MVPs and Cys in both leagues, along with my projected October:
American League MVP
1) Alex Rodriguez, 3B - New York
2) David Ortiz, 1B/DH - Boston
3) Miguel Cabrera, 3B - Detroit
4) Magglio Ordoñez, OF - Detroit
5) Vladimir Guerrero, OF - Los Angeles
6) Manny Ramirez, OF - Boston
7) Ichiro Suzuki, OF - Seattle
8) Travis Hafner, 1B/DH - Cleveland
9) Justin Morneau, 1B - Minnesota
10) Grady Sizemore, OF - Cleveland
National League MVP
1) Albert Pujols, 1B - St. Louis
2) Prince Fielder, 1B - Milwaukee
3) Matt Holliday, OF - Colorado
4) Chase Utley, 2B - Philadelphia
5) Hanley Ramirez, SS - Florida
6) Chipper Jones, 3B - Atlanta
7) Ryan Braun, OF - Milwaukee
8) Ryan Howard, 1B - Philadelphia
9) Carlos Beltran, OF - New York
10) Alfonso Soriano, OF - Chicago
American League Cy Young
1) Josh Beckett, SP - Boston
2) C.C. Sabathia, SP - Cleveland
3) Justin Verlander, SP - Detroit
4) Erik Bedard, SP - Seattle
5) Jonathan Papelbon, CP - Boston
6) Roy Halladay, SP - Toronto
7) John Lackey, SP - Los Angeles
8) Fausto Carmona, SP - Cleveland
9) Francisco Rodriguez, CP - Los Angeles
10) Felix Hernandez, SP - Seattle
National League Cy Young
1) Jake Peavy, SP - San Diego
2) Johan Santana, SP - New York
3) Brad Penny, SP - Los Angeles
4) Chris Young, SP - San Diego
5) Brandon Webb, SP - Arizona
6) Carlos Zambrano, SP - Chicago
7) Dan Haren, SP - Arizona
8) Cole Hamels, SP - Philadelphia
9) Trevor Hoffman, CP - San Diego
10) Roy Oswalt, SP - Houston
Playoff Predictions
ALDS
Detroit over New York in 5 - New manager, same result for the Yanks, as the league's winningest team downs the Bombers in five games.
Boston over Los Angeles in 4 - In a rematch of a 2007 series, the Red Sox prove to be dominant over the A.L. West winners once again.
NLDS
San Diego over Philadelphia in 4 - Good pitching beats good offense in a short series as the Padres advance to NLCS behind Peavy and Young.
Milwaukee over Los Angeles in 5 - The Brewer bat overcome L.A.'s deep pitching, setting the stage for an intriguing NLCS.
ALCS/NLCS
Detroit over Boston in 6 - The Tigers repeat their feat of 2006 and win the American League pennant en route to the World Series.
San Diego over Milwaukee in 5 - The Padres pitch their way to the Fall Classic as the lack of playoff experience comes back to bite the Brewers.
World Series
Detroit over San Diego in 5 - The Padres' run ends against a superior A.L. foe as the Tigers capture a World Champonship and Miguel Cabrera takes home the World Series MVP.
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6 months ago
I'd think twice about you lack of pitching in the mvp race... Although the idea of a Cy Young award is to reward the best pitchers, one pitcher should always be among the pack for mvp. One can't take for granted the impact a pitcher can have on his team. For example, without Beckett, the Red Sox probably wouldn't have even made it out of the first round of the playoffs.
Another thing I disagree with is your pick for NL Cy Young. I think you have to give the nod to Johan if he is healthy over Peavy. Although they are both great pitchers, if Johan is healthy he is cleary more dominate. He has dominated the American League for how long now?? I just think a man who has proven he can shut down the more powerful American League line-ups, can make an even more lasting mark on the American League. Without the DH, he should be able to cruise threw some of the weaker National league line-ups and really pad his ERA.
P.S. - Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox deserves a spot on your Cy Young list. He is one of the most consistant starts in the American League, and I can almost guarantee you that he will win at least 15 games this year.
6 months ago
I'd think twice about you lack of pitching in the mvp race... Although the idea of a Cy Young award is to reward the best pitchers, one pitcher should always be among the pack for mvp. One can't take for granted the impact a pitcher can have on his team. For example, without Beckett, the Red Sox probably wouldn't have even made it out of the first round of the playoffs.
