MLB 2012 Predictions.... Go*

[missouridawg]

NL East - Philadelphia
NL Central - St. Louis
NL West - SF Giants
NL Wildcard 1- Miami Marlins
NL Wildcard 2 - Cincinnati
NL MVP - Jose Reyes (unless Ryan Braun continues to abuse steriods)
NL Cy Young - Tim Lincecum

AL East - Boston
AL Central - Detroit
AL West - Texas
AL Wildcard 1- Los Angeles
AL Wildcard 2 - Tampa Bay
AL MVP - Albert Pujols
AL Cy Young - Justin Verlander

The NL continues it's dominance and I'll take Philadelphia over Detroit in the World Series.

 

[missouridawg]

NL East - Philadelphia
NL Central - St. Louis
NL West - SF Giants
NL Wildcard 1- Miami Marlins
NL Wildcard 2 - Cincinnati
NL MVP - Jose Reyes (unless Ryan Braun continues to abuse steriods)
NL Cy Young - Tim Lincecum

AL East - Boston
AL Central - Detroit
AL West - Texas
AL Wildcard 1- Los Angeles
AL Wildcard 2 - Tampa Bay
AL MVP - Albert Pujols
AL Cy Young - Justin Verlander

The NL continues it's dominance and I'll take Philadelphia over Detroit in the World Series.

 

[SanfordRJones]

NL:
Miami
Cincinnati
Colorado
WC: San Francisco, Atlanta

AL:
Tampa Bay
Detroit
Anaheim
WC: Texas, Boston

Cy Young: Kershaw, Price
MVP: Tulowitzki, Cabrera
ROY: Mesoraco, Moore

 

[drt7891]

NL East: Phillies<div>NL Central: Reds</div><div>NL West: Giants</div><div>Wild Card 1: Braves</div><div>Wild Card 2: Diamondbacks</div><div>
</div><div>AL East: Bronx Bombers</div><div>AL Central: Detroit Tigers</div><div>AL West: Rangers</div><div>Wild Card 1: Rays</div><div>Wild Card 2: Twins</div><div>
</div><div>Cy Young:</div><div>AL: Sabathia</div><div>NL: Lincecum</div><div>
</div><div>MVP:</div><div>AL: Pujols</div><div>NL: McCann</div>

 

[babbleBrebel]

NL East - Marlins
NL Central - St. Louis
NL West - SF Giants
NL Wildcard 1 - Phillies
NL Wildcard 2 - Brewers
NL MVP - Hanley Ramirez
NL Cy Young - Clayton Kershaw (HOF career budding)

AL East - Yanks
AL Central - Detroit
AL West - Angels
AL Wildcard 1 - Rays
AL Wildcard 2 - Rangers
AL MVP - Miguel Cabrera
AL Cy Young - CJ Wilson

WS winner Angels over Cards

 

[drt7891]

The Marlins have had all kinds of trouble from the top down the past several years... I see them off to a hot start, but I see them having trouble to close it out after the All-Star break. Are they supposed to be that much better than the Phillies who have dominated the east the past several years? <div>
</div><div>ETA: I see the Marlins as the third, possibly the fourth best team in the east, even with the trades. The Nats will probably be better this year (if they decide to start winning games), but I think it's a tossup between the Nats and Marlins. </div>

 

[missouridawg]

and they updgraded their SS (Jose Reyes, and 3B indirectly), closer (Heath Bell), starting pitching (Mark Buerhle, Carlos Zambrano... and Josh Johnson returns).

They also get a different manager who knows how to win.

 

[drt7891]

ESPECIALLY Zambrano... He's been far from impressive... I'll give you Johnson and Bell, but the East is STACKED with good closers. Reyes will give them depth in the line-up, but I will stick with my original statement: They will start off hot, then die off as the year goes on.

 

[DAWG61]

NL West SF Giants, Central Brewers, East Phillies, WC1 DBacks, WC2 Cards

NLMVP Matt Kemp, CY Roy Halladay

AL West Rangers, Central Tigers, East Red Sox, WC1 Blue Jays, WC2 Yanks

ALMVP Jose Bautista, CY Verlander

World Series: Toronto Blue Jays vs San Francisco Giants

WSChamps SF Giants WSMVP Pablo Sandoval

 

[DowntownDawg]

NL East - Philly
NL Central - Cards
NL West - Giants
Wild Card - Reds
Wild Card - Braves

AL East - Yanks
AL Central -Deet
AL West - Ranger
Wild Card - Angel
Wild Card - Min

 

[DAWG61]

ESPECIALLY Zambrano... He's been far from impressive... I'll give you Johnson and Bell, but the East is STACKED with good closers. Reyes will give them depth in the line-up, but I will stick with my original statement: They will start off hot, then die off as the year goes on.

with the Marlins is they have a brand new indoor/outdoor ballpark like the Brewers have. If they win at home like Milwaukee does look out. I just don't think they will win at home in year one as much as upcoming years.

