MLB Predictions: Pittsburgh Pirates

Line Up:
CF Andrew McCutchen
2B Akinori Iwamura
RF Garrett Jones
C Ryan Doumit
3B Andy LaRoche
1B Jeff Clement
LF Lastings Milledge
SS Bobby Crosby

One word: Potential. That's what this line up has. McCutchen is the most promising of the bunch, but remember when LaRoche, Clement, Crosby and Milledge were all considered top prospects? I do. So I'm going to assume at least 2 or 3 of those guys will break out this year. if Garrett Jones can build off his strong rookie campaign this team could surprise a few.

rotation:
Zach Duke
Paul Maholm
Ross Ohlendorf
Charlie Morton
Kevin Hart
CL: Octavio Dotel

The problem with the Pirates is this mess. They don't have one guy who can go out and you know won't give up 7 runs. Sure Duke, Maholm and Ohlendorf have showed potential in the past, but I don't really see a break out season. You know it's bad when the best pitcher on your team is named Octavio Dotel.


Outlook:
This is the year everyone! This is it! the Pirates will reach .500. that offense is going to be a fun bunch of players to watch and maybe that can carry them past their pitching woes.

82-80

MLB Previews: Milwaukee Brewers

Lineup:
1. SS Alcides Escobar
2. 2B Rickie Weeks
3. LF Ryan Braun
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. 3B Casey McGehee
6. RF Corey Hart
7. CF Carlos Gomez
8. C Gregg Zaun

Braun and Fielder add to a scary middle of the line up, but the rest of the line up is so so. Injuries are the biggest concern with this team and there are questions on whether Corey Hart and Richie Weeks can get it together and whether youngster Casey McGehee can grow off of last years production. Carlos Gomez will be interesting to watch because he was absolutely useless for the Twins last year, but maybe he can catch some NL fever. Gregg Zaun makes me want to throw up.

Rotation:
1. LHP Randy Wolf
2. RHP Yovani Gallardo
3. LHP Doug Davis
4. RHP Jeff Suppan
5. LHP Manny Parra

Closer
RHP Trevor Hoffman

Yovanni Gallardo and Trever Hoffman are really the only things worth mentioning. I have zero faith in Randy Wolfe, and Davis, Suppan, and Parra makes me cringe. I hate this rotation with all my heart, and even though the addition of Wolf "improved" it, I still hate it.

Outlook:
The Brewers have a decent offense, but I can't get over that pitching staff. They are all terrible and this team will hover around .500, if that.

2010 record: 75-87

MLB Previews: St Louis Cardinals

Lineup:
1. 2B Skip Schumaker
2. CF Colby Rasmus
3. 1B Albert Pujols
4. LF Matt Holliday
5. RF Ryan Ludwick
6. C Yadier Molina
7. 3B David Freese
8. SS Brendan Ryan

Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday give the Cardinals the NL's best 3-4 bash brothers and Yadier Molina seems to improve every season, however, I'm not sold on the rest of the line up. Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker and Colby Rasmus will be more than important to how this team will do offensively. If they all struggle this team may be a middle of the pack offensive team.


Rotation:
1. RHP Chris Carpenter
2. RHP Adam Wainwright
3. RHP Kyle Lohse
4. RHP Brad Penny
5. RHP Kyle McClellan

CL: RHP Ryan Franklin

Wainwright and Carpenter were the best 1-2 rotation punch in the game last season (even though I'm not a fan of either), and Kyle Lohse is garbage to me. The guy who may be most intriguing is our old friend Brad Penny. Penny had a 5.61 ERA in 24 starts with Red Sox, but 2.59 in 5 starts with Giants. If he can keep up the NL Magic this rotation can be pretty serviceable. I have nothing really to say about closer Ryan Franklin.

Outlook:
Any team with Albert, Holliday, Wainwright and Carpinter should be able to take the NL Central. They will be a little bit better than last years team.

93-69

DC MLB Breakdowns: Los Angeles Angels

Additions: DH Hideki Matsui, SP Joel Pineiro, RP Fernando Rodney, RP Brian Stokes
Departures: SP John Lackey, 3B Chone Figgins, OF Vlad Guerrero, SP Kelvim Escobar, RP Darren Oliver, OF Gary Matthews Jr.

