Sunday, March 22, 2009
Typos in Baseball Projections
Yeah yeah yeah, there were typos and what not. I zoomed through it in outlook. Fuck off.
MLB Projections
I love this time of year.
NL East
Mets 90-95 Wins. The addition of K-Rod and the more impressive coup of landing Putz simply cannot be overstated. They were a powerhouse all these years that proved you cannot win the big games without relief pitching. I didn't realize how integral relief pitching was until I watched this team the last two years. That being said, that lineup is aging, and this Murphy character I don't see as the second coming of Ted Williams or anything, but in the most competitive division in the NL, they must be the champs.
Phillies 85-90. They get hot, and Ibanez is a certain upgrade, but I just think the field will overtake them. I can't see how Rollins really compares to Reyes or HanRam, and I can't resolve that the most powerful hitter on the team will strike out 200 times. He's good, but his stats against the best pitchers in the league are terrible. This is the league of getting hot at the right time, and I don't see it happening again for the Phillies
Braves 83-89 wins. I really think the last few years have been spent playing opossum by these guys. Their perennially competitive farm is yielding talents by the bail, and so without stars like Andruw of old or Texiera of recent, they're going to do well by getting something out of every position on the field. The staff ain't bad either. They could prove that back end theory just fine however by not having a truly solid reliever in the bunch. Gonzalez and Moylan are not Rod and Putz.
Nationals 72-83 wins. My homer instinct demands that they perform better than this, but it's such a pipe dream to think that Johnson, Zimmerman, Dukes, Milledge and the bullpen will all stay healthy this season. They're better than last year's team by far, and much better than '07's team, which won 72 games. Acta is a good manager, and they're not going to let the other teams in the division pad their win-loss columns this year. Jordan Zimmermann is really good, and they're going to draft Stephen Strasburg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pVyw2JlloM). This guy is going to resurrect all the Walt Johnson references you can think of. He's sick.
Marlins 70-80 wins. They really have talent, terrific talent, but it's going to be awhile before 2003 comes back around. Volstad is a stud, Maybin is allegedly can't-miss and there are all these pieces lingering, but I feel like the Front office - smartest in baseball - is very clear about when the team is going to build and when they're going to contend. It looks like this is in the former category.
NL Central
Cubs 95-100 wins. The playoffs being a different story altogether, the Cubbies are going to roll through this league like a tractor through hay. Soriano is still amazing, even if he only plays 100 games, and then they'll have Rich Harden for as much as he can muster. I think Marmol closing is better than Wood closing, and it seems to me that marginal closing talent makes terrific setup talent, ergo Gregg will do just fine. In a marginal division, they'll spread that "this-is-our-year" marmalade all over Chicago. It's not.
Brewers 90-97. I don't get it with this team. Two years ago it looked like they put it altogether, and last year somewhat the same, but it just didn't come. Managerial change suits them because no one needs to coax Fielder, Braun, Hardy, Weeks, Hart, Gallardo, Bush and Parra along anymore. They need to win some fucking games this year. I think that the have serious talent and one pitcher addition and one bullpen addition and they are in the series. I hope it to be as well, because I love watching them play.
Cards 83-88 wins. You just can't underestimate this team. Pujols and La Russa could surround themselves with the Cards' single-A affiliate and still contend. Even looking at their roster, it doesn't matter to me, I know that they're going to be in the mix. I'm almost sure of it.
Reds 82-89 wins. I don't think Dusty Baker is a good manager with unestablished talent. He took the Cubs to the NLCS and the Giants to the series, but those teams it was mostly the pitching staff that was unproven and we'll never see Prior or Wood start again because of it. That all said, the team has serious potential, but they're not the '08 Rays. I believe they really need another year.
'Stros 75-80 wins. All their talent is deficient in some way. Bourn can't hit, Pence can't lead. Poor Oswalt.
Argh Mateys 50+ wins. Their second-best starter last year just got optioned to AAA. Suck city.
