My 2009 MLB Predictions
April 4, 2009 at 6:49 pm 10 comments
So begins another season of the greatest sport in the world. Each team has a clean slate, each player sets out to perform at the top of their game, and everyone has visions of October. With that said, here are my predicitons when I take a look forward to the 2009 MLB season.
AL East
1. Boston Red Sox (94-68)*
2. Tampa Bay Rays (93-69)*
3. New York Yankees (91-71)
4. Toronto Blue Jays (79-83)
5. Baltimore Orioles (70-92)
AL Central
1. Cleveland Indians (89-73)*
2. Minnesota Twins (86-76)
3. Detroit Tigers (79-83)
4. Kansas City Royals (76-86)
5. Chicago White Sox (74-88)
AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels (88-74)*
2. Oakland A’s (84-78)
3. Seattle Mariners (77-85)
4. Texas Rangers (73-89)
NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies (89-73)*
2. New York Mets (88-74)*
3. Atlanta Braves (82-80)
4. Washington Nationals (79-83)
5. Florida Marlins (72-90)
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs (91-71)*
2. St. Louis Cardinals (87-75)
3. Milwaukee Brewers (82-80)
4. Cincinnati Reds (78-84)
5. Houston Astros (71-91)
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (65-97)
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (89-73)*
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (85-77)
3. San Francisco Giants (80-82)
4. Colorado Rockies (76-86)
5. San Diego Padres (63-99)
NLCS – Cubs over Dodgers in 7
ALCS – Indians over Rays in 6
World Series – Indians over Cubs in 7
Top 3 (from first-to-third)
AL MVP – Grady Sizemore (CLE), Miguel Cabrera (DET), Evan Longoria (TB)
NL MVP – Albert Pujols (STL), David Wright (NYM), Chase Utley (PHI)
AL Cy Young – Roy Halladay (TOR), Kevin Slowey (MIN), Scott Kazmir (TB)
NL Cy Young – Jake Peavy (SD), Yovani Gallardo (MIL), Josh Johnson (FLA)
AL R.O.Y. – Travis Snider (TOR), Brett Anderson (OAK), Matt LaPorta (CLE)
NL R.O.Y. – Chris Dickerson (CIN), Jordan Zimmerman (WAS), Cameron Maybin (FLA)
AL M.O.Y. – Eric Wedge (MIN), Joe Maddon (TB), Terry Francona (BOS)
NL M.O.Y. – Manny Acta (WAS), Lou Piniella (CHC), Tony LaRussa (STL)
AL Comeback – Victor Martinez (CLE), Aaron Hill (TOR), Chien-Ming Wang (NYY)
NL Comeback – Yovani Gallardo (MIL), Troy Tulowitzki (COL), Chris Carpenter (STL)
-Jonathan C. Mitchell
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1.
Flea | April 4, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I think we share a lot of the same picks. I did not do post-season and individual performance predictions, but it looks like a lot of our Total Wins picks are in line. Nice blog, I’ll be visiting here quite a bit.
2.
Charlie Nehl | April 6, 2009 at 11:21 am
Go Cubs!
I think the Indians are going to surprise a lot of teams. DeRo is going to be huge for them, and if Wood stays healthy, a top tier closer. Good young talent and arms. Could be a team to really watch this season.
I think you chose every logical choice for the awards, and they all seem good to me guessing before the season starts.
3.
Cody S | April 6, 2009 at 2:44 pm
one problem, the marlins? that low…….??
4.
Jonathan C. Mitchell | April 6, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Thanks Charlie! I do think the Red Sox are the best team on paper but I like the Indians for the reasons you noted and others. They have a good overall team with a lot of depth and guys like LaPorta, Miller, Hodges, Crowe, Rondon, and others that can step up and play big roles.
Cody – I just think the Marlins defense is too awful and they are way to impatient at the plate. A lot will have to go right for them to be even a .500 team.
5.
Gonzo 30 | April 12, 2009 at 8:43 am
First, let me say, this is an excellent site. I have enjoyed my first days on it. I was referred to it by a friend. They told me Three Guys KNOW THEIR STUFF and ARE DIEHARD Baseball Fans.
Okay, I agree w/The AL Central and the AL West. I believe the Indians are the best of the weakest AL Division. They have good Team Chemistry and a solid core of hitters. Their pitching will be suspect (especially relying on Pavano for any kind of positive results) and I am not sold on Lee showing the same form he had in 2008.
Angels are a strong candidate – I believe they could be a contender that can make some noise in the playoffs.
Its the AL East where I have different thoughts – I am a Yankees Believer – although, after reading Verducci’s Yankee Years, I now look at the organization differently. (A good read BTW) I have the Yankees and the Red Sox finishing one – two in the AL East. The Yankees for all their internal issues and personalities have a strong staff now (Deep from beginning to end) and their lineup is good. (Jeter, Damon, Tex, Matsui, Posada, Cano. (and I didnt even mention A Rod.) Veteran hitters with something to prove. While the Rays are a good team with several young studs, it is very hard to repeat and in my opinion, one year does not prove success year after year. My surprise team are the Blue Jays in the AL East.
In the National League, I have the Braves in the AL East. Good hitting and they added (2) good starters in Lowe (a bulldog) and Vazquez (inconsistent but maybe Cox can turn him around) Hanson can bring the surprise element to the team when he is called up. The Phillies had a strong run last year and I believe benefitted from a great Team Chemistry (thanks to Charlie Manuel) and some career years. Lidge with 49 saves (not one blown save all year), and Moyer had a strong year are (2) that come to mind. Mets don’t have the consistent pitching, although the addition of Putz and Green along with K Rod is the best move of the Winter. The lineup doesnt scare me – they would need some career years from Murphy and others – and their team Chemistry will have its Challenges…Reyes, Sheff, and Delgado.
In the NL Central, I am a fan of LaRussa and The Cards – especially, Albert Puljos – I believe they can be contenders. The Cubs and Cards in The Central. My surprise team will be The Reds.
In The NL West, I have the Dodgers taking the division in a clear cut case of the best of the worst.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest…Keep up the good work.
6.
Jonathan C. Mitchell | April 12, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Thanks a lot Gonzo!
I can totally see your argument for every choice you made. This season was honestly the hardest one I have had to predict since I was kid. I think the A’s have a legit chance at the AL West, the Braves in the NL East, and the Cardinals in the NL Central. I also highly agree with your comment about the Indians’ starting pitching. I really chose them because I think the offense will turn it around with Hafner and Martinez coming back and Choo playing all year. They also have depth and young guys ready to step in. They are not the best team on paper, that is the Red Sox, but they are the best team doesn’t always win.
Tell your friend thanks for recommending our site and I hope to see your honest comments around here!
Also, we are working on a new site layout. Should be much better and ready soon!
Hope to see your comments around here a lot.
7.
Cody S | April 16, 2009 at 7:52 am
after a little over a week of baseball, what tweaks, if any, would you make to your predictions?
8.
Jonathan C. Mitchell | April 16, 2009 at 10:58 am
The Indians are making me worry a little bit but I picked them because I believe they will be very strong once they cut Pavano loose, shift Peralta to 3B and Cabrera to SS, and bring up some young guys. I believe those things will happen and this slow start may make it happen.
Seattle is surprising me a bit too.
9.
Cody S | April 17, 2009 at 6:31 am
how good does that pick of halladay look right now?
10.
Jonathan C. Mitchell | April 17, 2009 at 7:28 am
He’s money! I think Halladay has a legit shot at the HOF one day and few people give him the respect he deserves.