Offense:
Aybar SS
Abreu RF
Hunter CF
Morales 1B
Rivera LF
Matsui DH
Kendrick 2B
Napoli C
Wood 3B

They pretty much lost everyone last year and didn't get much in return, but they still have a decent line up even with losing Vlad and Figgins. The players that are going to need to step up are Eric Aybar and Howie Kendrick. It seems like every year people are talking about Howie Kendrick breaking out, well, this is the year he needs too. I'm expecting Kendry Morales and Juan Rivera to take a step back this year, just because of the losses of Figgins and Vlad. But they can certainly be a good offense when it comes to the AL West.

Pitching:
Jered Weaver
Scott Kazmir
Ervin Santana
Joe Saunders
Joel Pineiro

CL Brian Fuentes

This is one of the most difficult rotations to gauge, because it seems at 1 point of all these guys careers, someone was going to be considered an ace. No one has really panned out though. They kind of substituted John lackey for Joel Pineiro and that is a pretty obvious downgrade. I just don't see any of these guys taking the reigns of an Ace any time soon.

Prediction:
No team got raped out of free agents more than the Angels and this year it will be damn near impossible for them to keep the AL West crown. I like the team, but i think they will hover around .500.

75-87

DC 2010 MLB Preview: NL West

Well we have finished our 2010 preview on the NL West. Here is how we see it ending up based on my and DP's predictions...

1. San Francisco 94-86
2. Arizona 83-79
3. Los Angeles 81-81
4. Colorado 80-82
5. San Diego 58-104

If you would like to read any of these preview look on the right side of the page and click on the team you would like to read about.

2010 MLB Breakdowns: San Diego Padres

Key Additions: OF Aaron Cunningham, RHP Jon Garland, INF Jerry Hairston Jr, OF Scott Hairston and C Yorvit Torrellaba,

Key Subtractions: C Henry Blanco, OF Brian Giles and 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff


Pitching Staff
Chris Young
Kevin Correia
Jon Garland
Mat Latos
Wade LeBlanc
Clayton Richard
Tim Stauffer

I put all of these guys because behing Young, Correia, and Garland, I have no clue who they are going to use. There is not one "Ace" in this group and the more I look at these names the more and more I feel the need to throw up and gouge my eyes out. As of right now, Heath Bell is the closer but will probably be traded at some point.

Hitting
1. CF Tony Gwynn, Jr.
2. 2B David Eckstein
3. 1B Adrian Gonzalez
4. 3B Chase Headley
5. LF Kyle Blanks
6. RF Will Venable
7. C Nick Hundley
8. SS Everth Cabrera

I know this is going to seem like I'm half assing it, but Adrian Gonzalez is obviously going to be traded, and everyone else sucks. I have nothing to say about anyone. Blanks and Headly have potential, but I doubt they will have "break out" years.

Outlook:
I don't really have much to say. If this team finishes within 20 games of .500 I will give my share of this blog away. (not really) It's just downright awful and embarrassing how this team is set up.
58-104

2010 DC MLB Previews: Colorado Rockies

Line up:
1. Dexter Fowler
2. Clint Barmes
3. Todd Helton
4. Troy Tulowitzki
5. Brad Hawpe
6. Ian Stewart
7. Chris Iannetta
8. Clint Barmes

The Rockies had a surprising year last year, when they were able to sneak their way into the playoffs with the NL Wild Card title after a disappointing 08 campaign. The Rockies are led by their best player at this point Troy Tulowitzki, followed by the consistent but aging Todd Helton, extremely consistent Brad Hawpe and the speedy Dexter Fowler. This will be the Rockies strong point, because I'm not blown away by their pitching. I'm expecting Dexter Fowler to put a good show on after a great rookie year and the fact that he is speedy means he can score a lot of run with the consistency behind him.

