STAN FISCHLER COLUMN: What to expect in the MLB in 2015

OLD NEWS: The major league baseball season begins next Sunday.

NEW NEWS: I’m going to tell you precisely about a number of events that will take place in both the National and American Leagues this year.

Yankees fans are invited to agree or disagree but I expect more of the former and less of the latter.

Are you ready? Here come the first pitches:

* Alex Rodriguez will try to make everything ginger-peachy until mid-season at which time he’ll get most of the civilized world hissed-off at him again.

* Hey, A-Rod can’t be all bad; Yankees prospect Greg Bird praised Baseball’s Bad Boy for giving the rookie the best hitting advice he ever received.

* It Can Only Happen To The Mets Department: Starter Zack Wheeler winds up sidelined for a year with a torn UCL requiring Tommy John surgery.

* You have to like the Mets starting rotation — unless you happen to be a Yankees fan.

* When you stop fixating on Matt Harvey, check out Noah (What A Name) Syndergaard, who’ll be a positive headline-getter.

* Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is as tough as a hockey player. Remember, he’s the guy who got hit in the face by a pitch last season but still remains cool as a cucumber at the plate.

* My prediction for the year’s biggest American League surprise: Alex Rios. The 34-year-old outfielder had a sub-par season in Texas last year but a change of scenery to Kansas City will produce depth for the AL Champs.

* The Biggest National League Disappointment will be Bartolo (Falling Away To A Ton) Colon. I once liked him in Oakland — then again I like almost anyone in an A’s uniform — but The Baseball Balloon will do nothing to help an otherwise terrific mound staff.

* Trivia Question Nobody Can Answer: Why were the Brooklyn Dodgers once nicknamed “The Flock?” (Answer Below:)

* As for the Biggest American League Disappointment, I’m going with Pablo Sandoval. Among other things, I suggest that The Panda avoid badmouthing his former team, the San Francisco Giants. (Pally, it’s unbecoming, among other things.)

* Is there a Major League Baseball juggernaut? Answer: No. But the Washington Nationals will be a National League force of note. A few reasons include Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, Doug Fister, Gio Gonzalez and free agent signee, Max Scherzer.

* Answer to Trivia Question: The Brooklyn Dodgers often were referred to as The Bums. When they were managed by “Uncle” Wilbert Robinson, the club also was known as the Robins. And when robins fly, they often fly in a flock. Headline-writers took to calling the Dodgers “The Flock,” and there you have it.

* My pal, Peter Rossi, argues that the Baltimore Orioles will lead the American League East but that’s nothing to crow about. The AL East will be the worst division. Period!

* Andrew McCutchen will continue his dominance in the National League and take his second MVP in three seasons.

* The McCutchen of the American League will be Mike Trout.

* My Yankees fan buddy, Leo Scaglione, Jr., insists that Dellin Betances will beat out Andrew Miller for the Bombers closer spot.

* I never argue with Leo.

* * *

And before I get any arguments, try two Milton Berle Baseball One-Liners.

1. One vendor at the ball park was fired. They found him heating the franks!

2. My team is in big trouble. Last night, the pitching machine threw a no-hitter!

Author-columnist-commentator Stan “The Maven” Fischler resides in New York City and Boiceville. His column appears each week in the Sunday Freeman.