2010 Major League Baseball Predictions
by Al Yellon on Apr 4, 2010 7:00 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs News
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PrintToday I will join thousands of other bloggers, websites, pundits, etc. in making my so-called "expert" predictions for the upcoming season. If you have been here for the last five years, you'll find this prediction format familiar -- and yes, you'll find most of this text familiar too (copy/paste being a useful tool). For those of you new to BCB, read on.
I started this format 18 years ago, when I was passing out my annual predictions to any of my friends who were willing to read them either with or without scoffing, because I found it both more interesting and challenging to do than traditional predictions. Even more so, if you're here I don't need to insult your intelligence by telling you who the ballclubs' best hitters, pitchers, etc. are. You already know. Instead, you'll find a pithy word or phrase describing the hitting, pitching, defense and intangibles of the thirty contenders for October glory.
I'm also not going to "predict" award winners. How hard would it be for me to sit here clacking away on a keyboard and be master-of-the-obvious by telling you that Joe Mauer is the best player in the AL and that Roy Halladay is a top contender for NL Cy Young? Will Stephen Strasburg or Jason Heyward win the NL Rookie of the Year award? It's easy to pick one of those guys, who are at the top of prospect lists. But last year's NL ROY, Chris Coghlan, started 2009 as a minor league second baseman and wound up as the Marlins' starting left fielder. And just before the 2009 season, who'd have predicted that Randy Wells would win 12 games for the Cubs and finish sixth in ROY voting? Or that Aaron Hill would hit 36 HR for the Blue Jays and nearly lead the AL, after he hit 2 HR in 2008? Nobody, that's who.
And in any case, anyone using the search function here can come back here in October and tell me how wrong I was. Further, looking back at my last six years of predictions, I note that I picked the Cubs to make the playoffs every year from 2004-2009 and to win the World Series every one of those years except 2006. Obviously, that was the optimist in me, not the realist, and although they did make the postseason in two of those years, those predictions were... well, not so smart. And I'm not going to do that again this year.
Incidentally, you'll notice that my 2004 predictions are linked above, even though BCB officially launched on February 9, 2005. This is as good a time as any to let you all know that I was recently able to import all my baseball posts from my old blog into this site. (Non-baseball-related posts were not included.) Thus, if you are so inclined, you can search BCB for my posts from the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Amusing, if nothing else, and quite different in style from more recent years.
Follow me past the jump for this year's picks.
NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST 1) PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES Hitting: Dynastic Pitching: Lee gone? No worries with Halladay Defense: Better than you'd think Intangibles: Wanting to avenge last year's WS defeat 2) ATLANTA BRAVES Hitting: Solid Pitching: Almost as good as the glory days Defense: Acceptable Intangibles: Bobby Cox's last year 3) NEW YORK METS Hitting: Good Pitching: Johan and what army? Defense: Aging Intangibles: Armed with knowledge it can't get worse than last year. Or can it? 4) FLORIDA MARLINS Hitting: Young and improving Pitching: Starters better throw CG's Defense: Excellent Intangibles: Too many good teams in this division 5) WASHINGTON NATIONALS Hitting: Lots of home runs! Fun! Pitching: When will Strasburg be recalled? Defense: Defense? Who needs defense? Intangibles: Could improve by 15 or more games from 2009. But that would still be bad NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL 1) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Hitting: After Pujols, the deluge? Pitching: Needs to stay healthy Defense: Adequate Intangibles: LaRussa has his team ready to win every year 2) CHICAGO CUBS Hitting: Needs to stay healthy Pitching: Returning to form Defense: Good thing they have bench players Intangibles: Spiffy new ownership 3) MILWAUKEE BREWERS Hitting: Will Ryan Braun ever take that smirk off his face? Pitching: Who needs pitching? Defense: Improved Intangibles: They'll have to score 900 runs to contend. Not likely. 