MLB 2010 Playoff Predictions
Before we get to the predictions, let's two a quick review of my preseason picks.
The Picks I Nailed: Atlanta and Tampa Bay in the Playoffs
While some may have had the Rays in the playoffs (not as many as you'd think with the Red Sox in their division), next to nobody had the Braves. Maybe it was the mystique of Bobby Cox and his ejections. Maybe it was my feeling that Hanson and Heyward would be beasts. Who knows. But I'm very happy that I nailed this one because the rest of my picks left much to be desired.
Pick I Kind of Nailed: Cincinnati Being Good
I had them as a sleeper, but not a world beater. I bring this up because, as I just mentioned, there aren't a lot of good predictions from the Preseason version.
The Picks Everybody Nailed: Phillies and Yankees Where They Should Be
More to come on these later.
The Picks I'd Like To Forget: Dodgers, Cardinals, Tigers, Rangers
I don't want to talk about the Dodgers and I think I just felt sorry for Detroit, leading to the Tigers pick. But the Cardinals? I guess you need more than just two hitters and two pitchers to win a division. I just thought Pujols was good for 80 wins by himself. My bad. And the Rangers? How are they this good? I still don't get it. Sort of like the Padres almost taking the NL West. Maybe I'm still missing something.
Here are 10 Predictions to get you through the postseason:
1. You'll be up late watching.
In case you forgot from the last several years, MLB doesn't seem to care that games end in the middle of the night. I've been at Persian weddings that don't last as long as wildcard match-ups. How does MLB expect kids to be amped for baseball when they can only watch 3 innings of the biggest games of the year before bedtime.
2. Brian Wilson will do something insane.
I'd explain this, but I'll just post the youtube clip my brother-in-law sent me instead. One word: ninja.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf0j1rmZVbM)
3. Charlie Manuel will get way too much air time.
This isn't a problem I have with Charlie Manuel per se. It's a problem I have with MLB managers wearing the same unis that their players wear. No way should a husky 66-year old be wearing tight fitting clothing in public and, heaven forbid he disputes a call, come running out of the dugout. Football coaches wear khakis and collared shirts. Basketball and hockey coaches wear suits. What's the deal with baseball managers playing dress up?
4. Tampa Bay might not win, but they will be a tough out.
Tampa Bay has the make up of so many teams that have won in the last 15 years. They have youthful exuberance. They can run circles around most teams. Their pitching is more than solid. They are well managed. And they're even experienced, despite their youth, as a result of the run a couple of years back.
5. Poor Minnesota will go down to the Yankees, again.
Never again will I pick against Minnesota in a regular season, or at least as long as Ron Gardenhire is still there. I don't care if the entire team is injured and they spend $15 million on the entire roster. This team is always in the mix. However, they also always lose to the Yankees. They'll have home field advantage against the guys in pin stripes for the first time but it won't matter. Too much firepower in the Bronx.
6. Joey Votto will become a household name.
He should have been one already. This is a potential MVP who had to be written in to make the All-Star team. I'm not sure why people don't know about this guy, but he's a premier big leaguer who will have a coming out party this postseason. To actual fans I know that sounds weird, but trust me, maybe 1 in 50 people has heard of Joey Votto.
7. We will see the same three ads rougly 150,000 times.
I don't know which three ads these will be, but something is always rammed down our throats during the postseason. Hopefully it isn't an ad campaign featuring Dane Cook this year.
8. We here in L.A. will have to put up with transplants obsessing over the MLB Postseason
Ugh. It's bad enough having the transplants invent reasons to hate L.A. and our sports teams (think Lakers) despite continuing to live here, but now we'll have to hear them talk baseball when the only drama in the L.A. baseball world revolves around a billion dollar divorce. Seriously Mark Cuban. Please save us!
9. New York will win the AL
I know this isn't exactly going out on a limb, especially with Jeter and Teixeira coming alive in the second half, but, go through their rotation real quick. Not overly impressive. And how old is Mariano Rivera? 49 years old? I'm pretty sure he gave up Kirk Gibson's home run in the 1988 World Series. And before that he pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series. That said, the Yankees will have a tough time in the ALCS against the Rays, but they will take it in 6. Robinson Cano will be the X-factor as he has been all season.
10. Phillies win it all
It pains me to say that because I don't like this team and I find it tough to bet on Ryan Howard not swinging at balls in the dirt. Do teams not scout during the regular season? I swear I've seen that guy strike out about 4 times a game in the playoffs after knocking balls 450 feet during the regular season. Whatever. Jimmy Rollins. Shane Victorino. Jayson Werth. And how about some Cole Hamels going bananas the second half of the season with some Roy Halladay holding down the rotation? The Phillies are by far the most balanced team and should be the one to beat. I am not looking forward to running into cocky Philly fans. Not even 20 Kevin Kolb interceptions will temper their excitement. Don't mind me, I'm just a depressed Dodgers fan.
