2008 Baseball Season Discussion

What are your predictions for the upcoming Baseball season? Who do you feel will be the eventual division/wildcard winners and World Series champ?

My predictions....

AL East: New York Yankees

AL Central: Detroit Tigers

AL West: Los Angles Angels

Wildcard: Red Sox

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NL East: New York Mets

NL Central: Chicago Cubs

NL West: Colorado Rockies

Wildcard: St. Louis Cardinals


World Series: Yankees vs Mets (Yanks in 6)

Let's hear yours.....

How do you feel the 2008 season will shape up in regards home run production and pitching? Will there be a decline? Any predictions for MVP/Cy Young award? How will Torre do in LA? Girardi in NY? Will anyone miss Shea Stadium? Feel free to bring up any topic as I love to talk Baseball.

[edit on 2-3-2008 by AugustusMasonicus]

No way the Yankees win the Al East. They may get the WC, but Boston is to strong. The BoSox win the East.
Al East: BoSox
Al Central: Detriot
Al West: Angels
AL WC: Cleveland or NYY

NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cards
NL West: Dodgers
NL WC: NYM or Arizona

World Series, I ain't gonna jinx it.

Ah, double post.

[edit on 2-3-2008 by jtb2008]

yankees all the way

even if they start slow (again)

and i think they will make a pitching move if they are still needing a pitcher this season

but watch for a-rods numbers to drop as he has signed a new contract

if you look at a-rods numbers in pinstripes, when it matters (someone on base, someone in a scoring position, the earlier innings when the game isn't won or lost) his numbers suck

when they are losing 9-2 and in the 9th inning a-rod will homer....so what...where was he in the 4th inning at 3-2 with someone on 3rd?

if you are a true yankees fan you will understand that...

but a-rod would surprise the baseball world if he puts up the same numbers as last season

I heard a guy on Baseball Tonight, think it was Kruk, that predicted the Cubs to win it all. Sadly, no one shows any love to my Rangers.

I'm going to go along and agree with whoever said Cabrera for the Tigers will win the Triple Crown. That line-up is stacked. Guys in front of him get on base, he'll have Sheffield and Magglio batting behind him; he's gonna see a lot of good pitches this year.

AL MVP: A-rod, consistently puts up the numbers, or Big Papi
AL Cy Young: I'm going on out on a limb here, but Erik Bedard from the Mariners. Moving from Baltimore's crappy team to Seatles, and in a pitcher friendly park, you gotta think he can pull it off. Off the top of my head I think he had an ERA of 3.67 for the Orioles, the Orioles; I figure he can shave at least a run to a run and a half off of that in Safeco.

NL MVP: This is a bit tougher, I think it will come down to Fielder and Howard, but I'd like to see Chase Utley win it so the Phillies would have 3 MVP's in a row.
NL Cy Young: I'm gonna go with Mark Prior of the Padres. He's probably #4 in the rotation behind Peavey, Young, and Maddox, so he's going to get some wins if he comes back healthy.

I'll make more picks later.

the thing about sheffield is against right handers, he sucks

look at his splits

he's not that great, seriously go look at his numbers against right handed pitchers

he dominates leftys

plus he's older than ever now, and the juice can't be pumping through him like it used to after what has happened

That may be, but they've still got Magglio batting in there too.

I'll go out on another limb and say the Rays get in as a wild card.

AL Rookie of the year: Longoria from the Rays
NL Rookie of the year: Jay Bruce from the Reds

Even if they don't have a comeback player of the year, go with Fransico Liriano from the Twins anyways. Guy was lights out his rookie year, too bad he blew out his elbow; hope he lays off his slider.

Heres my predictions....

AL East: Boston Red Sox

AL Central: Detroit Tigers

AL West: Los Angles Angels

Wildcard: New York Yankees

----------------------

NL East: New York Mets

NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers

NL West: Colorado Rockies

Wildcard: Chicago Cubs


World Series: Brewers vs Tigers(Brewers in 6)

Go Brewers!

:w:

I follow Baseball less then any other sport...

The only team i care about is the Dodgers...

So, i say the Dodgers will win the West...

I like thier pitching, and they have TONS of young talent... althought they still have Jeff Kent, which is the only problem that i have with this team, that and Jason Schimt... i don't like the SF Giants...

I'll say Josh Beckett for Cy Young, seeing as he got screwed out of it last year.

No NL team is strong enough to take the World Series, and the road to that goes thru Boston.

Heres my predictions....

AL East: Boston Red Sox

AL Central: Detroit Tigers

AL West: Los Angles Angels

Wildcard: Toronto Blue Jays

----------------------

NL East: New York Mets

NL Central: Chicago Cubs

NL West: Arizona D-Backs

Wildcard: Milwaukee Brewers


World Series: Mets vs Tigers (Tigers in 7)

Here we go:

AL EAST
Boston 93 wins---Pretty much returning the same team from their WS team. Only major difference is that Jacoby Ellsbury is taking over Coco Crisp in center. This is a slight step down in defensivly sense Coco was the best in the AL, but Ellsbury's offense should make up for any defensive differences. Have a strong farm system, can intergate young players in through out the year. BTW, I am a Sox fan.

