Many fans expect to see a familiar Major League Baseball season in 2013: the same teams from 2012, the same rush of moves and contracts to make teams playoff contenders and the same ball game.
However, the couple things that are worth noting are the Houston Astros’ league switch and offseason moves by the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Due to the Houston Astros’ league-switch, there are now fifteen teams in both the American and National Leagues. Thus, there will always be an interleague matchup happening.
Since 2007, interleague play had been usually limited to a two-week window in June or July, but now it will continue from March to September. Officials are optimistic that attendance will be higher as fans flock to view teams and players they usually don’t get to see. This change will, however, limit the amount of games played between divisional and league teams and thereby influence the race for the playoffs.
During the offseason, two teams who didn’t make the playoffs last year have established themselves as favorites for the 2013 season.
The Toronto Blue Jays have stacked their lineup to potentially be the most dominant in baseball. Jose Reyes, arguably one of the sport’s best leadoff hitters, Melky Cabrera, who was having an MVP run last season until he was disqualified for steroid use, and R.A. Dickey, winner of the 2012 Cy Young Award, are only a few of Toronto’s additions.
In the National League West, the Dodgers have also built a formidable team that has its sights set on the World Series. On the offensive side, perennial MVP contender Matt Kemp will be joined by stars Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez, formerly of the Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins. On the mound, Korea’s Ryu Hyun-Jin will add power to a rotation that includes former Cy Young winners Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.
Dodgers fan Timothy Lee, a junior from North Hollywood High School, shared his optimism about the team, saying, “The Dodgers are stacked for the championship. They’re just like the Lakers — they’ve gathered a pool of some of the most talented players in the league and have a serious shot at taking it all home!”
The Major League season begins on Sunday, March 31 with a game between the Astros and the Texas Rangers. The game will be televised on ESPN.