 

[MStateFan22]

NL East: Phillies<div>Central: Cardinals</div><div>West: Arizona</div><div>Wildcard: Braves</div><div>Wildcard: Dodgers</div><div>
</div><div>AL East: Yanks</div><div>Central: Tigers</div><div>West: Angels</div><div>Wildcard: Rangers</div><div>Wildcard: Red Sox</div><div>
</div><div>AL MVP: Fielder</div><div>NL MVP: Kemp</div><div>
</div><div>AL Cy Young: Hernandez</div><div>NL Cy Young: Kershaw</div><div>
</div>

 

[Damn-Dog]

A new manager, losing papelobon, and outside of that changing pretty much nothing what have they done to get better?

 

[Ol Blue.sixpack]

NL East - Philadelphia
NL Central - St. Louis
NL West - SF Giants
NL Wildcard 1- Miami Marlins
NL Wildcard 2 - Cincinnati
NL MVP - Jose Reyes (unless Ryan Braun continues to abuse steriods)
NL Cy Young - Tim Lincecum

AL East - Boston
AL Central - Detroit
AL West - Texas
AL Wildcard 1- Los Angeles
AL Wildcard 2 - Tampa Bay
AL MVP - Albert Pujols
AL Cy Young - Justin Verlander

The NL continues it's dominance and I'll take Philadelphia over Detroit in the World Series.

NL East - Phillies<div>NL Central - Reds</div><div>NL West - Dodgers</div><div>Wildcards - Braves and Brewers</div><div>
</div><div>AL East - Yankees</div><div>AL Central - Tigers</div><div>AL West - Rangers</div><div>Wildcards - Angels and Rays</div><div>
</div><div>Rangers over the Reds in the WS

</div>

 

[babbleBrebel]

He will be an allstar in the NL. Johnson - Buerhle is a nasty 1-2 and finishing out with Nolasco, Sanchez, Zambrano is solid on the back end. But the main reason is offense. Reyes, Ramirez, and Stanton gives you 3 premier offensive players plus solid players to finish out the lineup. Bell will give them stability in the back of their bullpen.

 

[randystewart]

Not saying they will win the division, but they are set up to be pretty solid this year if the rotation stays healthy.

 

[missouridawg]

I expect them to beat what they did last year.... and changing a manager can really change the mindset of a ballclub. I felt like Francona lost those guys last year.

 

[drt7891]

The Nats have been Braves kryptonite since they got the new stadium, but I'm afraid they will be far from going away this year. They could be legitimate, but with their best 2 pitchers on inning counts, I don't know how they will be able to make a big push at the end of the season (should they be in that position)... that basically makes them ********.

 

[SanfordRJones]

I think the Phillies could finish 4th in the division this year (it's not likely, but it's possible). Howard and Utley are going to miss significant time in a lineup that struggled to score runs last year.

Washington is heading in the right direction, but they are too weak up the middle, and Strasburg is going to be shut down when he gets to 160 innings. In other words, their best player won't be playing in August or September.

That leaves Atlanta and Miami. I want to pick Atlanta, but Miami has a better lineup, and if Johnson stays healthy, a better rotation.

Edited to add: if Josh Johnson doesn't stay healthy, they're not going to the playoffs. Those of you who think they have a great staff are going overboard. Buerhle is not a great #2 pitcher. He would be a great #3, but not #2. Nolasco and Sanchez are mediocre #3 and #4 pitchers.

 

[Predestined]

NL East - Philadelphia
NL Central - Cincinnati
NL West - Arizona
NL Wildcard 1- San Francisco
NL Wildcard 2 -Atlanta

AL East - Tampa
AL Central - Detroit
AL West - Texas
AL Wildcard 1- Los Angeles
AL Wildcard 2 - Boston

ALCS Texas over Detroit (hell why not go for a third)
NCLS Arizon over Cincinnati
WS- Texas over Arizona

 

[dawgs.sixpack]

NL East - phillies
NL Central - reds
NL West - giants
NL Wild Card - brewers v. nats

AL East - rays
AL Central - tigers
AL West - angels
AL Wild Card - rangers v. yanks