NL West
Dodgers 94-99 wins. I think this is a no-brainer. By adding Manny, even a marginal performance will still benefit the already terrific talent they have in Ethier, Kemp, Martin, Loney, Hudson, Furcal and Blake; he lifts every lineup he's a part of by a good ten points per player. Their rotation less solid, but it's still Billingsley, Kershaw and Kuroda, and plus look at the division they're pitching against. Broxton is a solid closer behind a decent bullpen, so I can't really see too many holes in the team, especially with a manager who's done it on the bench.
Diamondbacks 86-91 wins. Losing Juan Cruz wasn't good, and same for Orlando Hudson. They have a fantastic young lineup, but the had a better one last year. A majority of these players are simply uneven, like Chris Young or Conor Jackson. They have a fine rotation, and one of the best 1-2s in the majors with Webb and Haren, but they have no relief and everyone's so streaky. I see alot of fantasy players, but in real baseball I don't see them really putting it together. Being in that division helps them a ton.
Giants 80-85 wins. How good is the pitching? Really good, but THAT'S ALL. Look who they're hobbling out there, Ishikawa, Frandsen, Edgar Renteria? Come on. Bengie Molina is good, Rowand is overrated, and Fred Lewis is marginal at best, but otherwise this team has a long way to go. Had they bought Manny, maybe it'd be a different story, but it would still end the same I'm sure.
Rockies 70-75 wins. They lost their best player. Their pitching is talented but somewhat untested. Their lineup is all streak guys. Their bullpen is alright, but it ain't great. Expect little. They do have much better lineup than the Giants, so maybe I ought to switch them. Eh, fuck the Rockies.
Padres Below 62 wins. They are the absolute worst team in the worst division in Major League Baseball, and that was before they attempted a fire sale, of which little was lost. Even going over their lineup, they have guys who've accumulated borderline stats in limited at-bats, so if a few show consistency than maybe down the road they'll be powerful, but for right now, if the owner doesn't care, neither should you.
AL East
Rays 94-99 wins. I just can't see how anyone else can fight them; they've only improved. For all the Burrell detractors, he still can pump up to thirty+ homers a season (40 in Citizens Bank Park) and gets on base and that's the replacement for the Monroe/Aybar platoon from last year-significant. Plus they added Jason Isringhausen; maybe he can't close anymore, but he's still got stuff. In the absolute toughest division in baseball, the best team of last year is only improving, and the team's best players haven't yet touched thirty between them. Oh, and David Price is a starter now, too.
Red Sox 91-96 wins. How could I have written "Red Sox" and not "Yankees" there. Well, for starters, the Red Sox addressed their needs just as well as the Yankees did over the offseason, and last season the Red Sox pushed game seven of the ALCS while the Yankees merely watched it. The questions about the Red Sox, whether Papi, Nancy Drew and Lowell can stay healthy can all be met with the fact that, even if they don't stay healthy, the Red Sox can fill those holes. Rocco Baldelli could very well start for any other team in the majors, and he's the outfield backup. If Lowell or Ortiz go down, Lars Anderson is major league-ready in Pawtucket as a first basemen and Youk is just as terrific at third as he is as first. Additionally, The Sox still have deeper pitching, and by a nose a stronger 1-2-3 (maybe not in terms of talent, but in terms of proven record it's not a contest whatsoever between Beckett/Matsuzaka/Lester against Sabathia/Burnett/Wang). Additionally, Wake is always solid for fifteen wins, Smoltz won fourteen last year (yes, in the NL) and is a year removed from being one of the top pitchers in the NL. Plus Bowden, Buchholz and a cavalcade of young arms. The Sox are the Rays' greatest threat, and they've shown over the last two years that this team is fierce. Manny is missed, but Bay ain't bad.
