Any predictions for this year?
American LeagueTampa Bay
Detroit
Anaheim
Wild cardsToronto
Oakland
Dark HorsesKansas City
I'm not too comfortable backing against the Yankees but if Longoria stays free from injury I think he'll propel Tampa to the title. Their pitching is still strong and Maddon always gets them competing. Toronto have spent too much money to not make the play-offs, same with Anaheim. Their pitching isn't that great but I'm not sure I could back against a line-up that has Trout, Hamilton, Pujols and Trumbo in even Hamilton and Pujols are a risk with injury. I'd have gone for Oakland but for those bats. Kansas City and Seattle should be interesting. Certainly the Royals have been primed with prospects that are now hitting the league. Similarly, Seattle have some good prospects who've come up in the past couple of years and are due a few breakout seasons from a couple of them. The Central is probably the division I know least about so I've gone safe with Detroit. They seem happy without a big name closer so that could be interesting. Tough to pick a favourite from them though because there's lots of fresh blood in action.
National LeagueNationals
Reds
Dodgers
Wild cardsBraves
Cardinals
Dark HorsesSan Diego
Think the NL has some teams primed. Can't see past the Nationals overall though. Their rotation was strong anyway but a full 200+ innings from Strasburg (if expected) should mean a guaranteed twenty wins. The Braves have splashed out and they should push them and could easily go all the way.
For the Central I've backed my Reds because it would be silly not to after last year. On the plus side we've definitely strengthened our hitting with Choo and at the moment I'm not sure what's happening with the rotation. It was looking like Chapman was going to start but he's expressed a preference for closing. I'm okay with that although I must admit I'm in the corner that would like to see if we get 200 innings out of him. Last year we went all season without any injuries to the rotation and I can't see that happening again, which is my reservation against the Reds. The Cardinals are always competitive and with Carpenter moving to 2nd that's another good bat in an already tough line-up. The Pirates are an outside shot at a wild card.
Like Anaheim it's a brave man who backs against the stacked Dodgers. Not sure on the Diamondbacks. The Giants should be competing and I'm going to go for San Diego as a long shot because of Chase Headley and the two former Reds prospects who are both shaping up well.