4) CINCINNATI REDS Hitting: Up-and-coming Pitching: On a Dusty Baker team? C'mon. Defense: Acceptable Intangibles: Dusty Baker 5) PITTSBURGH PIRATES Hitting: Young Pitching: A lot better than you might think Defense: Speedy Intangibles: Out of last place for the first time since 2006 6) HOUSTON ASTROS Hitting: Old Pitching: Roy Oswalt and ... ? Defense: Mediocre Intangibles: Ed Wade finally leads this team to the basement NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST 1) LOS ANGELES DODGERS Hitting: Excellent Pitching: Very good Defense: Solid Intangibles: Distraction of the McCourt divorce 2) SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (Wild Card) Hitting: Kung-Fu Panda and who else? Pitching: Outstanding Defense: Good enough Intangibles: Lincecum leads them to the wild card 3) COLORADO ROCKIES Hitting: Always good Pitching: Tough in Denver, but last year's staff was good Defense: Excellent Intangibles: Third place could be 90 wins in this tough division 4) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Hitting: An awful lot of K's Pitching: Young Defense: Very good Intangibles: Indifference 5) SAN DIEGO PADRES Hitting: Adrian Gonzalez Pitching: Makeshift Defense: Improving Intangibles: 33-25 from Aug. 1 to end of 2009. Might surprise. AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST 1) NEW YORK YANKEES Hitting: Revamped Pitching: Renewed Defense: Restored Intangibles: May take 100 victories to win this division, and they can do it 2) BOSTON RED SOX (Wild Card) Hitting: New Pitching: Healthy, for once Defense: Very good Intangibles: Want to make up for last year's playoff failure 3) TAMPA BAY RAYS Hitting: Outstanding Pitching: Needs to step up and stop being prospects Defense: Excellent Intangibles: Will anyone notice if they win? 4) BALTIMORE ORIOLES Hitting: Much improved Pitching: Better Defense: Suddenly, not so bad Intangibles: Could pull a surprise, but it will be tough in this division 5) TORONTO BLUE JAYS Hitting: Lots of home runs! Fun! Pitching: Lots of home runs! F -- oh, wait. Defense: Acceptable Intangibles: Will anyone notice if they fall into last place? AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL 1) MINNESOTA TWINS Hitting: Power-laden Pitching: Will really miss Joe Nathan Defense: Improved Intangibles: Despite loss of Nathan, still a strong team 2) CHICAGO WHITE SOX Hitting: Old and young. Make up your mind, Kenny! Pitching: Outstanding Defense: Infield=good. Outfield=not so much. Intangibles: As always: Ozzie. This time, with family added! 3) DETROIT TIGERS Hitting: Young Pitching: Ni! Defense: Old Intangibles: This could be a three-pack-a-game year for Leyland 4) KANSAS CITY ROYALS Hitting: Wasted Pitching: Zack Greinke is great. Oh, we need more than one pitcher? Defense: Acceptable Intangibles: Mismanagement 5) CLEVELAND INDIANS Hitting: Grady Sizemore. And then there's Sizemore. Did I mention Sizemore? Pitching: Looks like the waiver wire Defense: Decent Intangibles: Man, did I get this wrong last year. Not this time. AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST 1) LOS ANGELES ANGELS Hitting: Seamless (Hideki for Vlad) Pitching: Seamless (Pineiro and Kazmir for Lackey) Defense: Good enough Intangibles: Scioscia always finds ways to win 2) TEXAS RANGERS Hitting: Strong if healthy - might be a big "if" Pitching: Vastly improved with Mike Maddux Defense: Better Intangibles: Have Mariners to contend with now 3) SEATTLE MARINERS Hitting: New Pitching: Overrated Defense: Improved Intangibles: Milton Bradley's behavior 4) OAKLAND ATHLETICS Hitting: Unproven Pitching: Mystifying Defense: Does it matter? Intangibles: Might be the worst team in the AL
NL: Phillies over Dodgers; Giants over Cardinals. Giants over Phillies in NLCS.
AL: Red Sox over Twins; Angels over Yankees. Red Sox over Angels in ALCS (revenge is theirs from last year!).
World Series: Giants over Red Sox on strength of outstanding pitching staff.
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Well Al, I hope you are wrong about at least ONE of your predictions.
Can you guess which one???? Hmmmmmm?
"Look, what do you want me to do?"
If the Cubs don't go all the way, I would have picked the Phillies, but seeing as the Cubs will be going all the way... (I hope)
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
0-162 for the Cubs; 162-0 for the Cardinals
I’m never right about predictions, so I’ll pick the Cubs to go 0-162 and the Cardinals to go 162-0.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Wow, Al.
