Final Predictions

by brenarlo on Apr 5, 2009 12:05 PM PDT Comment 45 comments

This post will hopefully give AN users a chance to put in their final predictions for the season. With that, here are mine:

AL EAST

Red Sox
Rays
Yankees
Orioles
Blue Jays

AL Central

Twins
Indians
White Sox
Tigers
Royals

AL West

Angels
A's
Rangers
Mariners

NL East

Mets
Phillies
Braves
Marlins
Nationals

NL Central

Cubs
Cardinals
Brewers
Reds
Astros
Pirates

NL West

Dodgers
D'Backs
Rockies
Giants
Padres

AL Wildcard - Rays
NL Wildcard - Phillies

AL Champion - Red Sox
NL Champion - Mets

World Champion - Red Sox

AL MVP - Justin Morneau
NL MVP - Carlos Beltran

AL Cy Young - CC Sabathia
NL Cy Young - Chris Carpenter

AL Rookie of the Year - Brett Anderson
NL Rookie of the Year - Cameron Maybin

Analysis: As much as I hate to admit it, the Angels are just a bit better than the A's. Both teams will start the season with an inexperienced rotation. The difference is that the Angels will get Lackey, Escobar, and Santana back (presumably) and the A's would get Duch back. I don't think the A's improved lineup will prove to make the difference. Of course, injuries can change everything. At this point, the A's are every bit as talented, but I just don't see the A's winning the division as things sit right now. Let's hope I'm wrong!

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Oh, I already compiled one of these the other day...

Just not on this blog. Letsee…

AL EAST

Yankees, Rays, Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles

AL Central

Indians, Twins, Royals, Tigers, Sox

AL West

A’s (I’m a homer), Angels, Rangers, Mariners

NL East

Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Braves, Nats

NL Central

Cubs, Reds, Brewers, Cards, Astros, Pirates

NL West

Dodgers, D’Backs, Giants, Rockies, Pads

AL Wildcard – Rays

NL Wildcard – Phillies

AL Champion – Yankees

NL Champion – Dodgers

World Champion – Dodgers

AL MVP – Matt Holliday (If the A’s actually do win the West and he plays well, he’ll be in the convo)
NL MVP – Manny Ramirez

AL Cy Young – CC Sabathia
NL Cy Young – Ricky Nolasco

AL Rookie of the Year – Brett Anderson
NL Rookie of the Year – Cameron Maybin

Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!

by ZeroIndulgence on Apr 5, 2009 12:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2009 Major League Baseball Predictions

National League East:
1. Philadelphia Phillies (96-66)
2. New York Mets (94-68)
3. Atlanta Braves (83-79)
4. Florida Marlins (76-86)
5. Washington Nationals (68-94)

National League Central:
1. Chicago Cubs (97-65)
2. St. Louis Cardinals (88-74)
3. Cincinnati Reds (78-84)
4. Milwaukee Brewers (74-88)
5. Houston Astros (73-89)
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (58-104)

National League West:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (86-76)
2. San Francisco Giants (84-78)
3. Arizona Diamondbacks (83-79)
4. Colorado Rockies (72-90)
5. San Diego Padres (68-94)

National League MVP: Alfonso Soriano, 2B, Cubs
National League Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, SP, Giants
National League Rookie of the Year: Cameron Maybin, CF, Marlins
National League Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella, Cubs

American League East:
1. Boston Red Sox (94-68)
2. New York Yankees (94-68)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (85-77)
4. Toronto Blue Jays (77-85)
5. Baltimore Orioles (68-94)

American League Central:
1. Minnesota Twins (87-75)
2. Cleveland Indians (83-79)
3. Chicago White Sox (83-79)
4. Kansas City Royals (74-88)
5. Detroit Tigers (72-90)

American League West:
1. Oakland Athletics (86-76)
2. Los Angeles Angels (85-77)
3. Seattle Mariners (72-90)
4. Texas Rangers (69-93)

American League MVP: Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees
American League Cy Young: Francisco Liriano, SP, Twins
American League Rookie of the Year: Brett Anderson, SP, Athletics
American League Manager of the Year: Terry Francona, Red Sox

National League:
1. Chicago Cubs (NL Central, 97-65)
4. New York Mets (Wild card, 94-68)

2. Philadelphia Phillies (NL East, 96-66)
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West, 86-76)

2. Philadelphia Phillies
4. New York Mets

National League Champions: New York Mets

American League:

1. Boston Red Sox (AL East, 94-68)
3. Oakland Athletics (AL West, 86-76)

2. Minnesota Twins (AL Central, 87-75)
4. New York Yankees (Wild card, 94-68)

1. Boston Red Sox
4. New York Yankees

American League Champions: Boston Red Sox

World Series:
(AL) Boston Red Sox defeat (NL) New York Mets
MVP: Jason Bay, LF, Red Sox

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Apr 5, 2009 12:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

soriano

Isn’t playing second base again, is he?

by swatnick on Apr 6, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My best shot, i.e., I have no clue:

AL West: Angels (86 wins), A’s (83 wins), Rangers, Mariners
AL Central: White Sox, Twins (4 back), Indians (6 back), Royals, Tigers
AL East: Red Sox, Yankees (5 back, WC), Rays (6 back), Blue Jays, Orioles

AL MVP: Evan Longoria
AL Cy Young: John Danks (what, you predicted Cliff Lee last year?)

