Predictions for the rest of the 2010 MLB season
As the division and wild card races heat up the time has come to make predictions on the outcome of the 2010 MLB season. With less than 60 games left to play, many divisions are still up for grabs and some others look quite locked up. I’m going to go over my picks for division and wild card winners and how I feel the playoffs will play out.
AL East:
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Arguably the best division in baseball featuring the only 60 win teams in baseball at this point (and a 58 win team not too far behind). I strongly feel the 2nd place team from this division will get the AL wild card spot. The Yankees have led this division from the get-go but the Rays are right on their heels. And in addition to this, the Red Sox are not too far behind in 3rd place despite having an injury riddled season. While the Red Sox have battled valiantly through the injuries, I just do not feel they can take over the Yankees or Rays for this division even after Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia come back. That leaves us with the Yankees and Rays for the division. While the young Rays have been impressive, I have to give the advantage to the defending World Champs with their lineup and pitching rotation.
AL Central:
In this division, the White Sox and Twins are neck and neck and either can wind up with division. But don’t forget about the Tigers lurking just a few games back, they are still dangerous and can make a surprise run behind the bat of Miguel Cabrera. But the Tigers have had some bad luck as of late as Magglio Ordonez (broken ankle) and Brandon Inge (broken hand) are going to be out for the next month or so and may not be able to return until it’s too late for the Tigers.. Given all this, I would have to go with the White Sox to hold on to the division due to their veteran players who remain relatively healthy. The White Sox have a solid rotation with Mark Buehrle and John Danks that can lead them into the post season.
AL West:
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This division is the Rangers’ to lose. They have a comfortable lead over the A’s and the Angels and they picked up the best trade deadline pitcher recently. They have an ace on their staff and solid veteran bats in their lineup they can cakewalk their way to the AL West crown. Even though the Angels just brought in Dan Haren to solidify their rotation it just may not be enough for this team. Barring a colossal collapse by the Rangerss, I see them clinching this division pretty early.
AL Wildcard:
Like I said earlier, I feel the 2nd place team in the AL East will win the wildcard. The Rays are currently in this position and they have a 5 game lead over the team closest to them in the wild card race (Red Sox) and a 7 game lead over the closest team from another division. My pick for the AL Wildcard is the Tampa Bay Rays.
NL East:
This might be the year the Braves return to the playoffs. They have a veteran starting rotation with Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe and they have combined that with a mix of veteran and young talent in the lineup. Chipper Jones is always reliable and the Braves have Troy Glaus at 1st base. They have rookie phenom Jason Heyward in the outfield, Martin Prado in the infield, and Brian McCann behind the plate. All have solid bats and will contribute down the stretch. But can the Braves hold off the 2-time defending National League Champions? The Phillies have Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels in their rotation in addition to one of the best lineups in baseball. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, and Shane Victorino have proven bats and can be dangerous when hot. Add Chase Utley to the list of dangerous bats when he returns from the DL. The Braves have been impressive this year, but I feel the Phillies are too good of a team to lose this division. Their experience will lead them to the division title.
NL Central:
The Reds have been a surprise story this year and are still atop this division. The Reds have some nice players in Joey Votto, Scott Rolen, and Jay Bruce but I worry that their rotation will be the demise of them. And while they may be a feel good pick, I cannot pick them over Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals still have Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina in addition to a strong rotation with Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, and Jaime Garcia. The Cardinals will be able to win this division sooner or later.
NL West:
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The Padres have been another surprise story this year. They have the ever consistent Adrien Gonzalez and very strong pitching, but not much else. They are slowly losing their division lead to the surging Giants and the Dodgers are not much further behind. If the Padres don’t make a deal for another hitter I feel they may end up the odd man out. The Giants have been on a tear since the All-Star break. While the Giants have great starters in Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Barry Zito it is their hitting that has carried them through this stretch. Led by rookie Buster Posey and his record breaking hitting streak the Giants have been able to provide plenty of run support for their pitchers. Andres Torres, Juan Uribe and Aubrey Huff have proven to be extremely valuable and have been RBI machines for this young Giants team. The Dodgers lost 6 straight after the All-Star break but seem to have regained control by winning 5 of their last 6 games. With proven bats like Rafael Furcal, Manny Ramirez, James Loney, and Matt Kemp I cannot count the Dodgers out of this division. My pick for the NL West is the Giants because they have the strongest pitching staff and they haven’t been relied upon as much to win games. The Giants offense is hitting its stride and this will carry them to the division title and their first post-Barry Bonds playoff appearance.
NL Wildcard:
As a Giants fan I hate to say it, but the Dodgers will win the Wildcard race. They are due for a run soon and that run will carry them to the wildcard spot. They just have too much talent and one of the best managers in MLB history.
American League: seeding is in ( )
Yankees(1) Vs. White Sox(4)–> Yankees win 3-1
Rays(2) Vs. Rangers(3)–> Rays win 3-2
Yankees Vs. Rays–> Yankees win 4-3
National League:
Giants(1) Vs. Dodgers (4)–> Giants win 3-2
Phillies (2) Vs. Cardinals (3)–> Cardinals win 3-2
Giants (1) Vs. Cardinals (3)–> Cardinals win 4-2
World Series:
Yankees (1) Vs. Cardinals (3)–> Yankees win 4-2
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