My 2010 Baseball Predictions

Ah. It's that time again. Spring training is almost over and another long baseball season is about to start. So of course, that means I'll be making my season predictions. I got 6 out of the 8 playoff teams correct last season and missing the eventual champions. As usual, so many questions are going to be answered in six months. Will the Mets have another colossal collapse? Will the Angels continue to run the table in the weak AL West division? And of course, can the Yankees repeat as championship or the will be Red Sox's off season moves be enough? Here we go.

American League:

1. New York Yankees (AL East Champions)

2. Los Angeles Angels (AL West Champions)

3. Detroit Tigers (AL Central Champions)

4. Boston Red Sox (AL Wild Card)

ALDS: Yankees over Tigers, Angels over Red Sox

ALCS: Angels over Yankees

The biggest question mark for me is the AL Central. Which scrappy team will have enough to make it to the division series just to lose in the first round? Since the Twin's Joe Nathan is gone for the season, I'm going to go with the Tigers.

National League:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West)

2. St. Louis Cardinals (NL Central)

3. Philadelphia Phillies (NL East)

4. Atlanta Braves (NL Wild Card)

NLDS: Dodgers over Braves, Phillies over Cardinals

NLCS: Phillies over Dodgers

I have the Phillies going to their third straight World Series. And in a surprise move, I think the Braves will return to the postseason courtesy of the Mets imploding again late in the game. Dodgers and Cardinals should be shoo-ins by June.

World Series: Phillies over Angels

For the second straight year, I'm going to predict the Phillies as the eventual champions. On paper, this team seems very strong and after taking a beating in a tough NL East, I think they should coast in October.

My Derek Jeter Hit Parade

Well, he's only one away. One hit away from having the most hits in New York Yankee history. If you think about the history that comes along with this organization, it's pretty remarkable how current Yankee fans have the opportunity to witness such a moment. When Derek Jeter undoubtedly get that next hit, the Yankee captain will be showered with praise and jubilation. I don't think it a Yankee more deserving.

My Baseball Nonsense

Someone please tell Buck Showalter he's insane. 'Baseball Tonight' completely indulged in his pet project of campaigning to realign major league baseball is rather ridiculous. Are the programming looking for material to put on air? Because there's plenty of material going on during this summer season.

Abandon the century old tradition of American and National leagues? Contracting BOTH Florida teams simply because they have spring training there? Putting the Yanks, Mets, Phillies, Rays and Red Sox in the same division? Are we really going back to the argument of rather of a DH should be used? I guess Buck just has a lot of time on his hands.

My 2009 Baseball Predictions

With another baseball season starting this weekend, I figured it's time to throw in my two cents as usual with some predictions. Last year, I was a little off. Although I did have both the Red Sox and Phillies in the League Championship Series. So many questions are going to answered. Will the Mets have another colossal collapse for the third straight season? Can the Rays take their best season and run with it? Can the Yanks overcome last year's woes and this year's off-field distractions? Which team will come out of the dreadful NL Central and West alive? I guess we'll all just have to wait and see. Anyway, here are my quick picks:

American League:

1. Boston Red Sox (AL East Champions)

2. Los Angeles Angels (AL West Champions)

3. Minnesota Twins (AL Central Champions)

4. New York Yankees (AL Wild Card)

ALDS: Boston over Minnesota, Los Angeles over New York

ALCS: Los Angeles over Boston

I don't see the Rays getting back to the playoffs (ESPN Mag has them winning it all!) and the Yanks will do well under Girardi's second season but not well enough. The Angels are as dominant as they can be in another weak division.

National League:

1. Philadelphia Phillies (NL East Champions)

2. Chicago Cubs (NL Central Champions)

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West Champions)

4. New York Mets (NL Wild Card)

ALDS: Philadelphia over Los Angeles, New York over Chicago

ALCS: Philadelphia over New York

I don't see how the Mets' offseason moves for their bullpen will result in another collapse- I was wrong last year as well. The only that'd give the Dodgers problems should be the Diamondbacks- other than that, Philadelphia should roll on.

World Series: Philadelphia over Los Angeles

Going out on a limb and calling for the first repeat World Series Champions since the '98-'00 Yanks.

My Second Open Letter To Brian Cashman

Mr. Cashman,

I know I've written to you once before regarding last year's "rebuilding year" and was glad to see that you didn't end up trading our prospects for a run for the playoffs. See what the Tampa Bay Rays did? It was all with prospects and simple trading. But the reason I'm writing this time is to support your much criticized comments regarding Alex Rodriguez. 

“We’ve invested in him as an asset. And because of that, this is an asset that is going through a crisis. So we’ll do everything we can to protect that asset and support that asset and try to salvage that asset.”

Yes, it was a bit cold- but it is exactly what most Yankee fans are thinking. It is time to begin impersonalizing ourselves with Rodriguez. He's a great player but with all the baggage that comes along the good, I couldn't find a better word to describe him than the word you chose. 

