I’ve seen a lot of 2010 season predictions around the blog world lately, so here are my thoughts on what’s to come in 2010:
Predicted AL Standings
| Division | Team | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| AL East | Red Sox | Division |
| Yankees | Wild-Card | |
| Rays | ||
| Orioles | ||
| Blue Jays | ||
| AL Central | Royals | Division |
| Tigers | ||
| White Sox | ||
| Indians | ||
| Twins | ||
| AL West | Mariners | Division |
| Rangers | ||
| A's | ||
| Angels |
AL Pennant: Yankees
Notes:
I think the Blue Jays have taken a step back, but the Orioles could be a very surprising team this year. The rise of the Orioles should lower the win totals of the Yankees, Rays and Red Sox to the low-mid 90′s. I like the Red Sox to win it because they have the best rotation in baseball, and a solid bullpen.
I think the difference of wins between the AL Central winner and AL Central fourth place team may be less than five games. I like the Royals to finally have the break out season that seems to have been put on hold for decades now. I think the loss of Nathan is too big of a hit for the Twins bullpen. However, the Twins love to prove me wrong every year.
My Mariners bias swayed me to pick the Mariners in the AL West. However, I would not be surprised if the Rangers or A’s win it. I would be surprised if the Angels won the AL West.
Predicted NL Standings
| Division | Team | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| NL East | Braves | Division Winner |
| Phillies | Wild-Card | |
| Mets | ||
| Marlins | ||
| Nationals | ||
| NL Central | Reds | Division Winner |
| Cardinals | ||
| Cubs | ||
| Brewers | ||
| Pirates | ||
| Astros | ||
| NL West | Padres | Division Winner |
| Dodgers | ||
| Giants | ||
| Rockies | ||
| Diamondbacks |
NL Pennant: Braves
Notes:
The Braves are my team of destiny pick in 2010, so I like them to make the playoffs whether it’s through the division title or limping in via Wild Card. I think the Phillies dominance of the AL East may be coming to a close. They have a small chance of winning it again this year, but it won’t be easy if they do. Halladay and Utley are getting old, heavy-weighted power hitters tend to decline early (Ry How), Werth will likely depart after the season, and Ibanez is really old. This will be the Phillies last hooray.
I think the Cardinals miss the playoffs in 2010. I think Pujols and Carpenter both spend 30+ days on the DL, and Ryan Franklin will be shaky in the 9th inning as he regresses from his phenomenal 2009 season. The Brewers lineup lacks depth and their rotation is ugly. The Pirates are making progress but their pitching staff is still years away from being a playoff rotation.
The Padres are my sleeper pick to make the playoffs, so I like them to win the NL West. I like the Dodgers and Giants chances as well, I think it’ll be a race that’s decided in the last week of the season. I’m not sold on the Rockies like most analysts are. I think their bullpen is a mess right now, and their rotation is not strong enough to make up for a weak bullpen.
World Series: Braves over Yankees
World Series MVP: Brian McCann
Awards
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera. Miggy had 34 HR and 103 RBI last season while hitting .324, what more can you ask from your MVP? I’m gonna say adding 5 Home Runs and 30 RBI’s will do the trick. 39 HR 133 RBI with a .315 AVG.
NL MVP: David Wright. Wright’s home run dip was largely due to him trying to accommodate for a tough new park. However, he realized that he was foolish to try to change his swing just because of his home park. Expect his home runs to rise back up to 30 while hitting .315+ and adding in 115+ RBI.
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez. King Felix finally flexed his muscles last year, and this year I think he continues his reign as King. This year he should get the hardware that goes with it.
NL Cy Young: Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo’s development got sidelined in 2008 when he missed the season due to knee surgery. Now that he’s healthy, and has another year of experience under his belt, he should step it up another notch. He will be an elite pitcher in 2010.
AL Rookie of the Year: Brian Matusz. Matusz is the talk of a lot of Spring Training water coolers. This youngsters poise on the mound is very impressive, and he has the stuff to go with it.
Honorable: Desmond Jennings, Justin Smoak, Carlos Santana, Hector Rondon, Jeremy Hellickson
NL Rookie of the Year: Alcides Escobar. The power won’t be there but the voting panel should love his stand out defense, and 30+ stolen bases.
Honorable: Pedro Alvarez, Mat Latos, Jason Heyward, Stephen Strasburg, Fernando Martinez
No related posts.
Royals will win their division?? Either you are joking, or you ARE a joke. Either way…taking this site off of my bookmarks right now. No for me to have to look at your picks when my 7-year old niece could do better. Royals?? Wow.
Like I said in the notes below the standings, I think the Central will be incredibly tight 1 through 4. Do I think the Royal have the best chance? No, but that’s what preseason predictions are for. If you had a gun to my head, I’d pick the Tigers to win the AL Central, but I also think the Royals are ready to breakout from their losing ways.
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