Baseball Prediction Finishes 2010

[Mitchell]

With baseball season about to open, here are my annual predictions.

National League

East.

1. Phillies

2. Braves (Wild Card).

3. Marlins

4. Mets

5. Nationals.


Central.

1. Cards.

2. Cubs.

3. Brewers.

4. Reds.

5. Astros.

6.Pirates.

West

1. Dodgers.

2. Rockies

3. Giants.

4. Dbacks.

5.Padres.

American League

East,

1. Yankees. (Who else?)

2. Red Sox (Wild card)

3. Tampa Bay.

4. Orioles

5. Blue Jays.

Central.

1. Twins

2. White Sox.

3. Tigers.

4. Royals.

5.Indians.

West.

1. Angels.

2. Mariners.

3 .A's

4. Rangers



NL Championship Series- Phillies over Cardinals.

AL Championship Series : Yankees over Red Sox.

World Series- Yankees over Phillies in six, just like last year.

With the disparity in baseball since 2000, it's difficult to pick a repeat champion, and, especially, to pick that the same champions from both leagues will repeat. That has not happened since the Yankees and Dodgers played in the World Series together in 1977-78. However, I just think that with the Phillies addition of Roy Halliday, and the volcanic lineup they have, no one else in the NL can compete with them. It seems the same for the Yankees. They have a towering lineup, and now they have great pitching too.

I think that my Braves have a good shot to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005. That would be nice in Bobby Cox's last year. The Atlanta papers are predicting the Braves to win no more than 85 games, and finish in third place. The Braves have great pitching, and, if Wagner can be even some of what he used to be, there should be baseball in October in Atlanta this year.

Other predictions?

Mitch

 

[leafstk]

The Jays in last? 🙁 Really???

Well, the loss of our Ace sure hurts, but I'm still hoping they'll put up a good fight this season 😀 Cheers Mitch, hope your Braves can deliver for ya!

 

[Mitchell]

Sorry, leaf. The Orioles supposedly have some good young players. That fact, and Halliday's departure, is why I picked the Jays for last in the AL East.

Thanks for the good wishes on the Braves. I'll be shocked if they win the NL East. Not gonna happen unless Philly has major injury problems, but I do think Atlanta has a good shot for the wild card. They were in contention for it until the final week of the season last year.

Mitch

 

[milagros317]

Let me be the first to predict that the Dodgers will win the 2010 World Series over the Yankees, four games to one. 😀

 

[Cy/MiG]

Yanks, Tigers, M's and Rays in the AL

Phils, Cards, Rockies and ATL in the NL

Phils over Yanks for it all.

Worst six, in order:

Bucs, 'Stros, DC, Padres, Royals, Jays (sorry, but the Jays have NO pitching)

 

[Jerry67911]

National League

East.

1. Phillies

2. Braves

3. Marlins

4. Mets

5. Nationals.


Central.

1. Cards.

2. Cubs.

3. Brewers.

4. Reds.

5. Astros.

6.Pirates.

West

1. Giants

2. Rockies-Wild Card

3. Dodgers

4. Padres

5. Diamondbacks

American League

East,

1. Red Sox

2. Yankees-Wild Card

3. Tampa Bay

4. Orioles

5. Blue Jays

Central.

1. Indians

2. Tigers

3. Twins

4. Royals

5. White Sox

West.

1. Rangers

2. Mariners

3 .Angels

4. A's



NL Championship Series- Phillies over Giants

AL Championship Series : Red Sox over Yankees

World Series- Sox over Phillies

My picks with a combination of knowledge and heart. Completely agree with your NL East and Central. The West, I love the Giants pitching, and Sandoval looks to be the next Pujols. And my Padres had the best NL record in Aug & Sept last year I believe. Colorado has some good starters too and LA is tough. Wide open division.

I'm a diehahd Sox fan since birth, loved tonight's opener. Gotta have them edging the evil empire. The Rays are still really tough too and the Orioles have a lot of good, young talent. Sorry Leaf, but you just extended Lind.

