Final Predictions: Season 25

Love it, or hate...I have to do it. My predictions for the playoffs with Division winners, ALCS/NLCS, World Series, and the predicted Champ:

Playoff Prediction

American League:

DC- Oakland Athletics

DC- Texas Rangers

DC- Minnesota Twins

DC- New York Yankees

WC- Baltimore Orioles

WC-Detroit Tigers (with a losing record)

National League:

DC- New York Mets

DC- Florida Marlins

DC- Montreal Expos

DC- Los Angeles Dodgers

WC- Chicago Cubs

WC- St. Louis Cardinals

ALCS: Yankees vs Twins

NLCS: Dodgers vs Cubs

World Series: Cubs vs Yankees

Winner: Chicago Cubs

NL South

Florida Marlins (NL) tedwmoore View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 107-55

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The Marlins made some moves and once again won the division (that’s seven playoffs in a row!). Times are changing and the dominance may be coming to an end. The Marlins are going to be JUST FINE..

OUT:
IN:

PREVIEW:
This just in, ted is pretty good at this game. His team scored 815 runs, and allowed 541. They are still getting older, but this team is just good. No big changes so far, and that includes another playoff run.

PREDICTION: 103-59, 1st

St. Louis Cardinals (NL) cyben5150 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 87-75

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: How in the world could I doubt cyben and his Cards? I mean, the guy has 17 playoffs in 28 HBD seasons (but none in Kinsella…yet). This is a team that improves EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

 It’s strange to say, but this team could be BETTER. To add to the “better” theme, several prospects are on their way up. Overall, this team is dangerous with a capital D. Watch out for “the kids”.

OUT: Chan Dong, Carlos Guzman, Kirk Sheffiled, Rob Ramirez, Rube Flores
IN: Delanor Johnstone, Carlos Redondo, Mo Daniels, Sven Piatt.

PREVIEW:
I was right, the Cards are solid. Only missed their predicted record by one win. Chan Dong played way over his head, but he is replaced on the staff by Johnstone and Daniels. “Johnstone and Daniels give me a legit #1 and a solid #3 and both will be more reliable come playoff time than last season's offerings,” said cyben.
Everything about this team is aimed at a deep playoff run. This will be a team to watch.

PREDICTION: 94-68

Atlanta Braves (NL) bux_express View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 77-85

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:

For an offensively anemic team, something needed to change. They needed more out of Hughie Barney. If he’s going to lead the team in plate appearances, he needs to contribute more than 0.9 war and create 72 runs. The window appears to have closed on the Braves. But for a guy with 42 playoffs in 87 seasons I just can’t close the door. What does bux have up his sleeve this time?
OUT: Khoury Hayes, Henry Payne
IN:

PREVIEW:
Bux had nothing up his sleeve as he slides towards rebuilding. They were only five below my prediction so, it’s not like they were horrible. Once again, I have to guess because Bux couldn’t be bothered to send in a preview of his team.
 Khoury Hayes went to Tampa for almost nothing, and took his 82 runs/2.8 war with him. But he was replaced with one of the better free agents in Tomas Dotel. But based on numbers alone, the production is a wash. David Lo was another good pick up and moves to LF to solidify a weaker defense.
Overall, the young guys are going to play better this year. Even though they are rebuilding, they are not to be overlooked.
PREDICTION: 80-82

Houston Astros (NL) dherz_263 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 60-102

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: This team will look a lot like the real Astros. A bunch of no names and cast offs. Which will somehow win 70 games. “It’s not going to be very pretty, but I think if the pitching holds, we can be competitive.” Said a cigar smoking dherz from his plush office overlooking the retirement home. He seems like a man completely at home and biding his time. Time will tell.

OUT: David Lo
IN: Victor Pulido, Polin Arias, Chin-Feng Fujiwara, Rod Conway

PREVIEW:
DHerz is still in his office, but the old folks home has been replaced by a hotel. He could afford to build it due to spending only $16 million on his player payroll.
But talk about getting the most for your money. This team won’t win the World Series, but they are competitive. This is another team that is fun to keep an eye on. DHerz has a plan, and that is to eventually unseed Florida and St. Louis and take over as the team to beat. They will get there eventually.


PREDICTION: 68-94, Last place

Al South

Texas Rangers (AL) akgsports View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 90-72, World Series Champions

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The entire team contributes at a high level, and they all play good defense. It’s an impressive team to review if you have the time. This is a team in motion, and to be feared.

OUT: Rich VandenHurk, Chili Neal, Brian Russell
IN: Ed Pickering, Tony Kingston, Steve Christopher
PREVIEW:
If you didn’t take my advice last season, please do so now. If you are losing, look at how akg has built his teams and emulate that as much as possible. The Champs stormed through the playoffs and took home the hardware for the third time in Kinsella history.
The pitching staff stays the same, for now. Only the youngster, Olmedo Hernandez, is a question mark. They allowed 731 runs and that should drop a little depending on defensive consistency.
Starting 2b Brian Russell has departed, but Julian Matos slides over to fill that hole. Taking over at 3b is weak hitting Benito Rojas who had a very down year.
Overall, this team is still the class of the AL South. It should be no surprise to see them in them in the playoffs.


