Call to the pen
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MLB predictions: Way-too-early World Series previous winners edition

By Emily Townley

HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 05: Jeremy Pena #3 of the Houston Astros lifts the commissioner's trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 to win the 2022 World Series in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 05: Jeremy Pena #3 of the Houston Astros lifts the commissioner's trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 to win the 2022 World Series in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Even though pitchers and catchers only report to Spring Training this week, it is nonetheless, as deemed by some, never too early to make World Series predictions. From the talking heads on television to the New York Mets practicing their World Series celebration before the season even begins, premature MLB predictions seem to be all the rage.

I, however, want to explore the eight ghosts (the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox being the repeating offenders) of World Series past (from 2013 to 2022) and see where they stand going into the 2023 season. Based on their performance in the last couple of years, can these winners in the last 10 years make the dance this year?

MLB prediction: The Juggernauts

The Kansas City Royals (2015)

If I’m being frank, I do not remember Kansas City’s World Series appearances. Maybe it is because in the years before and after their win, the Royals seemed to be in a perpetual rebuild. Despite being in a lackluster AL Central, the Royals muddle around last place with a concerning consistency.

2022 was no different. With the fifth-lowest run differential, a 65-97 record, and a batting average just above the league’s average, chasing a ring is the least of Kansas City’s worries. What they need to focus on is

a. developing talent, and

b. building around said talent.

Perhaps firing their long-time GM/President of Baseball Operations Dayton Moore (who was their GM during their World Series run) will get them out of rebuild purgatory. Bobby Witt Jr., who was MLB’s top prospect last year, had a promising rookie year, at least. Signing Aroldis Chapman, while slightly concerning considering his previous seasons with the Yankees, shows that the Royals are willing to spend some money in free agency (the Royals currently have the fifth-lowest payroll in the league). However, optimism does not seem to be an option for this team.

At least Kansas City has the Chiefs.

The Washington Nationals (2019)

Oh, Nationals. My heart weeps for thee. After dominating the NL East in the early 2010s, winning the pennant the year they lost Bryce Harper was, to put it plainly, poetic justice. The 2019 team, stacked with the likes of Max Scherzer, Juan Soto, and Trea Turner, after years of missing the mark slightly, took advantage of their window being open.

I just didn’t realize how quickly that window would close. Despite the shortened 2020 season, the Nationals finished tied for last place in the NL East with the Mets. 2021 did not fare better for the Nats, and with a 42-47 record going to All-Star Break, the 2019 squad imploded, and the rebuild officially began.

2022 saw the Nationals say goodbye to Juan Soto, them having the worst record league-wide and the worst run differential league-wide, among other disasters. The announcement of the Lerner family looking at selling the team does not bode well for the Nats as well. At least one team in Washington is going through an ownership change. As the team rebuilds, I heavily doubt we’ll be seeing the Nats make it this year.

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