The AL Central can go any which way. Seriously, I think any team can take it, with the possible exception of KC. I just anticipate an Ozzie Guillen - Twitter implosion.

Like the Rangers in the West. Nolan Ryan knows how to handle pitchers, pitch them more to build arm stregth, not less to baby them. Mariners got better. Angels will miss Lackey, Figgins & Guerrero.

Play Ball!

 

[Mitchell]

Jerry, I agree with most of what you said except for a couple of things. I think the Yankees should edge the Sox for the AL East, although it may be close, and I still think the Braves get the NL Wild Card unless their bullpen falters. As for the Sox making it to the World Series, it could well be. After all, even if the Sox win the Wild Card, look at all the Wild Card World Series partcipants we've had.

Personally, I'd love to see the Dodgers win the NLCS, and then face the Yankees in the World Series, and see LA win, so Torre can finally stick it to the Yankees for letting him go. If Philly is healthy, I just think they are too strong not to get to the World Series. They have good pitching, Roy Halliday, and that lineup.

Mitch

 

[Jerry67911]

It's a long season and it never turns out the way you think, even the so called experts. If the Dodgers do play the Yankees in the series, I will be the biggest Dodger fan around. I have always had the utmost respect for Torre. He's always handled himself with class. And he was a really good player too. He hit .363 in 1971.

 

[baldadonis]

NL East

1. Phillies
2. Braves - wildcard
3. Marlins
4. Mets
5. Nationals

NL Central

1. Cardinals
2. Cubs
3. Astros
4. Reds
5. Brewers
6. Pirates

NL West

1. Rockies
2. Giants
3. Dodgers
4. Diamondbacks
5. Padres

AL East

1. Yankees
2. Rays - Wildcard
3. Red Sox
4. Orioles
5. Blue Jays

AL Central

1. Tigers
2. White Sox
3. Twins
4. Royals
5. Indians

AL West

1. Mariners
2. Angels
3. Rangers
4. A's


NLDS - Cardinals over Braves, Rockies over Phillies.
ALDS - Yankees over Mariners, Rays over Tigers
NLCS - Yankees over Rays
ALCS - Cardinals over Rockies
World Series - Cardinals over Yankees

 

[Mitchell]

Interesting picks, bald. I agree with a lot of what you said, except that I think the Phillies will go much further than the first round. Then again, we know the Braves won divisions fourteen times, and, after reaching the World Series four times between 1991 and 1996, only made it there once afterwards.

Philly just looks to be the class of the NL. I dont see too many teams that can match up with them, due to that lineup, and Halliday. Then again, they dont play games on paper. I do think they should run away with the NL East, though.

Mitch

 

[SamuelKhan]

Yanks, Tigers, M's and Rays in the AL

Phils, Cards, Rockies and ATL in the NL

Phils over Yanks for it all.

Worst six, in order:

Bucs, 'Stros, DC, Padres, Royals, Jays (sorry, but the Jays have NO pitching)

The Royals do not belong in that six. For one reason...Zack Greinke, AL Cy Young winner....now if the rest of the team give him some help...

They will finish better than Fourth.

AL WEST:
LA Angels
Oakland
Texas
Seattle

AL CENTRAL:
Minnesota
Kansas City
Detroit
Chicago
Cleveland

AL EAST:
Boston
New York
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Baltimore

NL EAST:
Philadelphia
New York
Atlanta
Florida
Washington

NL CENTRAL:
St. Louis
Milwaukee
Chicago
Houston
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh

NL WEST:
LA Dodgers
Colorado
San Diego
Arizona
San Francisco

AL Playoffs
New York over LA Angels
Boston over Minnesota

Boston wins ALCS in 7.

NL Playoffs

St. Louis over Colorado
Philadelphia over LA Dodgers

St. Louis wins NLCS in 7.

