2009 Baseball Predictions

 

Since last night’s game opened the National League season, and today the Indians and many other teams start playing baseball games for real, we decided to take a stab at predicting the finish for all the major league teams in 2009.  Please don’t wager any real money based on these picks…

 

AL Central

1.       Minnesota

2.       Chicago

3.       CLEVELAND

4.       Detroit

5.       Kansas City

 

The Twins look to have the best starting pitching in the division, including a healthy Francisco Liriano.  We detailed the Tribe in a blog last week.  They are not helped by a brutal early schedule featuring a ton of games against the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays.  We aren’t sold on the whole Royals are this year’s Tampa.

 

AL East

1.       Boston

2.       Toronto

3.       New York

4.       Tampa Bay

5.       Baltimore

 

The Red Sox will get more bang for their considerably less free agent spending than the Yankees.  Even if C.C. Sabathia wins 17 games, that’s three less than Mike Mussina.  The Blue Jays have the pitching, and Vernon Wells will bounce back.  The Rays will experience a success hangover.

 

AL West

1.       Oakland

2.       Los Angeles

3.       Seattle

4.       Texas

 

The A’s have been some shrewd trades (Matt Holliday) and free agent pick ups (Orlando Cabrera) to improve the team.  The Angels were too lucky in one run games last year.  Seattle improved their defense, which will help the pitchers, and Texas is trying to rebuild with some young pitchers and a rookie SS.

 

NL East

1.       Philadelphia

2.       New York

3.       Atlanta

4.       Florida

5.       Washington

 

The Mets improved the bullpen, but K-Rod is fading and J.J. Putz might be a better acquisition.  The Phils can hit, which Charlie Manuel likes, and the pitching is good enough to repeat.  If the Braves starters hold up, they will contend, and Florida will be in the mix with some excellent young players.  The Nationals are not good.

 

NL Central

1.       Chicago

2.       St. Louis

3.       Milwaukee

4.       Cincinnati

5.       Houston

6.       Pittsburgh

 

The Cubs are talented and have the starting pitching needed to win.  It will be interesting to see how Lou Piniella and Milton Bradley co-exist.  The Cardinals have the best player in the NL, and if Cris Carpenter comes back, have good pitching as well.  Milwaukee lost Sabathia and Sheets, but they can score runs.  The Reds have good young players (Bruce, Votto, Volquez) and will be better.  Houston is aging, and the Pirates are starting another rebuilding process.

 

NL West

1.       Los Angeles

2.       Arizona

3.       Colorado

4.       San Diego

5.       San Francisco

 

Manny will be Manny, and the Dodgers will win the West.  Arizona has good starters, but their young players still need to mature.  The Rockies pitching is better than you would think.  The Padres get the nod for 4^th because they are younger than the Giants, who will have trouble scoring runs.

 

MW/KM