Prediction Time

It's hard to be labeled omnipotent, omniscient or a savant when it comes to all things baseball however someones got to do it right? It is that time of year I'm going to boldly tell you EXACTLY what's going to unfold in MLB. Maybe I'll let the other guys chime in on their picks, but if you're going to bet your child's college fund on baseball you should probably go with this guy. *points to self*

Let's start with the NL.

NL West- This to me is cut and dry. The Snakes are slithering around in Arizona and are going to be a force for years to come. Ian Kennedy doesn't throw 96 but he is the Ace the Yankees thought he was when he was coming up through their system. The trade for Trevor Cahill made them formidable in the NL West and will give them a division crown. The X-Factor for them this year is going to be Trevor Bauer. He was their first round pick a couple seasons ago and he will contribute before the season is done. Reminiscent of Tim Lincecum coming up with the Giants a half decade ago, he's going to blow hitters away when he gets the call up and he's not going to look back. The Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw and that's it. Billingsley is always hurt then it goes Ted Lily Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano. I smell a 4th place finish.

NL Central- This one is not so cut and dry. There are three teams (Brewers, Cardinals and Reds) vying for one spot because neither of the teams are going to be getting the second Wild Card. I'm going with the Cincinnati Red Legs. As much as I'd like to go with the Brewers and Cardinals, they both lost their cornerstone first baseman and the Reds still have theirs. I don't read into Spring Training record because there is a difference between a scrimmage and the regular season. Although Latos peripheral stats will probably take a hit going from a cavernous ballpark such as PetCo to The Great American Ballpark he's got filthy stuff and will be a huge lift in the rotation.
NL East- I'm going to say it, wait for it, the Phillies will not make the playoffs. I read something from an NL Scout the other day that said, "once you get past the big three, they are not very good at all." At first I scoffed, then if you remember the post that I did last baseball season on Philadelphia there is some serious trouble brewin in the City of Brotherly Love. An oft-injured Utley and largely down-trending Howard will ultimately be their downfall. The Braves had the fourth best record in baseball last year entering September and although they didn't make any changes I really like them to win the division this year. Jayson Heyward will regain form and be the 2010 version of himself rather than the 2011.

NL Wildcards- I love any reason to watch more baseball so to add another Wild Card team was fine by me. The Giants are 100% going to be one of the teams in the one-game playoff. The other is going to be the Nationals. The Nationals want to limit Strasburg's innings and that's fine, but if they do it strategically and give him the obligatory 15 day DL stint the Red Sox give their pitchers along with going to essentially a 6 man rotation down the stretch they can still have The Stras pitching late in the season. Nationals will have Bryce Harper to take the MLB by storm at some point early this season and that will benefit anyone that watches the game. Also just think of a Stephen Strasburg vs Tim Lincecum match-up in Game 163, I have wood. Gimme Lincecum in that one though.

AL West- This shouldn't even be a question. The Angels will win the West. Not only did they add Pujols, as if that's not enough, but they took the Rangers Ace from last year and made him their 3 starter. Yes the Rangers added Yu Darvish whom I think will be quite impressive, but the Angels at some point will add the number 2 prospect in all of baseball to their outfield/batting order. The Rangers are going to out slug most teams but a roation of Weaver, Haren, Wilson and Santana is destined to shine through 162.

AL Central- The Tigers have a modern day Manny and Ortiz sitting 3-4 in their lineups for the next decade and we've all seen the kind of damage they did in the middle of the Red Sox lineup. Not only that but they have a once in a generation pitcher in Justin Verlander and everyone knows what he brings to the table. However, I think the real key acquisition was last season at the trade deadline, in Doug Fister. In that ball park, with that offense, he could win 20 games this year.
AL East- What wins ballgames? Pitching wins ball games. And who has the best pitching? That would be Tampa Bay. They have also added to their offense by re-signing Carlos Pena and Luke Scott not to mention a fully healthy Evan Longoria. It should be a three team race, possibly four if Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero fulfill their potential, because Toronto's offense should be very good. The Yankees added to their staff but do not have the depth/quality that the Rays have. The Red Sox were the best team in baseball for most of 2011 and they should be in the thick of it.

AL Wildcard(s)- The two spots will be a dog fight between the Rangers, Yankees, Red Sox and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Royals will be in it until at least late August early September this year. Their offense is going to surprise a lot of people. However they are the Royals and don't have a stud on the bump, therefore they'll bow out. Then you have a 3-headed monster. Texas, New York, Boston. I hate to say it but the beloved Boston 9 will not make the playoffs, mostly because I trust Bobby Valentine about as much as you should trust a wet fart. Also, They haven't had a season since Buchholz, Beckett, and Lester started anchoring the staff where all three have been healthy the entire year and that's exactly what they need. New York will face off against Texas in a winner take all game. Texas will hammer Sabathia.

I guess that brings us to the World Series predictions. You'll notice an underlying theme in my selections this year pitching, pitching and more pitching. I'm going with Anaheim against the Braves. Anaheim's pitching is just as good if not better than Philadelphia's and their lineup with a healthy Morales and Trout infused with Pujols is more than enough to get through the AL. Why the Braves? Because I believe in the Swan Song. Chipper Jones' last hurrah will have him leading his team to the Fall Classic but will ultimately fall short.

There you have it. The Halos. All the signs are there. Follow them accordingly.

Stay Tuned,

Norton