Now that we’re a quarter of the way through the season, lets check in and see how the predictions are looking that we made in early April for Chris, John, and myself
Division Winners
AL East
JD: Boston Red Sox
CV: Boston Red Sox
SK: Toronto Blue Jays
So far…None of us guessed the division leading Yankee who are a game and half up on Tampa, two and half on Baltimore, and four up on both Boston and Toronto
AL Central
JD: Chicago White Sox
CV: Detroit Tigers
SK: Cleveland Indians
So far…Oddly enough, no one had KC or Minnesota who are both tied for first (YES, MINNESOTA IS TIED FOR FIRST!). Chris is the closest with the Tigers who are a game out. Both the Sox and Indians are sitting seven games back currently
AL West
JD: Los Angeles Angels
CV: Seattle Mariners
SK: Seattle Mariners
So far…we’re really bad at this, as Houston of all teams leads the West (an AL) and has a wide 6 game lead on Seattle. The Angels sit 6.5 games back
AL Wildcards (2)
JD: Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners
CV: Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels
SK: Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels
So far…All picks are looking good except Chris’s Indians pick at this point. The Tigers a game back look good with Minnesota expected to fall off
AL Divisional Series Winners
JD: Detroit Tigers & Los Angeles Angels
CV: Seattle Mariners & Detroit Tigers
SK: Seattle Mariners & Detroit Tigers
So far…We shall see
AL Pennant Winner
JD: Detroit Tigers
CV: Seattle Mariners
SK: Seattle Mariners
So far…Hmmm, have to make the playoffs first
NL East
JD: Washington Nationals
CV: Washington Nationals
SK: Washington Nationals
So far…we finally got one right, the Nats are looking strong after a slow start as they are tied with the Mets for first
NL Central
JD: Pittsburgh Pirates
CV: Pittsburgh Pirates
SK: St. Louis Cardinals
So far…I nailed this with the Cards owning the Major’s best record and a game lead over the Cubs. The Pirates have won 6 straight and sit two games out
NL West
JD: Los Angeles Dodgers
CV: Los Angeles Dodgers
SK: Los Angeles Dodgers
So far…We all got another one right with the Dodges holding a game lead over San Fran in the West
NL Wildcards (2)
JD: Chicago Cubs & San Diego Padres
CV: St. Louis Cardinals & San Diego Padres
SK: Pittsburgh Pirates & San Diego Padres
So far…The Cubs, Cardinals, and Pirates picks look feasible, however San Diego is 6 games back in the West and 4 back of a WC spot
NL Divisional Series Winners
JD: Washington Nationals & Pittsburgh Pirates
CV: Washington Nationals & Los Angeles Dodgers
SK: Washington Nationals & Los Angeles Dodgers
So far…Looks solid
NL Pennant Winner
JD: Washington Nationals
CV: Washington Nationals
SK: Washington Nationals
So far…Very feasible
World Series Winner
JD: Detroit Tigers over Washington Nationals
CV: Washington Nationals over Seattle Mariners
SK: Washington Nationals over Seattle Mariners
So far…Mariners and Tigers would need to make the playoffs first
AL MVP
JD: Jose Abreu, CWS
CV: Mike Trout, LAA
SK: Jose Abreu, CWS
So far…Toss up right now, with Nelson Cruz probably a front runner, Prince Fielder sneaking in, and perennial contenders Trout, Cabrera, and Josh Donaldson playing their part
NL MVP
JD: Andrew McCutchen, PIT
CV: Giancarlo Stanton, MIA
SK: Andrew McCutchen, PIT
So far…Tough call, with Bryce Harper leading the way, followed by guys like Adrian Gonzalez, Paul Goldschmidt, and Anthony Rizzo trailing
AL Cy Young
JD: Chris Sale, CWS
CV: Felix Hernandez, SEA
SK: David Price, DET
So far…King Felix looks to lead Sonny Gray in a couple key categories, although can knock his 7 homers allowed already. Dallas Keuchel is right in the mix, as is Chris Archer. Price is looking good, however it a couple bumps in the Cy Young road, and Chris Sale after his injury looks pedestrian
NL Cy Young
JD: Clayton Kershaw, LAD
CV: Clayton Kershaw, LAD
SK: Max Scherzer, WAS
So far…A toss up right now, although Scherzer is performing much better than Kershaw and in the discussion. The leaders are between A.J. Burnett, Zack Greinke, Shelby Miller, and Michael Wacha (and Scherzer)
AL Rookie of the Year
JD: Micah Johnson, CWS
CV: Rusney Castillo, BOS
SK: Mookie Betts, BOS
So far…Well, all of these are misses. Johnson has a .270 average but just 3 RBI. Castillo was just brought up and has played 4 games. Oh, and then there is Mookie Betts who isn’t even eligible (FAIL). Leaders so far look like Devon Travis (yes, that Devon Travis), Mark Canha, and James McCann
NL Rookie of the Year
JD: Kris Bryant, CHC
CV: Jorge Soler, CHC
SK: Jorge Soler CHC
So far…Bryant will win, although Soler’s .277 average is ok with 3 homers and 16 RBI. Joc Pederson looks like a strong challenger, as is Alex Guerrero, and Noah Syndergaard
Random Prediction
JD: Fomer Tigers breakout for other teams: Garcia, Smyly, Porcello
CV: In 2015, Tiger fans will be complaining about moving Avi Garcia more than Doug
SK: Joe Nathan will be released by Memorial Day
So far…Well, I kind of nailed the Nathan thing and the Avisail Garcia call has legs, with him hitting .327 with 4 homers and 18 RBI currently
Bold Predictions
CV: The Tigers will be in 3rd place (even 4th) mid-May & talk radio will project the sky is falling. Season isn’t going to start well & we’re playing all Divisional teams. But we’ll be ok…
SK: The AL is wide open this year, even with Marcus Stroman going down, there’s a chance Toronto could end up in the World Series
So far…Wow Chris!!
Good job in the NL so far, horrible job in the AL so far. 🙂
Pretty much life in the prognostication business this millennium. It never matters who anyone picks, nearly everyone goes in with a shot and it’s all about which team gets hot down the stretch.
Mark/MLB.com
http://mlb.com/blogs
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