We all love the hardwood and pigskin as much as the next guy but is there anything like showing up to the ball park, grabbing a few dogs and seeing a pitcher’s duel?
With no real favorite this year everyone from the Cubs and Mets, to the Mariners and Indians looks to have a legitimate shot.
So without further ado let’s get into some predictions...
AL East – Toronto Blue Jays
Talk about wide open. I think the only thing that is certain in the East is that the Rays will undoubtedly finish last here. They lost their manager and traded away all of their studs. It will be another long season with no fans in the park yet again for the Rays. Could the Sox go from worst to first? It sure looks that way as they brought in some serious Free Agents this offseason. Everyone is picking the O's it seems and as much as I love that rotation, they lost Cruz and Markakis and haven't really replaced those guys. Lastly, being a huge Yankee fan I would love to say that everyone will remain healthy and have bounce back years but I just don't see it. I think they will certainly be in the mix but at the end I see the Jays taking the east. Great rotation and the best lineup in the division.
AL Central – Detroit Tigers
AL West – Los Angeles Angels
Likely to be the most competitive division this year, the A’s, Angles and Mariners all have high hopes of winning the Pennant. I like the Angels to squeak it out at the very end. Rangers were burden by injuries last year and it looks like they have hit the bug yet again. Houston we still have problems…few more years and they might win 85 games.
Wild Card – New York Yankees, Oakland A’s
NL East – NY Mets
This has got to be the year the Mets make the move. Phillies and Braves will both be lucky to win 70 games. The Nationals have had some injuries and the Marlins have started off really slow. I think the Mets get it done behind their young rotation and improved lineup.
NL Central – ST. Louis Cardinals
Another competitive division top to bottom. I think the Cubs, Reds, Cards and Pirates will all be in it until the end but I like the veteran leadership the Cardinals have to put them over the edge. Brewers will finish last.
NL West – LA Dodgers
Wild Card – San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates
World Series – LA Dodgers over Detroit Tigers
AL MVP – Mike Trout, Angels
NL MVP – Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
AL CY Young – Chris Sale, White Sox
NL CY Young – Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
You don't have the defending AL Champs in the playoffs!!! Come on Matty. The Yanks ain't going nowhere this year. You have to have the Royals at least as a Wild Card team...Love the Mets pick though! If pitching can stay healthy (already lost Wheeler for the year), The Mets could make some noise.
ReplyDeleteDamn Mejia. I wasn't aware that even after he serves his 80 game suspension he is still suspended from postseason play. Maybe they make a run at Soriano if Parnell doesn't come back full strength?
DeleteAdd some details to some of this. You said on the Blue Jays: "Great rotation and the best lineup in the division." Based on who and what?
ReplyDeleteDodgers are one of the most overrated teams in history. Easy to jump on the highest team salary bandwagon especially as a Yankee fan. Break down their lineup and starting rotation. Lots of holes. You said on Facebook their bullpen is suspect. They actually have one of the top pens in baseball. Kenley will be back from his foot injury to be dominant as always. Then they have Yimi Garcia who has been incredible and throws some filthy fastballs. Only 93 MPH on average but they have some crazy upward movement. Howell for the lefty guy. Peralta has been solid for years. Paco Rodriguez strikes out mad dudes. That bullpen is the best part of the team. Give me a lineup breakdown let's see what you got.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the Nationals pitching staff? How are they going to miss the playoffs? Possibly the best starting staff I have ever seen from 1 to 5.
ReplyDeleteJoey bats, encarnacion, Donaldson, reyes, Russell martin, etc. I'll take that over yanks, rays, O's and sawx. Sawx being the only real competition. Who would you say has the best lineup in that division? Rotation wise they are solid. Dickey, Hutchison, Buehrle can still eat innings and Norris led the minors in strikeouts last year. Maybe not the best in the division but not the worst by any stretch. I said it would be close and I'd rather go Jays over O's and Sawx. I could see the argument either way but get out of here with the Rays.
ReplyDeleteWhy use "etc." instead of talk about the potential of Pompey and Travis to make your argument stronger?
DeleteWhat about that bullpen? Cecil closing?? if he doesn't work out they go to the 20 year old with no MLB experience in Castro? Weak.
If I wanted to pick the teams with the highest payroll wouldn't I slot the Yankees, and sox in the mix? Agree to disagree I think the Dodgers are the best team in baseball. You say their pen is solid then that just validates my arugement because we know how nasty their lineup is and rotation is solid as well. Nats best starting staff ever???? Man that's a pretty bold statement. I know they've had some injuries but like I said I'm not making the pick that everyone wants to make. Their defense has been awful this year, unless they clean that up it really wont matter how well they throw the ball. WHO YOU GOT? Give me your division winners and championship
ReplyDeleteNats best starting staff ever???? Man that's a pretty bold statement. - Have a debate man, don't twist my words. I said one of the best I have ever seen 1 to 5. Don't tell me I'm wrong, prove it. Who has had a better staff in our generation? They have 2 clear aces(Strasburg and Scherzer), three number two starters(J. Zimmerman, G Gonzalez, D. Fister) and Tanner Roark(15W and 2.85 ERA last year) waiting in the bullpen in case there is an injury.
DeleteGo ahead, who has been better?
95 Bravos with Smoltz, Maddox, Glavine and Avery......100% the Marlins when they won the series with Pavano, Beckett, DWill, and Penny...when CC played for Indians and was actually dominate, cliff lee and Fausto were in their primes...05 yanks were pretty stacked with Clemens, moose, Pettite and Wells....there is no doubt the Nats have one of the best staffs in the MLB this year but I just don't think they get it done. Best teams on paper don't always win just look at the all of the recent World Series Champs. If you choose the Nats to win the East I wouldn't say your wrong I just don't think they are good enough defensively and offensively to win it. I still like the Dodgers and Mariners staff a bit more but Nats are top 3 IMO
DeleteMad good list of better rotations, damn.
DeleteI never said the Rays had a chance to win the division. All I was pointing out is that this statement, "the only thing that is certain in the East is that the Rays will undoubtedly finish last here..." is completely inaccurate. That team has so much more talent that the average fan knows about.
ReplyDeleteOn top of this, you made a comment that the Yankee starters only need to go 7 innings and the game is over. Well I can make the same argument with the Rays since they have Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee at the back of the bullpen. Both of those guys had similar numbers to Miller and Betances last year.
DeleteI would take Cobb, Archer, Smyly, Odorizzi, and Colome over Tanaka(with half a PCL), C.C., Pineda, Nova, Eovaldi.
Not saying I would take Boxberger/McGee over Miller/Betances, however they could be a close second for most dominant duo in baseball.
DeleteNo real talk about the Sox, love it.
ReplyDeleteI think the Sox will be in it...I just don't think they will win the division. They were awful last year, im not saying they cant go from worst to first but it will be tough. Love that lineup and defense and their Bpen is solid, just not sure on the staff. I think that's the beauty of the AL East. Ask anyone to pick the winner and you will get different answers all day. I think it's wide open. Clay is not a #1. Great pitcher but not a #1. If they can aquire an ace they will likely be the front runner
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