The new MLB season is nearly upon us and Spring Training is offering fans a glimpse of who will impress and who will flop come Opening Day.
With trades still being enacted and the free agency market bustling, it’s hard to know what your team’s line-up will be like this April. Well, here are the top three strongest offences to watch out for in the MLB:
1. Detroit Tigers
Having made the Championship game in two of their last three seasons, it is clear Detroit are ready to claim their first World Series in three decades. Manager Brad Ausmus has arguably the strongest offence at his disposal, with Miguel Cabrera and the young Nick Castellanos remaining the definitive sluggers in this line-up.
Granted, Castellanos is a new boy in a man’s game but Cabrera and Torri Hunter heading the top of their line, Detoit have the perfect balance of experience and youth.
2. LA Dodgers
They remain one of the biggest spending teams in the majors and while fans betting MLB World Series begrudge this financial might, the Dodgers have not always benefitted from it. Three years in the wilderness were finally overturned last season as Don Mattingly’s men made the playoffs and no doubt the Dodgers will be there again come October.
Yasiel Puig is now a big shot in the NL West after surprising last summer with 19 homers in his rookie outing. Puig has fit in well alongside Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp, who may find his game time restricted by the presence of Andre Ethier.
3. Baltimore Orioles
Value for money is right up Baltimore’s street and bar Nick Markakis manager Buck Showalter can be pleased with the current salaries of this big-hitting offence. Many MLB pundits argue Charis Davis carried the team last year with his 53 HRs but they forget how slick the Os’ fielding was – just 54 errors committed all season.
With a line-up including a future MLB legend in Manny Machado, smooth operator Adam Jones, snappy batsman JJ Hardy and new power hitter Nelson Cruz, the Orioles are a good bet to top the AL East this season – even if that means beating down the Red Sox.
