2012 MLB Season: Which Teams Will Do Better, Which Teams Will Do Worse

The 2012 MLB season is finally here and all teams start the season even at 0-0. At the start of the season, fans are optimistic no matter how poor their teams' chances look.

All teams are looking to improve their seasons from a year ago. Sometimes teams take chances and make a big trade or signing. Sometimes teams are conservative and don't make the moves. The choice to be active or conservative will be proven wrong or right as the season unfolds.

Here is a look at which teams will improve from their 2011 seasons, and which teams will do worse.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Worse

2011 record: 94-68

The Arizona Diamondbacks came out of nowhere last season to take the NL West. They have added some quality players in Jason Kubel and Trevor Cahill, without losing any major pieces.

Justin Upton will lead the Diamondbacks offense with a huge season. However, the division is going to be more competitive in 2012, which will cause their record to get a little worse.

2012 record: 91-71

Atlanta Braves: Worse

2011 Record: 89-73

The Atlanta Braves had one of the worst collapses in 2011. They did not add any key players this offseason. The biggest issue that will cause the Braves to do worse in 2012 is health.

The Braves' starting pitching is solid, but their offense may struggle. The success of Jason Heyward will correlate with the success of the Braves' offense.

2012 Record: 81-81

Baltimore Orioles: Better

2011 Record: 69-93

The Baltimore Orioles are cursed with two things—poor pitching and being in the AL East. Despite having some solid young players, the Orioles have been unable to compete with the powerhouses in their division.

The Orioles have some talented players like Matt Wieters, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis. Expect their offense to have some success and allow the Orioles to improve from 2011.

2012 Record: 73-89

Boston Red Sox: Better

2011 Record: 90-72

Last year, the Boston Red Sox had one of the ugliest collapses ever. Their high expectations were not met, and they are a difficult team to project in 2012.

The Red Sox have as good an offense as any team. Their success will rely heavily on their starting pitching and bullpen. They have a few question marks in the rotation that will hold up enough to get them into the playoffs.

2012 Record: 92-70

Chicago Cubs: Same

2011 Record: 71-91

The biggest addition the Chicago Cubs made this offseason was Theo Epstein. They failed to make a splash on a big free agent.

The Cubs are going to go through a rebuilding phase and shouldn't be much worse or better in 2012.

2012 Record: 71-91

Chicago White Sox: Worse

2011 Record: 79-83

The Chicago White Sox are going to be rebuilding. As much as Chicago fans don't want to admit it, they are going to struggle this season. They have too many question marks and guys that must have breakout or bounce-back years to compete with the Tigers for the division.

2012 Record: 70-92

Cincinnati Reds: Better

2011 Record: 79-83

After winning their division in 2010, the Reds had a rough 2011 season. They brought in Mat Latos to help bolster their rotation.

Joey Votto is now the best first baseman in the division, with Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols going to the American League.

2012 Record: 86-76

Cleveland Indians: Better

2011 Record: 80-82

The Cleveland Indians got off to a quick start in 2011 and led the AL Central until the middle of the summer. The struggled at the end of the season, winning only 29 games after July 20.

The emergence of Asdrubal Cabrera should continue in 2012.

They have a solid young catcher in Carlos Santana.

Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez is not a bad one-two punch in the starting rotation.

Having Shin-Soo Choo healthy all year will help the Indians improve.

2012 Record: 84-78

Colorado Rockies: Better

2011 Record: 73-89

The Rockies were disappointing in 2011. They went out and added Michael Cuddyer, who will fit nicely with Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez in the lineup.

Their starting pitching is their issue. They traded Ubaldo Jimenez and now are in need of a true ace.

2012 Record: 77-85

Detroit Tigers: Better

2011 Record: 95-67

The Detroit Tigers suffered a devastating blow when they found out Victor Martinez will be out the entire season. They filled his hole with Prince Fielder. 

