THANK GOODNESS! After a lousy winter of New York Knicks basketball that started intriguing and fizzled out once the calendar hit 2016, I've been eageryl anticipating the baseball season. So yes, thank goodness! Thank you sweet game played on a diamond. Thank you, Major League Baseball. And, of course, thank you, Spring and Summer, for beginning to make your presence a reality.
So yes, baseball me! As always, here are my predictions for the 2016 MLB season:
Standings
AL East
Blue Jays: 91-71
Yankees: 91-71
Orioles: 87-73
Rays: 79-83
Red Sox: 77-85
AL Central
Tigers: 90-72
Royals: 90-72
Twins: 85-77
White Sox: 83-79
Indians: 79-83
AL West
Astros: 94-68
Rangers: 89-73
Mariners: 87-75
Angels: 81-81
Athletics: 70-96
NL East
Nationals: 92-70
Mets: 88-74
Marlins: 87-75
Braves: 72-90
Phillies: 69-93
NL Central
Pirates: 91-71
Cubs: 90-72
Cardinals: 86-76
Brewers: 76-86
Reds: 70-96
NL West
Diamondbacks: 90-72
Giants: 89-77
Dodgers: 87-75
Padres: 77-85
Rockies: 71-91
Goals/Awards/Leaders
AL Hitting Leaders
Average: Miguel Cabrera (.325)
Home Runs: Chris Davis (44)
RBIs: Juan Encarnacion (125)
Stolen Bases: Jose Altuve (41)
NL Hitting Leaders
Average: Bryce Harper (.329)
Home Runs: Giancarlo Stanton (52)
RBIs: Bryce Harper (128)
Stolen Bases: Dee Gordon (61)
AL Pitching Leaders
ERA: Sonny Gray (2.19)
Wins: David Price (19)
Strikeouts: Chris Sale (255)
Saves: Aroldis Chapman (38)
NL Pitching Leaders
ERA: Garrett Cole (2.38)
Wins: Max Scherzer (21)
Strikeouts: Noah Syndergaard (272)
Saves: Jeurys Familia (41)
All-Star Game MVP - Carlos Correa
AL Rookie of the Year: Byron Buxton
NL Rookie of the Year: Corey Seager
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Billy Butler
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Jose Fernandez
AL Cy Young Winner: Chris Sale
NL Cy Young Winner: Noah Syndergaard
AL MVP: Mike Trout
NL MVP: Bryce Harper
Playoffs
AL Wildcard: Royals d. Yankees
NL Wildcard: Giants d. Cubs
ALDS: Blue Jays d. Royals
ALDS: Astros d. Rangers
NLDS: Giants d. Nationals
NLDS: Diamondbacks d. Pirates
ALCS: Blue Jays d. Astros
NLCS: Giants d. Diamondbacks
World Series: Giants d. Blue Jays (Come on, it's an even year)
World Series MVP: Buster Posey