Opening Day Redux
After a brief appetiser in Australia, Major League Baseball's Opening Days will kick off around the USA on Sunday and Monday.
This will be my first formal baseball preview for CD Starrz so it will be interesting to see how my picks finish the season so...away we go...
American League
East Division:
Baltimore Orioles (85-77)
The Orioles dropped a bit last season after a playoff run in 2012. Their batting order will be solid again and they return pretty much the same rotation from last season with a year's experience under their belts. Add the genius of Buck Showalter and this team will probably win 8-10 games more than they should. Other teams in the division have made improvements so even if the team is better, the record may not reflect it.
2014 Record Prediction: 80-82
Boston Red Sox (97-65)
Firstly, I'm not basing my pick here on the fact that I'm not really a Red Sox fan...just dealing in facts per se as I see them for the upcoming season. I know there will be rumbles from my Sox fan friends in the USA, Australia and all points in between!!
The loss of Jacoby Elsbury in centre field will hurt as he was the consummate performer for the BoSox there. Additionally the uncertainty around Stephen Drew can't be a good thing either so ... no repeat this season.
2014 Record Prediction: 90-72
NY Yankees (85-77)
If nothing else, the Yanks are back to their big spending ways but they have a few slightly past their prime players so it may take a season or so to climb back to the top. They will be in the public eye again with another farewell tour, this time for shortstop Derek Jeter who is hanging up the spikes at the end of the season...well done to a true professional. With the loss of Robinson Cano and no real prospects at third base expect the same record or slightly worse in the Bronx.
2014 Record Prediction: 81-81
Tampa Bay Rays (92-71)
This team has averaged 91.7 wins for the last six seasons and look to finish above that mark again this season. Though there are not a lot of big bats besides Evan Longoria, the team produces enough runs for their pitching staff to survive and thrive. Right fielder Wil Myers was solid as a rookie and could provide another solid bat for the Rays. Starting pitcher Chris Archer paired with Myers to give Tampa two of the leagues top rookies last year and both figure to get full seasons under their belts this year. If first baseman James Loney can provide some occasional pop, this team could go far.
2014 Record Prediction: 97-65
Toronto Blue Jays (74-88)
Basically, the bottom fell out for the Blue Jays last season so the only way is up. They should live up to their potential this season with a largely unchanged roster. Without all of the hype and hoopla this season, the Blue Jays could actually sneak into the playoffs.
2014 Record Prediction: 92-70
Central Division:
Chicago White Sox (63-99)
If nothing else, the ChiSox will most likely be Chicago's best team this season! When you scored fewer runs than the Astros last season, the only way is up!! Baby Steps!!
2014 Record Prediction: 66-96
Cleveland Indians (92-70)
Terry Francona took the Tribe back to the playoffs last season in a big turnaround for long suffering Cleveland fans. While they had no standout hitters with no one in the lineup hitting over 22 homeruns, the lineup was balanced from top to bottom. Unfortunately, they will not surprise as many people this year and with Kansas City looking improved, the Indians will slip.
2014 Record Prediction: 84-78
Detroit Tigers (93-69)
Pencil them in again as a threat to go all the way from the American League. Miguel Cabrera will spearhead the batting as usual with a move back to first base after the trading of Prince Fielder. Nick Castellanos at third and the reliable Ian Kinsler will improve the infield defense for Detroit along with making the batting lineup more versatile.
Justin Verlander should regain the form of two seasons ago to spearhead the strong Tiger pitching staff. Barring injuries, they will make another run for the glory.
2014 Record Prediction: 94-78
Kansas City Royals (86-76)
The Royals may supplant Cleveland as a wildcard team this season backing up from their second half of the season run last year. Full of young talent with a year's worth of big league experience and more waiting in the wings, this team will be exciting to watch. Look for Mike Moustakas to have that breakthrough season finally after a couple of teasers in the past two years. Greg Holland was quietly the AL's best closer for the leagues best bullpen last year so expect close to the same if not better from this underrated staff.
2014 Record Prediction: 91-71
Minnesota Twins (66-96)
Will battle the improving Astros for the worst record in baseball and will struggle to remain below 100 losses.
2014 Record Prediction: 61-101
West Division:
Houston Astros (51-111)
This team can only get better...eventually. Here's hoping they don't trade off too much of the stockpile of young talent too soon. Yes ...improvement but yes...100 plus losses again!!
2014 Record Prediction: 59-103
Los Angeles Angels (78-84)
The Halos will improve but remain in the division with Oakland and Texas which does not lend itself to a division title just yet. This team was pretty much put together to win and win in the short term so look for changes if that is not happening come trade deadline time or in the off season. Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton are hopefully finally healthy this season and Mike Trout is raring to go but the pitching staff can't be a revolving door situation again for them to be taken seriously.
2014 Record Prediction: 81-81
Oakland A's (96-66)
While they do not have a lot of household names and lost closer Grant Balfour to Tampa, the A's are a fairly deep team and to the shock of most....have won the West Division two years running over the more hyped Texas Rangers.
Look for them to do more of the quiet achieving thing again this season.
2014 Record Prediction: 95-67
Seattle Mariners (71-91)
Another team that has improved but are in a division that is loaded. Robinson Cano and Felix Hernandez add legitimacy but it may not show in the standings. The Mariners did move the fences in a bit to balance out Safeco field and make it not just a pitcher friendly park. The pitching staff is top heavy with Fernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma in the spotlight. Other arms need to emerge for improvement.
