Opening Day is set for Thursday across Major League Baseball, and TribLive writers Kevin Gorman, Jerry DiPaola and Justin Guerriero and columnist Tim Benz have thoughts on how the season will shake out. Here’s a look:

Award winners

NL MVP

Kevin Gorman: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

Jerry DiPaola: Juan Soto, Mets

Justin Guerriero: Juan Soto, Mets

Tim Benz: Mookie Betts, Dodgers

The Mets’ Juan Soto rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a spring training game against the Astros on Saturday.  

NL Cy Young

Gorman: Paul Skenes, Pirates

DiPaola: Zack Wheeler, Phillies

Guerriero: Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks

Benz: Paul Skenes, Pirates

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 3, 2025, in Scottsdale, Ariz.  

AL MVP

Gorman: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

DiPaola: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

Guerriero: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles

Benz: Jose Ramirez, Guardians

Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits a double in the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Monday, March 3, 2025, in Lakeland, Fla.  

AL Cy Young

Gorman: Logan Gilbert, Mariners

DiPaola: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

Guerriero: Tarik Skubal, Tigers

Benz: Garrett Crochet, Red Sox

Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of baseball’s American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Cleveland.  

Postseason predictions

NL East winner

Gorman: Phillies

DiPaola: Mets

Guerriero: Phillies

Benz: Braves

NL Central winner

Gorman: Reds

DiPaola: Cubs

Guerriero: Cubs

Benz: Cubs

NL West winner

Gorman: Dodgers

DiPaola: Dodgers

Guerriero: Dodgers

Benz: Dodgers

NL wild-card round

Gorman: Mets over Cubs, Reds over Diamondbacks

DiPaola: Braves over Diamondbacks, Cubs over Reds

Guerriero: Diamondbacks over Braves, Mets over Cubs

Benz: Cubs over Phillies, Padres over Mets

NL division series

Gorman: Dodgers over Reds, Phillies over Mets

DiPaola: Dodgers over Cubs, Mets over Braves

Guerriero: Diamondbacks over Phillies, Dodgers over Mets

Benz: Dodgers over Padres, Braves over Cubs

NLCS

Gorman: Dodgers over Phillies

DiPaola: Mets over Dodgers

Guerriero: Diamondbacks over Dodgers

Benz: Dodgers over Braves

AL East winner

Gorman: Orioles

DiPaola: Orioles

Guerriero: Orioles

Benz: Red Sox

AL Central winner

Gorman: Royals

DiPaola: Guardians

Guerriero: Royals

Benz: Guardians

AL West winner

Gorman: Rangers

DiPaola: Rangers

Guerriero: Rangers

Benz: Astros

AL wild-card round

Gorman: Red Sox over Mariners, Rangers over Yankees

DiPaola: Yankees over Red Sox; Rangers over Royals

Guerriero: Guardians over Royals, Yankees over Tigers

Benz: Guardians over Yankees, Mariners over Red Sox

AL division series

Gorman: Orioles over Rangers, Royals over Red Sox

DiPaola: Orioles over Rangers, Yankees over Guardians

Guerriero: Orioles over Guardians, Rangers over Yankees

Benz: Guardians over Orioles, Astros over Mariners

ALCS

Gorman: Orioles over Royals

DiPaola: Yankees over Orioles

Guerriero: Orioles over Rangers

Benz: Guardians over Astros

World Series

Gorman: Dodgers over Orioles

DiPaola: Mets over Yankees

Guerriero: Diamondbacks over Orioles

Benz: Dodgers over Guardians

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