I’m kinda amazed that you were more optimistic in other years — 2005-07, notably — than this year. Frankly, I like this year’s squad more than any of those years, and I think the competition in the Central is as weak or weaker, but I don’t mean to spur an argument: You’re obviously entitled to your opinion on this.
I actually am more optimistic about this team than I have been at this point in the year aside from 2004 and 2008. The team “fits” better than it has in a while, and there are better spare parts and young players in Des Moines than any year that I can remember. I’m also drinking the Zambrano Kool-Aid, I think Soto will be much better than last year and I like the Byrd signing.
I do have some concerns. I don’t love Soriano or Fukudome at this point, but Colvin’s ST and Nady’s impending return to full health make me think that our outfield will actually be pretty good. I don’t like having Fontenot as our backup SS, but I don’t think that will cost us too much before Lou decides to change things (if doing so is necessary).
If our bullpen is good enough (a big, big if, in my mind), and if we stay relatively healthy, we’ll win around 85 games, and we’ll be right there in the Central.
Since I was out all day and unable to respond...
… I like this year’s team, too. I just didn’t want to be overoptimistic and make the same old “win the WS” prediction I’ve made for the last six years.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
In an interview during
the game Saturday, Lou said that the best player will play and they will take notice of when a player does well. Well I’m not really sure if that is how it’s going to be. I could see them putting Colvin in for a struggling Fukudome, but I couldn’t see them putting him in for Soriano. Either way he NEEDS to play. It’s going to piss a lot of people off if they let him ride the bench, playing a couple times a week, when he’s on a streak like he is now. That fire will burn out if he rides the bench, and I won’t be suprised if Colvin hits under .200 the first half of the season if they do the playing once or twice a week thing.
by alabamacubbie on Apr 4, 2010 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Cubs: "Defense: Good thing they have bench players"
Maybe I’m misinterpreting but this reads like you don’t think much of our starting defense but lucky for us, we’ve got good D on the bench.
Al, did you write this a week ago and just forget to update it? Blanco was traded and Fuld didn’t make the team. Outside of Hill being what backup catchers should be (strong defensively, anything with a bat is bonus), I don’t see much defense on the bench. Adequate? Sure. And granted, we’re mostly talking about late-inning replacements for Soriano in left. But still… defensively speaking, Colvin, Nady, Tracy and Baker/LBR is nothing to feel fortunate about.
Oh, and it looked like you didn’t quite finish the Giants prediction. Here, I fixed it for you…
2) SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (Wild Card)
Hitting: Kung-Fu Panda, DeRo and who else?
Pitching: Outstanding now that DeRo is there to pitch in the blowouts
Defense: DeRo is full of awesome and the rest are good enough
Intangibles: Lincecum and DeRo lead them to the wild card
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
You forgot this as well, Al.
5) TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Intagibles: ADAM LIND!!!!!!!
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Did I hear right...
that he picked up an extension this weekend? I think you guys are out of luck.
by Damen Jackson on Apr 4, 2010 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
He did
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
I personally think the Cubs are going to be there until the end.
The wild card end. I thing the NL west is going to be tough and teams will find ways to knock each other out. The Cubs, if they don’t win the wild card, will be a game out. The reason for my thinking is this team (although there are quite a few changes) won 83 games last year and I have no idea how they did it. While I noted changes, I see them as positives. This team is going to be better and I think 89 wins is well within reach. One or two on top of that will assure a wild card (I hope).
Looking forward to a good season of Cubs baseball!
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
do you really think ...
the Cardinals will win many more than 89 games? I sure don’t.
Well, I hope not. but if healthy I think they will.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
they only won 91 last year ...
and Carpenter and Wainright were at their best, and Franklin had his best year. Also, Pineiro pitched out of his head, and Penny won’t be that good.
Wainright is in his prime, so I don’t predict much of a dropoff there. But there’s no way Carpenter will be as good, Franklin will be as good and Penny will be as good as Pineiro was.
They would have won 96-99 last year though...
If they hadn’t completely gone in the tank the last three weeks. They lost their edge and completely fell apart, which carried over to the playoffs.
So yes, they can win more than 91 games. This is a better team than many of the Cardinals teams from early in the last decade. Speaking as a Cards fan, the only things that make me truly nervous are Carpenter’s health and Franklin in general.
