Results tagged ‘ Predictions ’
Predictions: 2009 Regular Season
AL East – Yankees
AL Central - Twins
AL West – Angels
AL Wild Card – Rays
NL East – Phillies
NL Central - Cubs
NL West – Dodgers
NL Wild Card – Mets
World Series Preview
With the Phillies squaring off against the Rays in the world series (what a wild series it was between them and the Red Sox), it is sure to be fun to watch. Two surprise teams. I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect either team to make the playoffs before the season started. It will probably be a close series, but I’ll give the edge to the Phils because of the better offense. I know the Rays just lit up the Red Sox pitching. The Phillies still scored far more runs this year, however. The bullpen’s are both very similar, but I give the edge to the Phillies because of their lights-out closer. Anyone ever heard of Brad Lidge? They also both have similar rotation’s. The Phillies have a better ace in Cole Hamels. I’d take him over James Shields any day. Scott Kazmir is better than Brett Myers, but he has pitched very well thus far in the playoffs. Jamie Moyer is also a solid option, and I’d take his veteran arm over Matt Garza’s young one in the world series. Like I said before, it will be a very close series, but I think the Phillies will end up on top.
Playoff Predictions: American League
Here comes my playoff predictions for the AL.
Division Series
Red Sox at Angels
Red Sox. They have always had the Angels number in the playoffs for some reason, have a better three man rotation, all the experience in the world, and a better offense. They just seem like the better team. Plus, they’ve been on fire in the second half. I know they don’t have home field advantage like last year, and I know they don’t have Manny Ramirez, but to me it still seems like they are a better team. It will be the most highly watched first round matchup for sure. I like the Red Sox in this one.
White Sox at Rays
Rays. This is going to be an easy series for Tampa. They have a better bullpen and better pitching. They are the best home-team in the MLB and I’m almost sure the White Sox will be leaving Tampa Bay down 0-2. I have no doubt at all that the Rays are going to sleepwalk through this series.
Championship Series
Red Sox at Rays
Red Sox. These two teams will be close. I know the Rays have the home-field advantage, but the Red Sox are just so good. They have a better lineup and a better starting rotation. The only thing the Rays have is a better bullpen. Also, there’s the experience factor. The Red Sox have won two world series’ in four years, so they’ve been there while the Rays haven’t even been in the playoffs. I’d be afraid if I were the Red Sox, though, because if the Rays get their confidence up after winning in game one they could be a scary team. All in all, I’ve got to go with the experience of the Boston Red Sox.
Playoff Predictions: National League
I am going to predict who wins what in the playoffs today. I will start in the NL and then do the AL. This will be listed under “Predictions.”
Divisional Series
Dodgers at Cubs
Cubs. The Dodgers are a pretty scary team in the postseason. They have been red hot going into the playoffs, and are a good all around team. Plus, they have a guy named Manny Ramirez. Takashi Saito leads a fantastic bullpen. They have a solid rotation as well. The Cubs are a better team, though. They have a better rotation and a better offense. (Assuming the Cubs don’t pitch to Manny) They have the best three man rotation of playoff teams. Plus, the Cubs are at home where they have been dominant all year. It is going to be really tough for the Dodgers to win this series.
Brewers at Phillies
Phillies. These two teams are very similar. They both have solid rotations and a great lineup. The advantage for the Phillies is a by far better bullpen. Yes, we know CC Sabathia can go 9 innings, and I think the Brew-Crew will take game 1. But after that, you have two pitchers who are returning fron injuries. If both Ben Sheets and Yovani Gallardo are completly healthy, then they’ll easily win the series. But, if those players get injured or have to come out of the game early, the Brewers will have to give the ball to that aweful bullpen. The Phillies have a light-out bullpen, however, so they won’t blow late leads like their oponent could. I like the Phils in this one.
Championship Series
Phillies at Cubs
Cubs. The Cubs have the best rotation of all playoff teams, and pitching is what wins in October. The Phillies have the better bullpen, but if the starters can go seven innings they can give the ball to Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood to end the game. Both teams have great lineups, and the only thing that separates these two teams is the starting pitching. Since the Cubs have the advantage there, they have the advantage in the series. I sure hope no curse happens this time around.
Award Predictions: National League
Here are your national league award predictions.
MVP
Albert Pujols. Albert has carried the Cardinals, just like he usually does. his great batting average, power, and defense make him by far the most valueable player in the NL. Some people think the MVP has to come from a playoff team, but when you look at the impact Pujols has had on the Cards, you have to pick him. Everyone who likes Carlos Delgado for MVP aren’t thinking straight. Remember when he should have been cut after an aweful two months. So, you’re saying that four good moths of Delgado is better than six of Albert? I don’t think so.
Cy Young
Johan Santana. I know he didn’t have a Johan-type start to the season, but look at his numbers. An ERA in the 2.50 range. He has carried the Mets into the playoffs – not Delgado – and he could help them get far into the playoffs if they make it. He is, by far, the Cy Young for the national league.
