I've updated this ti include MVPs, ROYs, and Rolaids Relief Man for both leagues. I was reminded of these omissions by this contest. The original post was on 3/11/08.

Before teams pack up and head home from the lands of grapefruit and cacti (or, in the Sox case, head to the land of the rising sun,) I wanted to weigh in on the upcoming season and make soem predicitions to see if I really know as little as I think I do about everyone but the Phillies and Red Sox.

My Predictions:

Most Improved Team - Giants

I think once the focus is off the Barry Bonds, the rest of the team is going to step-up and be surprising.

Most Opposite-of-Improved Team - Rockies

Last year was a fluke. Pure and simple.

Greatest Decrease in Attendance - Giants

More wins not withstanding, less Barry, less gate.

Greatest Increase in Attendance - Rays

These guys are about to come out of the cellar and I think we'll see the fans come out of the woodwork.

Most Surprising (Good) Team Performance - Reds

Just a gut feeling.

Most Surprising (Bad) Team Performance - Padres

No reason why they should sink, but I think they will.

Manager of the Year - Joe Torre

Not quite "worst to first", but close.

Scapegoat of the Year - (3-way tie) Bud Black (Padres), Clint Hurdle (Rockies), Joe Girardi (Yankees)

The first two because a bad year after a good year always gets blamed on the manager, unless there are a ton of injuries. Girardi? No matter what he does, Hank is going to give him grief for not winning it all.

Most Surprising (Bad) Pitcher - Johan Santana

Again, just a gut feeling. Don't get me wrong, he's not going to be horrible, but no 20 wins, no Cy Young, no World Series. It's not sour grapes. There is just too much hype for him to live up to, while batting, to boot. I'm thinking 32 appearances, 2 complete, 14 wins, 3.30 ERA.

Most Surprising (Good) Pitcher - Jon Lester

Jon is going to win 20 this year and take up the Schilling slack. 33 starts, 1 complete, 20 wins, 2.89 ERA.

Most Surprising (Bad) Hitter - Prince Fielder

I don't think he'll have another year like last. Again, not horrible. just average. 29 HR, .296 BA.

Most Surprising (Good) Hitter - Alex Rodriguez

As much as it pains me, I think A-Rod will be AL MVP again. The only reason it is surprising is because the team will do worse and no ne would think that A-Rod could do that good two years runing! 61 HR, .340 BA, 152 RBI, and a Gold Glove at 3rd!

MVP AL
Alex Rodriguez - NYY

MVP NL
David Wright - NYM

Cy Young AL
Justin Verlander - DET

Cy Young NL
Jake Peavy - SD

ROY AL
Evan Longoria - TB

ROY NL
Kosuke Fukodome - CHC

Rolaids Relief Man AL
Jonathan Papelbon - BOS

Rolaids Relief Man NL
Takashi Saito - LAD

AL EAST				AL CENTRAL				AL WEST
	W	L			W	L			W	L
*Red Sox	97	65		*Tigers	100	62		*Mariners	96	66
Yankees	92	70		~Indians	95	67		Angels	93	69
Rays	91	71		Twins	93	69		Athletics	89	73
Orioles	86	76		White Sox	88	74		Rangers	80	82
Blue Jays	80	82		Royals	75	87
NL EAST				NL CENTRAL				NL WEST
	W	L			W	L			W	L
*Mets	100	62		*Brewers	97	65		Dodgers	100	62
~Phillies	98	64		Cubs	95	67		D-Backs	97	65
Atlanta	90	72		Reds	93	69		Giants	90	72
Florida	86	76		Astros	90	72		Padres	88	74
Washington	80	82		Cardinals	88	74		Rockies	81	81
				Pirates	75	87

*DIVISION ~WILDCARD



POST SEASON

Labels: baseball, predictions

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 3/13/2008 10:47:00 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.