Pitching:
Ubaldo Jimenez (R)
Aaron Cook (R)
Jeff Francis (L)
Jorge De La Rosa (L)
Jason Hammel (R)

Cl: Huston Street

The rotation looks to be a lock headed into the 2010 season, led by breakout star Ubaldo Jimenez (I love his name), Aaron Cook fits into Coors field well figuring he is a sinker ball pitcher and Jorge De La Rosa who finished last year strong but doesn't pitch well in his home ball park. Jason Hammel is mediocre at best and can barely make it out of the 5th and lefty Jeff Francis will be making his comeback after missing all of 2009 due to injury. There are some pretty significant questions about the back end of this rotation. As for the bullpen led by Huston Street, there are no concerns.

I see the Rockies finishing 80-82, which unfortunately won't cut it.

My Way Too Early MLB Picks

As the all knowing and all powerful here comes my absolutely positive playoff picks.
Put your money on this now if you want to be a millionaire.
AL East: Tampa Bay Rays
AL Central: Chicago White Sox
AL West: Seattle Mariners
AL Wildcard: Boston Red Sox

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies
NL Central: Chicago Cubs
NL West: San Fransisco
NL Wildcard: Florida Marlins

Red Sox Beat Rays in 5
White Sox Beat Mariners in 5

Marlins Beat Phillies in 4
Cubs Beat Giants in 5

Red Sox beat White Sox in 6
Cubs beat Marlins in 7

Red Sox Beat Cubs in 4

There you have it. that is all you need to know. The Sox are winning the world series and adding to the Cubs misery. Maybe Jen Sterger will become a Sox fan and we can date.

DC AL Central Prediction

Here is how we see the AL Central breaking down...

1. White Sox 97-65
2. Twins 96-66
3. Indians 85-77
4. Tigers 83-79
5. Royals 81-81

So, I guess we see the whole division having a good year, though I think DP and I think very differently about the White Sox. Oh and I couldn't find a hot White Sox chick, so Jenny McCarthy will have to do.

Now What?

After the Sox just lost of out on Teixeira and is seems Youk doesn't want to sign an extension until after the season. Now what? What do the Sox do now this off-season. For many people Teixeira was the answer and now that he is off the market, they are content with doing nothing. Why the change? Why aren't we hearing the Lowell hip problems or anything like that?

I say we still have options. Options like Garrett Atkins, trading for one of the Rangers Catchers, trading for Jake Peavy, or signing a good 5th starter like Ben Sheets, Andy Pettite or even bringing Paul Byrd back. I'm not content with staying put this offseason and I don't think people should be. This isn't making a move to make a move, this is making a move to catch the Yankees, because let's be honest with ourselves here. On paper, they are a better team than us and the Rays.

Patiently Waiting

I'm starting to lose my mind over these winter meetings. Nothing is happening. Why can't the Sox just sign Big Tex and then we can all be happy. I have had many prediction for the off season this far, but here are my final predicitions:

We sign Mark Teixeira

We Trade Clay Buchholz for Jared Saltlamaccia

We sign Brad Penny

and we all rejoice.

My AL East Free Agent/ Offseason Predictions

Since Matt Holliday went to the A's here come my all powerful MLB Off season predictions:

NY Yankees:
Bobby Abreu will re-sign because they Yanks need outfield help and solid hitting and they can get him for a lot cheaper than his previous contracts.

CC Sabathia will be in pinstripes because they Yanks now have a buttload of money and will have their wallets open when it comes to this guy, also he will be a Yankee to spite Bob

Andy Pettite will return to the Yanks to finish off his career and to be forgiven for all of his sins.

Mark Texiera will sign with the Yanks after they outbid the Red Sox and not only will he improve their line-up he will improve their first base defense.

Boston Red Sox:
Ben Sheets will sign with the Red Sox after they lose out on CC, if they can get Sheets and if he stays healthy this will be on of the best moves in the offseason.

Garrett Atkins will be brought over in a trade involving Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, Mike Lowell and a prospect to be named later.

Orlando Cabrera will come back home and fit in fine, just fine.

That Asian guy will sign and will challenge Dice K for being my favorite player.

We will trade for Salty from the Rangers for Clay Bucholz and a player to be named later.

Tampa Bay Rays
Will sign Garret Anderson and he will be the new Cliff Floyd of the team.

