Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is just around the corner! With that being said, it is time to make predictions for each team heading into the 2021 season following a campaign shortened by the pandemic in 2020.

> GET THE BEST OAKLAND ATHLETICS TICKET DEALS HERE!

The Oakland Athletics have made the postseason in each of the last three years. Their last World Series appearance and win came in 1989. Since 2000, the team has made the postseason 11 times. In 2020, the A’s finished fifth in ERA across the league posting a 3.77 ERA, and finished 19th in home runs with 71 homers. Looking onto 2021, the Athletics should make the postseason once again.

Here are Oakland’s projected starters.

Oakland Athletics Projected Batting Order:

1. SS Elvis Andrus
2. OF Ramon Laureano
3. 3B Matt Chapman
4. 1B Matt Olson
5. OF Mark Canha
6. 1B Mitch Moreland
7. OF Stephen Piscotty
8. C Sean Murphy
9. 2B Tony Kemp

Oakland Athletics Projected Pitching Staff:

• SP1 Jesus Luzardo
• SP2 Sean Manaea
• SP3 Frankie Montas
• SP4 Chris Bassitt
• SP5 Mike Fiers
• CL Trevor Rosenthal

Oakland Athletics Team Outlook:

Over the course of the 2021 offseason, the Athletics made additions to improve their chances at a playoff berth. Oakland signed first baseman Mitch Moreland, closer Trevor Rosenthal and reliever Sergio Romo. In February, they acquired shortstop Elvis Andrus and catcher Aramis Garcia via trade with the Texas Rangers. In this trade, the A’s sent Khris Davis, Johan Heim, and Dane Acker to Texas.

Despite the team’s additions, they lost closer Liam Hendricks, shortstop Marcus Semien, outfielder Robbie Grossman, and starting pitcher Mike Minor during the offseason. With the free-agent additions, the Oakland Athletics have increased the likelihood of postseason success. Additionally, they will make a deep run if they push two of their up-and-coming pitchers to ace status.

Oakland Athletics Schedule:

> GET THE BEST OAKLAND ATHLETICS TICKET DEALS HERE!

Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is just around the corner! With that being said, it is time to make predictions for each team heading into the 2021 season following a campaign shortened by the pandemic in 2020.

> GET THE BEST CHICAGO WHITE SOX TICKET DEALS HERE!

The Chicago White Sox made some big free-agent additions over the course of the offseason. After seven straight losing seasons and no playoff appearances since 2008, the White Sox finished second in the American League Central, earning a wildcard berth in 2020. Looking onto 2021, the battle for the AL Central this upcoming season should be interesting, to say the least.

Here are Chicago’s projected starters.

Chicago White Sox Projected Batting Order:

1. OF Luis Robert
2. 3B Yoan Moncada
3. 1B Jose Abreu
4. OF Eloy Jimenez
5. SS Tim Anderson
6. C Yasmani Grandal
7. OF Adam Eaton
8. OF Leury Garcia 
9. 2B Nick Madrigal

Chicago White Sox Projected Starting Rotation:

• SP1: Lucas Giolito
• SP2: Lance Lynn
• SP3: Michael Kopech
• SP4: Dallas Keuchel
• SP5: Dylan Cease
• CL: Liam Hendricks

Chicago White Sox Team Outlook:

Throughout the 2020 offseason, the White Sox did their part to push their team towards success in 2021. Regarding the starting rotation, the south side of Chicago gained an experienced arm by trading starter Dane Dunning to the Rangers for veteran Lance Lynn. Additionally, Chicago gained an elite closer by signing reliever Liam Hendricks via free agency, and later signed starter Carlos Rodon.

Chicago’s offense is in good shape, considering the team has three future stars in 24-year-old Eloy Jimenez, 23-year-old Luis Roberts, and 25-year-old Yoan Moncada. Their offense also has three bats that have proven successful in shortstop Tim Anderson, catcher Yasmani Grandal and first baseman Jose Abreu. Not to mention, the White Sox were able to acquire Adam Eaton during free agency. The core of this offense is very, very good.

2021 will be the year that the White Sox fight for first place in the division. They have the offensive power along with a strong enough pitching staff to battle amongst the top teams in the American League. Chicago’s new additions will help them push for a World Series title.

Chicago White Sox Schedule:

> GET THE BEST CHICAGO WHITE SOX TICKET DEALS HERE!

The Chicago White Sox signed free-agent reliever Liam Hendricks to a three-year $54 million deal.

The deal includes a club option for a fourth year, and it’s $54 million, guaranteed. With this deal, Hendricks breaks the record for average annual value for a relief pitcher at a whopping $18 million per year. By breaking this record, he surpasses Wade Davis‘ three-year, $52 million contracts with the Colorado Rockies.

Hendricks, who will be 32 years old next month, has spent the past five years with the Athletics in Oakland and was a significant part of the team and helped the A’s clinch the AL West title in 2020. Hendricks had claimed Oakland’s closer role during the 2019 season and has transformed himself into one of the greatest relievers in the game.

Throughout the 2020 season, Hendricks posted a 1.78 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts across 25 and 1/3 innings. Hendricks also saved 14 games out of 15 chances and finished ninth in the AL Cy Young voting and 13th in the AL MVP voting.

With this acquisition, the White Sox have proven themselves to be contenders. Along with signing Hendricks, the South Side of Chicago also acquired right-handed starter Lance Lynn via trade with the Texas Rangers and signed free-agent outfielder Adam Eaton.

In the 2020 abbreviated 60-game season, the White Sox made the expanded playoffs after not making the postseason for 12 years. However, the White Sox fell 2-1 to the Oakland Athletics in the American League Wild Card Series.