AL East - Red Sox - Every year nowadays it seems as if the Red Sox are the favorites to win the AL East. This year, however, they for sure will. With a devastating 1-2-3 rotation and a very solid lineup, they should have no problem winning the division. The Rays will be in sell-mode come the July trading deadline, and the Yankees have way too many issues with the starting rotation. The only advantage I see the Yanks having come September in a close race is the bullpen. Boston is lacking any real experience in the 'pen this year and Jonathan Papelboner isn't getting any better. Still, I like Boston this year.
AL Central - Twins - Somehow, some way the Twins keep winning the division. With a shitty payroll and a roster full of nobody's, they just keep winning. With a healthy Canadian Morneau and the destructive Mauer, I can't see anyone taking over the top spot. There are some definite questions surrounding the rotation behind Pavano and Blackburn, but the team is solid to its core. The White Sox are the only real threat to the Twins, but with that idiot Ozzie Guillen at the helm, this team will keep underachieving. Maybe this time the Twins won't have to play the Yankees in the Division Series.
AL West - Athletics - I don't know why but it's a gut feeling. I liked what they did last year with a roster full of pussies. They finally cut ties with Eric Chavez, who hasn't been good since circa '01. They have a real good, young pitching staff that will cause fits in a very weak division. Braden, Cahill, Gonzalez, and Anderson have the makings to be the new Big Four. (Thanks ESPN) I believe the Rangers blew their load last season and will come nowhere close to the playoffs this time around. In fact, I think they will finish behind the Angels, who come back to reality this year and produce another solid season of baseball. Wells and Morales will bring the power and Kazmir and Haren will bring the K's.
AL Wild Card - Yankees - I'd have to be some kind of an asshole to exclude the Yankees. As much as I hate them, and it's alot, they still have a pretty good team. From the aging Jeter, to the gloss-tastic A-Rod, to fat fuck Sabathia. An all-around talented baseball team, but one that is getting old really quickly. They are no longer the bully of the division, as evidenced by the Red Sox resurgence and the Rays talent. The rest of the American League, however, is comprised of teams that suck and have zero talent. These Yankees will be the class of 2nd place teams and will beat up on a youthful A's team come October.
NL East - Phillies - This is just too painful to write. I hate the Phillies. I hate everyone on their team. I hate all their fans. I hate their city. I hate their state. I really do hate everything about them. But I can't deny they are the class of the division and will be for the next 3-5 years. The starting rotation might be one of the best ones ever compiled. Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hamels is just vicious. But I can see them having some problems offensively with the departure of Edge, I mean Jayson Werth, and an aging Jimmy Rollins. Even that weirdo Utley can't seem to keep healthy. They should still be alright.
NL Central - Cardinals - Now that Tony LaRussa is the best manager in baseball again, I see the Cardinals making a re-appearance in the postseason. With a healthy Chris Carpenter heading up the rotation and Albert Pujols likely last season in St. Louis, I see them going out with a bang. The Reds had a fluke year last year, much like the Rangers did and will have trouble keeping up with the much more experienced Cardinals team. Schumaker and Rasmus will shore up the offense alongside Holliday and the aforementioned Pujols. Pitching coach Dave Duncan seems to work miracles with shit and will continue to do so this year. I also hate St. Louis.
NL West - Rockies - Carlos Gonzalez is a freak-a-zoid. He reminds me of a young A-Rod, except much quicker and clearly not on the juice yet. He showed that he is a remarkable 5-tool player and absolutely worth trading Matt Holliday for. If he could show just as much promise as he did at the tail end of last season this season, then Denver is up for some joy this year. Everyone knows the NL West is the worst division in baseball year-after-year and that the Giants got lucky last year. They are the only real challenge for the Rockies because of their youthful and downright dominant pitching staff. But I can't see them performing like that again.
NL Wild Card - Giants - As much as I just bashed them 3 seconds ago, I still think they are better than any other team in the NL. I don't know where all these experts on ESPN get off on picking the Braves. They are easily the most overrated team in all of baseball this year. In fact, I might be surprised if they win more than 85 games. They are strapped offensively and the rotation looks like it can break down at any second. Lincecum and Cain have proven consistently that they are the real deal and are strikeout mavens. Bumgarner just has to be good and Sanchez has to throw strikes and they should have no problem clinching a playoff spot. Just don't expect a repeat of last year.
AL MVP - Miguel Cabrera - As much as he likes to booze and drive drunk and beat up his wife or girlfriend or whatever, the kid can hit a baseball. He put up mondo numbers last year for being an alcoholic and I expect to see an improvement in them once again this year. If he can keep the drinking in check and limit it to like 2 or 3 times a week, I think you're going to see something special this year. If he was playing in a more hitter-friendly ballpark, I'd have expected him to smash some records this season. But anywho.
(This picture is when he ruined Brad Lidge's life in the NLCS)
NL MVP - Albert Pujols - I can't go against him. I just can't. If this guy can mash as much as he's been mashing his whole career, there's no reason to say he won't win another MVP. Just because Joey Votto blew the BBWAA and won the MVP last year, doesn't mean his blowjob will hold up this season. Expect to see Pujols win it again, just because he's that damn good. Also, the Cardinals will make the playoffs and that seems to matter or something.
AL Cy Young - Jon Lester - I'm biased because I picked him first in my fantasy league. I think he's that good and with Lackey and Buchholz behind him, I just see the Sox dishing out some punishment this year. Also, I like when Yankee fans cry about not winning superlative awards because their season went to the shitter last year. Sabathia wasn't that good. Grow up assholes.
NL Cy Young - Matt Cain - This guy has deserved it for the past couple of years, but little run support always saw him come up short in the wins department. I think this will finally be his year in which he wins it. I know Tim Lincecum is the ace of the staff, but Matt Cain isn't a bad No. 2. I'd like to see him finally win it. My honorable mention is obviously R.A. Dickey (For you, Bear)
World Series Champion - Red Sox over Cardinals in 6
There you have it. My 100% correct opinions and analysis and commentary. Boom. Read it and weep. Just because "I am better than you."
No comments:
Post a Comment