Wow, those were some atrocious picks.
I managed to pick ONE division winner and only two playoff teams out of eight. The Phillies were the easy pick in the NL East and I had the Yankees winning the Wild Card. Giants-Red Sox World Series proved to be way off base with both teams missing the playoffs. The Twins were picked first in the AL Central and finshed last and the Diamondbacks won the NL West after being picked dead last. I managed to pick zero teams with an exact record but did have the Astros with the worst record in baseball and they were even worse than I predicted.
As far as the accolades go it was another 0'fer but I must say, Hellickson should have won ROY in the AL.
Here's to hoping 2012 fares a little better.
A look at a few of my favorite things; college football, major league baseball, golf, LOST, among others.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Tribe Still Rolling!
The Cleveland Indians completed their third sweep in five series this afternoon after beating the Baltimore Orioles 4-2. Fausto Carmona recorded his first win on the season and third quality start in a row after the opening day massacre. At 11-4 the Indians have best record in the American League and start a series with the equally surprising Kansas City Royals (10-5) on Monday.
The Indians are Royals were picked by everyone (myself included!) to be flat out bad. It's no secret that the Royals have a lot of talent in their farm system but the success was supposed to be a couple years away yet. The Royals have been led by homegrown bats. Alex Gordon and Billy Butler are living up to the expectations of being first round draft picks, both hitting over .350 in the early going.
The Tribe has been built on prospects received by trading away the stars of yesteryear. Justin Masterson has been unbeatable in three starts after coming to Cleveland in the Victor Martinez trade. Carlos Carrasco has been getting better each start after being acquired in the Cliff Lee trade. Mitch Talbot was acquired for none other than Kelly Shoppach! Closer Chris Perez came to the Tribe in the Mark DeRosa deal. That is a very young and promising pitching staff.
Looking at the lineup, it is also littered with players acquired by trade. Grady Sizemore was famously acquired in the Bartolo Colon deal in 2002 along with Cliff Lee and Brandon Phillips (gave up on him a little quick). Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana, Matt LaPorta, Shin-Soo Choo, Michael Brantley, and Travis Hafner also came to Cleveland by way of the trade.
While many people tend to focus on the success of players that the Indians have traded away, they have done a fine job of recognizing and developing young talent for the likes of Cliff Lee, CC Sabathia, and Victor Martinez.
The Indians are Royals were picked by everyone (myself included!) to be flat out bad. It's no secret that the Royals have a lot of talent in their farm system but the success was supposed to be a couple years away yet. The Royals have been led by homegrown bats. Alex Gordon and Billy Butler are living up to the expectations of being first round draft picks, both hitting over .350 in the early going.
The Tribe has been built on prospects received by trading away the stars of yesteryear. Justin Masterson has been unbeatable in three starts after coming to Cleveland in the Victor Martinez trade. Carlos Carrasco has been getting better each start after being acquired in the Cliff Lee trade. Mitch Talbot was acquired for none other than Kelly Shoppach! Closer Chris Perez came to the Tribe in the Mark DeRosa deal. That is a very young and promising pitching staff.
Looking at the lineup, it is also littered with players acquired by trade. Grady Sizemore was famously acquired in the Bartolo Colon deal in 2002 along with Cliff Lee and Brandon Phillips (gave up on him a little quick). Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana, Matt LaPorta, Shin-Soo Choo, Michael Brantley, and Travis Hafner also came to Cleveland by way of the trade.
While many people tend to focus on the success of players that the Indians have traded away, they have done a fine job of recognizing and developing young talent for the likes of Cliff Lee, CC Sabathia, and Victor Martinez.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Predictions Proving Wrong!
The Cleveland Indians are off to an 8-2 start that no one could have ever predicted. It's not just that they are winning but it is the way that they are winning. They are winning on timely hitting, great starting pitching, a terrific bullpen, and stopper defense.
The Indians have the third best run differential in baseball (+19) and are in the top ten in every offensive category. Take away the opening day disaster and the Indians have the best ERA in baseball and the third best fielding percentage.
