MLB Predictions 2012: 5 Aces Who Will Dominate Their Divisions

The 2012 MLB season is still in its infancy, but it's not hard to tell which pitchers will dominate. The usual suspects are all here to rule their divisions yet again, and that's a great thing for the fans.

As the MLB transitions to more of a focus on pitchers rather than hitters, these are the guys who exemplify that transition. Their utter dominance of everyone they face, including those unfortunate enough to play in their division, has contributed to the ascension of the position.

These pitchers not only eat a ridiculous amount of innings, but they do so with flair. The strikeout counts are high, the ERAs are low and the opposition has already lost the mental battle before stepping to the plate.

Here are five pitchers who are sure to dominate their division with ease in 2012:

Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

The NL East is in for a familiar sight this season when the teams inhabiting the division have to square off with the Philadelphia Phillies. Roy Halladay will be there to greet them and, as always, decimate them with ease.

This isn't breaking news. Halladay went 19-6 last season with a 2.35 ERA while striking out 220 batters. His dominance has already carried over to the 2012 season when he went eight innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates and only surrendered two hits while striking out five.

Halladay dominating the opposition is expected. The NL East is in for a very, very long year. The only thing that can save them from Halladay is him not showing up.

Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander played out of his mind last year. The 2012 American League Cy Young winner will look to continue to terrorize the AL Central by silencing the bats of anyone who happens to step to the plate.

Last season Verlander went a jaw-dropping 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA while striking out 250 batters. He was great in every game he played, and the fact that he pitched 251 innings in total just makes his season all the more unbelievable.

Verlander's reign won't end anytime soon. He's got some stiff competition in the AL Central, but that didn't stop him last year. It's going to be a pessimistic season for the division, all thanks to Mr. Verlander.

Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds

Johnny Cueto has been quietly dominating the NL Central for some time now. He doesn't record the flashy stats, but he's a meticulous pitcher who picks apart his opponents before getting them to make horrible decisions at the plate.

Last season Cueto had a 2.31 ERA with a 9-5 record and struck out 104 batters. He doesn't eat as many innings as other on this list (only 156 in 2011), but that's more a product of how the Reds are managed than Cueto's ability.

This season things haven't changed. The Reds ace took on the Miami Marlins, which saw Cueto get the victory in a three-hit shutout. Cueto will quietly continue to dominate his division, and that's just fine with his victims.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw took home the 2011 National League Cy Young award last season, and rightfully so. Kershaw decimated anyone the NL West attempted to throw at him, and there's a good change that will happen again in 2012.

Kershaw was ridiculous last season, going 21-5 with a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts. He pitched 233 innings, showcasing not only his elite skill but his impressive durability as well.

The NL West isn't exactly brimming with offensive talent, so the way Kershaw has been playing has to be giving the division nightmares. One thing's for sure: Kershaw isn't slowing down any time soon—the NL West needs a miracle when faced with the task of defeating him.

CC Sabathia, New York Yankees

CC Sabathia has been doing this for years with ease. The AL East knows exactly what is going to happen when his name is called. Sabathia doesn't pull any punches, and he eats a massive amount of innings while embarrassing his opposition.

2011 saw Sabathia go 19-8 with an impressive 3.0 ERA while striking out 230 batters. He pitched 237 innings, and could have gone for more had he been allowed. This combination of brutality and skill makes him one of the most feared pitchers in baseball.

Sabathia has always been good for a ludicrous amount of wins and innings, and that shouldn't change in 2012. The AL East knows what's coming, but it's hard to stop it.

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