2008 NL Central & MLB Predictions

by Great Odin's Raven on Mar 27, 2008 9:05 AM CDT

Hello all... I searched the FanPosts and couldn't find a 2008 version of our NL Central and MLB predictions. I figured with the season opener right around the corner, I was curious how everyone saw the 2008 season playing out.

Here are my predictions:

National League

East
1. Mets (96-66)
2. Phillies (88-74)
3. Braves (83-79)
4. Nationals (75-87)
5. Marlins (69-93)

Central
1. Cubs (92-70)
2. Astros (89-73)
3. Brewers (83-79)
4. Reds (77-85)
5. Pirates (76-86)
6. Cardinals (72-90)

West
1. Padres (85-77)
2. Diamondbacks (84-78)
3. Dodgers (83-79)
4. Rockies (81-81)
5. Giants (60-102)

American League

East
1. Red Sox (101-61)
2. Yankees (91-71)
3. Rays (83-79)
4. Blue Jays (71-91)
5. Orioles (55-107)

Central
1. Indians (96-66)
2. Tigers (94-68)
3. Twins (75-87)
4. White Sox (72-90)
5. Royals (69-93)

West
1. Mariners (92-70)
2. A's (85-77)
3. Angels (84-78)
4. Rangers (69-93)

NL PLAYOFFS:
Astros over Mets
Cubs over Padres

Cubs over Astros

AL PLAYOFFS:
Red Sox over Tigers
Mariners over Indians

Mariners over Red Sox

WORLD SERIES:
Cubs over Mariners

AL CY YOUNG:
Erik Bedard, Seattle

NL CY YOUNG:
Johan Santana, NY Mets

AL MVP:
Grady Sizemore, Cleveland

NL MVP:
Carlos Lee, Houston

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

Astros #2 and wildcard?

I think the brewers are #2 and i think that the wildcard team will have more wins than the NL Central Champ

I hear Tony La Russa may bat the Pitcher spot cleanup

by jds2 on Mar 27, 2008 9:16 AM CDT reply actions

Interesting picks...

I find it very interesting that you picked the Astros to get 2nd in the division and almost win 90 games. What made you think this way? I personally feel that there's no way that pitching staff will be able to get that team to a winning record, let alone win 90 games.

by WartburgCub on Mar 27, 2008 9:19 AM CDT reply actions

Astros

I think their offense will be ridiculous. I think my surprise pick is Wandy Rodriguez, I think he'll be really good this year and him and Oswalt will be a pretty good 1-2. I suspect they win a bunch of 12-10 games early in the year, and if they are around at the all-star break, this franchise has shown the willingness to go get additional pieces. I think they add pitching at the break and fight the Cubs down to the wire.

by Great Odin's Raven on Mar 27, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

The Astros are going to suck.

Even if Wandy Rodriguez is decent, that gives them two pitchers.

Yes, they got a good closer in Valverde, but they don't have anyone to get the game to him. They might lose 85-90 games.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 27, 2008 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Powerful lineup, no pitching...

sounds an awful lot like your 2007 prediction for the Colorado Rockies.

4) COLORADO ROCKIES
Hitting: Power, power everywhere
Pitching: In THAT ballpark? WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Defense: Does it matter?
Intangibles: Lovely view of the Rocky Mountains beyond LF

by Great Odin's Raven on Mar 27, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Actually, the Rockies ....

... got excellent pitching (for the most part) in their stretch run.

There is no possible way you can compare the 2008 Astros to the 2007 Rockies. Not even close.

Finally, take a look at most other predictions from last year. How many people picked Colorado higher than 4th? Not many, I'd bet.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 27, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Your picks WERE pretty dead-on.

I'm just saying anything can happen. And I did note that I thought they were going to "acquire" some pitching help at some point, if they're still in it by July.

