MVP candidate Kevin Tavarez (.381/.455/.739 projection). The question: can their pitching staff, led by van Leeuwen (21-11, 3.36 ERA projection), hold up in a brutal AL East?
The Forgotten Dynasty?
Lost in October's drama was Baltimore's (+3.6 WAR) championship run. Now they're projected for regression (89-73), despite Jesús Dávilos's otherworldly projection (23-7, 1.88 ERA, 13.21 K/9). The computers might be missing something here - their core remains intact, and championship DNA matters.
Other Notable Projections
The Chicago Cubs (+6.0 WAR) are projected for 95 wins but still finish 8 games behind St. Louis
The Indianapolis Arrows (+5.9 WAR) get their final projection before becoming the New York Knights in 2064
The Toronto Blue Jays' projection (-11.6 WAR) represents the largest projected decline
The Bottom Line
St. Louis looks poised for another deep October run, but baseball's new era brings intrigue beyond just wins and losses. Portland's one-year window, Boston's dramatic improvement, and Baltimore's title defense create compelling subplots in what projects as one of baseball's most fascinating seasons in recent memory.
Projection systems cited: ZIPS, Steamer, and MARCEL combined averages
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2063 PREDICTED STANDINGS
AMERICAN LEAGUE PREDICTED STANDINGS EASTERN DIVISION
Team W L PCT GB Runs AVG HR SB Runs against ERA K BB
Toronto Blue Jays 90 72 .556 - 745 .253 194 142 699 4.00 1201 528
Baltimore Orioles 89 73 .549 1 675 .245 201 180 626 3.56 1387 440
Boston Red Sox 86 76 .531 4 763 .259 197 111 673 3.78 1180 440
Miami Marlins 82 80 .506 8 696 .238 181 154 711 4.00 1251 465
New York Yankees 81 81 .500 9 694 .247 152 151 732 4.14 1181 520
Carolina Twins 74 88 .457 16 674 .241 170 111 714 3.95 1119 474
AMERICAN LEAGUE PREDICTED STANDINGS CENTRAL DIVISION
Team W L PCT GB Runs AVG HR SB Runs against ERA K BB
Cleveland Guardians 88 74 .543 - 810 .277 178 192 753 4.23 1242 544
Detroit Tigers 87 75 .537 1 759 .261 195 183 744 4.28 1119 558
Nashville White Sox 83 79 .512 5 771 .259 202 226 731 4.20 1041 463
Kansas City Monarchs 81 81 .500 7 793 .258 231 139 812 4.65 1070 490
Indianapolis Arrows 74 88 .457 14 636 .239 177 132 700 3.83 1095 540
Milwaukee Brewers 74 88 .457 14 653 .244 176 105 718 4.06 1100 485
AMERICAN LEAGUE PREDICTED STANDINGS WESTERN DIVISION
Team W L PCT GB Runs AVG HR SB Runs against ERA K BB
Albuquerque Coyotes 90 72 .556 - 719 .250 199 107 611 3.49 1221 453
Portland Stags 89 73 .549 1 800 .265 197 79 705 3.87 1254 440
Texas Rangers 80 82 .494 10 697 .254 167 122 714 4.03 1123 474
San Diego Padres 79 83 .488 11 685 .255 163 89 697 3.85 1194 485
Sacramento Solons 78 84 .481 12 723 .242 182 222 752 4.31 1236 491
Seattle Mariners 63 99 .389 27 614 .241 143 137 779 4.39 1201 453
NATIONAL LEAGUE PREDICTED STANDINGS EASTERN DIVISION
Team W L PCT GB Runs AVG HR SB Runs against ERA K BB
New York Mets 93 69 .574 - 718 .245 173 42 595 3.29 1224 444
Washington Grays 89 73 .549 4 757 .248 206 283 677 3.75 1261 527
Philadelphia Phillies 79 83 .488 14 805 .260 215 171 809 4.66 1266 527
Montreal Expos 78 84 .481 15 602 .228 151 206 662 3.71 1284 419
Tampa Bay Giants 78 84 .481 15 664 .250 147 215 710 4.12 1210 560
Atlanta Braves 76 86 .469 17 691 .247 178 126 768 4.38 1073 513
NATIONAL LEAGUE PREDICTED STANDINGS CENTRAL DIVISION
Team W L PCT GB Runs AVG HR SB Runs against ERA K BB
St. Louis Cardinals 103 59 .636 - 879 .270 199 308 610 3.40 1343 426
Chicago Cubs 95 67 .586 8 735 .243 173 149 604 3.35 1188 433
Cincinnati Reds 87 75 .537 16 749 .252 176 147 646 3.61 1366 504
Houston Astros 81 81 .500 22 739 .248 195 208 769 4.39 1268 521
Oklahoma City 89ers 65 97 .401 38 607 .234 163 103 796 4.49 1253 495
New Orleans Pirates 63 99 .389 40 597 .236 148 104 739 4.18 1196 494
NATIONAL LEAGUE PREDICTED STANDINGS WESTERN DIVISION
Team W L PCT GB Runs AVG HR SB Runs against ERA K BB
Colorado Rockies 85 77 .525 - 689 .242 181 80 641 3.58 1412 589
Salt Lake Bees 82 80 .506 3 634 .245 140 142 694 3.85 1279 528
San Francisco Seals 81 81 .500 4 647 .237 155 112 624 3.47 1275 445
Arizona Diamondbacks 77 85 .475 8 641 .227 178 112 658 3.71 1231 457
Vancouver Angels 75 87 .463 10 728 .243 187 131 787 4.47 1213 473
Los Angeles Dodgers 71 91 .438 14 703 .244 210 80 830 4.75 1193 518