2012 Predictions

My division and playoff picks for the year.

NL Central

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

I think the Cardinals are the most talented team in the division, but there's a lot riding on injury-prone and aging players. The Brewers need to be worrying abot a depth problem as well, but they were able to survive it last year. While the Pirates faded badly last year, they were in first place in late July and if they're in it this year, there's the possibility of Gerrit Cole and/or Jameson Taillon coming up to give them a boost. For the Cubs, it would take a lot of injuries to teams above them and for Samardzija and Volstad to join Demspster and Garza in the 200 IP ranged and 110 ERA+ range or higher. Then hope Jackson and Rizzo can provide an offensive boost mid-season. Color me skeptical.

NL West

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

Dbacks and Giants are a coin flip for me, but I didn't really believe much in the DBacks last year and think they fall back a little this year. The rest of the division is nothing to get excited about or worried about.

NL East

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

Phillies might struggle for runs to start the season, but they can afford to with their big 3. Don't see a big difference between them and Giants while they battle through the injuries and then the Phillies know reinforcements are coming. Marlins and Braves are certainly in the picture and Nats could be with a good amount of luck and how much Bryce Harper fever will end up energizing them.

Wild Cards: Brewers & Marlins

AL Central

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

Tigers seem too easy a pick for a team that's going to be terrible defensively. Verlander has also pitched a lot of innings over the last few seasons. Royals still lack pitching for me to get too excited.

AL West

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

This feels like it's gonna be a fun division down the stretch with the new rules and the likelihood that an AL East team takes one of the wild cards. I'm sure my homerism is showing on this one, but the Angels look very tough this season.

AL East

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

Red Sox didn't really do much to improve their starting pitching that was their downfall last year. The Pineda injury is a little worrisome for the Yanks, but they seemed stacked enough this year to withstand.

Wild Cards: Rays & Rangers

Tier Rankings

Elite: Phillies, Angels, Rangers, Yankees

Contenders: Reds, Brewers, Cardinals, Giants, DBacks, Braves, Marlins, Nationals, , Tigers, Indians, Red Sox, Rays

If Luck Would Have It: Pirates, Cubs, Rockies, Padres, Dodgers, Royals, White Sox, Twins, Blue Jays

Wait Until Next Year: Astros, Mets, Mariners, A's, Orioles,

Surprise Team: If you're not counting the Indians, I'd say the Twins with Mauer & Morneau can become interesting really quick.

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Predictions
Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 1:19am
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Comments

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 7:46am

Where's the Dusty hate?

Submitted by garsky
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 10:05am

Don't know if this has been posted yet, but Darryl and Ron reprise the Alec Baldwin/John Krasinski New Era spots for Chicago. Hilarious:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 10:45am

"the last time your leadoff man got to 2nd base was his high school prom"

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 10:54am

Awesome!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 10:30am

Cubs lineup: DeJesus RF, Barney 2B, Castro SS, Sori LF, Stewart 3B, Baker 1B, Byrd CF, Soto C, Dempster P

Pretty awesome that we have such a great backup 1b.

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 11:14am

Not defending Baker at all, but how many teams have 1B backups that qualify as great by your definition?

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 1:48pm

I don't think teams have backup 1Bs, actually, since it's not a position that requires special defensive skills (although they come in handy at times).

This is why a guy like LaHair can be a 29-year-old rookie (or near-rook) and why it's important whether a guy like Vitters really projects as a 3B and doesn't have to get in line for scarce 1B jobs. It's also why I think it's smart for Wilken not to waste draft picks on 1Bs as a rule.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 10:34am

LaHair out, baker starting at 1b. Doesn't look like DL though, says he should he should be back in lineup by Sunday

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 10:50am

Aw, hell... this will look foolish come September, but here goes:

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

I think the cards, pirates, and cubs are all being understated by pretty much everybody. I also think the reds are in for a huge wake up this year. Also, the Astros are possibly the worst pile of shit I've ever seen.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 10:51am

3rd place Cubs is considered 'optimistic'... sigh.

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 11:02am

"Do they still play the blues in Chicago, when baseball season rolls around." - Steve Goodman

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 1:36pm

Rob, check your NL wild card prediction. You have the Marlins finishing 3rd in the NL East behind the Phillies and Braves but have them and the Brewers as the wild card teams. Marlins couldn't be a wild card team if they finish 3rd behind a team that does not get the other wild card slot. Did you mean to have the Braves be the other wild card team instead of the Brewers?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 4:32pm

thanks, meant to switch division spots for those 2.

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