Yanks 89 wins---Still the best offense in baseball. But their pitching and defense will kill them. Jeter and Giambi and the worst fielders at their respective positions in baseball. After the 20 wins Chein Ming Wang will give it gets a little suspect. Mussina will be out of the rotation by May, I think Phil Hughes will be a star, but he will have his growing pains. Yanks will suffer through a horrible April and make a summer push, will fall a few games short.

Blue Jays 87 wins---Don't sleep on the Blue Jays, this is a team nobody wants to play. Good mix of verterns and young talent. Dustin McGowan is the best pitcher you never heard of. They will compete all year and stumble in the fall, I think injuries will once again catch up with Jays

Devil Rays 82 wins---Hey a winning season. They are playing hard and a fun team to watch. Lots of kids. Need to learn the fundamentals, they are like a roto baseball all star team, but can't win games. They also have the best heckler in baseball. If you are watching a Rays home game this year, listen closely. The heckler picks one guy a game, he sits to the right of home plate. Very classy too.

The O's 62 wins--- This is a bad team. And will get slaughter this year in the East. Very poorly run franchise. Only bright spot is Nick Markakis, look for him in the All Star game.

AL Central
Cleveland 95 wins---All I heard this off season was how Sabathia and Carmona will get hurt because they threw to many innings last season. Maybe they will but until then they are my pick. Solid pitching is why I have them over the Tigers. They got guys like Jeremy Sowers, Cliff Lee, and Adam (fragile) Miller waiting in the wings if they lose someone in their rotation. Look for a bounce back year from Pronk, he just too good to have two bad years in a row.

Tigers 89 wins---Everybody's sweetheart. Ya I know they made the biggest splashes in the of season getting Renteria, Cabrera, and the D-Train. I am just not sold on them. Verlander good at the top of the rotation, but what D-tain will show up. The one with 22 wins a few years ago or the one with a 5+ ERA. I don't think their lineup is as stacked as people might think. Renteria was a complete failure in his last stint in the AL. Sheffield is like 50, Magglio put up Lou Gehrig types of numbers, and Jacque Jones stinks.

Chicago 74 wins---Last year I was sitting a few back from the White Sox bench during a game. It was like the fifth or sixth inning and Jose Contreras was gased, it was obvious. I turned to a White Sox fan and ask why won't Ozzie Gullien go get him. What happaned, walk, basehit, walk, grandslam. Then he got him. The point is Ozzie is a horrilbe manager and will get canned this year.

Kansas City 74 wins---I like what they are doing. Builting a good solid team of young talent. Billy Bulter, Alex Gordon, and Mark Teahan will be a solid middle of the order some day. Don't be surprised to see last year's 1# pick Luke Hochevar pitching sometime this year.

Twins 66 wins---The Twins had a long history of making good trades. To bad the GM that made all those trades is gone. They got hodwinked in the Santana deal. With Francisco Liriano already pitching in spring games, him and Santana could have been a great one two punch. They still could have traded Santana this year, if this didn't work out. But instead and try wins games this season, they waived the white flag.

AL WEST
Angels 96 wins---The Angels have been looking for a big bat for years, but they just seem to acquire CFs instead. They have like three now. They have a solid team all around, and are well coached. But they really lack superstars (Vlad isn't what he use to be). They will make it into the playoffs and get bounced out of the first round again. Probably by the Red Sox again.

Seattle 93 wins---If the O's didn't shut Erik Bedard down in August because of a side injury he was the AL Cy Young winner. What do the Dodo birds do, but give him away for nothing. Seattle doesn't have much power, but they all can but the bat on the ball (except Richie Sexson). They have a nasty combo in Bedard and King Felix. These two a difference makers, that you need in the playoffs.

Texas 74 wins---When your Ace and number 2 pitchers had ERAs over 5, you may be in trouble. I am not sure what there plan is down there, but this season isn't going to be pretty.

Oakland 67 wins---There rebuilding again. Have some young talent but outside of Daric Barton not much to talk about.

NL East
Mets 92wins---I don't like this pick. I am see big holes in the Mets this spring training. Yes, they have Santana, but I think picking up Luis Castillo at 2B and Ryan Church in OF will be just as important. I am just not seeing a strong bullpen or enough offense to justify that they will have a cake walk.

Braves 90wins---Watch out Met fans, the Braves might be back. Its completly smoke and mirrors, but somehow they just win games. I think their offense has improved a little and they should have a good bullpen anchored by Rafael Sorinao to make a run. Their pitching staff seems ageless, but something in the water down there is like the fountain of youth.

