1. New York Yankees
As much as it pains me to say this, because of my pure hatred for anything in pinstripes, the Yankees are going to be tough to beat.
New York is stacked from top to bottom, with an all-star lineup and a great bullpen featuring David Robertson, Rafael Soriano, and of course the untouchable Mariano Rivera. It's tough to beat a team when the game is over after the 7th inning.
The Yankees only weakness was it's starting rotation...key word "WAS"...
The Yanks beefed up the rotation by adding Michael Pineda from Seattle and Hiroki Kuroda from Los Angeles to go along with CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova. The Yankees really don't have a weakness (and no age isn't a weakness. I would take Jeter at the plate in October over just about anyone) and this is why we hate them.
AL Central
Detroit Tigers
Mark it down. With a sharpie. There is no way anyone wins this division besides the Tigers.
Justin Verlander is dominant, and has a chance to throw a no-hitter each and every time he steps on the mound. A lot of people argued that he shouldn't have won the MVP because he's a pitcher, but I dare you to name another player that was more valuable to his team.
It will be interesting to see the effect newly aquired Prince Fielder will have on Detroit's lineup. He will bat 4th behind Cabrerra, so pick your poison.
One big question to be answered is how Miguel Cabrerra will handle the transition to 3rd base. He isn't exactly the same player that played 3rd for the Florida Marlins.
AL West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Welcome to the best pennant race in the league...the AL West. Both the Angels and Rangers will battle for the crown all season long, but I give a slight edge to the Halos.
There is no better starting rotation in all of baseball. Most would argue the Phillies, but they only have 3 great starters...The Angels have 4.
Don't underestimate the addition of C.J. Wilson, the so called "bust" that went 4-0 in spring training with a 1.33 ERA. It's just spring training, but that doesn't happen by accident.
The Halos weakness is their bullpen. Jordan Walden can throw 100MPH, but doesn't have great control which results in a lot of walks. He led the league in blown saves in 2011, but his potential is through the roof. Scott Downs is a reliable lefty out of the pen, and they added some veteran help in LeTroy Hawkins. If the bullpen can get on track, be consistant, and help the big horses in the starting rotation the Angels will be extremely tough.
Obviously the addition of Albert Pujols was a huge boost to an Angel offense that struggled to score runs last season. His sure presance will help the Angel lineup in many ways. One is Howie Kendrick, who will hit in front oh Pujols. Kendrick had a break out season in 2011 with a career high 18 HR and 63 RBI, and his numbers will only increase as he will get a ton of good pitches to hit batting in front of Albert.
The two players that will play a big role in how far the Angels will go in 2012 are Mark Trumbo and Kendrys Morales.
Trumbo is coming off a spectacular rookie season with 29 HR and 87 RBI and somehow getting screwed out of the AL Rookie of the Year. He is trying to make the transition over to play 3rd base full time, to be able to keep his big bat in the lineup (because some guy named Albert Pujols took his position). If he makes the transition smoothly, he will have another big year.
Because Morales has missed a season and a half due to a freak accident, where he fractured his ankle stepping on home plate after a walk off grand slam, many have forgotten how good this guy was. In 2009 he was up for MVP consideration when he hit 34 HR 108 RBI and finished the season with a .306 average. If he comes anywhere near those numbers in 2012 watch out for the Angels.
NL East
Philadelphia Phillies
You can't count out a rotation that features Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamles who won 50 games in 2012. The big question for the Phillies if they want to continue to win the NL East is the injury concerns with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Without them they could lose their crown to the Braves, who I'm sure can't wait to get this season starting after last years debacle.
Many are jumping on the Marlins bandwagon to win this division. My answer to that is look at their lineup. They have an injury prone Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez...that's it. The Phillies have better pitching and a more potent offense, even with injuries, than anyone in this division.
The Phillies signed...no thats not the word...VASTLY OVERPAID former Boston closer Jonathan Paplebon. No one is worth $50 million dollars that pitch one inning when their team is up by 3 or less, and don't even think about letting them pitch 3 days in a row because that would just be too much for their arm. Why can't closers pitch more? 3 days in a row equates to 3 innings...pansies. Verlander pitches 8 innings like its no big deal. The save statistic in itself is a stupid and overrated stat. Congratulations you pitched one inning with a 3 run lead and didn't lose...do you get where I'm coming from. Don't pay $50 million dollars to closers.
NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals
Albert Pujols is gone. Cardinal fans can justify it any way they want by saying they don't care and that he is old, but if we be real, it hurts. Losing your franchise player and Future Hall of Famer has to hurt. The Cards quickly signed Carlos Beltran to fill the void, but Pujols isn't a player that can be replaced and the Cards front office and fans will soon realize this.
