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Monday, March 26, 2012

2012 Major League Baseball Predictions and Projections.


Two days away from the Opening Series; nine days away from Opening Night; ten days away from Opening Day. These days baseball opens more often than I care to count, but regardless, now is as good a time to do my predications as any. I will first go division-by-division, then predict the award winners in each league.
American League
AL East

Last Year
1. New York Yankees (97-65, lost in ALDS); 2. Tampa Bay Rays (91-71, wild card, lost in ALDS); 3. Boston Red Sox (90-72); 4. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81); 5. Baltimore Orioles (69-93)

This Year
1)   New York Yankees (96-66): This team improved their only flaw from last year, starting pitching. Pineda and Kuroda will most likely be the best 3 and 4 pitchers west of Anaheim and come May, Andy Pettitte will be the best number 5 starter in baseball. Concerns are age and health.
2)   Tampa Bay Rays (93-69): The gap between them and the Yankees is slimmer than 3 games, rotation is phenomenal and their lineup is very reliable. The only reason I did not pick them to finish first is that last year they had a makeshift bullpen that I do not think can repeat, in fact, it might be their down fall.
3)   Boston Red Sox (89-73): Everyone knows how I feel about this team, but the starting pitching is just not up to par with the rest of the division. This team led all of baseball in runs, on base, and OPS last season. They lack a lefty to join Frankie Morales in the bullpen, and behind Lester, Beckett and Buchholz it is wide open and I cannot trust that. The lineup is still very good. If anything, it has improved. Love the addition of Cody Ross to man right field when Crawford is back in mid to late April, he will take advantage of the monster.
4)   Toronto Blue Jays (83-79): Finishing with a record of .500 in a division with three 90-win teams tells me that this is a very good team. Ricky Romero is one of the best lefties in baseball and Jose Bautista is considered by many to be the best player in baseball. Unfortunately, they play in a division with three teams that can possibly win 90 games.
5)   Baltimore Orioles (70-92): I really thought this team could finish third last year. They have talent; I have seen them pretty much spoil the Red Sox season in September. Their pitching is young and coming but the division will just beat up on them. I would not be surprised if they came close to losing 100 games.


AL Central

Last year

1. Detroit Tigers (95-67, lost in ALCS); 2. Cleveland Indians (80-82); 3. Chicago White Sox (79-83); 4. Kansas City Royals (71-91); 5. Minnesota Twins (63-99).

This Year
1)   Detroit Tigers (99-63): If anyone is going to win 100 games, it will be them. This lineup is loaded, Comerica plays big, and they will make it look small. They still have the AL MVP and Cy Young winner, although I have my doubts about him since he seemed to pitch 7-8 innings every start last year, he has showed no signs of slowing down and has three plus pitches that he throws at anytime. Add all this to a very solid back end of the bullpen and you have yourself a great team.
2)   Cleveland Indians (84-78): This division is not very good; they will almost finish second by default. They have arguably the best rotation in the division and a very reliable closer, so there you go.
3)   Kansas City Royals (80-82): Hey now, moving up in the world; young talent will do that for you. Jonathan Sanchez gets a much-needed fresh start. Hosmer and Moustakas give them a good middle of the lineup combination. Give them a few years.
4)   Chicago White Sox (72-90): The moves they have made tell me that they are working to rebuild, they are even trying to trade Danks, their ace. I do not trust the healthy the Twins, so they are slotted here.
5)   Minnesota Twing (71-91): Will the M and M brothers be healthy?! I cannot say yes, so there you have them.

AL West

Last Year
1. Texas Rangers (96-66, won AL pennant); 2. Los Angeles Angels (86-76); 3. Oakland A's (74-88); 4. Seattle Mariners (67-95).

This Year
1)   Los Angeles Angels (96-66): Originally, I had the Rangers slotted to win this division, but it looks like Kendry Morales is and will remain healthy. He gives the Angels a much-needed left-handed bat in the middle of that lineup. Haren and Santana are probably the best 3 and 4 pitchers in baseball and everything points to Walden as being a good closer. Solid team all around and I didn’t even mention Albert.
2)   Texas Rangers (95-65): Yes, it is going to be close. This team is pretty much team that made it to two straight fall classics. Mike Maddux and Ron Washington just seem to replace the ace they keep losing and that lineup is still stacked. They will make the playoffs, if anything as a wild card because other than the Angels, this division is very bad.
3)   Seattle Mariners (70-92): Can King Felix pitch every other day? No. Can Jesus Monetero and Ichiro bat every other turn? No.
4)   Oakland Athletics (68-94): I have seen Brandon McCarthy pitch, and I like his stuff. Other than that, bleh.
National League
NL East

Last year

1. Philadelphia Phillies (102-60, lost in NLDS); 2. Atlanta Braves (89-73); 3. Washington Nationals (80-81); 4. New York Mets (77-85); 5. Florida Marlins (72-90).

