For as long as I can remember, I have always been excited for MLB opening day. In fact, it is my second favorite opening day next to the Opening week of College Football. I always hoped that Opening day for baseball to be on Easter Monday, like it has been in past years. This year it's a bit different. For the first time since 1976 the MLB season will start on a Thursday.
In some ways it will be interesting to see the MLB start on a different day this year. The past few years I have had to make a choice of what to watch. It was either the National Championship of College Basketball or the Mariners first game. Which ever event you chose your going to be missing one really good sporting event.
This preview will get you set the long marathon of the MLB season. Lets get started shall we?
AL West
Angles 93-69
Rangers 89-73
Athletics 87-75
Mariners 72-90
The AL West should be a very competitive division this year. The defending ALCS winners the Texas Rangers will be looking to defend their title. The Angles will always be the Angles with their Thunder Sticks and Rally Monkey. The Athletics are young and talented but might be a year away. The Mariners are well, the Mariners. They added DH Jack Cust to their lineup but this team just doesn't have what it takes to win consistently for the whole six months.
AL Central
Twins 92-70
White Sox 88-74
Tigers 85-77
Indians 78-84
Royals 71-91
The Twins will enter their second year in new Target Field as the favorite to win the AL Central for the third time in as many years. It would be a big help for the Twins if Justin Morneau can stay off the injured list. Ozzie Guillen's club will again have a competitive team but sometimes competitive is not enough. The Indians will endure some growing pains under new manager Manny Acta and the Royals will improve but they won't be close to the division title and finish last.
AL East
Red Sox 97-65
Yankees 94-68
Blue Jays 83-79
Rays 75-87
Orioles 67-95
The Red Sox this off season went out and signed Bobby Jenks and Carl Crawford. The Red Sox bullpen should be deadly this year with Paplebon and Jenks. Look for them to have a great team this year. The Yankees should be fighting tooth and nail with their rival. If not they will make a deal at the July 31st trade deadline and get hot at the end. Can Jose Bautistia repeat his magical season with 54 home runs last year? The Rays I think will take a big step back this year with them losing Carl Crawford. They have the pitching but do the have the offense still? Last and certainly least is the Orioles. I just don't see them competing anytime soon.
That would make the Wildcard Standings look like this:
Yankees 94-68
Rangers 89-73
White Sox 88-74
Athletics 87-75
Tigers 85-77
Now to the National League
NL West
Dodgers 88-74
Giants 86-76
Rockies 81-81
Diamondbacks 73-89
Padres 68-94
The NL West will shape out like this. The Dodgers will be surprise winners of the NL West. The Giants will have a World Series hangover and miss the division by two games. The Rockies will be streaky this year but for the second year in a row there will be no "Rocktober." Diamondbacks will improve but still miss the playoffs. Finally, the Padres. Picked by most last year to not do very well, they surprised a lot of us by almost forcing a one game playoff with the Giants last year. I expect the Padres to be the underachieving kings this year and finishing last in the AL West.
NL Central
Cardinals 93-69
Reds 89-73
Cubs 83-79
Astros 78-84
Pirates 69-93
What comes to mind when you think of the NL Central? I think of the Chicago Cubs and their 101 year World Series drought. Will this be the year for the Cubbies? No. I think it will be Abert Pujols and the Cardinals. The Reds will be right their but it won't happen this year. I don't think you can expect Joey Votto to have that great a year again. The Astros will be good home team this year. The problem will be they won't be good on the road. The Pirates will be the bad team in a good ballpark like always.
NL East
Phillies 97-65
Braves 89-73
Mets 82-80
Marlins 77-85
Nationals 74-88
The NL East might have the best starting rotations in recent history. That rotation will be in the city of brotherly love Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The Phillies will be the overwhelming favorite to win not only the division but maybe the World Series. Can the Phillies face the adversity they will have to overcome when they heard that Chase Utley will be on the DL. The Braves are the closest team that will challenge the Phillies. The Mets will be very average with some injuries and some off field issues. The Marlins will be decent, but a August-September meltdown will have them finishing fourth. The Nationals fans will have some good news and bad news. The Bad news is that they will suck again. The good news is they will see Stephen Strasburg every five days when he is healthy.
That would make the Wildcard Standings look like this:
Braves 89-73
Reds 89-73
Giants 86-76
Cubs 83-79
es will win a one game playoff against the Reds for the NL Wildcard at Tunner Field.
ALDS
Red Sox over Twins 3-1
Yankees over Angles 3-2
NLDS
Phillies over Dodgers 3-2
Cardinals over Braves 3-0
ALCS
Red Sox over Yankees 4-3
NLCS
Phillies over Cardinals 4-2
World Series
Red Sox over Phillies 4-2
World Series MVP: David Ortiz
All Star Game: 8-3 AL
Cy Young NL: Cliff Lee Cy Young AL: CC Sabathia
MVP: Albert Pujols
Canadian Pitcher of the Year: Erik Bedard
No Hitters this year: 5
Perfect Games: 2
Players to hit for the Cycle: 6
I hope you enjoyed my preview. Good luck to your team!
All Star Game: 8-3 AL
Cy Young NL: Cliff Lee Cy Young AL: CC Sabathia
MVP: Albert Pujols
Canadian Pitcher of the Year: Erik Bedard
No Hitters this year: 5
Perfect Games: 2
Players to hit for the Cycle: 6
I hope you enjoyed my preview. Good luck to your team!
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