But enough about my picks... all this defending Houston makes me want to go home and take a shower. So, I'll be anxiously awaiting your picks on Sunday, Al-strodamus.

by Great Odin's Raven on Mar 27, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions

LOL

You're right, you should wash off after that.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 27, 2008 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

It wasn't just their pitching

though it was very good, but Colorado's defense is perhaps second to none

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Mar 27, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Wandy

I'm gonna have to see it to believe it when it comes to Wandy. Until he beats someone other than the Cubs or gets a win on the road, he'll be an marginal pitcher at best.

by WartburgCub on Mar 27, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions

the Astro's offense?

i had to re-read that a few times... beyond Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman, what offense? I'm not a hater, in fact my younger brother is a 'Stro's fan... but with the except of a dreadful-so-far-this-spring Miguel Tejada, that leaves a grand total of two real hitters on the entire team.

by Petrie000 on Mar 27, 2008 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Astros...

Will be lucky to win 80 games. Also, I don't see the Angels falling off that bad; they seem to win ballgames every year. I see the Red Sox as the team to beat in the AL East, but I don't think anyone will win 100 games this year (maybe Detroit?)

"The one that invent the light tried 2,000 times and finally he did it, we have light...I don't want to spend 2,000 times to win Opening Day" Carlos Zambrano

by CubsBullsBears on Mar 27, 2008 9:21 AM CDT reply actions

Astros

win the Wild Card? A bold prediction, but my favorite is the Cards in the basement, below even the Pirates. Wouldn't that be sweet. TLR is a joke.

"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"

by cubs0505 on Mar 27, 2008 9:28 AM CDT reply actions

Just Say No...

...to the 'Stros.

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 27, 2008 9:32 AM CDT reply actions

I will bet you $1,000 that the Astros don't touch 89 games.

Are you kidding me? With who? Wandy Rodriguez, Woody Williams, Brandon Backe?

What ever drugs you are doing, go to rehab.

And Carlos Lee MVP? "El Caballo" might as well be baseball's most predictable hitter.

.295/.350/.515, 33 HR/ 110 RBI

That's an MVP?

If Jimmy Rollins can win it, anyone can.

Mario Kart Wii -- April 27th!

by TheBeerBaron on Mar 27, 2008 9:33 AM CDT reply actions

OK, geez...

so what's the point in making a prediction if it's.... Cubs and the Mets... Yankees and the Red Sox... Red Sox and the Cubs... It's boring. So I went out on a limb, go big or go home right? Plus, who cares if I'm wrong? I would be the front of the line of people who want the Astros nowhere near the top of the division, but I think they will be. So there ya go. If I'm right and the Astros are up there, I can come back and say "I told you so." If I'm wrong and the Astros lose 90 games, well, we're all happy because that's one less team between the Cubs and a back-to-back division champs. Capiche?

by Great Odin's Raven on Mar 27, 2008 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

touche...

good point...

Mario Kart Wii -- April 27th!

by TheBeerBaron on Mar 27, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree with most

I think my changes would include:
NL EAST looks good in in terms of how the teams will finish

NL CENTRAL
1. Cubs (92-70)
2. Brewers (85-77)
3. Astros (79-83)
the rest is fine

NL WEST
1. Diamondbacks (89-73)
2. Padres (88-74)
rest is fine

The Padres will win the wild card in a playoff/tiebreaker over the Phillies (they'll be successful this year)

AL EAST
1. Red Sox (99-63)
2. Yankees (91-71)

AL CENTRAL
1. Tigers (98-64)
2. Indians (92-70)
rest doesn't matter

AL WEST looks fine too

NL PLAYOFFS
Padres over Mets
Cubs over Diamondbacks

Cubs over Padres

AL PLAYOFFS
Tigers over Mariners
Indians over Red Sox

Tigers over Indians

WORLD SERIES:
Tigers over Cubs in 6 (just can't quite convince myself to be a complete homer this year, the Tigers just look like too good a team on paper)

by gwood on Mar 27, 2008 9:34 AM CDT reply actions

I do like your BCB screen name though.

GREAT ODIN'S RAVEN!

You are a smelly pirate hooker.

Mario Kart Wii -- April 27th!

by TheBeerBaron on Mar 27, 2008 9:36 AM CDT reply actions

When in Rome...

by Great Odin's Raven on Mar 27, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Did you add up all your records...