Or none of this.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 5, 2009 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My predictions

AL
West – Athletics, Angels, Texas, Seattle
Central – Twins, Cleveland, White Sox, Detroit,
East – Red Sox, Rays (WC), Yankees, Bjays, Orioles,
NL
West – Arizona, LA, SF, Rockies, SD
Central – Cubs, Reds, Cardinals, Brewers, Houston, Pittsburgh
East – Mets, Phillies (WC), Braves, Washington, Marlins

Playoffs – Crapshoot

by chri5 on Apr 5, 2009 12:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Royals win it all

And Meche wins the MVP

There I said it

Clear its radiance shine...

by ATarHeel on Apr 5, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

but not Cy Young?

blasphemer!

"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
www.27ClubPeak.blogspot.com

by harendaman365 on Apr 5, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My comments are...

I feel sorry for Tampa…if they were in our division they would win hands down. As it is my biggest and easiest prediction? Two teams will make the playoffs from the AL East. That division is far better than the others.
As for the West…I will go with the A’s. It’s supposed to be close and I can’t predict the Angels. I think the team is going to gel well together this year and that could be the X factor.
Central no idea but Brenarlo you sure you want to go with the Twins with Mauer hurt?

In the NL…I also agree on the Cubs…but with Carpenter back I think the Cardinals give them a big run for their money. The Reds are always so fun to watch too…they might surprise with those great arms having some MLB time under their belts.

The NL West is a throw-up IMO. No pitching for the Dodgers and no hitting for the Giants(except for Sandoval).
Agree on the Mets…when you pick up two great reliever arms like KRod and Putz…that has to make a difference.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 12:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Twins are always right there...

Mauer’s early season absence will be off-set by improvements in other areas. Cuddyer, Young, Kubel, and Casilla should all improve. Throw a healthy Liriano in there and I think they’ll do it.

It’ll be close.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Apr 5, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Those guys always do impress me

and I like the Twins. They do it on a lower budget (like our A’s) and that endears them to me.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate them.

I live in Bismarck, ND… so I’m surrounded by annoying Twins fans.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Apr 5, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have relatives in ND.

farming folks in RoseGlen and some city folks in Minot. That sure is one cold-ass place to visit!

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This winter was particularly bad...

But we’re used to it. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Apr 5, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What do you like so much about it?

It doesn’t seem to have much in the way of “frills”.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think there were 2 murders last year...

Low crime, low taxes, the most friendly people in the world, lots of space, low levels of stress…

From February through December the weather is good. There’s just a couple winter months that kinda suck.

Quote frankly, I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to live here.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Apr 5, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

*Quite

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Apr 5, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The low crime is really wonderful.

Have you traveled much?(not asking to be sarcastic) because I don’t find North Dakotans to be so friendly.
It’s pretty flat and I find the lack of museums disturbing. (other than Indian Museums). I love my family but I don’t think I would want to live there.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I've traveled quite a bit.

It is pretty much flat… especially where I grew up (Red River Valley).

You find the lack of museums disturbing? Disturbing? Really?

North Dakota is certainly not for everyone. But, I’ll be you a dollar that everyone living in ND really wants to live in ND.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Apr 5, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disturing as in...

not very cool or interesting. And yeah most of my relatives seem to love it there…whenever they come out West they complain of the traffic and that the trees prevent them from being able to see anything. I plan to go out again this Summer if my Great Aunt’s hip gets a little better. She is in her 80’s and she loves for us to drive her there for visits with her siblings.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just out in Portland, OR, a couple week ago...

definitely not for me.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Apr 5, 2009 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't Morneau also out? Ouch.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 5, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, he's back.

"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra

by brenarlo on Apr 5, 2009 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh really? Then I like the Twins better than I thought I did

I figured they’d start the season in a hole; with one of the Ms, they should be able to hang with the White Sox et al until “Other M” gets back.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 5, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AL WEST- A’s Angels Rangers Mariners
AL CENTRAL- Indians Royals Twins Tigers White Sox
AL EAST- Red Sox Yankees Rays Blue Jays Orioles

NL WEST- Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Rockies, Padres
NL CENTRAL- Cardinals, Cubs, Reds, Brewers, Astros, Pirates
NL EAST- Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Braves, Nationals

AL PLAYOFFS- A’s over YANKEES, RED SOX over INDIANS, RED SOX over A’s
NL PLAYOFFS- DODGERS over METS, PHILLIES over CARDINALS, DODGERS over PHILLIES
WS- RED SOX def. DODGERS 4-2

"The magical goblins who live in my shower told me that Bobby Crosby's gonna have a good year this year" - The Reverend Billy Lard

by Gaijin_Suketto on Apr 5, 2009 1:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No one can accuse you of not liking the A's!