I think you guys are a huge wildcard. I could see the Cubs easily going 70-92 and 92-70 just as easily. It all depends on health and how the pitching fares. As much as I love to see the Cubs lose, seasons are just more fun when the Cubs and Cards are both in it.
And Al, the Giants to win the Series? I don’t know if you follow them much but that’s an enormous leap of faith. They simply do not have the offense to pull it off. Give it a couple years and they should be ready but they’ll need to find somebody besides Sandoval. Plus, as much as I hate to say it (because I really do like the Giants, a lot) I think Lincecum and / or Cain are due to regress some.
by mattisnotfrench on Apr 4, 2010 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
So ...
they would have won more games if they had won more games? Unless you’re saying they intentionally stopped playing their A game for the last three weeks (sorry, if I’m not understanding your point), your argument doesn’t do much for me.
As I see it, the Cardinals got career (or at least near-career) years from just about everybody last year. I don’t expect that again, especially because one of those guys is gone (Pineiro) and two of those guys (Franklin and Carpenter) are in their mid-30s.
Pujols is Pujols, obviously, and Holliday is a great player, but the offense, otherwise, doesn’t terrify me — not enough to overlook the potential problems with the pitching. I don’t think this Cardinals team is better than ‘04 or ’05, and I doubt it’s better than last year’s team.
The Cards
while not overwhelming, are certainly the favorite in the Central in my opinion. That doesn’t mean that the Cubs don’t have a shot; the definitely do. I also believe that the Cubs should be in the race until the end and am hopeful that they can win this thing. They’re good enough, I just think that the Cardinals have a slight edge.
Their two top starting pitchers are better than ours. I still have my doubts about Marmol, and Franklin did have a great year for them last year. I also think that they win hands down in the outfield as I feel that the Cubs outfield is a question mark. Soriano may never be the same, Byrd has had one really good season and Fukudome is average at best. Compare that to Holliday and Ludwick. And of course, they have arguably the best hitter in baseball as well in Pujols. They have to be the favorite.
Hopefully the Cubs will put it all together, Soriano will come back strong, Soto will regain his rookie year form, Zambrano will win more than 8 games, and Marmol will find the strike zone and be a dominant closer. If that happens they can beat anybody.
Don't forget on the Cards
that Chris Carpenter is not exactly a sure bet to stay healthy. And if he doesn’t, they don’t have anyone to replace him with.
Sure, the Cubs have injury risks too—I’m just saying that the healthiest team might well win the Central.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
No, I'm saying that they would have won more games...
If they hadn’t completely lost their edge at the end. They lost 14 of their last 21, including 8 of their last 10. The talent level is above that of a 91 win team.
I’m also not sure what you consider a career year from the offensive standpoint. It wasn’t Ryan Ludwick, whose OPS+ was 104 after his career year in 2008. Colby Rasmus had an OPS+ of 88 in his rookie year and will be considerably improved this year. Chris Duncan (OPS+ of 88), Rick Ankiel (76), Kahlil Green (63), Mark DeRosa (83) and Joe Thurston (72) are no longer with the team, having been replaced with David Freese, a full season of Matt Holliday and a healthy Ryan Ludwick.
I acknowledge that the rotation probably won’t be as good this year but it will be stronger all the way through when you consider that Kyle Lohse will almost certainly be better than he was last year (when he was hurt for most of the season) and Todd Wellemeyer and his ERA+ of 70 won’t be making any starts for them.
I’m looking forward to opening day and I imagine you all are as well.
by mattisnotfrench on Apr 4, 2010 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions
You say "Also, Pineiro pitched out of his head, and Penny won’t be that good."
then you say “Penny will be as good as Pineiro was.”
and now I’m confused as to what you are saying
Made the mistake of looking at ESPN.com’s predictions. A couple guys picked the Cubs to finish 5th in the division. shakes head
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
Right.
Because the Cubs will finish behind the Astros.
no kidding
I could see the Cubs in 4th (or in 1st), but I just don’t see Houston or Pittsburgh as anything other than 5th and 6th.
Eamus Ursuli!
This is blasphemy
I refuse to support this post… although it is a great post.
What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?
easy to predict out of the playoffs
Injuries determine more than spring training, and playoff teams. But I will start with a few predicts’ injuries of course
Soriano is out for an extended time, allows Colvin the playing time to make an impact causing the Cubs a genuine roster problem. They try to solve it next year by moving Soriano to 1B.
