MLB 2012 AL Predictions

MLB 2012 AL Predictions

AL West
1. LA Angels - Pujols does make that big of a difference. Watch for Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar to break out. The return of Morales and Walden's ability to close will be crucial.
2. Texas Rangers - So much talent, but so many guys will be free agents at the end of the season. Hopefully Ron Washington can keep the club focused on winning and not their next pay check. Excited to see Yu Darvish be all that he can be. He's already the ace of the staff, could be Cy Young if all goes well.
3. Seattle Mariners - Yes, their offense sucks but 2B Dustin Ackley can rake. Write it down. He will lead this team out of the cellar. I just hope that they don't trade away Felix at the trade deadline, he's special and they will need him if they ever want to compete. This could be Ichiro's last year in MLB if he decides to return to Japan at season's end.
4. Oakland A's - These guys surrendered in the offseason when they dealt away pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill for prospects (again). Their lineup is putrid, Coco Crisp hits third, ewww. I like OF Yoenis Cespedes but he has no help at all. This team has no talent and play in the best division in baseball. Good luck fools.

AL Central
1. Detroit Tigers - You try facing Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder back-to-back and see how many baseballs leave the park. They are young and can bash. They will need Boesch and Young to succeed in order to see good pitches. I believe that they will. Verlander only won the Cy Young and MVP last year---amazing.
2. KC Royals - The new-look Royals can score runs. They will score and compete this year. Gordon and Hosmer will blossum into household names. If they had any pitching at all there would be a lot more hype surrounding them. Losing Soria also won't help their bullpen which is always important.
3. Cleveland Indians - Grady Sizemore is out again. Their lineup is led by SS Azdrubal Cabrera, not a good sign for the Tribe. I like Masterson and underrated closer Chris Perez. If Ubaldo Jimenez can find his stuff of 2010 then they will contend for second place. Catcher/DH/1B Carlos Santana looks great in BP but needs to hit over .239 this year.
4. Minnesota Twins - Is there a more injury prone team than the Twins? Mauer, Morneau and Liriano seem to get hurt every year. I think that they bounce back this year and could easily finish right behind the Tigers. The addition of Willingham in left field will pay dividends, at least they signed him after losing Cuddyer and Kubel.
5. Chicago White Sox - New Manager Robin Ventura will remember two things from baseball....managing is easier from the stands and never charge the mound on Nolan Ryan. Ventura will have a rude awakening this year. The Sox dealt away closer Sergio Santos and will try Matt Thornton again. That spells Rolaids.

AL East
1. NY Yankees - They will score runs against anyone. Cano is unreal, but I wish that they would hit Gardner in the leadoff spot. Gardner adds a special dimension (speed) to the Yanks and they need to realize that before it is too late. Maybe an injury to Jeter will force Girardi's hand. Also, watch for the Yanks to deal if they need to add another piece in order to make a run in postseason.
2. TB Rays - Evan Longoria needs to step it up this season. He is their leader and their offense depends on him to produce. I think that he's due. I like bringing back Carlos Pena at first but he needs to stop strinking out so much. It will be a treat to see OF Desomnd Jennings and pitcher Matt Moore develop this year. The Rays have stock piled so much talent.
3. Toronto Blue Jays - That's right, the Jays will finish ahead of the BoSox. The Jays could probably battle for the NL crown if they were in the NL East instead. Gotta give the Jays credit for continuously rebuilding and adding young stars (Lawrie, Morrow, Rasmus). Romero has developed well and secretly has nasty stuff.
4. Boston Red Sox - Their pitching is a mess. I mean, it's really bad, across the board. Their new closer Andrew Bailey will have thumb surgery and will already miss half the season. So Mark Melancon will probably close now, he hardly held down the Astros closing duties last season. OF Carl Crawford is hurt again and will miss a month as well. This team will be in trouble and the Boston faithful has never been bashful about letting their sports teams know how they feel. Trouble is brewing.
5. Baltimore Orioles - Bad Pitching and Poor Hitting will put any team in the basement. The future still isn't bright in Baltimore, these guys do NOT scout well. Their picks are in the top ten every year and they never find players. Truly pathetic. Buck Showwalter tries hard but never really has a chance. Always next year Buck.

Wild Card - Texas over Rays
ALDS - Angels over Yankees 4-1 and Texas over Tigers 4-3
ALCS - Angels over Rangers 4-2