St. Louis beats Boston in World Series in 5 games.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

NL EAST

Phillies
Marlins
Mets
Braves
Nationals

NL CENTRAL

Cardinals
Brewers
Reds
Astros
Cubs
Pirates

NL WEST

Giants
Dodgers *
Rockies
Diamondbacks
Padres

AL EAST

Redsox
Yankees *
Rays
Orioles
Bluejays

AL CENTRAL

Whitesox
Twins
Tigers
Royals
Indians

AL WEST

Rangers
Angels
Mariners
A`s


World Series

Red Sox vs. Phillies

Red Sox in seven

 

[Cy/MiG]

The Royals do not belong in that six. For one reason...Zack Greinke, AL Cy Young winner....now if the rest of the team give him some help...

They will finish better than Fourth.

I would agree with you if Yuniesky Betancourt and Jason Kendall were not prominently involved with the team.

 

[Mitchell]

Samuel, I dont think the Mets are going to finish ahead of the Braves in the NL East.

Flock, the Braves are going to finish higher than fourth, unless they have major injuries. I dont see the Mets finishing ahead of Atlanta. While the Giants have great pitching, I dont think they have enough offense to win the NL West.

Mitch

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

Samuel, I dont think the Mets are going to finish ahead of the Braves in the NL East.

Flock, the Braves are going to finish higher than fourth, unless they have major injuries. I dont see the Mets finishing ahead of Atlanta. While the Giants have great pitching, I dont think they have enough offense to win the NL West.

Mitch

Maybe the Braves will finish higher than 4th ; maybe not . I still believe they are offensively challenged and they have big questions about the bullpen especially with Wagner .

Obviously in that division barring an injury , it is the Phillies and then everybody else. I truly believe the Marlins are much better than the Braves , so maybe they finnish 3rd.

I think picking them as the wildcard maybe a little much especially since they got rid of their top starter from last year .

 

[SamuelKhan]

I would agree with you if Yuniesky Betancourt and Jason Kendall were not prominently involved with the team.

I may take that back...the gas cans came out yesterday for the powder blue caps, destroying an excellent Zack Greinke performance.

^The Royals bullpen

...on the other side of the state, the Redbirds opened 2010 with a PUJOLS! Twice!

Greinke should ask for a trade. The Cardinals need him.

 

[Mitchell]

LOL, Samuel. I love that picture, and the description of the Royals bullpen.

When the Braves were in their heyday of winning division titles, I can't tell you how many times Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz, when he was a starter, left games with leads, only to have the bullpen cough it up. It used to make me cringe to see the Braves bullpen come into the game, when Smoltz wasn't the closer that is. During those times, I nicknamed the Braves bullpen, "The Arson Squad", and would hold my breath every time Bobby Cox brought a reliever into the game.

I remember one time when the Mets and Braves were playing at Shea, I think it was in 2000. One of the Braves starters left the game with a 9-1 lead. In the bottom of the eighth, the Mets scored ten runs off the Braves pen, and ended up winning the game. I was spewing every explextive imaginable at the top of my lungs at the TV.

Sorry to hear the Royals bullpen is so bad. I hate to see when a starting pitcher gives a good effort, only to have the bullpen cough up the lead.

Mitch

 

[Cy/MiG]

I may take that back...the gas cans came out yesterday for the powder blue caps, destroying an excellent Zack Greinke performance.

Yeah, Grienke was great as always and it's a shame the pen blew it before Soria had a chance to close it out (he's a stud, too).

Also, LOVE the powder blues. The Royals should wear them every game, they're without a doubt one of the best uni's ever.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

If those that listen to me on TMF Radio on Tuesday Night you know my predictions. But for those of you who don't ( don't understand why ) here are my predictions.

AL EAST
Boston Red Sox 96-66
Tampa Bay Rays ( WC ) 93-69
New York Yankees 91-71
Baltimore Orioles 74-88
Toronto Blue Jays 59-103

AL CENTRAL
Chicago White Sox 91-71
Detroit Tigers 84-78
Minnesota Twins 81-81
Kansas City Royals 79-83
Cleveland Indians 58-104

AL WEST
Texas Rangers 90-72
Seattle Mariners 87-75
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 82-80
Oakland Athletics 73-89

Tampa Bay beats Chicago White Sox 3 games to 1.
Boston Red Sox beats Texas Rangers 3 games to 1.