Theriot also is hurt…something like a broken finger and Castro also is forced to ascend. When THERIOT returns again this causes a roster problem. Cubs put Castro back down but recall him before Sept 1…nuff said.
Josh Vitters development makes Ramirez seem expendable, where the Cubs would like to move him at 1B in ’11…but Soriano is there, question how to move $72M over 4 years…answer this and Cubs rebuild on the fly…
Silva is a pleasant surprise this year and a healthy Lilly leads the Cubs to the playoffs…
Lou then retires on top…and Ryne is the Cubs new manager…This signals the youth train…
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Predictions
NL Central -
1. St. Louis
2. Milwaukee
3. Cincinnati
4. Chicago
5. Pittsburgh
6. Houston
NL East -
1. Atlanta
2. Philadelphia
3. Washington
4. New York
5. Florida
NL West -
1. San Francisco
2. Los Angeles
3. Colorado
4. Arizona
5. San Diego
AL East -
1. Boston
2. New York
3. Tampa Bay
4. Toronto
5. Baltimore
AL Central
1. Minnesota
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Kansas City
5. Cleveland
AL West -
1. Texas
2. Seattle
3. Los Angeles
4. Oakland
NL Wildcard — Los Angeles
AL Wildcard — New York
World Series — New York over San Francisco
NL MVP – Ryan Braun
AL MVP – Mark Texiera
NL Rookie of Year – Alcides Escobar
AL Rookie of Year – Justin Smoak
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
Cy Young
NL – Roy Halladay
AL – Jake Peavy
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
"Sleeper" teams
NL – Cincinnati
AL – Chicago
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
Not sure the Sox are a sleeper
I would put them in the same camp as the Giants, top notch starting pitching questions on the offensive side.
Eamus Ursuli!
So would I.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
I like that you have
Cincinnati as a sleeper, I would choose them too. I wouldn’t take my eye off of Flordia. They always come out of nowhere and give someone a race in the wildcard. In the future, when they get that new stadium, they will be a big problem. I like the AL sleeper being Kansas City just to be different. If Greinke can get some help from the other starters, and he has a first half similar to last years, I can see them in 2nd or 3rd in the WildCard.
by alabamacubbie on Apr 4, 2010 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
The Reds will go nowhere until they change managers.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You got some major beef
with ol dusty baker don’t you Al?
by alabamacubbie on Apr 4, 2010 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I see him for what he is.
Not a very good manager.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
"In Dusty We Trust?"
"In time you can turn these obsessions into careers...Hurry Down Doomsday the bugs are taking over." - Elvis Costello
20% of America is out of work but ...
… Dusty’s still got a job.
"In time you can turn these obsessions into careers...Hurry Down Doomsday the bugs are taking over." - Elvis Costello
Marlins
Interesting that you have the Marlins in last – some folks are picking them as a sleeper.
Eamus Ursuli!
That is the most insane one of all
Nats ahead of Marlins ? I don’t think so. Nats have VERY little pitching and not much hitting.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 4, 2010 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Consider the source.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 4, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
We should keep track for the number of times we have to say that.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
They scored a lot of runs last year
They’ll have Strassberg, Lannan and Mr. Playoff lucky charm as 3 pitchers. That’s not so bad.
They get Strassberg in six weeks
They will be 8 games out by then. The Marlins are much more well rounded team.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 5, 2010 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I saw...
that you picked the Cubs 4th, and without scrolling down to see who made the post… I immediately thought “oh this must be BLou.”
by kanderber on Apr 4, 2010 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
LOL
So did I
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 4, 2010 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Haha I knew it too
What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?
I knew it as well.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 4, 2010 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Yup. Me too.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
ayup.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions
I just thought this would be fun, but I’m sure no one reads through predictions seeing that no one is really a professional here. Only listing two because isn’t that really what matters?