This Year

1)   Philadelphia Phillies (90-72): This was the hardest division for me to pick, it literally had me up at night. Every team has questions but the Phillies have their questions in the lineup and not their pitching, in fact, their pitching is exceptional. Papelbon is a great closer; although he just might give some Italian dude who had one too many cheese steaks a heart attack. When in doubt, go with pitching, so I am going with the Phillies.
2)   Atlanta Braves (88-74): I cannot put my finger on this team, late in August they had the third best record in baseball and ended up missing the playoffs. The pitching, if healthy is very good. Kimbrl, Ventures and Medlen can make any game a 6 innings game. I have no confidence in slotting them here, but I will.
3)   Miami Marlins (87-75): I hear a ton about this team because I am a close acquaintance with one of their biggest fans. I love all their offseason moves and think they are a very good team but in a tough division. I want to buy in, but my gut just will not let me.
4)   Washington Nationals (84-78): Almost picked them to win this division, but all they want to talk about is how they want to baby Harper and Strasburg. It is almost as if they do not want to win now. Add that to some injuries late in spring training, and they are slotted here, but watch out for them.
5)   New York Mets (77-85): This team overachieved last year and still finished with 77 wins. I think they are a bit better this year, but since they overachieved last year, I will give them the same number of wins. I like Johan I healthy, I like their infield and I like their improved bullpen. There is nothing else to like and nothing to love.

NL Central

Last year

1. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66, lost in NLCS); 2. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72, won wild card, won World Series); 3. Cincinnati Reds (79-83); 4. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-90); 5. Chicago Cubs (71-91); 6. Houston Astros (56-106).

This Year

1)   Milwaukee Brewers (91-71): Minus the big prince, but still pretty much the same team from last year. Aramis Ramirez is a slight upgrade at third base, and Mat Gamel can shine at first because he will finally get consistent at bats. They still have front line pitching and a full year with K-Rod can only help that bullpen. The suspension of Ryan Braun going away does not hurt either.
2)   St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): No Albert but that lineup is still very good. Carpenter has to get healthy quick for them to win 90 games though because Wainright is probably a year away from being fully recovered.
3)   Cincinnati Reds (81-81): I love the Reds, I love the way they play baseball under Dusty Baker. They play National League baseball with American League power. Sadly, they lost their closer to injury and that will cost them a few games. Still, dark horse.
4)   Pittsburgh Pirates (79-83): Will the finally finish .500? They just might. Young Talent all around and adding Bedard and Burnett will help solidify that rotation. They have questions in the bullpen that can hold them back.
5)   Chicago Cubs (72-90): I like Garza and Dempster. I do not trust Marmol one bit. Starlin Castro is great, he can possibly lead the league in average but he could also make 30 errors or so. Theo needs to reshape this team.
6)   Houston Astros (62-100): Sadness.

NL West

Last year
1.Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68, Lost in NLDS); San Francisco Giants (86-76); Los Angeles Dodgers (82-79); Colorado Rockies (73-89); San Diego Padres (71-91).

This Year
1)   San Francisco Giants (91-71): Love this team. Posey is back and looks healthy, and Huff is bound to bounce back. Their frontline pitching is still as good as you can get. Pagan and Cabrera will take away and hit many balls in those AT&T gaps.
2)   Arizona Diamondbacks (89-73): This is another team that overachieved last year, but if anything they are now better because their pitching is better. Upton is legit and Miguel Montero is a top 5 catcher, easy. Can only knock them down so far.
3)   Los Angeles Dodgers (82-79): Kershaw and Kemp are a great foundation, but around them, they are average at best.
4)   Colorado Rockies (81-81): Good team that is trying to rebuild on the run because they have tons of talent. Guthrie can be big for them.
5)   San Diego Padres (75-87): Keep losing cornerstone pieces but Carlos Quienten and Yonder Alonzo will solidify that lineup.

AWARD WINNERS
Bolded is my projected winner
AL MVP
Albert Pujols
Adrian Gonzalez
Miguel Cabrera
Prince Fielder
Robinson Cano
Jose Bautista
Evan Longoria
Jacoby Ellsbury

NL MVP
Joey Votto
Ryan Braun
Matt Kemp
Justin Upton
Troy Tulowitzki
Jose Reyes
Ryan Zimmerman
Hanley Ramirez

AL Cy Young
Ricky Romero
CC Sabbatia
Felix Hernandez
Matt Moore
Justin Verlander
Jon Lester

NL Cy Young
Ian Kennedy
Cole Hammels
Clayton Kershaw
Josh Johnson
Roy Halladay
Matt Cain



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