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What?! The Red Sox beat the A's in the ALCS?

Why do you hate the A’s?!

by danmerqury on Apr 5, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But they made the ALCS!

It’s beyond anything I would expect to see this season but not beyond a fond dream.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AL EAST

Red Sox

Yankees

Rays

Orioles

Blue Jays

AL Central

Indians

Twins

White Sox

Tigers

Royals

AL West

Angels

A’s

Mariners

Rangers

NL East

Phillies
Braves
Mets
Marlins
Nationals

NL Central

Cardinals
Cubs
Reds
Brewers
Astros
Pirates

NL West

Dodgers
D’Backs
Rockies
Giants
Padres

AL Wildcard – Yankees

NL Wildcard – Braves

AL Champion – Red Sox

NL Champion – Dodgers

World Champion – Red Sox

AL MVP – Kevin Youkilis

NL MVP – Jimmy Rollins

AL Cy Young – Francisco Liriano

NL Cy Young – Dan Haren

AL Rookie of the Year – Trevor Cahill

NL Rookie of the Year – Brian Barden

by chillicothe20 on Apr 5, 2009 3:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So many people are picking the AL West winner with wins in the mid-80s, and...

…I just don’t see that. I believe the Angels will still pull off 92+/- wins. I’m expecting 85-88 from the A’s. I believe the A’s have a chance, but some things will have to fall right for that to happen.

I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone - the chances that all the functions of an individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.
~George Gallup

by UncleLeo on Apr 5, 2009 5:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Foolshgame's Fearless Follies

AL East

   1. Yankees
   2. Rays
   3. Red Sox
   4. Blue Jays
   5. Orioles

AL Central

   1. Indians
   2. Royals
   3. White Sox
   4. Tigers
   5. Twins

AL West

   1. A’s
   2. Angels
   3. Rangers
   4. Mariners

NL East

   1. Braves
   2. Phillies
   3. Mets
   4. Marlins
   5. Nationals

NL Central

   1. Cubs
   2. Cardinals
   3. Reds
   4. Brewers
   5. Astros
   6. Pirates

NL West

   1. D’Backs
   2. Giants
   3. Dodgers
   4. Rockies
   5. Padres

* AL Wildcard – Rays
* NL Wildcard – Cardinals

* AL Champion – Yankees
* NL Champion – Braves

* World Champion – Braves

I haven’t decided on the awards yet, but yours looked pretty good, especially Anderson.

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2009 7:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just wondering - why the Twins in last place?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 5, 2009 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, because if I'm picking the Royals for 2nd...

somebody has to be last. Might as well be them. After all, I was right about Anderson, Cahill, Bowen and Bailey. I just think I’m on a roll this year.

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But the Royals and Twins are awfully late in the alphabet

compared to Anderson, Cahill, Bowen, and Bailey.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 5, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

very true...

I should’ve put the White Sox last, but it’s about my gut feeling, not about the alphabet.

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did my entire March Madness pool

by always picking the team earlier in the alphabet. I think I had Alcorn St. winning it all. They won’t.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 6, 2009 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

These predictions aren't as interesting as they could be.

People need to list their reasons for their choices. (IMO)

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 8:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably a more interesting way to do it is just to list

your predicted surprises, such as had one predicted the White Sox to win the Central, and the Tigers to finish last, in 2008.

If you think the Rangers will win the West, that’s interesting; if you think the Royals will finish 2nd, that’s bold; if you have a hunch that Zack Greinke will win the Cy Young award, or even better that Nick Blackburn will win it, put your voice out there.

But if you think the Angels, or Red Sox will win their division, or that Longoria will be the MVP, well…so do a lot of people.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 5, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was surprised that the sabremetric guys didn't give...

some predictions with numbers to back them up. I thought they’d post here in droves.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 5, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe they're waiting until they're sober...

numbers are confusing when you’ve had a couple of drinks.

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did predict Tampa Bay would win the AL East last year

don’t think I picked the White Sox to win the Central. Pretty sure I picked Detroit. LOL Oh well…

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2009 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK. I think the Mariners will win the AL West and Felix Hernandez will win Cy Young.

Other than that, I’m the same as a lot of other people.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Apr 5, 2009 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The latter wouldn't surprise me

The former would.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 5, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

JoePo

Has an article on SI.com called “semi-bold predictions,” where he offers 8-10, well, semi-bold predictions like “the yankees will miss the playoffs this year.” Last year he predicted the rays would win 90 games in that same column. Anyway that might be a fun exercise for AN.

by swatnick on Apr 6, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"What does he think of the A's?"

he asked with trepidation.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 6, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs