Because everyone does it...here are my predictions this year...and instead of the funny bullshit predictions I've done in the past (and been criticized for), this is what I really do think will happen this year.
AL East:
Rays
Yankees
Blue Jays
Red Sox
Orioles
Comments:
I look at the Yankees and I see them as just getting bit too old with their rotation just a little too iffy. I like the Jays this year and I think they will make a push for a wild card birth. The Sox are a bit of a mess and I haven't liked many of the moves they've made so far this year. The Rays are going to win this division, but I think that it might be their last one for a while...after this year, I think they'll be forced to start selling off key components of their team. The Orioles are the second worst team in baseball.
AL Central:
Tigers
Royals
Cleveland
White Sox
Twins
Comments:
I'll be honest, outside of the Tigers and White Sox, I just don't know a whole lot about this division. The Sox are going to be a little better, and I think the four teams not named the Tigers are going to all have similar records. I'm hoping the Royals finally can break through this year. The Tigers are by far the class of this division...their starting staff is the best in division and their offense looks pretty dangerous.
AL West:
Rangers
Angels
Mariners
Athletics
Comments:
I'm not sold yet on the Angels. They spent a lot of money on 2 players, but I think they have a few more holes in their roster to really be a top tier team. The Rangers are about the same as last year. The Mariners are really bad still, but are probably slightly improved over 2011. The A's are just starting over again. That team had better get a new stadium soon.
NL East:
Phillies
Nationals
Braves
Marlins
Mets
Comments:
I think this is it for the Phillies. If they don't win it all this year, they are going to need to re-arm in the coming years in order to compete. The Nationals and Braves are going to be dangerous in the future. Even with all the moves made by the Marlins, I just don't see them being any better. Buehrle, Reyes and Zambrano are coming from horribly underacheiving teams, and I think they'll see the same on their new team this year too. The Mets are a mess.
NL West:
Rockies
Giants
Diamondbacks
Dodgers
Padres
Comments:
This division is always difficult to predict. It's a division that no one seems to want to win. I'm going with the Rockies for no good reason other than I want to see Jamie Moyer in the playoffs. I'm not a believer in the D-Backs. The Dodgers have some pitchers and Matt Kemp...not enough for me. The Padres are rebuilding...again. The Giants...I just don't think the have enough offense to win the division.
NL Central:
Brewers
Cardinals
Reds
Pirates
Cubs
Astros
Comments:
They lost Prince Fielder, but the Brewers offense is still pretty damn good, and their starting rotation is the best in the division. On top of that, they have a very good bullpen. The Cardinals are down, but I've learned never to count them out. Dusty Baker's effect on the Reds is going to finally take its toll and Walt Jocketty will finally have his chance to get rid of him. The Pirates will finally have a winning season, but it will only be good enough to get to fourth place. We all know what the Cubs are...they may be fundamentally sound this year and they may play hard, but they just lack the talent right now. The Astros are the worst team in baseball by a long way.
AL Wild Cards: Yankees and Blue Jays
NL Wild Cards: Nationals and Giants
World Series: Tigers over Brewers
AL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL MVP: Joey Votto
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander
NL Cy Young: Matt Cain
AL ROY: Yoenis Cespedes
NL ROY: Bryce Harper
