2019 MLB Predictions

The baseball season wouldn’t be officially ready to begin without writers from around the country staking their reputations on predictions they’ll inevitably get at least partially wrong. Well, we’re no different here.

But our predictions go beyond simple wins and losses. Who will be the more prodigious slugger: Bryce Harper or Juan Soto? Will Max Scherzer regain his Cy Young throne? Which teams are up, which are down, and which will end up on top when it’s all said and done in November? Click through the slides below to see where the WTOP sports department landed on all that and more.

What will the Nationals’ record be and where will they finish in the division? Will they make the playoffs? J. Brooks, sports anchor: 88-74, third, no Chris Cichon, sports anchor: 94-68, first, yes Noah Frank, sports editor: 90-72, second, yes Mike McMearty, news and program director: 97-65, first, yes Dave Preston, sports anchor: 90-72, second, yes George Wallace, sports director: 89-73, first, yes (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Who will hit more home runs between Juan Soto and Bryce Harper and how many will each hit? JB: Harper 37, Soto 34 CC: Harper 35, Soto 28 NF: Harper 41, Soto 28 MM: Soto 33, Harper 30 DP: Harper 33, Soto 28 GW: Harper 36, Soto 30 (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer gestures from the mound after he recorded his 300th strikeout of the season during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) — **Where will Max Scherzer finish in the NL Cy Young vote?** JB: Fourth place CC: First place NF: Second place MM: First place DP: First place GW: First place (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

How many innings will Stephen Strasburg pitch? JB: 79 CC: 177 NF: 131.2 MM: 145 DP: 150.2 GW: 155 (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Which MLB team will have the biggest increase in wins from last season? JB: Minnesota Twins CC: Cincinnati Reds NF: Chicago White Sox MM: San Diego Padres DP: Chicago White Sox GW: San Diego Padres (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Which MLB team will have the biggest increase in losses from last season? JB: Chicago Cubs CC: Seattle Mariners NF: Seattle Mariners MM: Atlanta Braves DP: Seattle Mariners GW: Oakland Athletics (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Which MLB team that missed the playoffs last year will make them this year? JB: Minnesota Twins CC: Washington Nationals NF: St. Louis Cardinals MM: Washington Nationals DP: Washington Nationals GW: Washington Nationals (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Which MLB team that made the playoffs last year will miss them this year? JB: Los Angeles Dodgers CC: Colorado Rockies NF: Colorado Rockies MM: Atlanta Braves DP: Atlanta Braves GW: Atlanta Braves (AP Photo/John Raoux)

AP Photo/John Raoux

What is your one bold prediction for the season? JB: Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg don’t finish the season due to injury. CC: Eugenio Suarez leads the National League in home runs. NF: As launch angles continue to point upward, MLB sees multiple 50-home run hitters for the first time since 2002. MM: Anthony Rendon will hit 40 home runs. DP: There will be an on-field scuffle in September between the Nats and Phillies, with Bryce Harper playing a major role. GW: Davey Martinez gets a contract extension before the year is over. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File