Good luck this season. Your stadium looks great,

Peter

P.S.- It is so uncool your people don't return calls to people you interviewed for job openings. 

My Red Sox Delight

Welcome to my world, Red Sox fans, welcome to my world. 

My Baseball Hatin' Self

So yeah, my Yankees have been out of the running for the playoffs for quite some time now and to channel that frustration and to relieve myself from this said disappointment, I keep telling myself that it's a "rebuilding year", which is kinda is- but it's not enough. What would be enough is if the season ended today, both the Red Sox and the Mets will lose their division.... that would be enough. I'm just sayin'.

My Open Letter To Brian Cashman

Mr. Cashman,

First of all, I'm glad you're finally letting go and have what will be the closest thing to a rebuilding year the Yankees are ever going to get. With that in mind, I hope you're not tempted to make any trades before the deadline with most of your stars on the disabled list. We need those young talent and giving someone like Brett Gardner, Phil Hughes or Daryl Rasner up for a bat to the end of the season just isn't worth it. Getting someone off the current available market like Richie Sexson is the kind of move the Yanks need to make for the interest of the bigger picture.

I know, I know, that new boss Hank is boning you about how all his opening day starters have appeared on the DL (see picture), but don't worry. Between you and me, I think he's just trying to impress his dad. Just smile and nod while his saliva-ridden mouth goes off on you, it'll get better.

Okay, that's all for now. Until then,
Peter

P.S.- Mango pudding IS suppose to taste like gelatin!

My 'Uggly' Errors

C'mon. The pun practically writes itself. Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla had a rough tenth inning during Tuesday's All-Star. Not only did he ground into an inning-ending double with the winning run at third, he proceeded to commit two fielding errors during the bottom half of the inning. 

I know it's a little late, but it just dawned on me how much it reminded me of Chuck Knoblauch back in his error-prone Yankee days at the same location. (AP)

My Early Baseball Surprise

I know it's early, but as of right now. The Kansas City Royals is the only team left in Major League Baseball to be undefeated after sweeping Detroit. Strange to hear that, no? 

My Yankee Gang

In more gang related news, Major League Baseball is surprised some of their merchandise is still on the market- particularly Yankee hats and jersey with designated 'gang colors and patterns'. First of all, I always thought it was just a hip, ghetto thing and had no idea each gang had its own color. Second, what if some innocent guy came into Modell's asking for one and mistakenly joined a gang by accident? Geez. (NYD)

My Open Letter To Jose Canseco

Dear Mr. Canseco,

Congratulations on the release of your second book, 'Vindicated'. I'm sure it'll be a good profit you and hope you'll end up on the short list of the Pultizer Prize. I'm more than grateful for your 'exposes' for the sake of baseball, but please don't use that as your excuse to release this book. You needed the money, plain and simple. Also, how do you feel about Alex Rodriguez's response to your allegations of steroid use. "I really absolutely have no reaction." Perhaps that's the approach the rest of us should take with your book. (ESPN)

Sincerely,

Peterio

P.S.- I want my copy of 'Moulin Rouge!' back, it's an out-of-print edition. 

My 2008 Baseball Predictions

I bleed baseball... along with films, boardgames, tennis, awards... and so on. So as the new baseball season is upon us, I'm obligated once again to give my 2 cents. And once again, many stories emerged before the season even begins. Can the Red Sox repeat as champions despite their early injuries? Can the Mets come back from last year's disastrous late season collapse? Can the Yankee play a graceful final season at Yankee Stadium despite all the steroids controversies? We'll find out, but until then... here is my outlook. 

American League:

1. Boston Red Sox (AL East Champions)

2. Detroit Tigers (AL Central Champions)

3. Los Angeles Angels (AL West Champions)

4. New York Yankees (AL Wild Card)

ALDS: Boston over Los Angeles, New York over Detroit

ALCS: Boston over New York

- Joe Girardi will give a new jolt to the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry, but I think Boston will ultimately power over the Yanks.

National League:

1. New York Mets (NL East Champions)

2. St. Louis Cardinals (NL Central Champions)

3. Arizona Diamondbacks (NL West Champions)

4. Philadelphia Phillies (NL Wild Card)

NLDS: New York over Arizona, Philadelphia over St. Louis

NLCS: New York over Philadelphia

- The Mets made the best off-season moves. They should handle it easy, if they don't collapse again.

World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox

My Leadoff Yankee

I love that baseball is just around the corner. Spring training, which to me has always been a bore and overhyped, just got a little interesting. After a heavy brawl yesterday with the Devil Rays, the Yankees are scheduled to play this afternoon with none other than comedian Billy Crystal as their leadoff hitter! What an experience this would be for the longtime Yankee fan. So all I have to do now is to be in a few more movies? Let me start working on that. (AP)

UPDATE: Crystal struck out on a 3-2 breaking ball. This marks the first time someone got a standing ovation and hugs from everyone after striking out.