So I'm still reeling from my terrible predictions last year, but I'll give this another try.
Last year, I picked one team that didn't even make the playoffs (Tigers) and another team that got bounced from the playoffs as quickly as a 16th seed in the March Madness brackets (Cubs).
I picked a couple Tigers for awards (Verlander for CY Young and Cabrera for MVP) and both guys really let me down. Let's just say I'll be avoiding any Tigers in my predictions for fear that I was the one who jinxed them last year.
As always, I'd LOVE to hear your feedback and your predictions. So with that, let's go!
AL East:
With the additions to that pitching staff, and a healthy David Ortiz, I HATE to make this pick, but I think the RED SOX take this division. If you look up and down, they match up really well with the Yankees and the Rays offensively, but pitching is where they really stand out to me. I think this is a VERY tough division, and it's going to be close all year, but I think the RED SOX win.
AL Central:
As much as I love my hometown Tigers, and I do love the addition of Josh Anderson and Rick Porcello, I just think their bullpen is so bad that they can't win. I LOVE the Royals this year, and I think that's a team that's on the rise, but I think they're one pitcher and one year away from really contending. Cleveland is the easy choice, and the White Sox are the reigning champs, but I have to go with MINNESOTA to win this division. I know Mauer is injured right now, but as long as he doesn't miss too much time, this si their division to lose. This division is so even that I think every team will be within 10 games of .500.
AL West:
I'd like to say this is the easiest division, and on paper it is, but with all the injuries to the Angels rotation, it's tough to say. You can't lose Ervin Santana, Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey (and possibly Joe Saunders) and not expect a drop off. With that being said, they should all be back by the end of April (with the possible exception of Santana). Oakland has made some really nice additions, and I love the fact that Giambi is back and can be himself again free from the appearance restraints that he had in NY...hello long hair and dirty facial hair! Texas will put up monster offensive numbers, and Josh Hamilton will be even better this year, and Nelson Cruz will be a top 30 fantasy player, but their pitching is down right awful. So, I have to go with the ANGELS, despite their injuries. I love the Abreu signing and he'll really help that lineup.
NL East:
Really fun, really competitive division. Atlanta completely retooled their pitching, and watch out for Tommy Hanson this year, especially if Tom Glavine is going to miss a big amount of time. The Mets look good on paper, but I'm not sold on them. The Marlins are like the Royals, and they're going to be VERY good in a year or two. They have arguably one of the best rotations and one of the best players in ALL of baseball (Hanley)...this is a team on the rise. The PHILLIES though, are the team I'm picking to repeat. I think they have such an amazing balance of power, speed and pitching.
NL Central:
Not a very competitive division, and I know my guys Gerrard and DaveyT will be upset with me for not picking the Cubs, but I just can't pick them. Milwaulkee will regress, Houston will be competitive, but not very good and Cinci is another team on the rise. I love the pickups they made and I think Willy Taveras will win the base stealing award this year. Their pitching is solid and they have a hammer in the bully in Cordero. BUT...the Cardinals will win this division. Any team with Pujols has to be the favorite. Phat Albert will come close to winning the triple crown this year!
NL West:
The DODGERS will win ths division, and win it fairly easy if everyone stays healthy. I LOVE the pitching staff in SF, and I think Lincecum is the best pitcher in baseball. They're stacked from 1-5 (Lince, Cain, Randy Johnson, Barry-I-suck-Zito and Jonathan Sanchez) and their bully is solid. Arizona will compete, and I think Justin Upton turns into a 15/15 guy this year. The Padres stink, and I hope that does NOT translate in to our league...lol. The Rockies will surprise people this year even without Holliday, but the Dodgers are clearly the best team in this division.
RECAP:
Boston, Minnesota and Los Angeles to win their divisions in the AL
Philadelphia, St Louis and Los Angeles win their divisions in the NL
Wild Cards = New York Yankees narrowly edge the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL Wild Card spot and the Cubs narrowly edge the Mets for the NL Wild Card
World Series = Boston vs Los Angeles with the RED SOX winning another World Series (man, I hate saying that!!!)
AWARDS:
AL MVP - Joe Mauer. His team loses when he's out, and when he comes back he (and Morneau) force them into the playoffs. Holliday will get some consideration for this, as he'll continue to build on his impressive resume and keeps the As competitive all year.
NL MVP - I wanted to go with Albert-I'm-going-to-win-the-triple-crown-Pujols, but I think now that he's hitting in the 3 spot, Hanley goes 30/30 with 120 RBI. Did you know he hit 33 HRs last year and only had 67 RBIs...he needs to have guys get on in front of him!
AL Cy Young - Roy Halladay competes for this award again, but falls a little short again. Zack Greinke continues his rise to elite status, but falls short this year. Jon Lester wins this award in a very tight, close race.
NL Cy Young - Lincecum has another stellar year and Johan wills his team to a bunch of wins, but Brandon Webb decides to reclaim his trophy.
AL Rookie - everyone is saying it's going to be Matt Wieters, but I have trouble picking him with all the hype surrounding him. Rick Porcello has the chance to win double digits with the Tigers, but I don't want to jinx him, so I'm staying away from him. David Price will win this award because he's the most experienced and has the best composure. Elvis Andrus will also be in the running for this.
NL Rookie - Tommy Hanson has a very good chance to win this, depending on when he comes up, but if Logan Morrison or Stephen Strasburg sign early enough, this is their award to lose. Morrison is one of the best hitters the world has never heard about, and Strasburg is a beast who hit 100+ on the radar gun 14 times IN HIS LAST GAME alone!
So there it is, there's my picks...any thoughts?
Posted
Apr 02 2009, 12:21 PM
by
Zak