By Harry Kaseff
Sports Head
Many modified seasons are set to begin by the end of July, leaving everyone wondering who is going to win these Championships. With shortened seasons, weaker teams have an opportunity they have never seen before. If the San Diego Padres, for instance, could get off to a hot start like they have in years past, then they could set themselves up for a playoff run. The Padres have not made the Playoffs since 2006. The same goes for NBA teams returning to play in their Orlando bubble. A hot start or a single winning streak of more than a few games could propel an underdog team into the Playoffs, where anything can happen.
In the MLB there are definitely a few favorites who are looking to dominate the shorter season before heading into the Playoffs. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are two of these teams. They signed Gerrit Cole and Mookie Betts respectively as a boost to their already stacked teams. Without a doubt each game is worth more to every team, because they're playing 100 games less than they were expecting to play (60 instead of 162). Also, teams with big star players, like the Philadelphia Phillies and Padres, can lean on players like Bryce Harper in order to make the Playoffs. The Oakland Athletics are a surprise team who have a shot at winning their division because of a strong farm system and distractions in the Houston Astros Organization. The A’s and the Diamondbacks both have very strong pitching which should really carry them this year. Lastly, the Brewers, Rangers, and Blue Jays will look to upset some of the favorites in this unprecedented 60 game MLB Season.
With the NBA Season less than a month away, it is important to know the favorites and the underdogs. The Lakers, Clippers, and Bucks emerge as the top 3 teams in the league after the hiatus. Also, the Raptors, Celtics, and Nuggets should be able to make a long playoff run in hopes of playing and winning The Finals. The Suns, Spurs, Pelicans, and Wizards will represent the majority of the underdog teams in Orlando, Florida. The Pelicans and Wizards are my two favorite teams to watch here. Zion Williamson and the rest of the young, excited Pelicans have a chance to easily make the Playoffs, if they can get on a roll early. In addition, the Wizards could get five time all star John Wall back from injury. That could turn the Wizards into a Playoff team even though they are the 9th seed in the East as of now.
The NFL will look to start its 101st season in late July as Training Camps open up. The reigning champions, the Chiefs, emerge as the clear favorites, with Patrick Mahomes on a new 10 year, 503 million dollar contract. Also, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the “GOAT,” Tom Brady, and newly acquired Rob Gronkowski will look to dominate the NFC. Brady will bring his mentality and past success to the Bucs with Gronkowski as his running mate. Competing with the Bucs for the NFC will be the 49ers, Saints, and Seahawks. As for the AFC the Colts, Texans, and Ravens should be competing with the Chiefs atop the AFC. Both Conferences should be fun to watch as Divisional games have been back-loaded as contingency plans in case a hiatus needs to be put in place, similar to the NBA.
Each three of these Leagues champions will get asterisks next to their names as these seasons will be unlike any other. These Championships will be harder to win as more teams believe they have a shot at winning the title - more teams are going all in this year. No matter what, the World Series, NBA Finals, and the Super Bowl will be much-watch TV, as no one has ever seen three seasons go on in this way.
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