NLCS - reds over giants
ALCS - angels over rays

WS - angels over reds

NL MVP - votto
AL MVP - pooholes
NL Cy Young - grienke
AL Cy Young - price
NL Rookie of the Year - bryce harper
AL Rookie of the Year - yu darvish

best races - AL west (angels/rangers), AL east (rays/yanks/sawx), NL east (phils/nats/braves/marlins)

 

[DawgatAuburn]

NL East - Philadelphia
NL Central - Cincinnati
NL West - SF Giants
NL Wildcard 1- Milwaukee
NL Wildcard 2 - Washington
NL MVP - Joey Votto
NL Cy Young - Cole Hamels

AL East - Tampa
AL Central - Detroit
AL West - Texas
AL Wildcard 1- Los Angeles
AL Wildcard 2 - Toronto
AL MVP - Evan Longoria
AL Cy Young - David Price

Texas over the Reds in the World Series.

Bonus prediction #1: Cubs lose 90 games but still finish in 5th, >_15 games in front of Houston.
Bonus prediction #2: Age catches up to the Yankees. Jeter, Rivera and Pettite show the beginning of the end.
Bonus prediction #3: The first manager fired will be Brad Mills

 

[dawgs.sixpack]

i almost felt you c&p'd mine. ha.

 

[drt7891]

because their number 1 and 2 pitchers finished in the top 5 in the NL in almost every good stat there is. They may not have Oswalt for the first half of the year (that's the word around Starkville, anyway), but their pitching will be the same this year as it always has been. As long as no significant injuries occur, they will get Utley and Howard back at the right time of the year and I expect them to compete for the top of the division.

I agree about the Nats, their offense especially is going in the right direction, however, it's not just Strasburg, but Zimmerman are both on inning counts (Zimmerman a LITTLE bit longer than Strasburg, but not much). I see them struggling to close the deal if they are in that position in August/September.

Atlanta will either blow this year or finish 1 or 2 in the division. Atlanta has a very deep rotation that can keep them in most every ballgame, but until something changes on offense, we will continue to struggle at the plate. It all depends on how hungry Atlanta is and how they will respond after our late season meltdown last year. Red Sox, the same way, but I like Atlanta's chances more than Boston's.

We will see the same ol' Mets this year... nothing new there.

The Marlins have had talent to compete in the division for years, they just have not had a manager that can keep them playing at a prime level. That may change this year, but until then, I just don't see them having the firepower down the stretch (from a mentality perspective) to make a push in late August/September. I will gladly eat crow if I'm wrong.

 

[starkvegasdawg]

Not sure about the divisions but as much as I am a Braves fan I think they miss the playoffs entirely. Chipper has already had to have surgery and is expected to miss 3 weeks when he hurt himself stretching. How do you injure yourself badly enough to need surgery by stretching? Time to call it a career, Larry.

 

[ExtremeDog]

unfortunately, unless the miracle of all miracles happens, we will be on to year 105.

 

[Damn-Dog]

Losing Papelbon and replacing him with andrew Bailey who is starting the season off on the DL cant be good for the closer spot.

 

[SanfordRJones]

I think Philly is going to be a lot like San Francisco last year. Granted, their starters will be better, but their bullpen will be worse. Their offense will also be better than San Fran's last year, but that is going to be offset by a much stronger division than the NL west was last year. They will probably make the playoffs, and I picked them to finish out of the playoffs because I'm a Braves homer, but, looking at them objectively, I think they do have problems. Also, they're older than they were last year, and I don't think their starting 5 can eat up as many innings as they did last year. That said, they could also end up winning 100.

I think Atlanta's offense is going to be much better this year. I firmly believe Heyward is going to put up big numbers this year. Prado is going to revert back to numbers closer to 2010. Uggla won't bat .180 for half the year again. I'm more concerned about the rotation than the lineup. I don't think Delgado or Teheran are ready to pitch significant innings in the majors, and that's a problem when all 3 veteran pitchers have health concerns.

This, to me, is the most interesting division because there are 3.5 teams that could have great years if all goes right or win less than 85 games if they have a lot of bad luck. I mentioned Strasburg and not Zimmerman because Strasburg is the best player in their organization, and Zimmerman is a middle of the rotation guy. If there weren't a limit on Strasburg, I would have picked them to make the playoffs and maybe the division. They have no shot without him, though, unless they play Atlanta about 40 times.