That is all.

Baltimore Orioles
Their big off season move will be signing AJ Burnett, he will be over paid and disappoint.

Toronto Blue Jays
Paul Byrd will be re-signed for the back end of the rotation.

Orlando Hudson will come back and that will allow Aaron hill to slide over to shortstop.

Jason Varitek will sign with the Blue Jays after they overpay for him and think they are sticking it to the Sox. However, we will get the last laugh when he bats .210.

Call me Pete Sheppard.

I've never been great with predictions and I don't think the professionals who make them are able to see into the future either. At the same time, wow, I was pretty far off base with these predictions.

The Cubs...The Cubs...The Cubs. If I were a Cubs fan out there, I'm not sure how I'd react after this latest debacle. This was a team built for a deep post season run. I'm still shocked as to how this series unfolded and really wasn't competitive in any manner. The Dodgers outpitched, outhit and outplayed the Cubs. Interestingly enough, it wasn't Manny Ramirez leading the charge as some of his stats may indicate. He did have a great series but the game-changers were Andre Ethier and James Loney. I guess this goes back to the old adage I had mentioned last week that at times it's not necessarily the best team but the hottest team (see: 2007 Colorado Rockies).

Next up: the Philadelphia Phillies and how wrong they proved me. This wasn't as bad as the Cubs series but in the end I overestimated Yovani Gallardo's ability in big games as of right now. Remember this, though; I have no doubt in my mind Gallardo will be a great pitcher in this league. I felt the Phillies haven't hit their stride yet after watching them demolish a solid (albeit tired and Ben Sheets-less) Brewers team. Cole Hamels looked like the stud that he has the potential to be every start he trots out for in game 1. That wasn't out of the realm of possibility. Brett Myers dominating was a bit less likely but he did what I was questioned whether he had the intestinal fortitude to do: take charge and have his emotions in control. Blanton was solid as well in game 4 but if the Phils have Myers and Hamels going strong they have a chance in any series.

I'll be previewing the 1970's-style matchup between the Phils and Dodgers tomorrow.

Tampa is up 6-2 on the White Sox in the 7th as I'm writing this and if they hold on, they'll be a tough opponent for whoever advances in the Sox-Angels series.

....Speaking of that series, to go back to that predictions thing, I'm not sure there were many who picked the Sox to take both in L.A. then lose game 3 with Josh Beckett on the mound at home. Something I've been coming to terms with gradually, and I think other fans are starting to feel the same way, is that this is not the 2007 Beckett. Nor do I think he'll be making an appearance in these playoffs. Something is obviously wrong with him physically and he simply isn't locating the way he needs to. The only pitch he had any sort of success with was his outside breaking ball. His fastball was all over the place and his velocity didn't scare any of those hitters. Success with runners in scoring position, no matter how little, has determined the first 3 games and I don't expect that to change tonight. Lester-Lackey could be a classic.

Side note: Mike Lowell won't be playing tonight and is out indefinately. Not that he's done anything in this series but this hurts purely because there was the threat of him coming up with a big hit. Not unexpected but this is something to follow in the offseason because a hip with growing arthritis could be problematic. Older players making big money with hip problems generally don't recover (see: Albert Belle).

BMack's Playoff Predictions

MLB Playoff Predictions

AL
White Sox Over Rays: 4 games
Red Sox over Angels: 4 games

Red Sox over White Sox: 5 games

NL:
Phillies over Brewers: 4 games
Dodgers Over Cubs: 5 games

Phillies over Dodgers: 7 games

World Series
Red Sox over Phillies: 6 games

-BMack

Now DP's MLB Predictions

Now that Pat did a good Playoff breakdown. Here is my half-assed predictions.

MLB Playoff Predictions

AL
Tampa Bay over White Sox: Sweep
Red Sox over Angels: Sweep

Red Sox over Rays: Legendary 3 game comeback

NL:
Phillies over Brewers: 5 games
Cubs over Dodgers: Sweep

Cubs over Phillies: Sweep

World Series
Red Sox over Cubs: 5 games

Jordan's Furniture is really happy.

Place the bets now.