Tampa Bay Rays beats Boston Red Sox 4 games to 3.


NL EAST
Philadelphia Phillies 97-65
Florida Marlins ( WC ) 93-69
Atlanta Braves 90-72
Washington Nationals 73-89
New York Mets 65-97

NL CENTRAL
St.Louis Cardinals 93-69
Cincinnati Reds 84-78
Milwaukee Brewers 82-80
Chicago Cubs 78-84
Pittsburgh Pirates 73-89
Houston Astros 65-97

NL WEST
San Francisco Giants 95-67
Colorado Rockies 92-70
Los Angeles Dodgers 82-80
Arizona Diamondbacks 74-88
San Diego Padres 69-93


San Francisco Giants beats Florida Marlins 3 games to 0.
Philadelphia Phillies beat St.Louis Cardinals 3 games to 1.

Philadelphia Phillies beat San Francisco Giants 4 games to 2.


Philadelphia Phillies beat Tampa Bay Rays in World Series 4 games to 3.


Now those are my UNBIASED picks for the 2010 Baseball Season.

 

[Mitchell]

4u, I didnt listen to your predictions. A few things you said surprised me.

I'm surprised you picked your Mets to finish last in the NL East. I think the Mets may not be great, but, I do think they will definitely finish ahead of the Nationals, and maybe Florida too. I think the Mets have a chance to finish at 500.

I think the Yankees are going to finish first in the AL East. I think they have too much pitching and power to be held out of the playoffs.

I think the Braves will be the NL wild card, if their pitching is as should be, and if they score enough runs.

You might be right about the World Series. The Phillies have the best shot of anyone in the NL to win, but I still think that the Yankees are going to win the WS.

Mitch

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

4u, I didnt listen to your predictions. A few things you said surprised me.

I'm surprised you picked your Mets to finish last in the NL East. I think the Mets may not be great, but, I do think they will definitely finish ahead of the Nationals, and maybe Florida too. I think the Mets have a chance to finish at 500.

I think the Yankees are going to finish first in the AL East. I think they have too much pitching and power to be held out of the playoffs.

I think the Braves will be the NL wild card, if their pitching is as should be, and if they score enough runs.

You might be right about the World Series. The Phillies have the best shot of anyone in the NL to win, but I still think that the Yankees are going to win the WS.

Mitch

You shouldn't be surprised...I am very unbiased in my predictions. ALWAYS! As far as the Mets are concerned...who is their 2nd, 3rd 4th and 5th starters? Is Johan going to start 120 games this year? Without pitching and without a bullpen this team just plain stinks. Also Reyes is returning...but please tell me when Beltran returns. .500? Sure. If you say so.


The Yankees win the World Series...is an easy pick. Be creative. Anybody can pick a team that spend over $200,000,000. I showed some guts to NOT pick the Yankees.

 

[Mitchell]

No, 4u, Johan isnt going to start 120 games.

The way the Phillies are playing, they might be the next version of the 1986 Mets. Philly has had a great start, which doesn't surprise me one bit. One has to wonder if they will hit a slump, or keep on rolling, and be the next version of the 1986 Mets, or 1998 Yankees.

I think the NL wild card might turn out to be the most interesting race of all. There are several teams that could end up winning that, including the Braves, Rockies, Cubs, or Giants.

Mitch

 

[Jerry67911]

How did everyone do? Me, not so well, but I did pick the Rangers to win the AL West

 

[usgrant]

San Diego has now lost 10 in a row!

 

[ndj101982]

San Diego has now lost 10 in a row!

This could build up to be a historical meltdown of a first place team going into the last month of the season if things don't turn around quickly. I know teams have come back from being further back in the division in the last month, but when was the last time that a first place team entered into September on a 10 game losing streak?