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United Cardinal Bloggers March Project: 2012 MLB Season Preview
This is normally the spot for Beyond Busch, my weekly look at the rest of Major League Baseball. For this week the March project for the United Cardinal Bloggers, a 2012 MLB Season Preview, fits very nicely into this space. I’ll run through my sure to go wrong predictions for the upcoming MLB season.
We’ll begin in the American League, where each team is listed in order of predicted finish. I’ll replicate the same format for the National League. I’ll then break down the playoff brackets and unveil the pennant winners and World Series Champion. Last, I’ll take a shot at guessing the end of season award winners. Let’s get to it.
American League East
- New York Yankees
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Boston Red Sox
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Baltimore Orioles
The Yankees need to stay healthy and somehow they do because Joe Girardi does a good job of managing their days off. The rotation is worlds above what they had last season, especially if Andy Pettitte makes it all the way back and is productive. The Rays could prevent the Yankees from winning the division because of their rotation which is every bit as strong, if not better. I see the Red Sox as a circus, but they are too talented to not be in contention. I’d guess that 8 games separate first and third place. The Blue Jays will continue to play in and around .500 ball while the Orioles will once again disappoint.
American League Central
- Detroit Tigers
- Cleveland Indians
- Kansas City Royals
- Chicago White Sox
- Minnesota Twins
The Tigers are going to win this division by at least 10 games. I’m going to say they will be the number one seed in the AL playoffs. The Indians are making strides to regain the aura from the nineties. The Royals are going to surprise even themselves this season. It’s a young and exciting club with much more on the horizon. Robin Ventura’s first season as the White Sox manager won’t be a disaster, but he doesn’t have a lot to work with. The Twins have fallen from grace.
American League West
- Los Angeles Angels
- Texas Rangers
- Seattle Mariners
- Oakland A’s
The Rangers are the two-time defending American League Champions but they will lose out to the newly assembled Los Angeles Angels for the division title in 2012. Too much Albert Pujols, Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. The Rangers will be close, but in the end the Angels do a better job head to head and that is the difference. The Mariners barely edge out the A’s to stay out of the basement in the division. It really seems like there are two divisions within the West.
See the next page for the National League predictions.
National League East
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Atlanta Braves
- Miami Marlins
- Washington Nationals
- New York Mets
Despite, having Chase Utley and Ryan Howard on the shelf for considerable time, the Phillies score enough when the big three are on the mound. Cliff Lee wins 24 games to lead the charge. The signing of Jim Thome proves to be wise as he delivers with the bat and doesn’t do much harm in the field. The Braves ease into the wild card play-in game this year. The Marlins win 84 games and Ozzie Guillen is ejected from 8 overall. The young kids in Washington almost reach .500; the playoffs are on the horizon in D.C. Money is used as an excuse for the Mets who find themselves in full rebuild mode. Luckily they have Sandy Alderson instead of Omar Minaya for the process.
National League Central
- Cincinnati Reds
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- Chicago Cubs
- Houston Astros
The Reds win the three-way battle for the division title during the last week of the season. Losing Ryan Madson doesn’t factor in as the rest of the bullpen picks up the slack. The Cardinals edge out the Brewers for the right to face the Braves. Each club faces injuries throughout the season, but deep benches keep them in contention. The Pirates finish just short of .500, but play meaningful baseball through August. The Cubs and Astros are looking forward to 2013 from the moment 2012 begins.
National League West
- San Francisco Giants
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Colorado Rockies
- San Diego Padres
Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain post fantastic seasons validating extensions (Cain should get his soon). The Diamondbacks fall back a bit from 2011 due to inconsistencies at the plate. Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp fails to fulfill his 50/50 goal, by a lot. The Rockies and Padres never get it going.
See next page for playoff predictions.
American League Wild Card Play-In
Tampa Bay Rays over Texas Rangers – Matt Moore over Yu Darvish. Rookie of the year candidates battle it out.
American League Division Series
(1) Detroit Tigers over (4) Tampa Bay Rays – Justin Verlander rested is better than anyone Rays can counter with.
(2) New York Yankees over (3) Los Angeles Angels – C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettitte lead the way.
American League Championship Series
New York Yankees over Detroit Tigers – Tigers have no answer for Robinson Cano.
National League Wild Card Play-in
Atlanta Braves over St. Louis Cardinals – Braves exact revenge in 2012.
National League Division Series
(1) Philadelphia Phillies over (4) Atlanta Braves – Pitching, pitching and more pitching. The top three of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels do quick work of the Braves.
(2) San Francisco Giants over (3) Cincinnati Reds – Giants in a five game thriller.
National League Championship Series
Philadelphia Phillies over San Francisco Giants – Phillies old crew rejuvenated.
World Series
New York Yankees over Philadephia Phillies – Back and forth seven-game series with Mariano Rivera saving one last post-season game and retires on top.
See next page for end of season awards.
American League Rookie of the Year
Matt Moore – Tampa Bay Rays
American League MVP
Robinson Cano – New York Yankees
American League Cy Young
Jered Weaver – Los Angeles Angels
American League Manager of the Year
Jim Leyland – Detroit Tigers
National League Rookie of the Year
Devin Mesoraco – Cincinnati Reds
National League MVP
Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds
National League Cy Young
Cliff Lee – Philadelphia Phillies
National League Manager of the Year
Charlie Manuel – Philadelphia Phillies
As I mentioned earlier this week, I’m not too fond of predictions and obviously mine should be tossed. What the heck do I know? But mine are just as good as any experts’, because in the end, they don’t know the outcomes any more than we do. A 162-game season is supposed to have some intrigue and surprises. I’m sure 2012 will not fail us in that respect. If you want to run me through the ringer for my picks, I’d love to back them up for you. Let me know in the comments. Otherwise, enjoy the baseball season!
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