2014 Record Prediction: 77-85
Texas Rangers (90-72)
The Rangers now have a fairly strong batting lineup but a bit of an iffy pitching staff. That being said, they can still pose a threat to Oakland while holding the Angels at bay for second place in the division.Shin-Soo Choo may be the key addition to the Rangers as opposed to the more hyped Prince Fielder.
Yu Darvish may be this season's Cy Young winner but there is a lot of questions behind him in the rotation so it will be interesting to see how it pans out.
2014 Record Prediction: 89-73
National League
East Division:
Atlanta Braves (96-66)
The Braves took the division by 10 games last season but were sent packing by the Dodgers in the playoffs. With stalwarts Freddie Freeman, Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and the best defensive shortstop in baseball Andrelton Simmons all twenty six years old or younger, they will be solid for years to come. However B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla were disappointing at the plate. That along with injuries and defections to other teams through free agency may leave them just behind the Washington Nationals in the division race.
2014 Record Prediction: 83-79
Miami Marlins (62-100)
Giancarlo Stanton will head a largely unknown batting lineup for the young Marlins. Similar with the pitching staff, Ricky Nolasco and lefty Wade LeBlanc are about it.
Not a lot to look forward to in South Beach besides avoiding another 100 loss season.
2014 Record Prediction: 64-98
NY Mets (74-88)
Ace Matt Harvey will not be with the team but there is plenty of young talent on the farm for the Mets. Curtis Granderson, now in his mid 30's swaps sides of the city and will miss the short porch at Yankee Stadium but could still be productive....similar for Ike Davis, if he can stay healthy for the major part of the season but don't count on it. Pretty much the same as last year in Gotham.
2014 Record Prediction: 75-87
Philadelphia Phillies (73-89)
Oh well...as a Phillies fan, I'd love to see a great turnaround but I'll have to be realistic so I do not expect much but there is always room for a pleasant surprise. There is some talent with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Domonic Brown but with Cole Hamels not returning to the mound until at least mid season, treading water and rebuilding may be in order.
2014 Record Prediction: 70-92
Washington Nationals (86-76)
After just missing the post season last year, the Nationals may be a quiet tip to win it all this season. Bryce Harper is healthy and huge, coming back to join a lineup that features four other hitters who hit 20 or more home runs in 2013. With Doug Fister joining an already solid starting rotation, the Nats will be looking to go far into October!
2014 Record Prediction: 97-65
Central Division:
Chicago Cubs (66-96)
Team is improved but not as much as the rest of the division so record will not reflect the fact. Their minor league system is rated as one of baseball's best but that will not help in the bigs this season.
2014 Record Prediction: 63-99
Cincinnati Reds (90-72)
Cincy is solid and should push the Cardinals for the division crown. Bronson Arroyo and Shin-Soo Choo have defected but the Reds have others waiting in the wings. Tony Phillips comes in looking to rebound from a down season and should do so. Will be in contention at the end of the season.
2014 Record Prediction: 91-71
Milwaukee Brewers (74-88)
The Brew Crew were my other fav team when they were in the American League and I still keep up with them.There is good and there is bad with the Brewers, they will be improved but will still finish slightly below .500
2014 Record Prediction: 80-82
Pittsburgh Pirates (94-68)
The Pirates look to continue on from last year's effort in 2014 but the task may be tougher this year.Mainly driven by pitching and defense the Bucs will need more offensive fire power this time around to advance from the Central Division. Will be above .500 but may miss the post season.
2014 Record Prediction: 84-78
St. Louis Cardinals (97-65)
The Cards still have the deepest roster in baseball and that should very well get them close to the World Series again. They have been rated as the top team in MLB talent under 25yrs old so will be a solid squad for years to come.
This season the pitching will be solid again as will the bats
2014 Record Prediction: 97-65
West Division:
Arizona Diamondbacks (81-81)
The D'Backs will be pushed to match last year's 81-81 record and may drop off slightly.
2014 Record Prediction: 79-83
Colorado Rockies (74-88)
The Rockies may be 5-10 wins better than last season but that will not get them far in this division or in the National League.
2014 Record Prediction: 78-84
LA Dodgers (92-70)
With the biggest payroll in baseball, Los Angeles is expecting big things this year after a venture into last year's post season. The team is hoping to get totally healthy by the All-Star break and push towards a 100 win season, they may just do that but somehow lose out on the title.
2014 Record Prediction: 98-64
San Diego Padres (76-86)
The Padres will be the quiet achievers of the NL West and may challenge the Giants for the spot behind the Dodgers pending the maturity of their upcoming young players.
Health has haunted the Padres in the past and they hope to avoid major injury losses this season.
2014 Season Prediction: 83-79
San Francisco Giants (76-86)
The Giants will bounce back from their sub par performance of last season but may fall short of the post season again. Though older, the majority of the 2012 World Series championship squad is intact but others have improved around them so they may not make it into October.
2014 Season Prediction: 91-71
Ok....now for the post season of 2014:
AL Division Winners: Tampa Bay, Detroit and Oakland
AL Wildcards: Toronto and Kansas City
AL Champions: Detroit Tigers
NL Division Winners: Washington, St. Louis and Los Angeles
NL Wildcards: Cincinnati and San Francisco
NL Champions: Washington Nationals
World Series: Detroit over Washington in six games
Ok, it is now out there for all to remind me of...but if I end up right...hmmm....
