Early Season Baseball Predictions Looking Like Gold at 1/3 Pole!

[Kojak]

Before the season started, came on here giving my baseball picks as well as asking for others. So far, all are looking real strong!

NL Central -Predicted that the Cardinals would be up 10+ Games at the All Star Break. Wow! They could be up by 10 games by the end of Memorial DaY or shortly their after as they play Colorado (4 games) and Houston (3 games) this week. Also predicted that Cubs and Stros would finish no better than 3rd which is also looking good.

NL West- Predicted the Padres to win division and they have the third best record in baseball! Said Giants were too old and Dodgers lost too much.

NL East- Predicted Marlins to win division and Braves to get wild card which is right on target

AL East- Predicted Yankees to win which is looking good once again but also predicted Baltimore as a sleeper and Red Sox not to make playoffs.

AL Central- Predicted White Sox to surprise and win division which is looking good though Twins are coming on strong.

AL West- Predicted Angels to win with close second from Rangers which is also looking on target.

How have your early season picks look right now?

 

[REDEYE]

I can say I felt the same on all of those forecasts with the exception of the White Sox. They have really surprised me with their start especially with that not so imposing lineup. Was able to grab some 10/1 AL pennant recently though

 

[FairWarning]

I got torched on this site when I wanted to get some Cabrera MVP props over Pujols.

 

[ChuckSims]

You're predictions have been excellent. I don't think the White Sox will hold on as the Twins are right on their tails.

 

[winbet]

Good to see you posting again Kojak

 

[Kojak]

Sims,

AL Central should get interesting starting now! Frank Thomas comes back tomorrow for White Sox which will determine their fate. Their problem has been scoring runs which is what Big Frank helps the most with throughtout his career. I will also say that Reinsdorf and Williams will make some moves by the trade deadline to get them over the top but really respect Twins. Should go down to the wire with the difference being that Sox have beaten Twins head to head. If that continues, they will hold on!

 

[Kojak]

Fair Warning,

I will still say Pujols is the best player in baseball and might get MVP this year due to fact he has deserved it in the past and NL Mvp seems to based on making things right but with that being said, Cabrera would be my favorite though I am a Cardinal Fan. If Florida wins division instead of wildcard, he may pull it off as Cards notwithstanding a complete meltdown should be coasting in and it has been their pitching which is responsible.

 

[Kojak]

winbet,

Thanks as I often take time off from daily posting this time of the year. Hope things are going well for you!

 

[Kojak]

Redeye,

Sox had a rough weekend vs hot Rangers but still feel like they will hold on. Twins will do little at deadline and have had problems with Sox so far this year losing like 5 of 6. Big Hurt comes back tomorrow so should help offense. I do remember your predictions before season and we were about the same so congrats and best of luck to us the rest of the way!

 

[REDEYE]

I can also see series between Sox and Twins evening out.In past Twins have played very well against the Sox. Even though the Sox have had their way so far doesn't mean it can't swing back.

 

[D2bets]

Fair Warning,

I will still say Pujols is the best player in baseball and might get MVP this year due to fact he has deserved it in the past and NL Mvp seems to based on making things right but with that being said, Cabrera would be my favorite though I am a Cardinal Fan. If Florida wins division instead of wildcard, he may pull it off as Cards notwithstanding a complete meltdown should be coasting in and it has been their pitching which is responsible.

As of right now, it's not even close -- Derek Lee would be the NL MVP. He only leads the league in average, home runs, rbi, runs scored, on base %, slugging % and ops. He's even in the top 8 in steals, not to mention a great glove at 1st. That said, not sure he'll end up there, but right now, he's ahead considerably. Pujols isn't in the Top 3 in any category.

 

[FairWarning]

D2 - I'm a Cub fan also and it amazes me that these teams will still pitch to Lee. I think it will end soon for him. Cabrera will keep putting up numbers because he has Delgado protecting him in the lineup. Their chances to make the playoffs are much better than the Cubs too, helping Cabrera.

 

[D2bets]

D2 - I'm a Cub fan also and it amazes me that these teams will still pitch to Lee. I think it will end soon for him. Cabrera will keep putting up numbers because he has Delgado protecting him in the lineup. Their chances to make the playoffs are much better than the Cubs too, helping Cabrera.

Maybe, but if Ramirez gets it together, and he's too good not to and he's starting to shows, then they may slot him behind Lee making it less desirable to pitch around him.

 

[viking611]

Lee won't be in top 5 in MVP voting at end of year. And you can't win MVP when your team finishes 4th in the division.

Kojak as for your thread...I had pretty much the same predictions. I also picked the white sox to win central. Big Frank coming back is going to totally change the way opposing teams pitch to everyone in that lineup. Their pitching is what will carry them though...they will be at the top for the entire season.

 

[Kojak]

In regards to Lee, he could put up Ruth or Bonds numbers but if the team doesn't come close to meeting before the season expectations, he will not be MVP. What is his arguement, they would have finished last instead of fourth? He will be in top 5 if season ended today, but would not win it!

 

[D2bets]

Andre Dawson won MVP in 1987 for a hapeless Cubs team that won a few more than 0 games. And I don't even think he hit .300! MVP can be won without making the playoffs. Happened many times before. It takes clearly superior numbers, but Lee has that right now. But like I said, I don't think he'll end up with it. But if everyone ended with their current projected numbers, the trophy would be his.

Team finishing 4th? LOL

So much for Cards being up 10 right after Memorial Day. Make that now 6 in the loss column dwindling. Don't look now, but here come the Cubbies! (very challenging June schedule though)
arty:

 

[viking611]

watch out for the CUBBIES!!! LMAO....they've picked up one game in the last 10 games. Hilarious. and they're looking at the biggest deficit ever after this many games.

 

[Illini]

D2- The problem with Lee is that he'll go through a slump, just like everyone else does. Everyone else except for Pujols, who has proven throughout his career that he is immune to slumps.

 

[D2bets]

watch out for the CUBBIES!!! LMAO....they've picked up one game in the last 10 games. Hilarious. and they're looking at the biggest deficit ever after this many games.

If the Cubs pick up 1 game every 10 over the Cards the rest of the way they will beat them by 5 games. Picked up 2 in the last 5 games.

 

[D2bets]

D2- The problem with Lee is that he'll go through a slump, just like everyone else does. Everyone else except for Pujols, who has proven throughout his career that he is immune to slumps.

I think you're right. I think Lee will end up hitting maybe .320 or so. .360 isn't going to last. .320 with around 40 HR and 130 RBI. Numbers will probably end up similar to Pujols', with a slightly lower avg.