Beanball: My 2010 MLB Predictions Review

Time to review my MLB Predictions from this season and preview the playoffs that start tomorrow.

Music to listen to: Pass the Mic by the Beastie Boys

Here were my AL predictions:

AL East: Yankees

AL Central: Minnesota

AL West: Seattle (third year in a row picking them to win division, has to happen one day)

AL Wild Card: Texas

AL Champs: Yankees

AL MVP: 1) Joe Mauer, Minnesota 2) Evan Longoria, Tampa 3) Mark Teixeira, Yankees

Sleeper MVP: Josh Hamilton, Texas

AL Cy Young: 1) Felix Hernandez, Seattle 2) Jon Lester, Boston 3) CC Sabathia, Yankees

Sleeper Cy Young: Justin Verlander, Detroit

AL Best team: Yankees

AL Worst team: Kansas City

Overrated: Boston

Underrated: Texas

AL Thoughts: Three out of four teams isn’t bad but the error was a major one. I liked Tampa going into the season but thought that the AL East would be too much for them. Seattle disappointed me for the third consecutive year so they’re dead to me now.

I made Hamilton my MVP sleeper because of his potential injury odds were high and we’ve seen that this year. However, I would still take Hamilton as my MVP in the league this year. I know some are saying Robinson Cano but I don’t believe that.

For Cy Young, I would go with Felix Hernandez now. He’s had the best statistical year, wins be damned. Lester and Sabathia will probably be in the top six in voting so I was on point with that.

I hit on my overrated and underrated picks so overall, my predictions weren’t terrible, outside of Seattle of course.

Here were my NL predictions:

NL East: Philadelphia

NL Central: Cincinnati (going with them for a third year in a row as well)

NL West: Colorado

NL Wild Card: Atlanta

NL Champs: Philly

NL MVP (not named Albert Pujols): 1) Hanley Ramirez, Florida 2) Justin Upton, Arizona 3) Chase Utley, Philadelphia

Sleeper MVP: Brian McCann, Atlanta & Roy Halladay, Philadelphia

NL Cy Young: 1) Roy Halladay, Philadelphia (if Brad Lidge doesn’t implode, he can win 25 games this year, seriously) 2) Tim Lincecum, San Francisco 3) Johan Santana, Mets

Sleeper Cy Young: Tommy Hanson, Atlanta

NL Best team: Philadelphia

NL Worst team: Pittsburgh

Overrated: Los Angeles

Underrated: Cincinnati

Thoughts: Not terrible on this one as well. I had the Reds since day one so I can take some pride in that one. Colorado was in it until the last few weeks. Atlanta got the wild card as well.

I didn’t do too well on the MVP, but if I had a choice now, I would go with Joey Votto. The Cy Young award may still go to Halliday so there’s hope in that one as well. I was also correct with my overrated and underrated teams.

Overall, I had an excellent set of predictions before the season started, accept for frickin Seattle.

Here were my World Series predictions and this is a perfect transition to these playoffs:

If I was betting money World Series: New York over Philly, again (sorry for the easy prediction, but it is what it is)

Second-safest bet: Minnesota vs. St Louis

Taking a chance World Series: Seattle vs. Atlanta

Thoughts: I think that these playoffs are very intriguing. It would be easy to pick New York against Philly for the World Series again and that’s understandable. They are probably the two best teams in their leagues but there are cases that can be made for each team in the playoffs, accept for maybe Atlanta and Cincinnati.

The Yankees have an excellent offense but outside of Sabathia, the starting rotation is weak.

The Rays have a nice set of arms and an excellent bullpen, but the offense can be pitched around.

The Twins are a great home team and play as a unit but also have an offense that can underwhelm.

Texas has the offense but outside of Cliff Lee, the pitching has concerns.

Philadelphia has the best overall unit but I have two words for you, Brad Lidge.

San Francisco has the pitching but can’t score worth a lick.

Cincinnati and Atlanta are nice stories but the Reds haven’t been consistently good against good competition and the Braves lack an offense to even be considered to make a run.

So in the end, I’m going to take Philadelphia and Minnesota.

Those are my thoughts, what about yours?