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My PredictionsApril 3rd, 2008
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Here’s a rundown of the AL teams and how I think they will fare this year: (NL will come tomorrow)
Baltimore Orioles: Last year, they lost 93 games, but I see improvement this year. I think they reach at least 100. The pitching will help them immensely in this category, as Cabrera, Trachsel, and Burres are good for at least 40 losses combined. And, once they pawn off Roberts for 30 cents on the dollar, it’s “2010 here we come!” Outlook: last place.
Boston Red Sox: In what might be a classic let down year for the Red Sox, well, it might actually happen. Beckett could be hurt, Dice-K could be average, and Ortiz, Ramirez, Lowell, and Drew are another year older. Then again, they have an influx of stud youngsters in Ellsbury, Pedroia, Buchholz and Lester, and I don’t see the Yankees dominating this year. Besides, if Beckett gets hurt, the Red Sox have Bartolo Colon waiting for the wing-eating contest in the wings, so that’s gotta count for something, right? They’ll win the division.
Chicago White Sox: The White Sox are filled with aging veterans who “know how to play the game.” Unfortunately, with age comes forgetfulness, and most of them forgot how to play last year en route to a 72-90 record. This year, they’ll prove the theory, “you-can’t-remind-an-old-dog-how-to-do-tricks-he-once-knew-but-has-since-forgotten,” and finish fourth in the Central. They’ll be lucky to win 75 games.
Cleveland Indians: I love this team. The depth is outstanding. In the rotation, Sowers, Laffey, and Adam Miller could fill in for an injury (or an HGH suspension). Ben Francisco, Shin-Soo Choo and Josh Barfield are all major league ready minor leaguers right now, not to mention Kelly Shoppach is a pretty good backup catcher. The bullpen is outstanding, save for Borowski, who does just that. The Indians could win 100 games this year, and are my pick for the Central title, the Pennant, and the World Series. Then again, I am a bit of a homer…
Detroit Tigers: I wouldn’t expect Magglio and Polanco to repeat their career years, but I also don’t think Dontrelle will put up a 5.17 ERA again. He’ll be worse. The Tigers will finish second in the Central due to their abysmal pitching (think Texas in the 90’s) and barely miss the playoffs.
Kansas City Royals: Last year, this team couldn’t hit their way out of a paper bag, which coincidentally is what their fans donned to games as the season wore on. This year: decent pitching plus contributions from Gordon, Butler, Teahen and Guillen get them to third in the Central for the first time since 2003.
Los Angeles Angels: For some reason, this team always has injury concerns. However, I see no concerns this year. Um, scratch that. When your 1-2 starters start the season on the DL, expect problems. However, if Lackey and Escobar can get healthy, they will help this team, and I expect them to make a run for (and win) the Wild Card.
Minnesota Twins: The Twins have a pretty good middle of the lineup and some great young pitching, but losing a starter like Johan will be hard to overcome. This team will compete in 2009 for sure, but 2008: not so much. I can see them making a decent run around July before completely collapsing in August and September. They’ll finish last, but just barely.
New York Yankees: God, I hate the Yankees. I’m getting angry just thinking about them. But, I have a job to do, so here’s the thing: the question isn’t whether A-Rod can repeat his monster year, whether they have enough pitching, or what Hank will do next to distract this team. It’s how the fans will react when the team fails to make the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons. Personally, I’ll be doing cartwheels across Times Square when they finish second, barely missing the wild card.
Oakland Athletics: If they couldn’t count on Harden and Street, then I’d worry. (They’ll get injured.) Blanton should eat up a lot of quality innings for them. (Until they trade him at the deadline.) The A’s will compete this year, no doubt. (With the Orioles.) Prediction: last place.
Seattle Mariners: Count me among those that think the Mariners will make a run this year. Stud starters in Bedard and King Felix, and one of the best closers in the game. I think they’ll take three of four against the Angels at the end of September and finish first by a game in the West. Of course, this is assuming Sexson stays healthy, Wilkerson doesn’t hit .234, and Beltre has a good year. For now, I’m a believer.
Tampa Bay DevilRays: Years of high draft picks are finally catching up to them. The Rays are actually a .500 team the past three years at home, and have improved their road record and runs scored each of the last two years. The Kazmir-Shields combo provides a competitive 1-2 punch at the front of their rotation, and with Pena, Upton, and eventually Longoria in the lineup, the Rays will surpass the Jays in September to finish third in the East.
Texas Rangers: Careful, read enough predictions and you might actually start to believe Josh Hamilton will hit 80 home runs this year. Prediction: he won’t, although as usual, the Texas offense is pretty good. If only they had one reliable pitcher they could count on, they might finish higher than third in the West.
Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays are like having friends with benefits, only without the benefits. They don’t suck, but they never make the playoffs. Each year, analysts expect them to take that step forward. This year, I expect them to go backward. David Eckstein plus Scott Rolen equals fewer wins than the Rays.
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April 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
[...] Hometown 9 wrote an interesting post today on My PredictionsHere’s a quick excerptBoston Red Sox: In what might be a classic let down year for the Red Sox, well, it might actually happen…. [...]