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+--- Thread: 2118 Season Preview/Predictions (/showthread.php?tid=63378)
2118 Season Preview/Predictions - Wiguy - 08-18-2022
Season Predictions:
ALE:
Red Sox 96-66
Expos 92-70
Yankees 88-74
Orioles 67-95
Blue Jays 54-108
The AL East appears to be a 3 team race (unless masc starts his fire sale) Baltimore has fallen flat and appears headed for a retool. Toronto didn’t add much after his sell off but 1B Moody appears to be a long term building block. The Yankees have a rotation to match horses with anyone in the league. Their problem lies in their aging offense that may not score enough runs to keep up in a competitive division. The Expos have less problems scoring runs in the little league park but the question remains can their pitchers keep it in and do they have the right mix of contact to go with their thump. That leaves the favorites in my eyes to repeat, the Boston Red Sox. The BoSox have a balanced lineup, deep rotation, and their only real weakness appears to be a less than stellar bullpen. They should be able to score enough runs to outpace the rest of the ALE.
ALC:
Guardians 100-62
Royals 95-67
Tigers 86-76
White Sox 74-88
Twins 69-93
In the AL Central both the Twins and White Sox are at different stages of a reload. Both have intriguing young players but simply don’t stack up when it comes to the heavyweights that the top. In 3rd are the Tigers whose GM has kept them afloat for quite some time. Maybe he has one more trick up his sleeve but as currently constructed the Tigers are just outgunned. That brings us to the cream of the crop, the top two teams in the ALC are two of the best in the league. The Royals have an interesting mix of speed, contact with a splash of power while the Guardians have a more balanced attack especially after the big off-season addition of Bernie Henderson. The pitching is what tips the scales in the favor of the fellas from OH though as their rotation is deep and can beat you in many ways.
ALW:
Angels 102-60
Astros 82-80
A’s 76-86
Rangers 68-94
Mariners 64-98
That brings us to the weakest division in the AL, where the defending champs look like clear favorites to take it once again. The Mariners appear headed for a rebuild while the direction of the Rangers is completely undefined. Are they rebuilding? Are they going for it? Are they content in the middle? The A’s blew their wad on uninspiring additions that I don’t believe gets them anywhere near the top of the division. They appear a team destined for the poor house and a rebuild. The Astros are a young squad on the come up, full of intriguing prospects on the farm they will soon close the gap on the Angels. When Jer looks in his rear cow that spec closing fast is the team from Houston. That brings us to the defending champs who are clear favorites here and frankly shouldn’t be challenged unless the Astros progress ahead of schedule.
NLE:
Nationals 90-72
Mets 87-75
Phillies 85-77
Braves 73-89
Marlins 64-98
This division is a little more up for grabs but the Marlins and Braves don’t quite stack up to the top 3 teams: The Marlins added, depleted their farm, and didn’t get the desired results. What comes next is probably a length rebuild. The Braves GM burned it to the ground like he usually does and added some nice pieces in the process. What becomes of all the prospects he added to the farm determines how far this rocket goes. The top 3 teams are pretty interchangeable, the Phillies got hot last year and sailed into the playoffs before disappointment set in. This year I think they level off a bit and just miss the postseason. The Mets are coming, a couple years of high picks have led to some top tier young players. The Mets have an nice mix of contact and speed on offense, but they may be lacking a big power threat in the middle of the lineup. Their rotation is deep and anchored by Millikin who is a year in and year out Cy Young candidate. Their youth and slight lack of power may be their undoing but it’s only a matter of time before teams are chasing the team from the Big Apple. Washington appears to be the team to beat, their GM drafts well and always fields a deep roster. The don’t have many holes and offer a multitude of ways to beat you. Any of these 3 teams could finish in 1st but based on their overall depth I go with the Nats making the postseason.
NLC:
Pirates 94-68
Brewers 92-70
Reds 81-81
Cardinals 76-86
Cubs 50-102
The Cubs appear to be flirting with the 50 wins line, it will be a long long season on the Northside. The two enigma GMs appear destined to finish where they usually do 3rd and 4th. This season does not appear to be one of GD’s or Theo’s random run at the division so instead they fight it out to see who finishes above the Cubs. The Pirates and Brewers are the clear cream of the crop here and may be the two best teams in the NL. If they manage not to beat each other too much they may meet in the NLCS. The Pirates clip the Brewers in the regular season but the Brewers may have the last laugh.
NLW:
Giants 89-73
Dodgers 88-74
D-Backs 74-88
Padres 73-89
Rockies 70-92
The NL West should come down to old rivals. The Rockies are in the midst of acquiring talent and a couple years of a push. With the Padres it’s a matter of when not if that GM tandem can field a team capable of making a run at the crown. In the Desert the GM appears to be dealing with heat stroke or asleep at the wheel. The team doesn’t seem to have a direction and is stuck in purgatory. This division comes down to the mainstay (Dodgers) and the up and coming new threat (Giants). I think it’s a close race all year with the team from Sam Fran taking it on the final day.
Playoffs:
WCG:
Royals over Expos
Brewers over Dodgers
ALDS
Angels over Royals
Guardians over Red Sox
NLDS
Brewers over Pirates
Giants over Nats
ALCS
Guardians over Angels
NLCS
Brewers over Giants
World Series
Guardians over Brewers
Awards:
MVPs:
Mark Tremain MIL
Bernie Henderson CLE
Cy Young:
SP Irwin Winter PIT
SP Frank Rosano BOS
ROY:
3B Mark Veksler PHI
1B Jamie Moody TOR
RE: 2118 Season Preview/Predictions - Fred - 08-18-2022
Well done Sir. I will look forward to these every season!!
RE: 2118 Season Preview/Predictions - gillyd - 08-18-2022
good write up!
RE: 2118 Season Preview/Predictions - cadmus2166 - 08-18-2022
Well done, Wifi!