Rooky of the Year
Geovany Soto. Like the other two picks, this one is very easy to me. Soto is by far the best rooky in the NL. He might even be the best catcher in the NL. I can’t think of any other good candidates for the job.
Manager of the Year
Jerry Manuel. There aren’t many great choices for this award, but I think it’s got to be Jerry Manuel. Ever since the Mets fired Willy Randolf and promoted Manuel, they have been on fire and have a great chance at making the playoffs. Lou Pinella would have to be the choice if the Cubs win the world series, though.
General Manager of the Year
Jim Hendry. He got steal, after steal, after steal this season. First, he signed Reed Johnson to a cheap, 1.3 million deal. Then, he added Jim Edmonds for around 0.25 million. After that, he finished it off by completley stealing Rich Harden away from the A’s. He could be the difference between a playoff exit and a world series. They also got a useful reliever in Chad Gaudin. They barely gave up anything, just a few spare parts and Sean Gallagher. He got hurt, anyway. I can’t think of a better GM in the game.
Award Predictions: American League
Today I will do the award predictions for the AL, and tommorrow I’ll do the NL.
MVP
Dustin Pedroia. He has been amazing for the Red Sox, is very close to the league lead in batting average, and gets both steals and homers. He is the best all around player that plays a scarce position on a great playoff team. Whats not to like?
Cy Young
Cliff Lee. This is a pretty easy choice. Lee will lead the league in wins and ERA. He also gets his fair share of strike-outs. I know he isn’t on a contending team, but he is the best pitcher in the AL by a large margin.
Rooky of the Year
Evan Longoria. This is a very easy choice. He’s the best player on the best team in the AL East. He’d be the choice even if the Rays were terrible. Evan has carried that team, and will win the ROY.
Manager of the Year
Joe Madden. The Rays have been the biggest surprise of the year. They went from worst to first and aren’t done. This, however, would only be my pick if the Twins miss the playoffs. If they make it, then Ron Gardenhire would be my pick. I know the Rays were a worse team last year and a better this year, but they had more talent than the Twins did, and didn’t drastically downgrade in the offseason.
General Manager of the Year
(I know this isn’t a real award, but I think it should be. It is rated on deals through the year.)
Billy Beane. Remember at the beginning of this offseason when everyone was talking about how bad the A’s farm system was? Well, now they have arguably the best one. After trading Dan Haren, Rich Harden, Nick Swisher, and Joe Blanton for a ton of great prospects, they are bound for success. This team is going to be contenders in 2010 or 1011, all because of Billy Beane.
MLB Predictions: September
Today is the first, so it’s prediction time. I will highlight my changes in red.
AL East
Rays. This is not going to change. This team just keeps on winning despite losing Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford to injuries. The Red Sox have been bit by the injury bug, too, and have not fared nearly as well. Right now, they sit 5.5 games behind the Rays in the division and are struggling to hold onto the wild card.
AL Central
White Sox. I’m not changing here. Even with the Twins adding Francisco Liriano they aren’t better than the White Sox. The White Sox have the far better hitting than the Twins, as well as a better bullpen. So the slight advantage the Twins have in starting pitching doesn’t make up for the White Sox’ offense.
AL West
Angels. This is still the easiest pick. The second place Rangers elimination number is 9. They have lost the ”best team in the MLB” tag, however. They play in the second worst division, and don’t have the dominant top 3 that you need in the playoffs. The still might get to the World Series, but probably won’t win it.
AL Wild Card
Red Sox. They’ll still make the playoffs. There pitching will eventually get healthy, and they have a way better offense than the Twins. The Red Sox and White Sox are almost the same in my mind. The Red Sox with a little better starting pitching when healthy, the White Sox with a better bullpen. And they’re both better than the Twins. By the way, the Yankees have no chance. I am so glad there will be a post season without the Yankees in it.
NL East
Phillies. This one is the tougest I have chosen thus far. I was wrong about the Mets and Marlins. I thought the Mets would fade and the Marlins had a good chance at the division. Now the Marlins have faded and are out of the race, while the Mets have surged and taken over first place in the division. I still like the Phillies in the race over the Mets, though, becasue they got Brett Myers to be the old Brett Myers. His resurgence gives both teams about an even rotation. They both have similar offenses. The bullpen is what separates the Phillies from the Mets. The Mets still don’t have a closer, and even though the Phillies bullpen has struggled as of late, they still are far superior to the Mets.
NL Central
Cubs. Is there any way they don’t win this division? They are only 4.5 games over the Brewers, but have played awesome. This is now not only the best team in the NL, but the best team in the MLB. They have the best playoff rotation of Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster. They have a great bullpen, and the best lineup. This team, gulp, is the favorites to win the world series in my mind.
NL West
Diamond Backs. This is my only change. The D’Backs are just a better team than the Dodgers, with Manny Ramirez or not. They still have the better starting pitching, and the Dodgers still have the better bullpen. I said in last month’s predictions that the Dodgers have a better offense. Over the last month, the D’Backs were fifth in the NL in runs scored, while the Dodgers were tenth. Adam Dunn has helped their lineup out a ton. The younger players have started to hit as well. This team might even get somewhere in the post season. They have arguable the best 1-2 punch of playoff contenders and a solid bullpen.
