McAdam: Red Sox poised to go a bit deeper in October -- as long as pitching stays healthy

This story includes Sean McAdam's divisional and playoff picks, and award winners at the bottom.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Thanks to one big check, written to J.D. Martinez, the Red Sox this spring took care of what ailed them a season ago -- a difference-making power bat.

That will greatly improve the lineup, and in an era in which every team boasts significant power threats, even out the playing field for the Sox. No longer will they have the ignominious distinction of being the American League's 98-pound weakling.

Less certain is the health and durability of their starting rotation. Can David Price give them 30 starts? Is this the year Eduardo Rodriguez avoids a trip (or trips) to the DL because of his balky knee? And what about Drew Pomeranz's troubling and recurring forearm issues?

There's a lot to like about a staff that potentially boasts two of the best five lefty starters in the game and a dominant closer at the back end. But expect some setbacks and some injury concerns along the way.

Ultimately, I think the Yankees will wear out teams with their power-packed lineup and snap the Red Sox hold on the division, with New York winning the East by a handful of games. But by October, I'm betting the Red Sox have things straightened out.

There, I expect them to lose to the Houston Astros again -- but only after they first win the wild-card round and knock off the Yankees in the ALDS.

Here's the way I see the Major League season playing out:

AL SEASON PREDICTIONS

AL EAST

New York: Loaded for sure, but not without some question marks, starting with the rotation.
Boston: Improved offensively, and if the pitching holds up, a pennant contender.
Toronto: They won’t be pushovers, but not in playoff hunt without improvements to lineup.
Baltimore: Not just bad, but potentially dysfunctional.
Tampa Bay: Starting from the bottom, and likely to sell-off.

AL CENTRAL

Minnesota: Poised to surprise with some strong off-season moves.
Cleveland: They’ve come back to the pack and will sorely miss Carlos Santana and some relievers.
Chicago: A powerhouse in two years or so, but not ready yet.
Kansas City: Barely recognizable from the team that recently won back-to-back pennants.
Detroit: Very well might be the league’s worst team.

AL WEST

Houston: Easily the class of the league with few (no?) obvious flaws.
Los Angeles: They’ll need big seasons from their oldest player (Albert Pujols) and their newest (Shohei Ohtani).
Oakland: The A’s have quietly assembled a very strong offensive team. Can the pitching step up?
Texas: In transition, and perhaps looking at a long season.
Seattle: All of the shuffling of bodies hasn’t helped.

WILD CARDS: Boston, Cleveland
AL CHAMPS: Houston over Boston

AL MVP: Alex Bregman, Astros.
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Willie Calhoun, Rangers.
AL CY YOUNG AWARD: Chris Sale, Red Sox.
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Aaron Boone, Yankees.
FIRST MANAGER FIRED: Scott Servais, Mariners.
HR CHAMP: Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees.
FIRST TEAM ELIMINATED: Detroit.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

NL EAST

Washington: At some point, they have to get over the hump. Don’t they?
Philadelphia: They may be a year ahead of schedule in their rebuilding.
New York: Lots of talent – especially on the mound – but as usual, already lots of injuries, too.
Atlanta: Think of them as the NL version of the White Sox – loaded and coming fast.
Miami: Bad. Like, epically bad.

NL CENTRAL

Chicago: Great blend of veterans and younger players. Their time is now.
Milwaukee: Quietly improved and will be fun to watch.
St. Louis: Can the young pitching step forward?
Pittsburgh: Sitting there in limbo, waiting for their time to come
Cincinnati: Not competitive and not much on the horizon.

NL WEST

Los Angeles: Five straight division titles are nice, but it’s time they mixed in a title.
Arizona: It’s their bad fortune to be in baseball’s toughest division.
Colorado: Their window is starting to close with Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado heading to free agency soon.
San Francisco: Old folks boogie. Or else.
San Diego: Great prospects down below, but not ready to win anytime soon.

WILD CARDS: Milwaukee, Arizona
NL CHAMPS: Los Angeles over Chicago

WORLD SERIES CHAMPS: Los Angeles Dodgers

NL MVP: Nolan Arenado, Rockies.
NL CY YOUNG AWARD: Noah Syndergaard, Mets.
NL MANAGER: Craig Counsell, Brewers.
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Ronald Acuna, Braves.
FIRST MANAGER FIRED: Bryan Price, Reds.
HR CHAMP: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks.
FIRST TEAM ELIMINATED: Marlins.