2012 MLB Predictions: Underrated Teams That Will Emerge as Playoff Contenders

Major League Baseball is so close to being back that you can taste it. If you are a fan of the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's, it began on February 12. The rest of the teams will report on February 19, and it is time to start looking at potential surprises. 

Specifically, we want to put some potential surprise teams under the microscope to tell you why they will be in the playoff race throughout the season. This is not to say that they will make the postseason, but it will make for a more interesting summer. 

Here are the teams who will make a lot of noise when the 2012 MLB season begins. 

Miami Marlins (72-90 in 2011)

The Marlins started the offseason looking like the big "winner," even though they overpaid for two of their big three free agents.

They have taken a backseat in the National League East to the Washington Nationals. All that goodwill they earned by actually spending money went away in a flash, but they are still going to put a good team on the field in 2012. 

Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison form a very good offensive nucleus. They will be able to score plenty of runs to compete against the quality pitching they will face in the division. 

The pitching is going to determine how far this team goes, with Josh Johnson being the greatest wild card in the National League. If he can make 30-32 starts, they will be in the race all year. As long as he stays healthy, they will be fine in their new ballpark. 

Seattle Mariners (67-95)

The biggest problem with the Mariners right now—aside from their offense still having a number of holes—is the division they play in. Texas and Los Angeles are clearly the two best teams in the American League West, with Seattle and Oakland fighting for scraps. 

However, there is reason for optimism in the Emerald City. We all know the problems they have had scoring runs the last two years, but they have taken bold steps to improve the lineup. If Justin Smoak can stay healthy, he still has a lot of potential.

Putting Smoak alongside Dustin Ackley, Ichiro and newly-acquired Jesus Montero should provide a much-needed boost to the anemic offense. 

The rotation can get by with Felix Hernandez and Hector Noesi, who can be a good mid-rotation starter, but they need to find one or two more starters to hang with the big boys of the division. 

Milwaukee Brewers (96-66)

The 2011 National League Central Champions are not getting a lot of love thanks to losing Prince Fielder and the uncertainty surrounding Ryan Braun, but they are not out of the race by a long shot.

The starting rotation, led by Zack Greinke, Yovani Gallardo and Shaun Marcum, is still very good. The bullpen should be strong again. 

Even the offense is nothing to sneeze about. It will not be as strong as it was in 2011, obviously, but Rickie Weeks is a terrific hitter, Aramis Ramirez still has some pop left in his bat and eventually Braun will be back. 

The Cardinals are the class of the division, with the Reds not far behind. But the Brewers can compete with them over the course of 162 games. 

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