Top 10 teams: August
This is part of my predictions. I will predict the standings and name the top 10 teams in the MLB. This is under the Predictions side bar link.
1. Angels. They are the best team in the MLB. I have stated that before and will do it again. They have the best rotation, and a speedy lineup with some thump in the middle thanks to the Mark Teixera trade. A great defense and a good bullpen as well makes this the team to beat.
2. Cubs. They are easily second on this list. Look at the top four in their rotation. They have 2 aces and a solid number 2. Ted Lilly is a good pitcher as well. They lead the NL in runs, and are second in the MLB. Jeff Samardzija makes that bullpen lights out. For the first time in a long time, the Cubs are favorites to go to the World Series.
3. Red Sox. This team, even without Manny, is very good. I know I have said the Rays will win the division, but I still think the Red Sox are a better team. They have a better lineup, and are almost the same pitching wise with Tampa Bay.
4. Brewers. This team is set. They have a very good lineup, and A fantastic pitching rotation. CC Sabathia has been huge for them. they have a bad bullpen, but I think their offense and slightly better pitching makes them better than the Rays for this spot.
5. Rays. They land here. They have a very good rotation, among the best in the MLB, and a very good bullpen that just got deeper with the Chad Bradford trade. The offense is the only thing holding them back right now. If they fix this in the offseason, watch out.
6. White Sox. They have the best pitching and hitting combination left on the board.
7. Twins. Since I like having great pitching over great hitting, the Twins egt the nod over the Phillies here. Isn’t it kind of sad for national league fans that 5 of the top 7 teams are from the american league.
8. Phillies. The Phillies come next on the list, because they are the best in their division, better than the bad NL West teams, and the Cardinals are not as good as their record.
9. Marlins. They make it here becasue their pitching has been better with all of the pitchers returning form injury.
10. Dodgers. They sneak past the Cardinals into the final spot becasue of their improved hitting and great ptiching.
MLB Predictions: August
I usually make my predictions on the first of every month (excluding the offseason) But because I made the site today, I will make my prediction today.
AL East
Rays. They have been awesome almost all year long. Everyone is talking about how they are going to fall off in the final 2 months. Well, half of August is over and they’re still in first. They have had injury problems recently with Crawford and Longoria, but they will still win that division slightly over the Red Sox
AL Central
White Sox. They are the best all around team in this division. The Twins do have great pitching, but the White Sox pitching is also very good. The White Sox have a far superior lineup, however. Also, the Twins run diferential is not near as good as the White Sox. The Tigers have a slight chance, but they have terrible pitching and are not as good as the White Sox or Twins. This, like the east, is going to go sown to the wire, but I believe the White Sox will come out on top over the Twins.
AL West
Angels. They have this division locked up. There is no chance they don’t win it. This is the best team in the MLB. Mark Teixera makes their lineup scary, they have the best pitching in the MLB and a solid bullpen with an outstanding closer. This team is set.
AL Wild Card
Red Sox. This is a fairly easy choice. If the Red Sox do win the East, then the Rays will take the Wild Card. There is a slight chance that both the White Sox and the Twins make the playoffs, but Those teams have a better chance of catching the other in the division. The Rangers and Yankees also have a very slight chance, but a chance. I don’t see it happening, though, because of the teams bad pitching.
NL East
Phillies. This is a tough one to call. The Phillies have the best lineup, and probably the best bullpen, but arguably the worst starting pitching. A lot depends on Brett Myers. If he can come back and be their #2, they will easily win this division. I don’t like the Mets chances. They have the worst lineup, arguably the worst starting pitching, and definatley the worst bullpen. Don’t count out the Marlins because they are overachievers. They have a good lineup with a lot of power, and if Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez return successfully from injury, and if Chris Volstad pitches well as a rookie, they will have the best pitching, and maybe the best bullpen. They are a huge dark horse if things go right.
NL Central
Cubs. This is almost a given. They have been on top all year long, and played well with first place on the line by sweeping the Brewers. They are just the best team in the NL, and are not going to go away. By the way, I don’t see the Cardinals getting any closer than they are right now, they are going to fall off just like they have started.
NL West
Dodgers. This is the toughest division to peg. Before the Manny Ramirez trade, I thought it would be the D’Backs because they had a better lineup. After the trade, the Dodgers had the better lineup and the better team. Then the D’Backs get Adam Dunn and it is close again. Since I have to pick, though, I will take the Dodgers. They have been playing like a different team ever since the Manny trade, and have more experience than the D’Backs
NL Wild Card
Brewers. I would be surprised if the Brewers didn’t win this. The Cardinals are falling off, like I stated before, the Marlins or Phillies have a chance if both Brett Myers and the Marlins pitchers pitch well. That’s only 2 teams that have a chance, the Cardinals and either the Phils or Fish. All in all, the Brewers have the best team and will win the Wild Card.
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