About this time last year, coming out of spring training, I picked the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World Series. I came within a game of being correct, as the Dodgers lost in seven games to Houston. The Dodgers did have an awesome season. So did the Astros. The Indians won 23 games in a row at one point. The Yankees and Red Sox renewed their rivalry, vieing for the lead in American League East all summer.
I didn't think the Cubs would repeat, and they didn't. I thought the Nationals would choke again in the playoffs, and they did. Who knew the diamondbacks and Rockies would be so good? Who knew the Giants would be so bad? How about the surprising Brewers, almost beating out Chicago in National League Central?
Rather then give a bunch of stats, which you can easily google to look up, here are my thoughts on the upcoming baseball season, team-by-team...
National League East
1. Washington Nationals
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. New York Mets
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Miami Marlins
Nationals-
This may be the last call for Washington, with Bryce Harper ready to bolt for free agency after the season. They continually choke in the playoffs, and it may do the Nats some good if the Phillies offer serious competition this summer, rather than the Nats cruising again in NL East, only to lose their edge in the postseason. Will Ryan Zimmerman have another monster season? The Nats won't win 100 games- the division is slightly better- but they will make the playoffs again, maybe for the last time in a long time.
Phillies-
OK, i'm a homer but with Arrieta, Santana and now Scott Kingery added to a young roster full of promise, led by Rhys Hoskins, don't you have to be excited? I worry about the back end of the rotation. Someone needs to step up, like Pivetta or Valaquez. I think new manager Gabe Kapler's positive energy will go a long way in helping these young kids believe in themselves. Still, Kapler can't play for them. If the Phils are in contention in July, look for them to add help, maybe Cole Hamels from Texas? Anything is possible with this new and improved attitude from the front office.A wild card should be within reach, and contending with Washington over the summer for the division would be fun.
Mets-
Maybe the Mets still have the best starting pitching in the division but they can't seem to stay healthy. New York went for veterans to stabilize their everyday line-up, resigning Jay Bruce for instance. I just can't see the Mets contending, despite only being several years removed from a World Series.The goofy New York Daily news picks the Mets to win a wild card spot. New York has no other winners right now in sports so they are all Mets and Yankees right now.
Braves-
Atlanta supposedly has the best farm system in baseball. We get to see some of their young arms this season as they make the transition. Brave fans have to wonder this morning why their front office didn't give 20-year-old star prospect Ronald Acuna the same kind of deal the Pihllies gave Kingery. Acuna, already maybe the top prospect in all of baseball, is being sent down after ripping up spring training. Service-time issues are again the reason. Anyway, the braves should be improved but their kids aren't ready yet for prime-time.
Marlins-
Miami should easily lose over 100 games, after gutting their roster. They traded away Stanton, Ozuma, Gordon, to name a few. It seems all hell broke loose for this franchise after young star pitcher Alex Fernandez was killed a few years ago.Could they be so bad as to actually challenge the all-time record for losses in a season (120- NY Mets- 1962)?
National League Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Milwaukee Brewers
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
Notes-
Tempted to pick Brewers after they led much of 2017 and added key pieces, but Cubs still have so much talent... Never count Cards out, they always make a run.. Hard to believe that the Reds may make some noise this summer. Their young prospects look for real..The Buccos trade away Andrew McCuthen and Garrit Cole, yet blame Pittsburgh fans for being pissed? I don't blame the Pirates for starting over after failing to get past home wild card games recently, but it sucks the way they did it.
National League West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. San Francisco Giants
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres
Notes-
The Dodgers are still the cream of the crop and may return even more vengeful than ever, after blowing Game 7 of the World Series last fall to the Astros in LA. Could this be Clayton Kershaw's last season in Los Angeles?...The D-backs have a solid team and were coming on at the tail-end of last summer. ..The Giants are going for the quick-fix approach, getting McCuthen and Evan Longoria during the off season. Plus it's an even-numbered year, and San Fran usually contends in even-numbered years...The Rockies still have a good, young club, after making the wild card last season..The Padres are still rebuilding and now have Freddie Galvis playing shortstop.
Wild card-
Diamondbacks over Phillies
National League Champion- Nationals
American League East
1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles
Notes-
The Red Sox are flying under the radar after the Yankees made a big splash this off season by obtaining Giocarlo Stanton to bash home runs along with Aaron Judge.But Boston won this division last year. Their rotation is just as good as New York. The Yankee bullpen is better. I don't think the Red Sox will give up the AL East title so easily...The Bronx Bombers will hit tons of homers ( will Stanton and Judge out-bash Mantle and Maris?) but they will also strike out a ton. ..The blue Jays have the talent to contend, but won't, no with the double-team of Boston and New York to compete against... Tampa seems to be retooling again, and if they deal pitcher Chris Archer, it would be official.... Baltimore is in no-man's -land, with Manny Machado halfway out the door.
American League Central
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Minnesota Twins
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Detroit Tigers
Notes-
I think it will be an Indian summer. Cleveland has a strong, young team. Witness their 23-game winning streak last year. They came within a game of winning a world championship two years ago. I didn't think they would overcome that letdown in 2017. But with the Red Sox and Yanks beating each other up, and Houston not as hungry, I can easily see the Indians sneaking into the World Series and finally winning it. If the Cubs, and Eagles can win it all, why not the Tribe?...The Twins surprised last summer. They added pitcher Lance Lynn and should be interesting with their young core..The Chisox have a nice farm system and should be seeing the fruits of their recent trade activity blossom soon.. the Royals aren't what they used to be, plus they aren't nearly as strong as the Indians.. The Tigers are in full rebuild, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Migel Caberra go somewhere.
American League West
1. Houston Astros
2. Seattle Mariners
3. California Angels
4. Texas Rangers
5. Oakland A's
Notes-
Houston should cruise again this season, as long as they stay hungry. Seattle is without a playoff appearance since 2002, the longest drought in the majors. The Angels will be interesting as the Trout/Ohtani duo dominates... Texas could be really good or a bust, with Cole Hamels as trade bait in July. Oakland isn't God-awful but are swamped in this division.
Wild cards-
Yankees over Twins
American League Champions- Cleveland Indians
World Series- Indians over Nationals in six games
No comments:
Post a Comment