MLB Predictions

[kidtwentytwo]

AL East
Boston
*New York
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Baltimore

Tampa Bay will surprise a lot of people if Kazmir is healthy and they DON'T sign Barry Bonds. Boston and New York are the default playoff picks. Until someone proves they can knock them off, they belong here. Baltimore will be the worst team in the league.

AL Central
Cleveland
Detroit
Minnesota
Chicago WhiteSox
Kansas City

Everyone is high on Detroit, but I'm not sold on their pitching. With the exception of Verlander, their starters were below average last year. They'll be able to outscore teams with mediocre pitching, but they'll struggle against teams with solid pitchers. Kansas City and Minnesota are a year or two away from being a solid team...yes, Kansas City. Cleveland was a game away from the World Series last season and only got better this offseason.

AL West
Los Angeles
Seattle
Oakland
Texas

It'll be a battle between LA and Seattle, but getting Hunter in the outfield and in the lineup will help tremendously. If Oakland can get and stay healthy, they could surprise.

NL East
New York
*Atlanta
Philladelphia
Florida
Washington

The top 3 in this division could contend in any division in baseball. I don't think the Phillies staff can hold together long enough to outdo Atlanta or New York. Mets have a team of individuals and are already starting to show signs of injury wear and tear...so they could fall on their face. Florida will be better than you think.

NL Central
Chicago
Milwaukee
Houston
St. Louis
Cincy
Pittsburgh

Chicago's got the pieces this year. The Brewers will take the division if their pitching stays strong, but I don't think it will. St. Louis has a ailing Albert Pujols and not much else. The Reds are a year away and the Pirates will never be good under their current ownership.

NL West
Arizona
Los Angeles
Colorado
San Deigo
San Fran

I can't believe more people aren't picking Arizona. They were a young team last year and will only get better...not to mention they added Haren. Honestly, you could flip a coin here between the top 4 teams in this division. The only reason there won't be two wildcards here is because they'll beat each other to death in the regular season.

NL Champ: Arizona Diamondbacks
AL Champ: Cleveland Indians

World Series Champion: Cleveland Indians

[mancowmilitia]

kidtwentytwo said:

The Reds are a year away

...and they have Dusty Baker as their manager. 1.5 - 2 years tops before all of their pitchers' arms start falling off.

[kidtwentytwo]

that's true. Ole Dusty already likes Scott Hatteburg over Joey Votto. Joey is going to need to put on 20lbs of fat before Dusty plays him.

[David]

NL Champ: Pirates
AL Champ: Twins

[Deleted]

Giants will surprise everyone and win the NL West.

Detroit wins the WS

[db25]

stork15 said:

Detroit wins the WS

Can't wait for this! 1984 was a long time ago.

[Ballin]

NL- Mets

AL-Redsox

Hurts to say this but Red Sox world series again.

[Seattle Slough]

Mariners winning it all this year, Bedard getting the Cy Young with Santana in the NL.

[Mogwai Mode]

AL East
Boston
*New York
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Baltimore

It will be close between Tampa and Toronto, but I don't think Tampa's going to be that good that quickly. Boston should have the best record in baseball. Longoria and Buchholz will battle it out for Rookie Of The Year. My money's on Longoria.

AL Central
Detroit
Cleveland
Chicago WhiteSox
Minnesota
Kansas City

Detroit's offense is incredible and I see a big rebound from Bonderman, and a slight rebound from Willis. I don't think Carmona is as good as he showed last year and Cleveland's bullpen is still suspect to me as is the back end of their rotation.

AL West
Los Angeles
Seattle
Texas
Oakland

LAA, what a stupid ass name, is still the best team in this division with one of the deepest farm systems in the MLB. Seattle is the clear number 2 team in the division. But watch out for Texas' offense, they could surprise.

NL East
New York
*Philladelphia
Atlanta
Florida
Washington

Santana is a virtual lock for the NL Cy Young. However the Phillies are much closer than most people think. With Myers back in the rotation, the Phillies should be stronger than they were last year. Atlanta starting pitching is one injury away from falling apart. Although their offense could be the best in the division.

NL Central
Milwaukee
Chicago
Cincy
Houston
St. Louis
Pittsburgh

Milwaukee takes another step forward this year. Look for Rickie Weeks, Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra to help propel this team into one of the best in the majors. Chicago has a very good team, but they are questionable up the middle, and I think it takes Soto and Pie another year before they're ready to break out. Cincy will surprise, although Houston and St. Louis are also in the mix for 3rd place. NL Central also features the two most exciting OF prospects in baseball, Jay Bruce and Colby Rasmus.

NL West
Los Angeles
Arizona
Colorado
San Diego
San Francisco

Should be very very close between the top 4. I still think Los Angeles will take the division in the end with a combination of solid offense and pitching. Arizona has a solid rotation but I think their offense needs another year. Of course any serious injury to a star on any of the top 4 teams could kill their chances. Really too close to call.

NL Champ: Milwaukee Brewers
AL Champ: Boston Red Sox

World Series Champion: Boston Red Sox

[bignrichbball]

I don't think Atlanta's offense is as good as Philly's since the Phillies got Feliz to man 3rd. Yeah he isn't great, but considering the Phils had Greg Dobbs/Abe Nunez/Wes Helms at 3rd last yr, Feliz instantly improves the offense. Losing Rowand hurts, but the Jenkins/Werth combo should be fine. Pitching is always the ? at CBP. However, Atlanta, NYM, and Philly vs. the NL West for most exciting finish to a season. The real question is when does Florida decide to deal Hanley Ramirez because their to cheap to sign good talent?

[Mogwai Mode]

bignrichbball said:

I don't think Atlanta's offense is as good as Philly's since the Phillies got Feliz to man 3rd. Yeah he isn't great, but considering the Phils had Greg Dobbs/Abe Nunez/Wes Helms at 3rd last yr, Feliz instantly improves the offense. Losing Rowand hurts, but the Jenkins/Werth combo should be fine. Pitching is always the ? at CBP. However, Atlanta, NYM, and Philly vs. the NL West for most exciting finish to a season. The real question is when does Florida decide to deal Hanley Ramirez because their to cheap to sign good talent?

Yeah, Phillies offense looks like the best in that division, but I said Atlanta might have the best offense, they are solid at pretty much every position and have Jones in the majors and Schafer in the minors should Kotsay completely blow it. Hanley's still got a lot of years of arbitration left, so I doubt they'll deal him anytime soon.