Yankees 87-92 wins. That number is takes into account my absolute doubt that Posada, Sandman, CC, Burnett, Wang, Damon, Matsui, can ALL stay healthy for the season. A-Rod's already down for what, a month and a half? How many won games does that deduct from the total already? April's his best month! I mean, if they all stay healthy than it's a different situation, but this team is aging, and as much as they've patched their holes with top of the line talent, I don't know that they can do it. The scarier part is the meager amount of young talent they have. Joba is a good pitcher, and Cano has a clean record (minus a few bad months), but otherwise their talent is from the market. At the very least, I don't truth the men making the decisions.
Orioles 74-79. Their lineup really hasn't been this good since Brady Anderson was on the juice. Weiters is the next can't miss prospect with all the hype that Longoria had last season plus a little more, plus he's a catcher (someone Roto-worldly said his worst-case scenario is Giovanni Soto). They still have Brian Roberts, and the Nick Markakis is a year older as is Adam Jones; all of this to their benefits. On the aging end, Brian Roberts, Aubrey Huff had great years and Mora had a very good one as well. The have one surefire starter but a decent bullpen, and I think their lineup is a little more solid than Toronto's. I'm sure they'll make a move or two to score another pitcher.
Jays 72-77 wins. It's because Toronto doesn't have the pitching that everyone thinks they do. Burnett was their fourth-best starter and Shaun Marcum is down for the season, leaving the last two spots open for Purcey and Janssen, two rooks with mediocre MLB samples, and Matt Clement, who's been a D(al)L-Star for what, three years now? They do have Travis Snyder, who has his own Weiters-like projections, but Vernon Wells is very good but isn't as great as his contract, and after the decent Lyle Overbay and good Rios, they fall off a little. Picking who would be at the bottom in the AL East turned out the be the most difficult pick.
AL Central
Indians 91-96 wins. The AL East might have the best three teams, but this has got to be the most competitive division in ball right now. It's almost a wash to pick anyone, but I don't see any holes in the Indians lineup save for Pronk at DH. His numbers have all gone down the last three years, culminating (so to speak) with last season. Sure he was injured, but he still played a bunch of games and they all sucked. I know. I drafted him. Otherwise, Matt LaPorta is just waiting for DH, corner outfield or 1st base to open up and they're set. He'll keep everyone working for his job. Plus Lee and Carmona are good, the bullpen is pretty solid and there's alot of little talent to choose from to fill in the gaps. I bet this pick will screw me, but I think they're preseason champs
Twins 90-95 wins. Certainly the best-managed team in the best managed division, they've only improved. Liriano is back for good, and all it cost them was *ahem* Livan Hernandez. I really think they're going to do well, but the Wild card has to come out of the east this year, poor guys.
Royals 89-93 wins. Maybe they're good enough to compete. Maybe this is the year where they're on top. All their prospects look great (I'm banking on good years from Aviles and Gordon). I don't see anyone of Bannister, Davies or Hochevar to be great, but it'll have to do until they get smart and make a move on someone, whether on the market or on another team (Teahen should pack his bags from some prospect somewhere), but this just isn't a bad team anymore; that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to even see the postseason, however.
Tigers 87-91 wins. C'mon, how the hell have these guys not stepped up? They added Edwin Jackson who's an improvement to Nate Robertson, and Verlander should see better numbers. Their best starter last year was Gallaraga, and he was pretty good. Allegedly Gary Sheffield played all last season with a bum shoulder and it changed his swing, and now he's back to normal. Eh, fuck 'em.
White Sox 83-88 wins. I think Ozzie is nearly as good a manager as Gardenhire, but there was alot of stardust in their young talent, and I don't think they're going to do as well in the second go-round. I see them at the bottom of the division with a winning record. They need power out of Center and Konerko, Dye and Thome are all getting pretty old well, but the other shoe has to drop sometime. Why not 2009?
