It’s that time again for my annual predictions for the 2010 season of Major League Baseball! (Albeit, I am a few days late in getting this out because to do so means that I should probably re-enter the blogging world after a hiatus and re-enter hiatus and re-enter… I think it’s time to jump back into a regular rhythm of writing once again… so why not start with the best sport in the world!)
Last year I had the Red Sox winning it all and boy did I fall short… In ’08 it was even worse… I picked the Cubs. In ’07 I picked the Red Sox… and I was right… it was like a drug and I haven’t been able to stop the predictions since! So, here’s my brilliant analysis of how the 2010 baseball season will play out… cause it always happens like I say!
American League
East: NY Yankees
Central: Minnesota Twins
West: Seattle Mariners
Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
National League
East: Philadelphia Phillies
Central: St. Louis Cardinals (This pains me.)
West: San Francisco Giants
Wild Card: Atlanta Braves
Reasons
American League East: Perhaps the toughest division to pick in the entire league, I think the Yankees will end up pulling it out barring any major injury to their core. The Yankees are old and one key injury will not only cost them the division but potentially a playoff spot with Tampa Bay right on the heels of both teams. The Red Sox have (arguably) the best pitching staff and the best defense in the division, but their offense has too many question marks and I’m just not sure Tampa will show strong enough down the stretch to snatch the division or the Wild Card.
American League Central: Twins. Duh. The only real challenge to the Twins will be the ChiSox, who could pose a threat. However, the durability of Peavy throughout the season as a reliably healthy #2 could cost them a good run at the Twins who are simply more suited for success in the division.
American League West: The additions of Cliff Lee, Milton Bradley (as long as he doesn’t go crazy), Chone Figgins, and Jack Wilson are great additions to an extremely weak AL West. The only real challenge could come from Anaheim… or the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (dumb). But the one-two punch of King Felix and CLee will be a tough combo throughout the season as long as they have decent years from their supporting cast!
National League East: The Phillies are the best team in the National League, hands down. With the addition of Halliday, they’re going to be even more devastating throughout the season and the playoffs. The Braves are going to come up real strong with their rebuilt pitching staff and perhaps the best lineup they’ve had in years. They’re not going to surprise anyone, but they’re going to make a great run in the playoffs.
National League Central: I hate the Cardinals… but the Cubs are going to struggle this season with such a young bullpen and an overcrowded outfield that fails to produce on a consistent basis. The Cardinals will have the most dominant pitching staff in the Central with potential Cy-Young candidates in Wainwright and Carpenter, and with Brad Penny as the 3 starter (under the Dave Duncan spell) you can expect a great season from him as well. The Cardinals have some question marks offensively, but they’re going to be fine in the division.
National League West: No this isn’t a homer pick. Their pitching staff is the best in the NL from the starters to the bullpen. All they need is above average (and above expectation) production from their lineup and they’ll challenge the Rockies and take the West. The Rockies are the favorites at the moment, but I think they’re going to struggle with injuries throughout the year in their rotation and bullpen that will cost them the division. However, Jim Tracy could pull out another rabbit from his hat!
American League Playoffs
ALDS
Red Sox over the Twins
Yankees over the Mariners
ALCS
Red Sox over the Yankees in 7
National League Playoffs
NLDS
Cardinals over Braves
Phillies over Giants
NLCS
Phillies over Cardinals in 6
World Series
Phillies over Red Sox in 7
So, there it is… my pick for the 2010 season… the Philadelphia Phillies.
Man that sucks.
Related posts:
- The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
- season predictions 2008
- season recap and postseason predictions
- OPENING DAY! and my season predictions.
- the west wing.
Whens football start?
with the way ESPN covers football i didn’t think it ever ended!
[...] the beginning of the season I made my annual predictions and of course at this point I’m batting .500 (in my AL predictions)… but I’m not [...]