Skip to main content

Predictions and Wild Guesses For The 2016 MLB Season

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

Recently Read

Dear Son, Big Fan of the Kid Turning Seven

---7 Years Old --- Dear Son,  It’s been a while since I’ve dropped a few thoughts. Forgive me, I’ve just been watching. Just observing. Taking it all in. Trying to be a good dad. I’m punching the keys today from one of your martial arts practices. It’s your second with “the big kids” and also the second time I’ve found myself watching from the sidelines with anxiety, with pride, and with likely my biggest fandom for you yet in this space. My feelings are much more than you playing baseball or coaching you in basketball. Your disposition is different. Your excellence is different in this space. With martial arts, you stay diligent with the process. Respectful. Working hard. Getting better. In competition with and respecting the older kids you are training with. That’s what I’ve enjoyed. It encapsulates everything you’ve grown into thus far. Still empathetic as ever, but adding an element of self-ambition and drive - something I’ve prided myself on - and to see you mature into this m...

Working in Higher Ed, Lately

"Working in higher education must be interesting these days, huh?" That question was posed to me by several people who recently learned that I worked in higher education. The recent discourse around the industry and field has certainly shifted in narrative and the overall feel within it. I recently wrapped up my fourteenth (!!) academic year. It's remarkable to think that I've been serving students and following a passion for this long. This is especially the case considering the rising turnover, the documented yearly burnout, and the increasing exodus from the field.  And, yup, there is that whole enrollment cliff combined with the politics that are more present than ever on college campuses.  So yeah, higher education is weird right now. Very weird.  Some quick thoughts : IS IT TIME?  Yes, I have thought about leaving the field several times. Especially, over the last few years. COVID didn't really bother me, but it's safe to say that the world of higher edu...

Quick Ponder: Future Self

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?