1998 MLB Preview (No Expansion / OOTP)

Another article from the unpublished vault, an article as part of my 1993 Atlanta Braves/No-Expansion (no Marlins, Rockies, Rays & Diamondbacks) project on Out of the Park Baseball.

The preseason predictions came out for the upcoming 1998 MLB Season. The season is part of my No Expansion 1993 project using Out of the Park Baseball 20, while I am currently running the Atlanta Braves.

I'm not sure if I agree with the predictions though, they have my Braves winning the division 22 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who just added Randy Johnson and Al Leiter to the rotation, which is anchored by ace Pedro Martinez.

The Braves added 2B-Bret Boone, SP-Steve Trachsel, SP-Darryl Kile, RP-Dennis Cook & SS-Mike Bordick, while extending the contracts to stars OF-Johnny Damon, 1B-Jason Giambi & SP-Tom Glavine.

Atlanta (102-60) finished 8 games back of the eventual World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who won 110 games last season. Atlanta won the 1996 World Series against Toronto the year before.

The predictions have the Blue Jays bouncing back into the picture, derailing the 1997 A.L. Champion New York Yankees from winning the division. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers that were ousted during the 1997 American League Championship Series, are solid, and predicted to win 107 games.

I was surprised to see the Pittsburgh Pirates predicted to finish 3rd, despite adding Albert Belle, Alex Fernandez, and Mo Vaughn, to join Ken Griffey, Jr. The New York Mets are predicted to win the N.L. East Division, who do have a strong trio in Vladimir Guerrero, Sammy Sosa, and Nomar Garciaparra, really didn't seem to add much, while the team was lousy in 1997 with a 68-94 record.