... to see if they prove out?

Kidding. Sort of.

Anyway, I'll post my predictions on Sunday.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 27, 2008 9:45 AM CDT reply actions

Yes

as a matter of fact, I did. Thank you.

by Great Odin's Raven on Mar 27, 2008 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions

ok

while i agree with the majority of your predictions i disagree with one. i'm gonna get flamed for this but here i go:

the reds are gonna be 2nd in the division and be a contending team this year. they will be a thorn in our side. yeah yeah i know dusty is the leader but the reds are a descent team and have not been given the credit they deserve.

as far as the brewers go you only go as far as your pitching takes you and as i see it they have little to none. their young offense is pretty damn good imo but they gonna have to part with someone if they want any kind chance this year.

GO CUBS GO!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Mar 27, 2008 10:18 AM CDT reply actions

I can't say that

I disagree with you. The Reds are going to be an interesting team to watch and they very well could be a pain in our collective rears. But, their pitching isn't that much better than the Brewers, if at all. Homer Baily didn't even make the Opening Day roster. Like the Brewers, I think the Reds are going to have to win games 10-8. Its tough to score that many runs on a regular basis.

by gwood on Mar 27, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions

I can

The Reds have some potential but I'm not buying that Josh Fogg and two rookie pitchers are going to turn them into legitimate contenders. iirc they had one good month last year. They've got Korey in town to take away at-bats from their best prospect, Hatteberg to take away at-bats from their second best. Dusty is their to make sure the kids don't play and learn while he'll simultaneously be working on a plan to blow out the kid pitchers arms. And let's not forget Krivsky. No doubt he'll trade Bruce for an injured middle reliever at the deadline if the Reds are within 8 games of the wild card.

So yeah, they've got some potential but they've also got stuff working against them. They weren't very good last year and haven't changed enough where it matters to make themselves into playoff contenders, and some of the changes they've made are for the worse. They've sabotaging their own future and Cub fans should be happy about that, not predicting competence from them.

/end rant

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Mar 27, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Standings

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

Central
1. Cubs
2. Brewers
3. Reds
4. Cardinals
5. Pirates
6. Astros (Worst Record in NL)

West
1. Rockies (best Record in NL)
2. Diamondbacks (Wild Card)
3. Dodgers
4.Padres
5. Giants

American League

East
1. Yankees (Best Record in Baseball)
2. Red Sox (Wild Card)
3. Blue Jays
4. Devil Rays
5. Orioles (Worst Record in Baseball)

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

West
1. Rangers
2. Angels
3. Mariners
4. Rangers

NL PLAYOFFS:
Diamondbacks over Phillies
Rockies over Cubs

Rockies over Diamondbacks

AL PLAYOFFS:
Yankees over Tigers
Rangers over Red Sox

Rangers over Yankees

WORLD SERIES:
Rangers over Rockies

AL CY YOUNG:
Josh Beckett, Red Sox

NL CY YOUNG:
Carlos Zambrano, Cubs

AL MVP:
Kevin Youklis, Red Sox

NL MVP:
Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals

Manager of the Year: (AL)
Joe Girardi New York Yankees

Manager of the Year (NL)
Manny Acta, Washington Nationals

First Manager fired (NL)
Dusty Baker

First Manager Fired (AL)
Ozzie Guillen

by frustratedfan on Mar 27, 2008 12:34 PM CDT reply actions

There's no way

the Reds will fire Baker in the first year of a three-year contract.

Now the Ozzie thing, I can see that.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 27, 2008 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL @ Rangers over Rockies

No offense, frustratedfan, but you have the Rangers finishing both first and last in the AL West. That would be almost as likely as them winning the World Series this year. The only thing we are going to see associated with the Rangers is a big fat "L." As in Loss, disabled List, Last place in division, Low attendance, Lack of talent, Low trade value, and most importantly.... mathmatecLy eLiminated from pLayoffs

I'm kind of a big deal

by chi-townbleacherbum on Mar 27, 2008 1:38 PM CDT reply actions