That doesn't mean the Cardinals won't be a good team. I think they have enough pitching and offense to get by the Fielder-less Brewers and the Reds (because let's face it the Cubs, Pirates, and Astros will be done by June). David Freese is ready for a big season after his postseason heroics last year, and Adam Wainright coming back from injury will be a big boost to the rotation and leadership in the clubhouse.
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks
Don't be surprised if Justin Upton wins the NL MVP this year. He had a big year in 2011 with 31 HR and 88 RBI, and expect him to put up bigger numbers in 2012 with a now experienced Diamondback team.
All-Star Ian Kennedy finished 2011 with a 21-4 record and is the ace of the D-Backs' staff. Arizona will be in the race if he has a similar season, but he will need help from fellow starters Trevor Cahill, Joe Saunders, and Josh Collmenter, who have been pathetic in spring training with a combined 1-9 record with no one under an ERA of 4.86. Daniel Hudson finished spring 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA, so if the others can right the ship, expect to see Arizona in October.
AL Wild Cards
Boston Red Sox
As badly as I want to put the Rays here, I just can't. The Rays have better pitching, but let's face it...the Sox can rake.
Having said that, Boston has some issues.
Does anyone else find it weird that the 2004 Red Sox could drink shots of Jack Daniel's before playoff games and no one had a problem with it, but the 2011 Red Sox pitchers ate fried chicken and drank some beer during games they didn't pitch in and it caused a nationwide uproar?
That's Red Sox nation for ya. They are either the best team in the league, or the scum of the earth. Its euphoria or the apocalypse.
Just for perspective, the 2011 Braves endured the exact same pain the Red Sox did. They were up 9+ games in the wild card standings, imploded in September and missed the playoffs. The only difference is that they didn't freak out, blame everyone but themselves, and clean house.
Terry Francona was one of the best managers in baseball, he helped break the curse of the bambino bringing 2 world championships to Boston, and how is he repaid? His name is drug through mud and is run out of town. In no way was the Red Sox collapse Francona's fualt. I guess we'll see where passing the blame gets someone. Good luck with Valentine, Bean Town.
Texas Rangers
Questions are being asked if Mike Napoli will slow down. I watched Napoli ever since he got to the big leagues with the Angels and I can firmly tell you that he will not. He had a tremendous season and his batting average may drop a little bit, but he will be the same power hitter he has always been, it's just that no one noticed him before.
The big question for me that should be asked is about Yu Darvish. Can he pitch in the big leagues? There was no Pujols, Fielder, Cano, etc over there and it will be very interesting to see if his game translates to the Majors. If it does, that makes Texas' average rotation great, if not, that was a lot of money to spend on an average pitcher.
The Rangers lineup is one of, if not the most, dangerous in the league from top to bottom. Everyone that comes to the plate is a threat and that is their greatest strength.
Josh Hamilton is my player to watch. All eyes are on him with his much publicized alcohol problem, and rift with the front office over contract negotiations. Hamilton's future in Texas is hanging on this season.
NL Wild Cards
Atlanta Braves
This is a team with something to prove after last season's epic meltdown. In Chipper Jones' final season, I'm sure there will be many "lets win this one or him" speeches.
It's no secret that Atlanta has great pitching, and great pitching wins in October...it's getting there that's the problem.
I think the biggest factor in Atlanta's playoff push will be Jason Heyward. After last years sophomore slump hitting just .227 with 14HR and 42 RBI, Heyward needs to bounce back and have a great season for the Braves. He is what they were missing last year, and with his normal numbers, I think the Braves make the playoff without a problem. If he comes back as his old self, you won't want to face the Braves in October.
San Francisco Giants
Pitching, Pitching, Pitching. When you have a rotation like the Giants you will always be in games. The Giants are known for the anemic offense, and it didn't get any better losing Carlos Beltran, however, they do have Buster Posey back from injury and the always entertaining Pablo Sandoval.
I hope the Giants make the postseason just because Brian Wilson has got to be the most entertaining person on the planet. From the skin tight tuxedos, to the Taco Bell commercials, the more Wilson we can get, the better.
AL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL MVP: Justin Upton
AL CY Young: Justin Verlander
NL CY Young: Roy Halladay
World Series: Angels vs Phillies
Champion: Angels
It may be a biased choice, but it would make me physically sick to say the Rangers, Yankees, or Red Sox would win the World Series. So for my health's sake...Go Angels.