Another thing I disagree with is your pick for NL Cy Young. I think you have to give the nod to Johan if he is healthy over Peavy. Although they are both great pitchers, if Johan is healthy he is cleary more dominate. He has dominated the American League for how long now?? I just think a man who has proven he can shut down the more powerful American League line-ups, can make an even more lasting mark on the American League. Without the DH, he should be able to cruise threw some of the weaker National league line-ups and really pad his ERA.
P.S. - Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox deserves a spot on your Cy Young list. He is one of the most consistant starts in the American League, and I can almost guarantee you that he will win at least 15 games this year.
6 months ago
Brewers won't be making the playoffs. Their starting pitching is suspect at best and if Sheets is hurt for a significant period of time (like he is most years) they should be around a .500 team like they were last year.
Also, Pujols the top contender for MVP is just ridiculous. First of all he will sit out a ton of games and probably opt for surgery because of his elbow at some point. The Cardinals will not be very good this season and won't make the playoffs so he will have no reason to stick around. Even if he is healthy the national league won't pitch to him b/c there is no one else in the cardinals lineup that can hurt you.
6 months ago
I gotta say you missed a few key players....
AL Cy Young : Chien Ming Wang ...he has won 38 the past two seasons and is only getting better. He's not even your list!! lol
NL MVP: Wheres the love for Jimmy Rollins, he did win it last season. He at least deserves a mention this year.
With that being said, pretty good predictions but I'm hoping for a better result for the Bronx Bombers
6 months ago
The Tigers team is way to thin to take them anywhere this Post-Season. Cleveland and LA have a much better chance than anyone to make strides this post-season.
6 months ago
The Tigers team is way to thin to take them anywhere this Post-Season. Cleveland and LA have a much better chance than anyone to make strides this post-season.
6 months ago
Frank # 1 - Pitchers have their own award, I was just trying to list the top ten hitters that had the best chance at the award, I understand your argument though. Johan might need some time to adapt to his new surroundings in New York, besides, Peavy is still getting better, while Johan seems to have already reached his peak. Buehrle might get traded during the season, taking him out the running for the award.
Derek - The same Brewer team with the same suspect starting pitching hung around until the season's last weekend, and if 85-89 wins is all it takes to make the playoffs, it can be done. I don't see it being ridiculous to predict the best hitter in the league as the MVP. He says he still can play through the injury, if the Cardinals get something going, he'll be just fine.
Frank # 2 - As a fellow Yankee fan, I hope I'm wrong about the 1st round exit, but I'm trying to be realistic, and they're just not as good as some other teams this year. Wang could contend for the Cy Young but a lot of his wins are a product of the system, and one of my MVP spots was between Rollins and Beltran, I gave it Carlos b/c I already had two Phillies on the list, and I didn't want to hear the Mets fan whine.
Greg - The Tigers (if not the Red Sox) are most everyone's preseason pick to win it all this year, so I'm not sure if you're accurate about Detroit's thinness. The Indians aren't nearly as good as in 2007, and the Angles have had far too much playoff disappointment as of late to bring it home this year.
from 6 months ago
"The Indians aren't nearly as good as in 2007"??????
Who did they lose that made them worse off??? If anything, they added more bullpen help and should have an improved offense. Having players like Franklin Gutierrez, Asdrubal Cabrera, Ryan Garko, Jensen Lewis and Rafael Perez playing the whole season will be big. Plus Hafner will bounce back to put up better power totals.
The Tigers traded their entire farm system for three players in hopes that they win this year. The problem is, their pitching is thin. Who can they turn to during the 162 game regular season if players get hurt or struggle? Their best pitching prospect will be in upper A-ball, Rick Porcello.
As far as the bullpen goes, w/o Rodney and Zumaya, do you trust Todd Jones to carry the load? He has allowed 21 runners in 9 innings this spring. He is worse than Borowski.
The Indians standing pat this offseason may have been the smartest thing to do. They have a solid pool of talent that can help and continue the growth of the team for the forseeable future with leverage to make deals for veterans if needed.
Just read the Tigers were interested in Huston Street, but sources said the talks broke quickly as Tigers haven't enough prospects to make a deal.
6 months ago
As a Yankee fan I think that the Yankees will start as an underdog this season because they are in the same division as the defending champs. The yankees have tremendous depth offensively, however this preseason looking at the AL i don't think that the Yankees will win the Championship, but they can beat out the Red Sox because the line-up is better that Boston, and the starting pitching is slightly better. Yankees have a good chance of taking the division but when they meet the tigers it will be a great series whether in the play-offs or in the rgeular season. I would be happy(not really) to see the Yankees lose a close 7 game series to the Tigers after a strong ALDS sweep. The Yankees are good enough to win the World Series this season but chances are they will not.