The Tigers will again have Justin Verlander carrying the rotation and Miguel Cabrera carrying the lineup. They will improve because Fielder will be a little more productive than Martinez was.

2012 Record: 97-65

Houston Astros: Worse

2011 Record: 56-106

The Houston Astros are going through a difficult time in their franchise history. They are the worst team in baseball and their record in 2012 will show that.

The Astros will move to the American League in 2013 and are content with developing young talent at the major league level. They will struggle and act as a record booster for the National League.

2012 Record: 53-109

Kansas City Royals: Better

2011 Record: 71-91

The Kansas City Royals are taking steps in the right direction. They have a lot of quality young talent, including Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler.

Their starting rotation has some question marks and the loss of Joakim Soria is significant. They are not good enough yet to compete with the Tigers in the AL Central.

2012 Record: 77-85

Los Angeles Angels: Better

2011 Record: 86-76

The Angels had a big offseason and brought in Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson. They are set to try and get back on top of the AL West division.

The Angels will go back and forth with the Rangers for first place in the division all season. The division will come down to a series win for the Rangers in September. This will leave the Angels one game behind the Rangers for the division title.

2012 Record: 91-71

Los Angeles Dodgers: Better

2011 Record: 82-79

Magic Johnson's Dodgers have solid young players. Clayton Kershaw won the 2011 National League Cy Young Award and is only 24 years old. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier will consistently produce for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have a balanced team and will compete in the NL West. Eighty or more wins is a guarantee.

2012 Record: 85-77

Miami Marlins: Better

2011 Record: 72-90

The Miami Marlins had a loud offseason which included signing Jose Reyes, Heath Bell and Mark Buehrle. There are high expectations surrounding this team.

The Marlins will improve but not enough to get them into the playoffs. The NL East is a strong division and the health of Josh Johnson is a serious concern.

2012 Record: 83-79

Milwaukee Brewers: Worse

2011 Record: 96-66

The Milwaukee Brewers caught a break when Ryan Braun's suspension was overturned. They couldn't catch a second break with Prince Fielder.

The loss of Fielder will be significant for the Brewers. They were able to add Aramis Ramirez, which will help with that loss.

2012 Record: 85-77

Minnesota Twins: Better

2011 Record: 63-99

The Minnesota Twins' season is going to rely on Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. They need Mauer to bounce back to his MVP form. They also need Morneau's concussion problems to be a thing of the past.

Their starting rotation is good enough to help the Twins win a bunch of games. Unfortunately, the chances of Morneau and Mauer both having bounce-back years is not likely.

2012 Record: 75-87

New York Mets: Worse

2011 Record: 77-85

The New York Mets need everything to go "Wright" for them in 2012, in order for them to compete in the difficult 2012 NL East. If Johan Santana, David Wright, Mike Pelfrey, Ike Davis and Jason Bay have career years, the Mets will be all right.

Unfortunately, the Mets are the Mets, and things have not been going in their favor lately. They will be out of contention by midseason.

2012 Record: 67-95

New York Yankees: Better

2011 Record: 97-65

The Yankees are arguably the most balanced team in baseball. They have their usual high-powered offense with speed. A deep starting rotation that is mixed with veterans and young studs. And the best bullpen in baseball.

The Evil Empire will have the best record in baseball in 2012.

2012 Record: 99-63

Oakland Athletics: Worse

2011 Record: 74-88

The Oakland Athletics will suffer from an AL West division that has improved. They will struggle to score runs and their pitching isn't good enough to support their struggles.

The Athletics made a surprise signing when they acquired Yoenis Cespedes this offseason. Oakland fans have that to look forward to.

2012 Record: 69-93

Philadelphia Phillies: Worse

2011 Record: 102-60

Any team with the Philadelphia Phillies' starting rotation will compete in baseball. The addition of Jonathan Papelbon should help shore up their bullpen. 

The issue for the Phillies in 2012 will be their offense. They will start the season without Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in their lineup. If you combine their offensive issues with their improving division, the result will be less wins than in 2011. The Phillies will still win the NL East.

