MLB Prediction thread
We used to do this every season, so I say we get it rolling again. Follow my lead...
AL East
1) Blue Jays - I have extreme reservations about this pick, as I'm not convinced the Jays will be so great, but the rest of the division has problems.
2) Rays - This is less about how good they are and more about the relative weakness of the division.
3) Orioles - Another pick I'm unsure of. They're a gritty team, but that rotation is a joke
4) Yankees - They lost Swisher, Arod, Soriano and Jeter (for a little bit). Can an underrated rotation prop up what should be a mediocre pen and lineup? Their 2nd best hitter is Teixeira, ouch
5) Red Sox - It's not that I think they'll be bad, it's just that in this division of decent teams, they're the least decent.
AL Central
1) Tigers - The best team in the AL got better with the additions of Torii Hunter and Victor Martinez. Hell, just the release of Delmon Young is enough to make them better
2) Royals - I'm really going out on a limb here. I predict they go 80-82, which is an 8 win increase from last season. Difficult but not impossible assuming Shields is good and Salvador Perez is healthy.
3) White Sox - Another mediocre team. They were 85-77 last season and probably played a little over their heads, especially Pierzynski, who's now in Texas. I could see them dropping from 85-77 to 80-82, which would tie them for 2nd with the Royals.
4) Indians - They were 68-94 last season. The additions of Swisher and Bourn will obviously help (how could they not?), but even a 10 win increase only puts them at 78-84. I really don't think they'll even be that good.
5) Twins - Another team that I think will improve, although probably not enough to get them above 4th. It'll be them and the Indians fighting for that spot. Losing Span really hurts.
AL West
1) A's - Not as flashy as the angels and rangers, but remember these A's won the division last season. The growth of their young starters combined with the smart addition of Lowrie (for basically nothing), will keep the A's at around 93-95 wins.
2) Rangers - I think this race will once again come down to the end of the season, with the Rangers falling just short of the division crown.
3) Angels - They went 89-73 last season. I expect a similar record. Sure they'll have Trout for the whole season and Pujols might improve a bit, but the loss of Hunter will not be helpful. People think Hamilton was so great but in 2012 Hunter was worth 5.3 WAR, while Hamilton was at 4.4. Also, the loss of Greinke will be a blow for sure.
4) Mariners - They didn't really add anything. I'm sure they're just waiting for a few of those prospects to pan out.
5) Astros - SMH. Not only do they have the #1 pick in June, but I expect they'll have the top pick in 2014 and 2015.
NL East
1) Nationals - The rotation is sick, the lineup is sick and the pen is sick. Nuff said.
2) Braves - A very good team with a quality staff (although I don't expect Medlen to continue being god's gift to pitching) and a good lineup. I have a few questions though: will Minor pick up where he left off? Will all the strikeouts consistently kill rallies?
3) Phillies - They have an extremely weak lineup and the additions of delmon young and michael young are two of the biggest fails ever, but those 3 starters will keep them in relative contention all season.
4) Mets - They're in rebuilding mode, but definitely (unfortunately?) going in the right direction.
5) Marlins - SMH again. Interesting question posed on MLB network the other day; who blinks first on a stransburg for Stanton deal?
NL Central
1) Reds - They'll be battling the Nationals for entrance to the WS. A very well rounded with a few questions: Who plays CF? Choo and Bruce are not Center fielders and that will definitely hurt at some point. How will Chapman fare as a starter? And further to that question, what will the pen be like with chapman in the rotation and the far from dependable Broxton at the helm?
2) Cardinals - Not good enough to win the division, but you'd be crazy to count them out. The organization's penchant for plugging holes combined with their #1 ranked farm system should keep them at or near the top.
3) Pirates - With their lack of pitching I don't expect a huge improvement, but this could be the year they top .500.
4) Brewers - They have an underrated rotation, but the loss of Greinke and the injuries to Hart and Gamel will prove difficult to overcome.
5) Cubs - They're a joke and are at least 4-5 years from serious contention
NL West
1) Giants - On paper the Dodgers probably have a better team, but I'll trust in the improvement of Belt and the health of Panda to keep them going.
2) Dodgers - A lot of big names, but do you have complete faith in players like Ethier, Ramirez, Crawford and Gonzalez?
3) D-backs - Sure, losing Upton wasn't great, but Prado was a better player in 2012 and moving from Turner field to Chase field will make him even better or at least as good.
4) Padres - They're a quality team and it wouldn't surprise me if they ended up third. Also wouldn't surprise me if they were forced to move Headley at the deadline.
5) Rockies - Another team that's a long way from contention. They have absolutely no pitching and their best player has a long, long, long history of injuries.
AL Wild card game - Rangers over Angels
NL Wild card game - Dodgers over Braves
ALDS - A's over Rangers
ALDS - Tigers over Blue Jays
NLDS - Nationals over Dodgers
NLDS - Reds over Giants
ALCS - A's over Tigers
NLCS - Nationals over Reds
World Series - Nationals over A's in 6 games
AL MVP - Mike Trout
NL MVP - Joey Votto
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