AL West
Angels 92-97 wins. Initially I was going to put the A's here just because they made so many terrific moves over the last few seasons and then this offseason, but no, I can't do it, not with the Angels' pitching. Between the lineups, I'd go with the A's in a second, but after Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders stepped up so well last year, and with Kelvim Escobar coming back (not to mention Lackey), the Angels are simply better equipped to take on the division. And after all, I really like the A's lineup, but the Angels can play. Hopefully the get a full season out of Howie Kendrick, and Vlad is getting up there but can still hit the ball blindfolded. Getting Abreu was a fine move as well. Don't look for them in the playoffs to do anything par usual, but they're just going to stack those wins over the season.
A's 89-94 wins. The added Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera, and Nomar. Look for the first three to be damn effective, especially with the good pieces they've grown over the years. The pitching staff is young and mostly inexperienced, but this is the A's we're talking about, and I absolutely trust Beane and the scouts they have. It's just such an effective front office, one has to trust that they're setting out to win this year.
Rangers 88-93 wins. Good lord they have a good lineup. If they had one pitcher. A single starting pitcher who had an era+ over 100, or an era of under four. Their bullpen is equipped, and it's not even worth mentioning what good hitters they have. If they only had one pitcher....
Mariners 67-72 wins. They have three fine starters, one of whom is injured every year, one of whom hasn't performed since he had a bird on his head, and the third we're all just guessing he's good. They've lost Ibanez, their best hitter, and replaced him with Endy Chavez. Hope is alive!
NL MVP: Ryan Braun
NL Cy Young: Chad Billingsley
NL ROY: Jordan Zimmermann
AL MVP: Joe Mauer
AL Cy Young: Jon Lester
AL ROY: Matt Weiters
NLDS:
Dodgers v. Brewers
Mets v. Cubs
NLCS
Dodgers v. Mets
ALDS
Rays v. Indians
Red Sox v. Angels
ALCS
Indians v. Angels
World Series
Dodgers over Angels
It's all about catching fire anymore, and all the teams that just stockpile their wins then break in September get complacent and get their asses whipped. The Cubs meet the same fate as the last two seasons due to the diluted talent in the division. The opposite ends up true with the AL East teams, who go limping into the playoffs from the visceral September stretch. In the series, the Dodgers finally put it together and the Angels just can't match it.
NL East
Mets 90-95 Wins. The addition of K-Rod and the more impressive coup of landing Putz simply cannot be overstated. They were a powerhouse all these years that proved you cannot win the big games without relief pitching. I didn't realize how integral relief pitching was until I watched this team the last two years. That being said, that lineup is aging, and this Murphy character I don't see as the second coming of Ted Williams or anything, but in the most competitive division in the NL, they must be the champs.
Phillies 85-90. They get hot, and Ibanez is a certain upgrade, but I just think the field will overtake them. I can't see how Rollins really compares to Reyes or HanRam, and I can't resolve that the most powerful hitter on the team will strike out 200 times. He's good, but his stats against the best pitchers in the league are terrible. This is the league of getting hot at the right time, and I don't see it happening again for the Phillies
Braves 83-89 wins. I really think the last few years have been spent playing opossum by these guys. Their perennially competitive farm is yielding talents by the bail, and so without stars like Andruw of old or Texiera of recent, they're going to do well by getting something out of every position on the field. The staff ain't bad either. They could prove that back end theory just fine however by not having a truly solid reliever in the bunch. Gonzalez and Moylan are not Rod and Putz.
Nationals 72-83 wins. My homer instinct demands that they perform better than this, but it's such a pipe dream to think that Johnson, Zimmerman, Dukes, Milledge and the bullpen will all stay healthy this season. They're better than last year's team by far, and much better than '07's team, which won 72 games. Acta is a good manager, and they're not going to let the other teams in the division pad their win-loss columns this year. Jordan Zimmermann is really good, and they're going to draft Stephen Strasburg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pVyw2JlloM). This guy is going to resurrect all the Walt Johnson references you can think of. He's sick.
Marlins 70-80 wins. They really have talent, terrific talent, but it's going to be awhile before 2003 comes back around. Volstad is a stud, Maybin is allegedly can't-miss and there are all these pieces lingering, but I feel like the Front office - smartest in baseball - is very clear about when the team is going to build and when they're going to contend. It looks like this is in the former category.
