Preseason package: the one where I predict the standings, postseason and awards
posted in 2008 predictions |I’m rolling this out in three parts today as I write it. The first — or third if you happen to be visiting Monday! — part is the league standings, awards and add a few comments. I fully acknowledge this is an exercise in futility. In the second part, I shall get slightly more in depth when looking at the A.L. Central. And in the final — or first! — part I will look deeper at the Tigers. Enjoy!
N.L East
New York (N): 91-61 (DIV)
Philladelphia : 89-64* (WC)
Atlanta: 87-65
Washington: 65-87
Florida: 52-110
NL Central
Chicago (N): 89-73 (DIV)
Milwaukee: 85-77
St. Louis: 79-83
Cincinnati: 71-91
Houston: 68-74
Pittsburgh: 63-99
N.L. West
Arizona: 93-69 (DIV)
L.A. (N): 87-75*
Colorado: 87-75
San Diego: 81-81
San Fran: 67-95
A.L. East
Boston Red Sox: 94-58 (DIV)
New York (A): 87-65
Toronto: 82-80
Tampa Bay: 81-81
Baltimore: 70-92
A.L. Central
Cleveland: 91-61 (DIV)
Detroit: 91-61 (WC)
Chicago (A): 79-83
K.C.: 76-86
Minnesota: 72-90
A.L. West
Oakland: 84-78 (DIV)
L.A. (A): 83-79
Seattle: 79-83
Texas: 71-911
* Includes playoff game
N.L. playoffs
Arizona def. Philly, 3-0; Cubs def. Mets, 3-2
Arizona def. Cubs, 4-2
A.L. playoffs
Cleveland def. Oakland, 3-1; Detroit def. Boston,
Detroit def. Cleveland, 3-2
World Series
Detroit def. D-Backs, 4-2
Explanations: Everytime you predict the standings, you’re coming up with some sorta storyline. I have no idea if my standings add up. I doubt it. But the AL is stronger than the NL. The Mets are overrated. I like Philly as a complete team that could actually win the division. Milwaukee’s good in the Central, but lacks pitching. The Cubs are a complete team. The West will be close… for second place, but the Diamondbacks run away.
In the A.L., I see no reason to doubt Boston, but I think optimism in New York is based on the fact the Yankees make the playoffs every year. That has to end eventually, right? IN The Central, I think the Indians and Tigers pummel each other, costing both a 95 win season. In the West, the Angels have a injured, shallow rotation, and made some questionable offseason moves. The Athletics shouldn’t have traded away Dan Haren or Nick Swisher this year, because I think those guys would have guaranteed a division title. As is, in the West, I see a shootout.
Who knows what can happen in the playoffs, but I feel pretty good about those picks. A Tigers-Cubs World Series like Sports Illustrated predicted would be cool but I don’t see it.
Individual awards:
N.L. Cy Young: Brandon Webb (Arizona)
A.L. Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia (Cleveland)
N.L. MVP: Ryan Howard (Philly)
A.L. MVP: Miguel Cabrera (Detroit)
N.L. Rookie of the Year: Kosuke Fukudome (Cubs)
A.L. Rookie of the Year: Daric Barton (Oakland)
NL Manager of the Year: Bob Melvin (Arizona)
AL Manager of the Year: Joe Girardi (Yankees)
I don’t understand - you have Joe Girardi winning AL Manager of the Year but you don’t have the Yankees making the playoffs. I get doing predictions is hard, but the Tigers are going to win 100 games this season and Leyland is going to win Manager of the Year hands-down.
Be great if that happened.
My theory is the voters will award Girardi for changing leagues and doing well. But you never know, could just as easily be Francona or Leyland (or Wedge, oh my)