NL Central-
1. St. Louis
2. Chicago (Wild Card)
NL East
1. Atlanta
2. Philladelphia
NL West
1. L.A.
2. San Francisco
Wildcard
1. Chicago
2. San Francisco
3. Phillies
4. Florida
5. New York or Cincinatti
AL Central
1. Minnesota
2. Detroit
AL East
1. New York
2. Tampa Bay (Wildcard)
AL West
1. Texas
2. Seattle
Wildcard
1. Tampa Bay
2. Boston
3. Detriot
4. Seattle
5. Chicago or L.A.
NL Playoffs: Chicago over St. Louis, Atlanta over L.A., Chicago over Atlanta
AL Playoffs: New York over Tampa Bay, Texas over Minnesota, Texas over New York in 5
Chicago over Texas in 7
Cy Young- NL Tommy Hanson (Going out on a limb, but he’s got some good stuff, will win several Cy Youngs before career ends)
AL- CC Sabathia will win it with a turn around season in NY.
Rookie of the Year: NL- Jason Heyward
AL-who cares?
NL MVP: Aramis Rameriz or Manny Rameriz
AL MVP: Evan Longoria or Alex Rodriguez
Just for fun the two worse teams in baseball- Houston or San Diego in the NL, Cleveland or Baltimore in the AL.
by alabamacubbie on Apr 4, 2010 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Cubs cant play Stl first round...
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
by TCobb1911 on Apr 4, 2010 6:34 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Thanks...well then
I guess it would have to be Chicago over L.A. and then Atlanta over St. Louis. I just feel like it’s going to be Chicago or Atlanta. I think we’ll see alot within the next 4 days 3 games from these two.
by alabamacubbie on Apr 4, 2010 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I think a lot of people read them
They’re for fun. Plus if you do really well, you can reference it later on.
Rockies over the Giants- overcame a deficit last year.
Rays over the Red Sox- bursting with young talent look to rebound.
White Sox over the Twinkies- although I hope for the opposite.
Rangers over the Halos- it’s about time.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
I'll probably be way off, but here ya go!
AL Division Winners – Red Sox, Tigers, Rangers
AL Wild Card – Yankees
NL Division Winners – Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers
NL Wild Card – Giants (Cubs 3 gms back)
ALCS – Red Sox over Yankees
NLCS – Phillies over Dodgers
World Series – Red Sox over Phillies
Gosh, I hope not.
Do. Not. Want. The. New. Yankees. To. Win.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 4, 2010 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Yep.
“Oversaturated” is an understatement. Buzz Bissinger was correct in his assessment of the Red Sox and Yankees.
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 4, 2010 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Who here agrees that
MLB is dumb for having all the major league teams continue to play baseball in the spring leagues up until right when the regular season starts. These teams play 162 games and most of the resters have been picked out by the managers. The players should get at least 5 days off until the regular season to regroup.
GO BULLS
by FAN of the BULLS on Apr 4, 2010 12:48 PM CDT reply actions
I honestly think the Cubs are going to surprise some people....IF:
1. They stay healthy, as Al mentioned above. (I know, this applies to every team).
2. Their offense rebounds from last year. I stated a day or two ago that the Cubs offense, not their starting pitching (which I believe will be fine) will determine whether they contend this year or not. Particularly Soriano and Soto, if I had to name two key guys that they need solid years from.
3. The young bullpen performs well. Admittedly, even if the Cubs offense rebounds, it won’t matter if they can’t hold a late lead.
These are my three keys to success in 2010. There are question marks for sure, but it can still happen this year. Believe!
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
Tampa Bay
is going to make the playoffs. I’m just not sure whether it’s going to be the Red Sox or the Yankees who miss out. I’m leaning towards the Red Sox missing.
I don’t think the Giants have enough pitching to even make the playoffs. Give me the Rockies out west.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
San Francisco has the best pitching staff in the NL
Lincecum and Cain are frontline starting pitchers. Sanchez is solid and improving. Zito is a reliable workhorse. And Baumgarner is an elite pitching prospect mentioned in the same breath as Tommy Hanson in Atlanta. There isn’t a team in the NL that can match that quality and depth. Meanwhile the Giants have flamethrower Wilson heading a good bullpen. Wilson is the best closer in baseball that nobody ever talks about.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
No one is questioning the Giants pitching
It’s their hitting that’s downright putrid. Apres Panda, le deluge.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
In his defense, you said not enough pitching to even make the playoffs.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Oops
I meant hitting. Or enough pitching to make up for that terrible hitting.
I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex
Agree on Tampa
I think they are going to trade Crawford in July AND still make the playoffs. They seem that loaded.