NL Central
Cubs 95-100 wins. The playoffs being a different story altogether, the Cubbies are going to roll through this league like a tractor through hay. Soriano is still amazing, even if he only plays 100 games, and then they'll have Rich Harden for as much as he can muster. I think Marmol closing is better than Wood closing, and it seems to me that marginal closing talent makes terrific setup talent, ergo Gregg will do just fine. In a marginal division, they'll spread that "this-is-our-year" marmalade all over Chicago. It's not.
Brewers 90-97. I don't get it with this team. Two years ago it looked like they put it altogether, and last year somewhat the same, but it just didn't come. Managerial change suits them because no one needs to coax Fielder, Braun, Hardy, Weeks, Hart, Gallardo, Bush and Parra along anymore. They need to win some fucking games this year. I think that the have serious talent and one pitcher addition and one bullpen addition and they are in the series. I hope it to be as well, because I love watching them play.
Cards 83-88 wins. You just can't underestimate this team. Pujols and La Russa could surround themselves with the Cards' single-A affiliate and still contend. Even looking at their roster, it doesn't matter to me, I know that they're going to be in the mix. I'm almost sure of it.
Reds 82-89 wins. I don't think Dusty Baker is a good manager with unestablished talent. He took the Cubs to the NLCS and the Giants to the series, but those teams it was mostly the pitching staff that was unproven and we'll never see Prior or Wood start again because of it. That all said, the team has serious potential, but they're not the '08 Rays. I believe they really need another year.
'Stros 75-80 wins. All their talent is deficient in some way. Bourn can't hit, Pence can't lead. Poor Oswalt.
Argh Mateys 50+ wins. Their second-best starter last year just got optioned to AAA. Suck city.
NL West
Dodgers 94-99 wins. I think this is a no-brainer. By adding Manny, even a marginal performance will still benefit the already terrific talent they have in Ethier, Kemp, Martin, Loney, Hudson, Furcal and Blake; he lifts every lineup he's a part of by a good ten points per player. Their rotation less solid, but it's still Billingsley, Kershaw and Kuroda, and plus look at the division they're pitching against. Broxton is a solid closer behind a decent bullpen, so I can't really see too many holes in the team, especially with a manager who's done it on the bench.
Diamondbacks 86-91 wins. Losing Juan Cruz wasn't good, and same for Orlando Hudson. They have a fantastic young lineup, but the had a better one last year. A majority of these players are simply uneven, like Chris Young or Conor Jackson. They have a fine rotation, and one of the best 1-2s in the majors with Webb and Haren, but they have no relief and everyone's so streaky. I see alot of fantasy players, but in real baseball I don't see them really putting it together. Being in that division helps them a ton.
Giants 80-85 wins. How good is the pitching? Really good, but THAT'S ALL. Look who they're hobbling out there, Ishikawa, Frandsen, Edgar Renteria? Come on. Bengie Molina is good, Rowand is overrated, and Fred Lewis is marginal at best, but otherwise this team has a long way to go. Had they bought Manny, maybe it'd be a different story, but it would still end the same I'm sure.
Rockies 70-75 wins. They lost their best player. Their pitching is talented but somewhat untested. Their lineup is all streak guys. Their bullpen is alright, but it ain't great. Expect little. They do have much better lineup than the Giants, so maybe I ought to switch them. Eh, fuck the Rockies.
Padres Below 62 wins. They are the absolute worst team in the worst division in Major League Baseball, and that was before they attempted a fire sale, of which little was lost. Even going over their lineup, they have guys who've accumulated borderline stats in limited at-bats, so if a few show consistency than maybe down the road they'll be powerful, but for right now, if the owner doesn't care, neither should you.
