This is going to be quick and simple: I believe this is the
year of the Ray.
They have been hanging around for about a half decade now.
And they got close in 08-10, coming so short of a WS title. And while I think the
model is well put together and should ensure sustained success over .500 over
the next few of years, this is the “push the chips all in” moment. This is
almost definitely David Price’s last year. Combine that maybe one more year of
Zobrist’s prime and the ascension of Wil Myers/Matt Moore, and I think this is
the breakthrough year.
Team
Predictions:
AL East – Tampa Bay Rays
AL Central – Detroit Tigers
AL West – Oakland Athletics
AL Wild Cards – Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals
NL East – Washington Nationals
NL Central – St. Louis Cardinals
NL West – Los Angeles Dodgers
NL Wild Cards – Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinatti Reds
ALCS – Rays over Athletics
NLCS – Cardinals over Dodgers
World Series – Rays over Cardinals
I love the pitching of the Cardinals, and that is why I have
them going so far here. But, overall the Rays to me are the best team with
probably the best managing and tactics. I like Matt Moore and Chris Archer to develop
into top of the rotation with a last stand by David Price roaring them to a
title.
Individual
Awards:
AL MVP: Evan Longoria (I’ve explained this one right? Offense
is nice, but leadership and defense matters too). Runner up: Mike Trout
AL Cy Young: David Price. Runner Up: Yu Darvish
AL ROY: Jose Abreu (I love his power potential, especially
with that team in Chicago). Runer Up: Xander Boegarts.
NL MVP: Joey Votto. Runner Up: Andrew McCutcheon
NL Cy Young: Adam Wainwright. Runner Up: Cliff Lee (Kershaw
is on the DL, probably won’t matter that much but I’d rather take a fresh guy
off the top).
NL ROY: Archie Bradley. Runner Up: Javier Baez
