2012 MLB Predictions

It's that time of year. Time for my predictions on the upcoming baseball season. Unfortunately, I've been really busy with law school visits, school, and work, so I could not do this before game 1 in Japan between the A's and Mariners. Fortunately, that game will not affect my predictions. Here goes:

AL West
1. Texas Rangers (97-65): While I don't like moving Neftali Feliz to the rotation, I like this offense enough to support a rotation that frankly is good, but not great. I expect the bullpen to be lights-out as Joe Nathan has a bounceback season.

2. Los Angeles Angels (96-66): As an Angels fan, of course I like the Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson signings (for now), but I wish there was more support for the bullpen. Hopefully Jason Isringhausen and LaTroy Hawkins can provide some support for a bullpen that blew the most games in the majors.

3. Oakland Athletics (72-90): Sorry A's fans, but Manny Ramirez won't save this offense. But I do expect Yoenis Cespedes to be good. Just not good enough to carry this team, despite a pretty solid rotation.

4. Seattle Mariners (66-96): Outside of Felix, the pitching on this team is suspect to me. Also, I don't expect Jesus Montero to be enough of a masher in that park to prevent this team from scoring the fewest runs in the league.

AL Central:
1. Detroit Tigers (103-59): This Tigers team has the offense and solid enough pitching to overcome their defensive deficiencies and movement of positions. During the regular season they will be compared to the 1984 Tigers, one of the all time great teams.

2. Kansas City Royals (82-80): Young team, but will show solid development.

3. Chicago White Sox (80-82): Adam Dunn will have a bounceback year, but the rest of that team's offense (outside of Konerko) and the pitching staff is still suspect.

4. Cleveland Indians (80-82): Ubaldo will be a decent pitcher, but again, injuries and the team offense will take its toll.

5. Minnesota Twins (78-84): No rotation to speak of. Justin Mourneau will suffer more from his concussions and while I expect Joe Mauer to have a high average, nothing else will fall into place for him.

AL East:
1. New York Yankees (99-63): While a lot of analysts, like this rotation, I feel theres still too many question marks outside of CC Sabathia. Also, injuries will start to hamper this team, but there will still be enough offense to carry the day.

2. Tampa Bay Rays (96-66): The rotation is among the best in the league, and I think the offense and the bullpen will do just enough to carry the team into the playoffs.

3. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Great offense, good year from Carl Crawford, but no back end of the rotation to speak of and a suspect bullpen.

4. Toronto Blue Jays (89-73): Expect another monster year from Joey Bautista and a great year from Brett Lawrie. Strong development of the rotation as well.

5. Baltimore Orioles (71-91): This is a young team that frankly won't have too many bright spots this year outside of Adam Jones.

NL West:
1. Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68): Great season from the offense as it continues its development from last year. I still don't like the bullpen, but it will be enough to carry the team.

2. San Francisco Giants (92-70): Same old story. No offense, great pitching and bullpen.

3. LA Dodgers (88-74): I expect Matt Kemp to carry this team and the magic deal opens up trade deadline possibilities and Clayton Kershaw to be among the best pitchers in the league.

4. Colorado Rockies (82-80): Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez will put up MVP caliber seasons, but I do not trust that pitching staff.

5. San Diego Padres (80-82): Like a poor mans San Francisco, except with a worse pitching staff.

NL Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): I don't expect much of a drop-off from losing Albert Pujols, especially with the return of Adam Wainwright.

2. Cincinatti Reds (88-74): This team is pinning its entire rotation and sucess on Mat Latos, who I don't see doing well in that ballpark. The rest of that rotation also isn't the stuff dreams are made of. But that offense should carry the team well.

3.Milwaukee Brewers (86-76): Ryan Braun will not have a great season this year. Fortunately, Shaun Marcum and Zach Grienke will make up for that.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates (78-84): Losing season becomes legal. But Andrew McCutchen develops into one of the top players in baseball and AJ Burnett has a really good season after shedding the New York pressure.

5. Chicago Cubs (77-85): This is a team really without any bright spots except Starlin Castro developing into one of the best young offensive shortstops in the game.

6. Houston Astros (55-107): I might be optimist in my projection. This is a AAA team mostly. Might challenge being one of the worst teams ever.

NL East:
1. Philadelphia Phillies (95-77): One of the big three will get injured and the offense will under-perform. But the rotation is still good enough to carry this team.

2. Miami Marlins (92-70): The most entertaining team to watch this season. While the free agent signings are what everyone will watch, it is truly Giancarlo (Mike) Stanton's offense that carries this team.

3. Washington Nationals (90-72): This team has a great future, and they will begin to put it all together in the second half.

4. Atlanta Braves (86-76): Great pitching staff, no offense. Bullpen injuries will also occur.

5. New York Mets (70-92): Only expectations to have for this team is David Wright's continual decline.

PLAYOFFS:

Wild Card Games:
NL: San Francisco Giants over Miami Marlins
AL: Los Angeles Angels over Tampa Bay Rays

ALDS:
Texas Rangers over New York Yankees (3-1)
Los Angeles Angels over Detroit Tigers (3-2)

NLDS:
Philadelphia Phillies over San Francisco Giants (3-2)
Arizona Diamondbacks over St Louis Cardinals (3-2)

ALCS:
Texas Rangers over Los Angeles Angels (4-3)

NLCS
Arizona Diamondbacks over Philadelphia Phillies (4-1)

World Series:
Texas Rangers over Arizona Diamondbacks (4-1)

Awards:
NL ROY: Trevor Bauer 15-5, 3.41 ERA, 195 Ks
AL ROY: Matt Moore 16-6, 2.95 ERA, 201 Ks

NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw 20-5, 2.23 ERA, 264 Ks
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander 23-4, 2.46 ERA, 270 Ks

AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera .343 batting average, 38 home runs, 125 RBIs
NL MVP: Justin Young .304 batting average, 45 home runs, 130 RBI

AL Manager of the Year: Ron Washington, Texas Rangers
NL Manager of the Year: Mike Mathaney, St Louis Cardinals