Philles 86 wins---They have stars in Utley, Howard, Rollins, and Hamels, but just not enough good role players. Yes, their studs could take them to the next level, but I am just not seeing it right now.

Marlins 63 wins---This was a coin flip between them and the Nationals. Lot of kids, the key peice in the D-Train and Cabrera trade was Cameron Maybin. He should pan out to be a Griffy type of player. But still raw, few years away.

The Nats 62 wins---Wily Mo Pena is like my favorite player. I think he can hit 50 homers and strikeout 250 times. Exciting everytime at the plate.

NL Central
Brew Crew 94 wins--In my last years forecast I said the crew had a lot of young talent and are about a year away. Well this could be their year. If Yovani Gallardo and Ben Sheets remain somewhat health, the sky is the limit. Ryan Braun LOOKOUT!

continue

Cubs 90 wins---They have more talent than the Brewers, and could very well finish ahead of them. But, its the Cubs. Being a Red Sox fan I know how it feels Cub fans. But until they start having positive things happen to them I can't pick them to finish first.

Reds 82 wins---After the Cubs and Brewers things go downhill in this divison. The Reds have some very good young players in Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, and Homer Bailey so there is a future ahead. Made next year.

Astros 79 wins--- Dangerous middle of the lineup in Pence, Berkman, Tajada, Lee. However their supporting cast stinks. They have one good pitcher in Oswalt, but he is only 180lbs and throws 200 innings every year. He is due for a major breakdown.

Pirates 74 wins---Great young pitchers on this team. Good foundation for them to grow on. But come on, these are the Pirates. There best everyday player is Jason Bay, who needs to rebound from a off year. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for the Pirates, but its not too bright.

NL West
Dodgers 91 wins---Another pick I don't feel to comfortable with. They have the most talent in the division but they had it last year to. I think Torre as a manager will push them over the top. Great young talent in James Loney and Matt Kemp. Hiroki Kuroda is my sleeper for rookie of the year.

Ok, need to go quick run down of the rest.

Colorado-- 89 wins

Arizona- 88 wins

San Diego 74 wins--

San Francisco 59 wins

I have Seattle winning the World Series over the brewers.

Not a prediction, per se, but I hope for good things from the Blue Jays. They could challenge for the wild card.

As for World Series I predict it will be Boston vs Chicago Cubs and...

Cubs win! Cubs win!

I miss you Harry Caray...

AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Indians
AL West: Mariners
AL WC: Yankees

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Diamondbacks
NL WC: Rockies

AL Champ: Red Sox
NL Champ: Diamondbacks

World Series: Red Sox in 6

My division winners are:

American League East: Boston RedSox 93 wins.

American League Central: Cleveland Indians 95 wins.

American League West: Seattle Mariners 95 wins.

American League WildCard: Detroit Tigers 90 wins.

National League East: New York Metropolitans 93 wins.

National League Central: Chicago Cubs 94 wins.

National League West: Los Angeles Dodgers 95 wins.

National League WildCard: Atlanta Braves 91 wins.

*****
American League Champion: Cleveland Indians.

National League Champion: Chicago Cubs.
*****
World Series Champion: Cleveland Indians.

American League MVP: Alex Rodriguez...until proven otherwise, quite simply the best player in the game today. Maybe, just maybe, the best Yankee ever in a few years...

American League Cy Young winner: Eric Bedard...20 wins, 250 plus K's, ERA under 3.00.

National League MVP/National League Cy Young winner: Johann Santana...25 wins plus, 200 plus K's, ERA under 2.00. Dominant doesn't begin to describe it.

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Angels
AL WC: Red Sox

NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Astros
NL West: Dodgers
NL WC: Mets

I'm an Astros fan

We only have one undefeated team remaining already. It's the....

....Kansas City Royals....



[edit on 4/3/08 by NovusOrdoMundi]

Originally posted by NovusOrdoMundi


We only have one undefeated team remaining already. It's the....

....Kansas City Royals....

[edit on 4/3/08 by NovusOrdoMundi]

Yep, and the Tigers haven't won a game, and are losing today again.

How bout Johnny Cueto! Couldn't watch his game, because of something called 'work', but nice to see him live up to the hype.

Who would've expected the tigers to be winless at this point?

Anyway, the White Sox are now in first place.

reply to post by Black_Fox


AL East: Boston Red Sox---->Wrong

AL Central: Detroit Tigers--->Wrong

AL West: Los Angles Angels--->Right

Wildcard: New York Yankees--->Wrong

*Was right about the Angels winning the west,and the Red Sox making the playoffs,but who would have thought the Rays would do what they did,wow*
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NL East: New York Mets ----->Wrong

NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers ---->Wrong

NL West: Colorado Rockies---->Wrong

Wildcard: Chicago Cubs--->Wrong

*Although I was right about the Brewers and Cubs making the post season*

World Series: Brewers vs Tigers(Brewers in 6)---->Wrong
*Its still possible to have at least the Brewers make it to the World Series*