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Apr 4, 2010 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions
To answer your question Al
Roy Oswalt & Wandy Rodriquez and Wandy is probably better these days.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
I say this
NL West:
1) Dodgers
2) Rockies
3) Giants
4) Padres
5) Arizona
NL Central:
1) Cubs
2) Cardinals
3) Reds
4) Brewers
5) Astros
6) Pirates
NL East:
1) Phillies
2) Braves
3) Mets
4) Marlins
5) Nationals
AL West:
1) Angels
2) Rangers
3) Mariners
4) A’s
AL Central:
1) Twins
2) W. Sox
3) Tigers
4) Royals
5) Indians
AL East:
1) Yankees
2) Rays
3) Red Sox
4) Blue Jays
5) Baltimore
NL Wildcard: 1 game playoff vs Cardinals and Rockies and Cardinals win
AL Wildcard: Rangers
NLDS: Cubs vs Dodgers & Cardinals vs Phillies
ALDS: Yankees vs Rangers & Twins vs Angels
NLCS: Cubs vs Cardinals
ALCS: Yankees vs Angels
World Series: Cubs vs Yankees and Cubs win with Castro as MVP
Why did I pick Cardinals in 2nd and Cubs in 1st? I think the Cubs will be healthier than the Cardinals. I think the Cardinals will lose Pujols for a few games with back issues and not be as powerful this season. I also think some of their pitchers will have issues with injuries and their lack of depth in the rotation will hurt them.
"They say you don’t win a pennant in April, but you can sure lose one." - Ryan Dempster
Will the Cardinals win the one game playoff when
Holliday scores the winning run without touching the plate?
My favorite local baseball of all time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh7QI_hvFwo
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 4, 2010 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions
NL Central will go down to the wire
The make-or-break keys in no particular order are (1) Zambrano rebounding, (2) backend of the rotation getting it done, (3) young bullpen getting us to the 9th inning, and (4) Marmol finding and maintaining his command/control.
The Cub offense should be good enough. If Fonty/Baker falters we’ll see Castro on-or-before the AS break. Avoiding injuries is too obvious to mention (…oops, I just did).
I predict the Cubs over Cardinals in a one-game playoff at Wrigley. Redbirds fly south to begin their long winter of discontent. Cubs advance toward glory…
Kurt speaks for me...http://www.kurtwarner.org/
I still think the Cubs will win
90 games + , Ramy for the whole year, healthy Soriano, Soto in shape, Z will win more than 9 games, Hitting coach that is the best, bench is better, Byrd is far better than MB, and the right fielder is no longer here. I don’t think you can equate how important Bradley is no longer on this team.
Bullpen, Bullpen. that is the key.
I will go 92-70 and I think that will get us in.
I had to laugh at BLou with the Marlins last. They will be a pain all year.
I like the Braves to with the East, Phils have more problems in the bullpen then the Cubs.
I don’t know something about this team I like.
Cautiously optomistic
For the Cubs to make the playoffs, I think they need to win the NL Central. If the Brewers and Reds can be competitive, especially against the Cards, this division will likely be won in the high 80s.
Overall, I like the lineup. Finally Soriano has been banished for good from the lead-off spot and Fukadome’s left-handed slap-style of hitting is second in the order. The 5th spot of Byrd/Nady/Colvin seems a bit underpowered (I’ve always liked Aram hitting here, but that’s not an option), and maybe, just maybe someone will finally convince Soriano that swinging the heaviest bat in the majors isn’t in his or the team’s best interest. If Soto can find the midway point between 2008 and 2009, top-to-bottom, this lineup should be able to score 4+ runs a game.
That’s key, because the starters will give the team every chance of winning those games. It’s the middle relief that’s the most worrisome, but if a team’s going to have a problem that needs fixed, this is probably the best one to have. Marmol needs a good start to build up his confidence for that stretch, and it’s going to come, when he looks like Nuke Laroush.
Two other keys to an improved season: has Z really grown up or will the 5-cent head continue to hold him back, and getting the cancer of Milton Bradley out of the clubhouse and replaced by Byrd, who seems to be Bradley’s antithesis.
The Cubs need to win one game / month more than last year. I think there’s a better than even shot they can do it with each member of the team turning in performances that are reasonable to expect. This seems much more like a team than a couple of stars and fill-ins, and that’s going to help them in the long-run.
