Time for predictions (?)

[msgkings322]

With the teams basically ready to go (a few names still to be signed), who do we see winning divisions, making wild cards, and my favorite topic: which teams will be the big surprises, both out and underperforming?

NL:

Division winners: Giants (a bit homerish here), Cubs, Mets (kind of consensus on these division picks)
Wild cards: Dodgers, Cardinals

Upside surprise: Marlins
Downside surprise: D-backs

AL (much harder for me to choose)

Division winners: Astros, Royals, Red Sox
Wild cards: Rangers, White Sox

Upside surprise: White Sox
Downside surprise: Angels

 

[Chewbaccer]

NL Division winners: Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers

Wild Cards: Giants, Pirates

Upside surprise- Braves(big time homer pick)
Downside surprise- Mets

AL Division winners: Blue Jays, Royals, Angels

Wild Cards: Twins, Astros

Upside surprise- Twins(they were good last year but still don't seem to get much respect)
Downside surprise- Red Sox again


World Series- Giants over Blue Jays

It's an even year, so bet big on the Giants to win it all.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

NL Division Winners: Mets, Cubs, Dbacks

Wild Cards: Cards, Giants

Upside Surprise: Marlins
Downside: Nats and Dodgers

AL Division Winners: Jays, Indians, and Astros

Wild Cards: Royals, Red Sox

Upside: Rays
Downside: Yankees

World Series

Jays over Dbacks

 

[msgkings322]

NL Division winners: Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers

Wild Cards: Giants, Pirates

Upside surprise- Braves(big time homer pick)
Downside surprise- Mets

AL Division winners: Blue Jays, Royals, Angels

Wild Cards: Twins, Astros

Upside surprise- Twins(they were good last year but still don't seem to get much respect)
Downside surprise- Red Sox again


World Series- Giants over Blue Jays

It's an even year, so bet big on the Giants to win it all.

If the Cubs don't make the playoffs like you predict here, that's a big time downside surprise don't you think?

 

[Chewbaccer]

If the Cubs don't make the playoffs like you predict here, that's a big time downside surprise don't you think?

I think the Mets missing the playoffs, who represented the NL in the WS would be a bigger one.

 

[MiamiVice]

NL Division

• Arizona
• NY
• Cubs

Wild Card

• Miami
• San Fran

AL Division

• Detroit
• Bos
• Texas

Wild Card

• Houston
• NY

NL Champ - Cubs
AL Champ - Texas

WS winner - Cubs

Biggest disappointments NL

• Nationals
• Cards
• Dodgers

Biggest disappointments AL

• Royals
• Angels
• Blue Jays

I don't see the Royals being able to go on another long run without a league average pitching rotation. Long playoff runs take a lot out of teams.. and they have serious flaws.. One injury to a guy like Hosmer or Wade Davis and the Royals are just as likely to end up in last in the division. Out of the AL East contenders the Blue Jays have improve the least... and the Angels have done nothing at all.

In the NL... The Marlins are set up to have a very good lineup and rotation. If it all comes together they can be a legit team to watch. I think chemistry in Washington is going to lead to another crap year.. the cards lost a ton of talent and are getting old... and the dodgers are all overpaid players with no hunger to win.

 

[MiamiVice]

It is a even year.. so picking San Fran is probably my second choice as WS winner.

 

[calsnowskier]

NL Divisions

Giants
Cubs
Mets

Wild cards

Cardinals
Dodgers

AL Divisions

Astros
Royals
Yankees

Wild cards

Rangers
Blue Jays

Giants over Astros




Completely unbiased!

 

[jwolt92]

NL: Nats, Pirates, Giants
Wildcard: Cubs, Dodgers

Upside surprise: Marlins
Downside surprise: Mets

AL: Yankees, Twins, Angels
Wildcard: Red Sox, Astros

Upside Surprise: Twins
Downside surprise: Blue Jays

WS: Nats over Astros

 

[Villain]

Not predicting anything until the end of Spring Training.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Not predicting anything until the end of Spring Training.

Same. Still some FA's out on the market that will make impacts, plus potential injuries that could change everything.

 

[mike hunt]

NL Division Winners

Mets (Real line up to start Season)

Cubs (Bad taste from that Mets whipping)

SF ( Know how to win and helped Rotation)

NL WC

Nats & Dodgers

AL Division Winners

Toronto

Tigers

Houston

AL WC

Boston & Royals

 

[Bolts]

 

[packerzrule]

Not predicting anything until the end of Spring Training.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Brewers will really suck this season...........and the next.....and the next

 

[dredinis21]

View attachment 84186

Makes sense, you ARE a Padres fan.

 

[Bolts]

Makes sense, you ARE a Padres fan.

They helped me become immune to pain along with the Kings and Chargers, I ought to thank them for that.

 

[Bolts]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Brewers will really suck this season...........and the next.....and the next

So, 2019 postseason run? Go Arcia!

 

[calsnowskier]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Brewers will really suck this season...........and the next.....and the next

Since 1982, the Brewers have the same number of World Series appearances as the Dodgers...

 

[Villain]

Bump

 

[Clayton]

Division winners: Giants, Cubs, Mets
Wild cards: Pirates, Cardinals

Upside surprise: Pirates
Downside surprise: D-backs

AL

Division winners: Astros, Royals, Blue Jays
Wild cards: Rangers, Indians

Upside surprise: Indians
Downside surprise: Red Sox

Blue Jays over Mets would be an early guess