6 months ago
The NL Cy Young race should include Aaron Harang. He has one of the most durable arms in baseball and gets wins, even on a team that has been mediocre at best. As the Reds should be improved this year, you can expect his numbers to improve. And that's after finishing 4th in the Cy Young voting last season. The Cy Young list is incomplete without Aaron Harang.
6 months ago
Good article, but I question two things.
#1: Josh Beckett has been having some arm trouble, so a Cy Young is doubtful.
#2: The San Diego Padres in the playoffs? They have absolutely no offense, and have better competition in Arizona and the Dodgers.
6 months ago
Good article, but like others, I feel as though I'll share my opinion.
#1-I think the Yankees are going to win the World Series. There, I said it. Could I be wrong? Yes! However, with they're explosive offense and deeper pitching depth than last year, I think the Yanks could take anyone. Even the Red Sox and the Tigers. Sox players always get mad at me when I talk about how the Yankees potentially have better pitching, but they need to get over it. The Yankees should have 2 young pitchers in their starting 5 who have been touted as the best in the minor league. They also have the best setup man and the best closer anywhere in the entire world. I'm sorry if anyone thinks Rivera is loosing it, but the Yankees either won by a lot or lost by a lot last year, so he didn't get in nearly as many games as he usually does. Joba will dominate, again...whether coming out of the pen or starting.
6 months ago
Seriously the padres in the playoffs, your pushing it there bud. Then in thw World Series your crazy. As a Braves fan I admit the phillies will win the east but what about the mets or braves for the wild card. Sounds pritty good to me since thats the best division in the NL.
6 months ago
Michael - Homer (Why is it such a foreign idea that I'm picking the Tigers to win it all?).
William - I agree, Harang gets lost in the shuffle among N.L. pitchers. He's right on the cusp of elite, and I'm not quite sure he's on the level of the many other elite startes in the N.L. at this time. However, I was startled when I saw how good his numbers were last year.
Divya - Thanks, Beckett looks to be returning next week, so it doesn't look like he'll miss time (besides, they're back problems). The Padres did it in 2005 and 2006 without a bona fide #2 starter like Young, and when you have shutdown pitching as they do, you don't need a great lineup. Don't sell them short, they have a decent offense.
Steve - Thanks, you don't have to tell me about the Yankees. I'm a die hard fan. We don't have enough to win it all this year. Deficiencies in the rotation and bullpen are prevalent. We'll get to the playoffs, no further. If you want to know what I think about all the teams, read my league previews, not just this article.
Phil - You're not my bud. You're a 16 year old punk/Devils fan from America's wasteland. Anyone (except the Giants) from the N.L. West can get it done, and I happened to pick San Diego. Get your weight up kiddo.
from 6 months ago
I didn't say it was a "foreign idea", just that the Tigers have weaknesses that could cost them. Just as the Indians do.
I wasn't trying to be a homer, just stating facts. The Indians are in a better position than people give them credit for. Thats all.
6 months ago
There you go then.
6 months ago
The Tigers are giving away alot of young talent for "Now Names" that can come back to hurt a team, prime example NY Yankees, buying your talent can have it's ups and downs. It's more of a gamble than anything else.
Cleveland will win the AL Central, without a doubt. They bring everyone back (except Lofton and Nixon) and the bullpen is stronger now than last year.
ALCS Prediciton:
Boston vs. Cleveland
Cleveland redeems itself for the collapse it had last year and goes to the World Series and wins it all, stopping the curse of Rocky Calivito!
6 months ago
Greg - The Tigers are still way too good not to get it done this year, and it's absolutely ludicrous to declare that the Indians will undoubtedly win the Central, with the competition well-spread throughout the entire A.L. The Yankees don't buy their talent, they only have three high-priced free agents on the current roster, and have conformed to become a team who has improved through trades and the minor leagues. Come to think of it, it hasn't really hurt them one bit. Though they haven't won a title since 2000, that's more than your Tribe can say for themselves in the same time period. Not to mention your homer-like comments, the Tribe may make the playoffs, but in the estimation of most coming into this season, they're on the outside looking in when it comes to October.
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