i know its better to do it before the season starts, but anyone have predictions for the playoffs this year?
i did it with a friend before the season started and here's my list:
AL
East: Bosox
Central: Indians
West: Angels
WC: Detroit
AL
East: Rays
Central: Twins
West: Angels
WC: Yankees
NL
East: Philadelphia
Central: Cubs
West: Diamondbacks
WC: Brewers
AL
Angels over Yankees
Rays over Twins
Angels over Rays
NL
Cubs over Diamondbacks
Brewers over Philadelphia
Cubs over Brewers
CUBS over Angels in 5.
(im a cub fan and could not post without having them as my clear cut champs, that and i really do think they have the best shot this year then ever before)
Now for my award predictions
AL MVP: Josh Hamilton
NL MVP: Ryan Braun
AL Cy Young: Francisco Rodriguez
NL Cy Young: Rich Harden (if its even possible--if not then Brandon Webb)
AL Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria
NL Rookie of the Year: Edison Volquez
AL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon
NL Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella (if Cards make the playoffs it'll be LaRussa)
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Cliff Lee
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Jorge Cantu
AL
East: Rays (I think the Manny deal will change the complexion of the East for good)
Central: Sox
West: Angels
WC: Yankees (I really think they are coming on at the right time, plus good moves trades-wise)
NL
East: Philadelphia (another meltdown in NY)
Central: Cubs
West: Diamondbacks
WC: Marlins (gotta be a homer)
AL
Angels over Yankees
Sox over Rays
Angels over Sox
NL
Fish over DBacks
Philly over Cubs
Philly over Marlins(in a 7 game series...taken to game 7)
Angels over Phillies in 6 (Lidge blows a couple of saves).
Now for my award predictions
AL MVP: Josh Hamilton
NL MVP: Ryan Howard or Lance Berkman
AL Cy Young: Halladay
NL Cy Young: Volquez(how crazy would that be?)
AL Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria
NL Rookie of the Year: Edison Volquez
AL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon
NL Manager of the Year: Fredi!
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Cliff Lee
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Jorge Cantu
AL
East: Red Sox - I think Bay will produce as well as Manny
Central: Twins - If/When Liriano comes back they'll be much better
West: Angels - No brainer
WC: Rays - Yankees come close, but fall short
NL
East: Philadelphia - Offense is too potent, and Mets pitching is suspect
Central: Cubs - No homerism, they're just the best team in the NL right now
West: Diamondbacks - I don't think Manny will help the Dodgers. D-Backs pitching is elite
WC: Brewers - I think they squeak in in front of the Mets
AL
Angels over Rays - Angels are too good
Red Sox over Twins - Sox are better than Twins
Angels over Red Sox - Angels, again, too good
NL
Cubs over Brewers - Proven they can do it
Diamondbacks over Philly - Pitching will shut down that offense
Cubs over Diamondbacks - Momentum will carry them. 6 games series. (I hope)
Cubs over Angels in 7. Because this is homerism right here
Awards
AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez - Carlos Quentin a close 2nd (even though Josh Hamilton will probably get it... and even though Grady Sizemore will probably deserve it) NL MVP: Ryan Braun - Chase Utley close second (Berkman has cooled off and is on a bad team. Braun will be worthy, although Hanley Ramirez will be snubbed big time by voters)
AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee - Halladay's record will hurt him, though he is just as deserving. Mariano Rivera will finish somewhere in Top 3 NL Cy Young: Dan Haren - Even though Webb will probably win it, and Dempster would be a worthy selection. Haren has clearly been the best pitcher in the NL this year. Harden will get consideration, but won't win because of half-year stats (numbers don't carry over league to league). Lincecum will finish high
AL Rookie of the Year: Joba Chamberlain - By the time the season is over he'll have 140IP or so and a shit load more strike outs. Longoria will get hosed because of the NY bias. Ellsbury will be Top 3 because of that reason. David Murphy will get snubbed below him. NL Rookie of the Year: Geovany Soto - Edinson Volquez isn't a rookie, folks. Runner up will be Kosuke because of his popularity, even tohugh it should be Jair Jurrjens or Joey Votto
AL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon - Pretty obvious NL Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella - If the Cubs finish best in the Nl, he wil get it. Otherwise, LaRussa deserves serious consideration for making the Cardinals a good team despite using scrap heaps and AAA lifers to surround Pujols
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Cliff Lee - Although worthy runner ups include Jermaine Dye, Aubrey Huff, and Ervin Santana NL Comeback Player of the Year: Jorge Cantu - The switchover from AL to NL will probably not allow Rich Harden to win, even though he will deserve it if he finishes the season from here on out uninjured. Ryan Dempster should also get consideration. I'd add Jason Bay too if he didn't get traded
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As a matter of fact he is. One must of pitched 45 innings before September 1st in the previous year to NOT be considered a rookie. Volquez never went over 34 IP with Texas.
Not a rookie. One year doesn't matter. It's how many IP you have in your MLB service time before September 1st. If he was a rookie he'd have been talked about all year about ROTY honors, but he hasn't.
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hmmm you're right. funny how i've read in numerous places he is a candidate haha some major journalists need to check their facts. i thought it was less than 45 IP in any given year, not cumulative, regardless i was wrong and now confused by all these mlb guideline....bastards....like how Fukudome is considered a rookie even though he plenty of years undwer his belt form japan.....whatev