AL East
Rays 94-99 wins. I just can't see how anyone else can fight them; they've only improved. For all the Burrell detractors, he still can pump up to thirty+ homers a season (40 in Citizens Bank Park) and gets on base and that's the replacement for the Monroe/Aybar platoon from last year-significant. Plus they added Jason Isringhausen; maybe he can't close anymore, but he's still got stuff. In the absolute toughest division in baseball, the best team of last year is only improving, and the team's best players haven't yet touched thirty between them. Oh, and David Price is a starter now, too.
Red Sox 91-96 wins. How could I have written "Red Sox" and not "Yankees" there. Well, for starters, the Red Sox addressed their needs just as well as the Yankees did over the offseason, and last season the Red Sox pushed game seven of the ALCS while the Yankees merely watched it. The questions about the Red Sox, whether Papi, Nancy Drew and Lowell can stay healthy can all be met with the fact that, even if they don't stay healthy, the Red Sox can fill those holes. Rocco Baldelli could very well start for any other team in the majors, and he's the outfield backup. If Lowell or Ortiz go down, Lars Anderson is major league-ready in Pawtucket as a first basemen and Youk is just as terrific at third as he is as first. Additionally, The Sox still have deeper pitching, and by a nose a stronger 1-2-3 (maybe not in terms of talent, but in terms of proven record it's not a contest whatsoever between Beckett/Matsuzaka/Lester against Sabathia/Burnett/Wang). Additionally, Wake is always solid for fifteen wins, Smoltz won fourteen last year (yes, in the NL) and is a year removed from being one of the top pitchers in the NL. Plus Bowden, Buchholz and a cavalcade of young arms. The Sox are the Rays' greatest threat, and they've shown over the last two years that this team is fierce. Manny is missed, but Bay ain't bad.
Yankees 87-92 wins. That number is takes into account my absolute doubt that Posada, Sandman, CC, Burnett, Wang, Damon, Matsui, can ALL stay healthy for the season. A-Rod's already down for what, a month and a half? How many won games does that deduct from the total already? April's his best month! I mean, if they all stay healthy than it's a different situation, but this team is aging, and as much as they've patched their holes with top of the line talent, I don't know that they can do it. The scarier part is the meager amount of young talent they have. Joba is a good pitcher, and Cano has a clean record (minus a few bad months), but otherwise their talent is from the market. At the very least, I don't truth the men making the decisions.
Orioles 74-79. Their lineup really hasn't been this good since Brady Anderson was on the juice. Weiters is the next can't miss prospect with all the hype that Longoria had last season plus a little more, plus he's a catcher (someone Roto-worldly said his worst-case scenario is Giovanni Soto). They still have Brian Roberts, and the Nick Markakis is a year older as is Adam Jones; all of this to their benefits. On the aging end, Brian Roberts, Aubrey Huff had great years and Mora had a very good one as well. The have one surefire starter but a decent bullpen, and I think their lineup is a little more solid than Toronto's. I'm sure they'll make a move or two to score another pitcher.
Jays 72-77 wins. It's because Toronto doesn't have the pitching that everyone thinks they do. Burnett was their fourth-best starter and Shaun Marcum is down for the season, leaving the last two spots open for Purcey and Janssen, two rooks with mediocre MLB samples, and Matt Clement, who's been a D(al)L-Star for what, three years now? They do have Travis Snyder, who has his own Weiters-like projections, but Vernon Wells is very good but isn't as great as his contract, and after the decent Lyle Overbay and good Rios, they fall off a little. Picking who would be at the bottom in the AL East turned out the be the most difficult pick.
