Post-Spring MLB Predictions

Well this is my third and final installment of my 2009 MLB predictions.
 
In the first set of predictions I picked the Yankees and Mets to play a Subway Series with the Mets winning it all.
 
Could I have been more wrong? I don’t think so.
 
After much reflection, and a topsy-turvy spring I have changed my thoughts quite a bit.
 
And so finally…here’s my final word;
 
NL East Champs: Atlanta Braves– This pick is easy for me since I am obviously a Braves homer. I love this team. They’re young. They finally have good pitching. And the Mets and Phils both have Ace’s with arm trouble.
 
NL Wild Card: Philadelphia Phillies– Hamels arm troubles in the spring has to concern the Philly nation. The Phillies repeat hopes rest on that left arm. Sure that offense is a force to be reckoned with, but pitching is the name of the game.
 
NY Mets– Too much has been made of this revamped end of the game duo. While Putz and K-Rod are as good as it gets at the end, if you don’t have a lead at the end they’re not going to be utilized like most think they will be.

This starting rotation is Santana, Pelfrey, and three career-inconsistent No. 4 starters. The Mets had better get a ton of offense or this will be another playoff-less season.
 
Florida Marlins – The Mets should be more worried about the Marlins than the Phils’ or Braves. These Marlins are going to make a run at the Wild Card this year and may even relegate the Mets to fourth place in this division.

The Fish are young, and spunky; which is the same reason I like the Braves. The Marlins starting rotation is solid and easily the most underrated in the National League.
 
NL Central Champs: Chicago Cubs – No one is really good enough to compete with the Cubs for the division. St. Louis will give it a go, but in the end the Cubs are too talented in their rotation and the Cardinals are not.
 
St. Louis Cardinals– Speaking of the Cards’… Albert Pujols will probably win the MVP again, but other than him there’s really no impact bat. Ludwick will not put up the same numbers as last year, and Ankiel cannot be counted on day-in, day-out.

Throw in the loss of Troy Glaus until June at the earliest and it’s not looking good for the RedBirds. That said; if Carpenter is back to his old self they could compete for the Wild Card and might even give the Cubs a late scare, but I do not think that’s too likely.
 
Cincinnati Reds – Call me crazy, but I think the Reds are getting better by the day. I love their young hitters (I sense a recurring theme; youth).

I think the Reds will make great strides this year and if they can get some decent pitching they might make some Wild Card noise. A third place finish is a definite improvement.
 
Milwaukee Brewers – No pitching. It’s as simple as that. Love their hitters, but nothing to brag about in that rotation.
 
NL West Champs – L.A. Dodgers – It has to be these guys. Manny Ramirez sealed baseball’s weakest division when he signed a month ago. Plus this young rotation is going to be tough to beat. I like the Dodgers to really make some noise this year.
 
San Francisco Giants – Couldn’t they have at least thought about Gary Sheffield? All they need is one good run producer. This team has the pitching to go all the way. Too bad they have no lineup. A decent lineup and great pitching are enough. They don’t even have a decent lineup. Third place with 80 wins is doable.
 
Arizona Diamondbacks – The D-Backs are slightly better than the Giants when it comes to hitting, but dead-even in the starting pitching department. Their hitting/starting rotation is enough to make the Wild Card a reality, but they fall just short.
 
AL East Champs: Tampa Bay Rays – I just cannot pick against last year’s darlings. I love their; yep you guessed it; YOUTH. It’s time for a new dynasty in baseball and it might as well be the Rays. I think they beat out the aging Red Sox for the East.
 
AL Wild Card: Boston Red Sox – Even though they’re aging, this rotation is one of the best in the game. And, oh yeah, they can hit too. The Sox will battle like mad to win this division, but ultimately will settle for the Wild Card.
 
NY Yankees– Just so much to be disappointed about. You spend more money than God and still come up short. Jeter is getting old. Damon is horrible. Matsui is injured. Posada is no where near the catcher he used to be.

You have nothing but injury-plagued starters and underachievers after C.C. in that rotation. A-Rod is a head case. This is the year that it all implodes for the Yanks. Girardi is fired and half the team is traded in the offseason.
 
AL Central Champs: Detroit Tigers– Yes, I know this is a drastic change from my first set of predictions, but I like the Tigers to win it. This young staff is formidable, the lineup is awesome, the division is pretty much wide-open, and you never underestimate a mad Jim Leyland. The Tigers get to 85 wins and take the division.
 
Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, and K.C. Royalswill all finish within 5 games of each other and the second place team will only lose out by a game or two. The AL Central will replace the NL West as baseball’s most competitive division; or is that baseball’s worst division?
 
AL West Champs: L.A. Angels – Not even close. The Angels World Series opportunities appear to be coming to a close, but they can win the West with their eyes closed.
 
NL Playoffs
 
Braves vs. Cubs – It’s the Cubs…They always find the banana peel. Braves win in five.
 
Dodgers vs. Phillies – Dodgers continue their great play. Dodgers in three.
 
NLCS
 
Braves vs. Dodgers – What an NLCS this might turn out to be. I like the Dodgers to surprise A LOT of people this year! Dodgers in seven.
 
AL Playoffs
 
Rays vs. Tigers – Rays win it in five. Great first round matchup though.
 
Red Sox vs. Angels – Again!?! Red Sox win, yet again! Sweep…yet again.
 
ALCS
 
Rays vs. Red Sox – The Red Sox get it done this time around. Red Sox in six.
 
World Series

Dodgers vs. Red Sox – The Boston Red Sox win their third World Championship five years! 
 
 
NL Cy Young – Carlos Zambrano, Cubs, P
 
AL Cy Young – Jon Lester, Red Sox, P
 
NL MVP – Albert Pujols, Cardinals, 1B
 
AL MVP – Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 1B
 
NL ROY – Jordan Shafer, Braves, CF
 
There it is. Now go ahead and rip me to shreds.