 

[drt7891]

f there weren't a limit on Strasburg, I would have picked them to make the playoffs and maybe the division.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> They have no shot without him, though, unless they play Atlanta about 40 times.</span>

depth in the rotation will become very significant. You are correct about the NL East being an interesting division because it has become the deepest division in baseball. The Nats, Braves, Phillies, and Marlins all have a realistic shot of making the post season, but I think the order of the last few years is most likely going to hold true.

By the way, I laughed at that statement. The Nats can't beat ANYONE except Atlanta. Let them play Atlanta in September, and the Braves won't have a shot in hell at winning, even without Strasburg and Zimmerman.

 

[dawgs.sixpack]

I agree about the Nats, their offense especially is going in the right direction, however, it's not just Strasburg, but Zimmerman are both on inning counts (Zimmerman a LITTLE bit longer than Strasburg, but not much). I see them struggling to close the deal if they are in that position in August/September.

zimmermann won't be on much of an inning count. he won't throw 225 innings, but if healthy, there's nothing wrong with him throwing 200.

with strasburg, it all comes down to how he looks, i don't think he gets shut down cut and dry at 160 IP. sure if the nats are out of it, he might, but if they are in the race, and straburg shows no wear and tear, he could hit 180 IP. also, the nats will stagger the skipped starts for strasburg throughout the summer if they are in the race, no just sit him for the stretch run. they'll rest him an extra day or 2 or skip a start all together in june and july so that he could make some starts down the stretch. also, they could sit him for a start before and after the all-star break, since the all-star break already will break up his start to start routine. basically, if the nats are in contention, they'll be creative to make sure strasburg is available come september without throwing him 200+ IP.

 

[drt7891]

What if they are in a position to be contenders for the wild card spot? I see a situation where the Nats will struggle to keep up but will consistently be 5 or 6 games behind the Wild Card holders. How do you handle that? Pitch Strasburg to try to get them in position, or sit him out to save him for a possible run? I know it's all situational, but as a manager, those are things you better plan for... and you better be right, too. Pitch Strasburg too much early on, he won't be available down the stretch. Don't pitch him enough and risk losing key games in June, July, and August.

 

[J-Dawg]

NL East- Philly
NL Cent.- Cincy
NL West- San Fran
NL WC- Atlanta
NL WC- LA Dodgers

AL East- Boston
AL Cent- Detroit
AL West- Texas
AL WC- LA Angels
AL WC- Tampa

NL MVP- Tulo
NL CY- Roy Halladay
AL MVP- Miquel Cabrera
AL CY- Yu Darvish** but really, prob Verlander again

World Series- 3rd times the charm... Texas over Philly

 

[SanfordRJones]

Link

 

[HD6]

NL East-Philly
NL Central-St. Louis
NL West-San Fran
WC-Arizona
WC-Washington
NL MVP-Troy Tulowitzki
NL Cy Young-Matt Cain

AL East-New York
AL Central-Detroit
AL West-Los Angeles
WC-Texas
WC-Boston
AL MVP-Pujols
AL Cy Young-CC Sabathia

NL Champs-San Fran
AL Champs-New York

Yankees win, which would crush me.

 

[dawgs.sixpack]

we'll see if that tune changes if the nats are leading the east or the wild card halfway through the season. from a PR standpoint, i'm not sure the nats could explain to the fans that they are leading the east, but gotta shut down their best SP for the last month and a half because they didn't wanna let him skip a few starts in may and june.

 

[missouridawg]

making him one of the most valuable starters in the American League last year. He's every bit of a quality #2 starter.

Carlos Zambrano is definitely questionable... but if he has his head on straight, he's an upgrade over who they got.

Nolasco isn't a bad pitcher either.

I'm buying the Marlins... not predicting them to win the world series, but 90 wins isn't out of the question for them.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

AL East - Yankees
AL Central - Detroit
AL West - Texas
AL Wildcard - Angels (1) & Tampa Bay (2)

NL East - Phillies
NL Central - Brewers
NL West - Giants
NL Wildcard - Arizona (1) & Cardinals (2)

Yankees over the Giants in the World Series

 

[beachbumdawg]

<div>
NL East - Philadelphia
NL Central - St. Louis
NL West - SF Giants
NL Wildcard 1- Atlanta
NL Wildcard 2 - Cincinnati
NL MVP - Hanley Ramirez
NL Cy Young - Tim Lincecum/Clayton Kershaw

AL East - Tampa
AL Central - Detroit
AL West - Texas
AL Wildcard 1- Los Angeles
AL Wildcard 2 - Toronto
AL MVP - Josh Hamilton
AL Cy Young - David Price

Texas over the Braves in 7
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