2012 Record: 94-68

Pittsburgh Pirates: Better

2011 Record: 72-90

The Pirates made improvements in 2011 and were not one of the worst teams in baseball. They have some solid young players but not enough to compete for an NL Central title.

Things are looking better in Pittsburgh. 

2012 Record: 75-87

San Diego Padres: Worse

2011 Record: 71-91

Taking the Padres ballpark into consideration, they may score the least amount of runs in baseball. They are lacking a true star player that can consistently give them production offensively.

The Padres have some solid young pitching but not enough to carry them past 75 wins. I hope Padres fans like low-scoring games.

2012 Record: 67-95

San Francisco Giants: Better

2011 Record: 86-76

The San Francisco Giants were cruising to an NL West title and into the playoffs in 2011. Then the Diamondbacks came out of nowhere and blew past them.

The Giants have one of the best starting rotations in baseball, but their issue is their offense. Their offense struggled in 2011, and the additions of Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan may not be enough to make a significant change. It will be interesting to see how Buster Posey recovers from his season-ending injury in 2011.

2012 Record: 87-75

Seattle Mariners: Better

2011 Record: 67-95

The Seattle Mariners will be riding Felix Hernandez, but that is not enough to help them improve much from 2011. They have two bright young players in Dustin Ackley and Jesus Montero. However, it will be a few years before they are star players in the league.

It will be another long season for Seattle fans.

2012 Record: 72-88

St. Louis Cardinals: Worse

2011 Record: 90-72

The most important thing about the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 is the departure of Albert Pujols. Pujols has been the most important player on the Cardinals for a long time.

The Cardinals still have a solid team and brought in Carlos Beltran to ease the pain of losing Pujols. The 2011 World Series Champions will have to battle for a playoff spot in the National League.

2012 Record: 84-78

Tampa Bay Rays: Worse

2011 Record: 91-71

The Tampa Bay Rays can no longer be considered a fluke. They have made the playoffs three times in the last four seasons. They won the AL East in 2008 and 2010.

The Rays have one of the best starting rotations going into the 2012 season. Their offense is mediocre, but their pitching should be enough to carry the Rays to at least 85 wins.

They benefited from a Red Sox collapse in 2011, but that will not happen in 2012 and the Rays will just miss out on the playoffs.

2012 Record: 87-75

Texas Rangers: Worse

2011 Record: 96-66

The Texas Rangers have been in the World Series for two straight seasons. They lost their No. 1 starter, C.J Wilson, to the Angels. However, they acquired Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.

The Rangers still have a strong offense and are one of the most complete teams in baseball. They will beat out the Angels for the division. With the Angels' improvement, the Rangers record will get slightly worse.

2012 Record: 92-70

Toronto Blue Jays: Better

2011 Record: 81-81

What is unfortunate for the Toronto Blue Jays is that they are stuck in the AL East. They are stuck competing with the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays.

Jose Bautista is one of the most exciting players in baseball and Brett Lawrie will have a breakout season in 2012. The Blue Jays just don't have enough to improve much from 2011.

2012 Record: 82-80

Washington Nationals: Better

2011 Record: 80-81

The Washington Nationals seem to improve each year. 2012 could be the year that they seriously contend for a playoff spot.

The Nationals added Edwin Jackson and Gio Gonzalez and did not lose any key players. They are stuck in one of the harder divisions in baseball. Key players on the Nationals to watch this season are Stephen Strasburg, Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper.

2012 Record: 84-78

How the Playoffs Will Look from These Projections

• AL East: New York Yankees
• AL Central: Detroit Tigers
• AL West: Texas Rangers
• Wild card: Boston Red Sox
• Wild card: Los Angeles Angels

• NL East: Philadelphia Phillies
• NL Central: Cincinnati Reds
• NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks
• Wild card: San Francisco Giants 
• Wild card: Milwaukee Brewers/Los Angeles Dodgers