AL Central
Indians 91-96 wins. The AL East might have the best three teams, but this has got to be the most competitive division in ball right now. It's almost a wash to pick anyone, but I don't see any holes in the Indians lineup save for Pronk at DH. His numbers have all gone down the last three years, culminating (so to speak) with last season. Sure he was injured, but he still played a bunch of games and they all sucked. I know. I drafted him. Otherwise, Matt LaPorta is just waiting for DH, corner outfield or 1st base to open up and they're set. He'll keep everyone working for his job. Plus Lee and Carmona are good, the bullpen is pretty solid and there's alot of little talent to choose from to fill in the gaps. I bet this pick will screw me, but I think they're preseason champs
Twins 90-95 wins. Certainly the best-managed team in the best managed division, they've only improved. Liriano is back for good, and all it cost them was *ahem* Livan Hernandez. I really think they're going to do well, but the Wild card has to come out of the east this year, poor guys.
Royals 89-93 wins. Maybe they're good enough to compete. Maybe this is the year where they're on top. All their prospects look great (I'm banking on good years from Aviles and Gordon). I don't see anyone of Bannister, Davies or Hochevar to be great, but it'll have to do until they get smart and make a move on someone, whether on the market or on another team (Teahen should pack his bags from some prospect somewhere), but this just isn't a bad team anymore; that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to even see the postseason, however.
Tigers 87-91 wins. C'mon, how the hell have these guys not stepped up? They added Edwin Jackson who's an improvement to Nate Robertson, and Verlander should see better numbers. Their best starter last year was Gallaraga, and he was pretty good. Allegedly Gary Sheffield played all last season with a bum shoulder and it changed his swing, and now he's back to normal. Eh, fuck 'em.
White Sox 83-88 wins. I think Ozzie is nearly as good a manager as Gardenhire, but there was alot of stardust in their young talent, and I don't think they're going to do as well in the second go-round. I see them at the bottom of the division with a winning record. They need power out of Center and Konerko, Dye and Thome are all getting pretty old well, but the other shoe has to drop sometime. Why not 2009?
AL West
Angels 92-97 wins. Initially I was going to put the A's here just because they made so many terrific moves over the last few seasons and then this offseason, but no, I can't do it, not with the Angels' pitching. Between the lineups, I'd go with the A's in a second, but after Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders stepped up so well last year, and with Kelvim Escobar coming back (not to mention Lackey), the Angels are simply better equipped to take on the division. And after all, I really like the A's lineup, but the Angels can play. Hopefully the get a full season out of Howie Kendrick, and Vlad is getting up there but can still hit the ball blindfolded. Getting Abreu was a fine move as well. Don't look for them in the playoffs to do anything par usual, but they're just going to stack those wins over the season.
A's 89-94 wins. The added Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera, and Nomar. Look for the first three to be damn effective, especially with the good pieces they've grown over the years. The pitching staff is young and mostly inexperienced, but this is the A's we're talking about, and I absolutely trust Beane and the scouts they have. It's just such an effective front office, one has to trust that they're setting out to win this year.
Rangers 88-93 wins. Good lord they have a good lineup. If they had one pitcher. A single starting pitcher who had an era+ over 100, or an era of under four. Their bullpen is equipped, and it's not even worth mentioning what good hitters they have. If they only had one pitcher....
Mariners 67-72 wins. They have three fine starters, one of whom is injured every year, one of whom hasn't performed since he had a bird on his head, and the third we're all just guessing he's good. They've lost Ibanez, their best hitter, and replaced him with Endy Chavez. Hope is alive!
NL MVP: Ryan Braun
NL Cy Young: Chad Billingsley
NL ROY: Jordan Zimmermann
AL MVP: Joe Mauer
AL Cy Young: Jon Lester
AL ROY: Matt Weiters
NLDS:
Dodgers v. Brewers
Mets v. Cubs
NLCS
Dodgers v. Mets
ALDS
Rays v. Indians
Red Sox v. Angels
ALCS
Indians v. Angels
World Series
Dodgers over Angels
It's all about catching fire anymore, and all the teams that just stockpile their wins then break in September get complacent and get their asses whipped. The Cubs meet the same fate as the last two seasons due to the diluted talent in the division. The opposite ends up true with the AL East teams, who go limping into the playoffs from the visceral September stretch. In the series, the Dodgers finally put it together and the Angels just can't match it.
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