Asdrubal Cabrera has been hitting the ball the best he has in his career, with four early season home runs and ten RBI. Fausto Carmona came back from his dismal start in the opener to shut down the Boston Red Sox (my title pick!) last week and the young arms of Masterson, Tomlin, and Talbot have been great in the early going. There aren't many players left on the team from the 2007 team that was one win away from the World Series, but those that are are going to be key during the season. The leadership of Travis Hafner, Asdrubal, Fausto, and Grady Sizemore will be crucial in the team's success. Hopefully Grady can bounce back from injuries the past two seasons and be a key contributor out of the leadoff hole and in centerfield.
Now by no means do I expect the Tribe to play this well all season, but they give reason for hope to a city that hasn't had much luck on it's side the past 50 years. Let's make this an Indian Summer!
The Indians have the third best run differential in baseball (+19) and are in the top ten in every offensive category. Take away the opening day disaster and the Indians have the best ERA in baseball and the third best fielding percentage.
Asdrubal Cabrera has been hitting the ball the best he has in his career, with four early season home runs and ten RBI. Fausto Carmona came back from his dismal start in the opener to shut down the Boston Red Sox (my title pick!) last week and the young arms of Masterson, Tomlin, and Talbot have been great in the early going. There aren't many players left on the team from the 2007 team that was one win away from the World Series, but those that are are going to be key during the season. The leadership of Travis Hafner, Asdrubal, Fausto, and Grady Sizemore will be crucial in the team's success. Hopefully Grady can bounce back from injuries the past two seasons and be a key contributor out of the leadoff hole and in centerfield.
Now by no means do I expect the Tribe to play this well all season, but they give reason for hope to a city that hasn't had much luck on it's side the past 50 years. Let's make this an Indian Summer!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
2011 MLB Predictions Sure to Be Wrong
Well I managed to get 4/8 playoff teams from last year, but did successfully predict Roy Halladay to be a unanimous Cy Young winner! Below are the 2011 Predictions!
AL East
1. Boston Red Sox 96-66
2. New York Yankees 92-70
3. Toronto Blue Jays 88-74
4. Tampa Bay Rays 83-79
5. Baltimore Orioles 68-94
The Red Sox definitely improved from a season ago with the additions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. Their biggest question mark will be whether the bullpen can stay healthy.
AL Central
1. Minnesota Twins 91-71
2. Detroit Tigers 86-76
3. Chicago White Sox 81-81
4. Kansas City Royals 72-90
5. Cleveland Indians 65-97
The Twins are hoping to not only win the division but actually win a playoff series, something that haven't had much luck doing. The Tigers made some key acquisitions and have a young developing pitching staff. The Royals are going to be THE team, but maybe not until 2013 or so.
AL West
1. Oakland Athletics 91-71
2. Texas Rangers 89-73
3. LA Angels 79-83
4. Seattle Mariners 69-93
The Athletics have their new Big 3 in Cahill, Gonzalez, and Anderson, not to mention Dallas Braden who had a perfect game in 2010. The Rangers will have to overcome the loss of Cliff Lee but may have the bats to do it.
NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies 96-66
2. Atlanta Braves 93-69
3. Florida Marlins 80-82
4. New York Mets 78-84
5. Washington Nationals 65-97
The Phillies should have no problem winning their fourth straight division title with a vaunted rotation of Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels, and Blanton. The loss of Chase Utley till probably the All-Star break will hurt the offense, but they may not need many runs. The Braves will again be challenging the Phillies with a young and very talented team.
NL Central
1. Cincinnati Reds 88-74
2. Milwaukee Brewers 87-75
3. St. Louis Cardinals 81-81
4. Chicago Cubs 75-87
5. Pittsburgh Pirates 70-92
6. Houston Astros 62-100
The loss of Adam Wainwright won't do the Cardinals any favors. The Brewers made a lot of additions to contend this season before they likely lose Prince Fielder in the offseason.