Visit The Digital Gazette
Verducci Drinking the Kool-Aid
This morning on the MLB Network Prediction Special, he chose the Cubs over the Cards in the Central by virtue of the Cubs’ depth. Joe Magrane picked the Northsiders too.
But is tasky Kook-Aid
I ought to know. I drink 4 glasses every day.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 4, 2010 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Right about the Angels
Even with the chaos surrounding last season, Scioscia kept finding ways to get victories. And now that they realize that they CAN beat the Red Sox in the playoffs I think they will do even better this year, even with an improved AL West.
Man, if you ever wanted to know why Toronto is going nowhere fast, check this out
From Nick Cafardo’s column in today’s Boston Globe
The Blue Jays’ starting rotation of Shaun Marcum, Brian Tallet, Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, and Dana Eveland is a combined 72-72, and Toronto is paying them less combined than it is paying Halladay ($6 million) to pitch for the Phillies. In addition, former closer B.J. Ryan, who is out of baseball, will collect $10 million from the Blue Jays and former general manager J.P. Ricciardi will earn $1.7 million from the Jays while he works for ESPN.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I kinda like the Blue Jays to suprise for awhile
Their young staff is career .500? So if they improve with age….plus the Jays seem to ALWAYS have a MLB arm they can throw out to start when the other guys go down.
Never pay a closer 30 million over 3 years….that’s why it’s money well spent by the Blue Jays to pay Ricciardi 1.7 million not to be their GM anymore.
"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman
by BucknerKongCardenal on Apr 4, 2010 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, I guess I'd better make some predictions, for the record.
AL East:
1. Tampa
2. Boston (Wild card)
3. New York
4. Baltimore
5. Toronto
AL Central:
1. Minnesota
2. Detroit
3. Chicago
4. Cleveland
5. Kansas City
AL West:
1. Texas
2. LA Angels
3. Seattle
4. Oakland
AL Playoffs: Tampa over Texas. Minnesota over Boston. ALCS: Tampa over Minnesota (in the lowest-rated ALCS ever).
NL East:
1. Philadelphia
2. Atlanta (Wild card)
3. Florida
4. New York
5. Washington
NL Central:
1. Cubs (the Young Guns bullpen holds up)
2. St. Louis
3. Cincinnati
4. Milwaukee
5. Pittsburgh (though they don’t reach .500 – let’s say 80-82)
6. Houston
NL West:
1. Colorado
2. Los Angeles
3. San Francisco (fantastic 3-team battle down the stretch)
4. Arizona
5. San Diego
NL Playoffs: Chicago over Atlanta. Colorado over Philadelphia. NLCS: Chicago over Atlanta.
World Series: Chicago over Tampa, 6 games. (Because it’s going to happen in a year in which no one expects it. Like this year.)
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
young guns?
are we going to call them that? :D
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Apr 5, 2010 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
on the record
I’ll go
AL East: Tampa, NY Yankees, Boston, Baltimore, Toronto
AL Central: White Sox, Twins, Tigers, Indians, Royals
AL West: Texas, LAA, Oakland, Seattle
NL East: Phillies, Atlanta, Marlins, Mets, Nationals
NL Central: Cards, Cubs, Reds, Brewers, Astros, Pirates
NL West: Rockies, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Padres
Wildcards: Yankees, Dodgers
AL Playoffs: Rays beat White Sox, Yankees beat Rangers
Rays beat Yankees
NL Playoffs: Phillies beat Rockies, Cardinals beat Dodgers
Phillies beat Cardinals
World Series: Rays beat Phillies
NL MVP: Chase Utley
AL MVP: Evan Longoria
AL Cy Young: Jon Lester
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay
AL ROY: Carlos Santana
NL ROY: Jason Heyward
Cubs win 84 games
follow me on twitter for fantasy sports analysis @http://twitter.com/DrewDinkmeyer or get the full analysis at www.fantistics.com
by DartmouthCubsFan on Apr 5, 2010 11:04 AM CDT reply actions
I'll say this now
If the Nationals win the division this year, I’ll change my name to Jimmy Grasshopperhands
"They say you don’t win a pennant in April, but you can sure lose one." - Ryan Dempster
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