Update! Below my predictions, I added my dad's picks too. He did them before the season started, I just wasn't able to get them up sooner because I was on vacation...
It’s that time of year! With only a few days until Opening Day (for most teams, at least), it’s time to put my money where my mouth is … time for some 2008 predictions. These have become an annual event here at StopTheWave, and this year is no exception. So, without further ado, here are my official predictions for how the season will end up.
AL East
Boston
New York
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Baltimore
Even with Curt Schilling on the shelf, Boston is just loaded and I expect them to repeat as AL East champions. However, subtle differences fill out the rest of the division, as I see 2008 as the year the Yankees miss the playoffs for the first time since 1993 and the Rays, with their new name, will finally finish over .500 and begin a stretch of officially making the East a three-team race. Toronto is a good team and could win a few other divisions, but a few too many injury concerns have me thinking they’re going to be disappointed up in Canada. And Baltimore … well, as much as I miss Adam Jones and George Sherrill, they’re in for a loooong season!
AL Central
Cleveland
Detroit*
Minnesota
Chicago
Kansas City
After making huge splashes in the offseason by trading for Edgar Renteria, Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, the Tigers are going to be the popular pick in the Central. However, Cleveland didn’t get any worse — and remember, they won 96 games last year! Chicago’s talking the talk — and while I love the addition of Nick Swisher — I don’t think they can walk the walk. So, Minnesota is the default choice for third, despite losing the best pitcher in the game. Things are looking up in Kansas City, but they’re not there yet.
AL West
Seattle
Anaheim
Texas
Oakland
Call me an optimist, call me a homer but, yes, I’m picking the hometown nine to finish first in the West. However, I still think they’ll be lucky to win 90 games. The division is weak at the top, but actually strong at the bottom. I think there will be the smallest difference between the first-place team and the last-place team. Part of that, of course, has to do with the fact that there are only four teams in the division. But it’s also due to the fact that Oakland, despite having a bit of a fire sale, is still pretty good and pretty underrated. But, back to picking Seattle to win the division — does it really matter? Let’s get serious … they’re not in the same division as Boston, Cleveland or Detroit.
NL East
New York
Atlanta*
Philadelphia
Florida
Washington
Talk about top heavy! The NL East has three good teams at the top with two very bad teams at the bottom. After getting Johan Santana, the Mets are the favorites, and rightly so. Most people will probably pick the Phillies to finish second but, top to bottom, I actually like Atlanta a little better. I hope fans in Washington like the new stadium, because there aren’t a lot of other reasons to come to the ballpark out there.
NL Central
Chicago
Milwaukee
Cincinnati
St. Louis
Houston
Pittsburgh
The Cubs are looking solid. I think Kosuke Fukudome is going to be great and I’m excited to see Rich Hill’s second full season. Milwaukee is just brimming with young talent, but the fragility of the starting rotation makes me think they’ll be golfing in October. The Reds could really surprise some people this year. With Johnny Cueto and Edison Volquez in the rotation, they’ve got some firepower on the hill that should be a lot of fun to watch. They need to wise up and get Jay Bruce in the lineup ASAP. St. Louis and Houston’s on their way down and Pittsburgh’s on the way up, but that’s how I think the bottom half of the Central will finish up.
NL West
Arizona
Los Angeles
Colorado
San Diego
San Francisco
The only thing easy about predicting how this division will finish is putting the Giants in the cellar. Despite being outscored last year, I think the Diamondbacks are for real. The young lineup is exciting and the acquisition of Dan Haren will help Brandon Webb anchor a solid rotation. Colorado, Los Angeles and San Diego could all finish second and it really seems like a coin toss at this point. Seriously … flip a coin. This is going to be a very exciting division and will promise to be a nail-biter that goes down to the wire again!
World Series: Boston Red Sox defeat New York Mets in 7 games.
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
NL MVP: Mark Teixeira
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander
NL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL ROY: Daric Barton
NL ROY: Kosuke Fukudome
Bill's picks
AL East
Boston
New York
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Baltimore
AL Central
Detroit
Cleveland*
Chicago
Minnesota
Kansas City
AL West
Anaheim
Seattle
Oakland
Texas
NL East
New York
Philadelphia
Atlanta
Washington
Florida
NL Central
Chicago
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Milwaukee
Houston
Pittsburgh
NL West
Arizona
Los Angeles*
Colorado
San Diego
San Francisco
World Series: Detroit over Los Angeles