The Picks I Nailed: Atlanta and Tampa Bay in the Playoffs
While some may have had the Rays in the playoffs (not as many as you'd think with the Red Sox in their division), next to nobody had the Braves. Maybe it was the mystique of Bobby Cox and his ejections. Maybe it was my feeling that Hanson and Heyward would be beasts. Who knows. But I'm very happy that I nailed this one because the rest of my picks left much to be desired.
Pick I Kind of Nailed: Cincinnati Being Good
I had them as a sleeper, but not a world beater. I bring this up because, as I just mentioned, there aren't a lot of good predictions from the Preseason version.
The Picks Everybody Nailed: Phillies and Yankees Where They Should Be
More to come on these later.
The Picks I'd Like To Forget: Dodgers, Cardinals, Tigers, Rangers
I don't want to talk about the Dodgers and I think I just felt sorry for Detroit, leading to the Tigers pick. But the Cardinals? I guess you need more than just two hitters and two pitchers to win a division. I just thought Pujols was good for 80 wins by himself. My bad. And the Rangers? How are they this good? I still don't get it. Sort of like the Padres almost taking the NL West. Maybe I'm still missing something.
Here are 10 Predictions to get you through the postseason:
1. You'll be up late watching.
In case you forgot from the last several years, MLB doesn't seem to care that games end in the middle of the night. I've been at Persian weddings that don't last as long as wildcard match-ups. How does MLB expect kids to be amped for baseball when they can only watch 3 innings of the biggest games of the year before bedtime.
2. Brian Wilson will do something insane.
I'd explain this, but I'll just post the youtube clip my brother-in-law sent me instead. One word: ninja.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf0j1rmZVbM)
3. Charlie Manuel will get way too much air time.
This isn't a problem I have with Charlie Manuel per se. It's a problem I have with MLB managers wearing the same unis that their players wear. No way should a husky 66-year old be wearing tight fitting clothing in public and, heaven forbid he disputes a call, come running out of the dugout. Football coaches wear khakis and collared shirts. Basketball and hockey coaches wear suits. What's the deal with baseball managers playing dress up?
4. Tampa Bay might not win, but they will be a tough out.
Tampa Bay has the make up of so many teams that have won in the last 15 years. They have youthful exuberance. They can run circles around most teams. Their pitching is more than solid. They are well managed. And they're even experienced, despite their youth, as a result of the run a couple of years back.
5. Poor Minnesota will go down to the Yankees, again.
Never again will I pick against Minnesota in a regular season, or at least as long as Ron Gardenhire is still there. I don't care if the entire team is injured and they spend $15 million on the entire roster. This team is always in the mix. However, they also always lose to the Yankees. They'll have home field advantage against the guys in pin stripes for the first time but it won't matter. Too much firepower in the Bronx.
6. Joey Votto will become a household name.
He should have been one already. This is a potential MVP who had to be written in to make the All-Star team. I'm not sure why people don't know about this guy, but he's a premier big leaguer who will have a coming out party this postseason. To actual fans I know that sounds weird, but trust me, maybe 1 in 50 people has heard of Joey Votto.
7. We will see the same three ads rougly 150,000 times.
I don't know which three ads these will be, but something is always rammed down our throats during the postseason. Hopefully it isn't an ad campaign featuring Dane Cook this year.
8. We here in L.A. will have to put up with transplants obsessing over the MLB Postseason
Ugh. It's bad enough having the transplants invent reasons to hate L.A. and our sports teams (think Lakers) despite continuing to live here, but now we'll have to hear them talk baseball when the only drama in the L.A. baseball world revolves around a billion dollar divorce. Seriously Mark Cuban. Please save us!
9. New York will win the AL
I know this isn't exactly going out on a limb, especially with Jeter and Teixeira coming alive in the second half, but, go through their rotation real quick. Not overly impressive. And how old is Mariano Rivera? 49 years old? I'm pretty sure he gave up Kirk Gibson's home run in the 1988 World Series. And before that he pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series. That said, the Yankees will have a tough time in the ALCS against the Rays, but they will take it in 6. Robinson Cano will be the X-factor as he has been all season.
10. Phillies win it all
It pains me to say that because I don't like this team and I find it tough to bet on Ryan Howard not swinging at balls in the dirt. Do teams not scout during the regular season? I swear I've seen that guy strike out about 4 times a game in the playoffs after knocking balls 450 feet during the regular season. Whatever. Jimmy Rollins. Shane Victorino. Jayson Werth. And how about some Cole Hamels going bananas the second half of the season with some Roy Halladay holding down the rotation? The Phillies are by far the most balanced team and should be the one to beat. I am not looking forward to running into cocky Philly fans. Not even 20 Kevin Kolb interceptions will temper their excitement. Don't mind me, I'm just a depressed Dodgers fan.
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