NL West
1. San Francisco Giants 94-68
2. San Diego Padres 85-77
3. Colorado Rockies 84-78
4. Los Angeles Dodgers 75-87
5. Arizona Diamondbacks 67-95
The Giants should be able to repeat behind the stellar pitching staff and the growth of Buster Posey and potential of Brandon Belt.
AL Divisional Series
Boston Red Sox 3 Minnesota Twins 1
Oakland Athletics 3 New York Yankees 2
AL Championship Series
Boston Red Sox 4 Oakland Athletics 2
NL Divisional Series
San Francisco Giants 3 Atlanta Braves 2
Philadelphia Phillies 3 Cincinnati Reds 1
NL Championship Series
San Francisco Giants 4 Philadelphia Phillies 3
World Series
San Francisco Giants 4 Boston Red Sox 2
AL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia
AL MVP: Evan Longoria
AL ROY: Jeremy Hellickson
NL Cy Young: Ubaldo Jimenez
NL MVP: Prince Fielder
NL ROY: Brandon Belt
The Giants repeat!!
All this will be wrong and the Indians will win it all!
AL East
1. Boston Red Sox 96-66
2. New York Yankees 92-70
3. Toronto Blue Jays 88-74
4. Tampa Bay Rays 83-79
5. Baltimore Orioles 68-94
The Red Sox definitely improved from a season ago with the additions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. Their biggest question mark will be whether the bullpen can stay healthy.
AL Central
1. Minnesota Twins 91-71
2. Detroit Tigers 86-76
3. Chicago White Sox 81-81
4. Kansas City Royals 72-90
5. Cleveland Indians 65-97
The Twins are hoping to not only win the division but actually win a playoff series, something that haven't had much luck doing. The Tigers made some key acquisitions and have a young developing pitching staff. The Royals are going to be THE team, but maybe not until 2013 or so.
AL West
1. Oakland Athletics 91-71
2. Texas Rangers 89-73
3. LA Angels 79-83
4. Seattle Mariners 69-93
The Athletics have their new Big 3 in Cahill, Gonzalez, and Anderson, not to mention Dallas Braden who had a perfect game in 2010. The Rangers will have to overcome the loss of Cliff Lee but may have the bats to do it.
NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies 96-66
2. Atlanta Braves 93-69
3. Florida Marlins 80-82
4. New York Mets 78-84
5. Washington Nationals 65-97
The Phillies should have no problem winning their fourth straight division title with a vaunted rotation of Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels, and Blanton. The loss of Chase Utley till probably the All-Star break will hurt the offense, but they may not need many runs. The Braves will again be challenging the Phillies with a young and very talented team.
NL Central
1. Cincinnati Reds 88-74
2. Milwaukee Brewers 87-75
3. St. Louis Cardinals 81-81
4. Chicago Cubs 75-87
5. Pittsburgh Pirates 70-92
6. Houston Astros 62-100
The loss of Adam Wainwright won't do the Cardinals any favors. The Brewers made a lot of additions to contend this season before they likely lose Prince Fielder in the offseason.
NL West
1. San Francisco Giants 94-68
2. San Diego Padres 85-77
3. Colorado Rockies 84-78
4. Los Angeles Dodgers 75-87
5. Arizona Diamondbacks 67-95
The Giants should be able to repeat behind the stellar pitching staff and the growth of Buster Posey and potential of Brandon Belt.
AL Divisional Series
Boston Red Sox 3 Minnesota Twins 1
Oakland Athletics 3 New York Yankees 2
AL Championship Series
Boston Red Sox 4 Oakland Athletics 2
NL Divisional Series
San Francisco Giants 3 Atlanta Braves 2
Philadelphia Phillies 3 Cincinnati Reds 1
NL Championship Series
San Francisco Giants 4 Philadelphia Phillies 3
World Series
San Francisco Giants 4 Boston Red Sox 2
AL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia
AL MVP: Evan Longoria
AL ROY: Jeremy Hellickson
NL Cy Young: Ubaldo Jimenez
NL MVP: Prince Fielder
NL ROY: Brandon Belt
The Giants repeat!!
All this will be wrong and the Indians will win it all!