With the start of the MLB regular season(Part 2, this time it’s for real), Alex and I are going to spring some predictions for the year ahead in a couple of different ways. This year seems to be wide open in the NL with no real complete team out there, while the same six or seven teams are thrown around in the AL. We’re going to look five teams we’re confident on their O/U numbers, our playoff picks and end of the year MVP and Cy Young winners.
(Blue for Capo, Red for Rob)
Team Predictions
Chicago White Sox (OVER 75.5) – For a team that was “getting young”, not that much has changed. They jettisoned their closer Sergio Santos and outfielder Carlos Quentin in the offseason to get younger with Chris Sale and Addison Reed becoming full time pitchers for the club. The loss of Ozzie Guillen will hurt, but someone in the central outside of the Tigers has to win. Right?
San Francisco Giants (OVER 87.5) – To me, this team is underrated. The Freak, Bumgarner, and Cain anchor a solid staff and the addition of Melky Cabrerea and Angel Pagan opens the door for the team to have some speed and hitting prowess in their big ballpark. Any type of offense will serve this team well, and I believe these guys will be atop the division for a long period of time this year.
Cincinnati Reds (UNDER 87.5) – Another year comes full of hope for the Reds, and it looks like it’ll be another year of disappointment. The acquisition of Mat Latos will help, but this team still doesn’t have the right balance of youth and experience. Rolen still at third base is concerning and this team can’t be consistent through the summer months.
Cleveland Indians (UNDER 78.5) – No real off-season moves and this team can’t stay healthy. Asdrubal Cabrera will not have nearly the same season as last and the team overachieved last year. Ubaldo Jimenez shows that he has been overrated and getting out of Colorado may not have been the best move.
Philadelphia Phillies (UNDER 95.5) – Number a little high? What? The team is old, and their youth has not lived up to expectations (Thanks for coming Dom Brown). The NL East is much improved and there are going to be days where the arms can’t carry the team.
Phillies – 95.5 – Under. Age and injuries look like they are finally going to catch up to the perennial National League favorite. Couple that with the major improvements to the Marlins and Nationals, and this number seems way too high.
Pirates – 73 – Over. The NL Central was mediocre last year and that was before two of the best first basemen in the league left for the American league. Don’t be surprised if they managed to crack the .500 mark for the first time in two decades.
Rays – 87.5 – Over. If you’re winning the AL East, you’re winning more than 88 games. They’ve got the best rotation and baseball, and if they can hit, they’ve got a good chance to be the last team standing when it’s all said and done.
Red Sox – 88 – Under. Way too many issues with the starting rotation and bullpen in the always loaded AL East. And those issues don’t even begin to address the fact that they traded their starting shortstop without having a backup.
Marlins – 82.5 – Over. As long as they can stay healthy, they’ll have one of the most exciting top four hitters in the lineup in recent memory. If Josh Johnson can anchor this staff, they have a chance to make it all the way to the World Series.
Playoff Predictions
AL East: Rays Yankees
AL Central: Tigers Tigers
AL West: Rangers
Wild Cards: Yankees, Angels
NL East: Marlins
NL Central: Reds
NL West: Giants
Wild Cards: Rockies, Phillies
World Series: Rays over Giants in 6. The best two pitching staffs in baseball make it all the way to the end of October and the Rays bring back their first World Series Championship to dozens of screaming fans in St. Pete.
Tigers over Phillies in 6. Classic offense versus pitching comes to a head. The Phillies get healthy and find a way to get through the playoffs to meet an improved deadline deal Tigers team (picks up a pitcher). If Austin Jackson becomes the player everyone thinks, this team wins 105 games. Easily.
Award Winners
AL MVP: Evan Longoria
AL Cy Young: Jered Weaver
AL ROY: Matt Moore
NL MVP: Troy Tulowitzki
NL Cy Young: Madison Bumgarner
NL ROY: Yonder Alonso
That'll get you reading for a bit. Interesting start to the season so far and we're only a week in. Usually though, you have to play the ball back before you play it forward.