PREDICTION: 88-74, 1^st Place

Tampa Bay Rays (AL) dodgersgale View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 81-81

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Overall, I have to be honest about this team. It’s moving to a completely pitching/defense style of play with speed being the key component. The Trop is probably the worst stadium in the league, but it is built for strong right handed pitching, and fast outfielders. Something the Rays have but at a mediocre level. PREDICTION: 69-93

OUT: Michael Nix, Jorge Jimenez, Wiki Rincon, Jerome Kennedy, Alejandro Ortiz, Rodrigo Lima, Jeff Evert, Tanyon Boyd, Watty Long, Vernon Lane
IN: Benjamin Valdes, Hooks Westbrook, BJ Denham, Don Ray, Rich Vandenhurk, Boone Rivera, Fergie Munro, Theo Bailey, Khoury Hayes, Josias Mercedes

PREVIEW:

Sometimes we can be our own worst critics. I predicted my team would lose 93 games, and instead they finished at .500. But it really was luck that this team succeeded at all. They only scored 709 runs, while giving up 741…this should have put them negative. They did win an astounding 28 1-Run games, and were 14-7 in extra innings. That had everything to do with it.

There was a HUGE amount of turnover. Some of the bigger non-productive contracts came off the books (Wiki, Nix, Ortiz, Lane), and replaced with guys that will make a good wage but be more productive (Bailey, Munro, Hayes).

This team isn’t better than last season. They are about the same. And they won’t finish at or above .500.

PREDICTION: 71-91

Kansas City Royals (AL) hinz57 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 70-92

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The young guys are coming up to contribute but it’s hard to know where the pieces fit. Overall, I just don’t see how this is going to work out. Looking strictly at numbers, it doesn’t look good.

OUT: Donaldo Granados, Tomas Dotel
IN: Germany Adcock, Ramiro Sojo, Mike Person
PREVIEW:
Numbers didn’t tell the whole story as they Royals didn’t lose as much as I thought. The offense was one of the weaker in the AL, but the pitching was decent. If they had won more 1-Run games, and extra-inning games they would have easily jumped Tampa for 2^nd place in the division.
Since KC couldn’t be bothered to submit a preview I still don’t have much to go on. Starting Ronnie Wilkins at catcher was a good start since he will be more productive offensively. Kiko Robbins was brought up late last year and starts this year in RF, where he is a liability. Granados is replaced by the aging Germany Adcock who can still field and hit a little. King Bittle FINALLY gets to start.
Mysteriously, KC allowed reliever Ramon Chang to walk, and the only true starter Corey McDonald to leave for Milwaukee. They let Tomas Dotel 83 runs/3.8 war walk away to Atlanta.
I was wrong last time looking strictly at numbers. But when a team is starting someone like Ramiro Sojo (30’s for splits), but also gets a solid aging veteran like Mike Person I just can’t figure out what the game plan is. Gotta go with my instinct…

PREDICTION: 54-108, last

Charlotte Knights (AL) bignr37 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 70-92

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The Knights lost Omar Bonilla and Ivan Villa (and with them, 150 runs). I don’t see anyone filling those holes, especially Bonilla and Villa. The pitching should help ease the blow (Carpenter was a great pick up, as was Saenz). It should be interesting to see if they move forward. I predict they fall back just a touch based on the runs lost vs runs gained.

OUT: Manuel Johnson
IN:

PREVIEW:

Going into the season it was obvious that Charlotte would be weaker. But to go from 881 runs scored down to 746 runs scored is a major difference. Their pitching allowed 822 runs, second worst in the AL.

Charlotte also did not want to divulge their secrets to an in division opponent, so I have to be a mind reader again.

It looks like Charlotte stuck with the team they had, but promoted pitchers Steve Miller, and Al Santiago. They also snagged Alex Atchison in Rule V. None will help.

Same team, same result.

PREDICTION: 70-92

NL West

San Diego Padres (NL) jeanpaul22 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 87-75

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: Something went horribly wrong in San Diego. Wish it were a one-time thing, but it looks like every year someone is going to step up and punch them in the nose every year from here on out. The offense and defense for this team is jumbled and pitching won’t save it. You heard it here first…the Padres fall this year and fail to make the playoffs for the first time since season 15.

OUT: SP’s Javier Gonzalez, Sal Shea, Allen Roosevelt, Furio Becker
IN: Hugh Taylor, Stan Cheney, O’Connor, Oliver Cole, Chick Fassero, Javier Toregas, Cy Bruntlett

PREVIEW:
Kinsella was saddened to see sermonauthor leave Kinsella, but all good things must come to an end. At this point, the entire NL West has turned over all ownership. This is a good thing in a healthy league. You never want to see owners leave, but sometimes fresh ideas and approaches to the game is a good thing.
Jeanpaul22 takes the reigns and brings a stellar record with him. In 60 seasons, he has made the playoffs 25 times, and won the division 14 of those. Another thing that has really impressed me is the knowledge brought to the team. In jeanpaul’s conversation with me, he stated “I think last season we had a very bad defense,” he said. “We were first in bad plays with 71 and only 36 good plays(27), and an offense base only on power.”
The team is completely retooled, with the defense AND offense improving.Ivan Megias, and Benny Guerrero returning as possibly the best 1-2 starting combo in the league. Plin Olivares is possibly the best setup man in the business. Angel Ferrer returns to the closer role, which he lost back in season 20 after 8 blown saves. Previous ownership never let him pitch more than 65 innings. Olivares would be a better fit, but that is just one bloggers opinion.
Overall, I’m not sure if the Padres can hold on to their crown. But I like what I see.
Prediction: 82-80

Los Angeles Dodgers (NL) wvwc9092 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Los Angeles Dodgers

LAST YEARS RECORD: 78-84

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: The Dodgers had a season to forget. The stadium looks awfully empty when no one shows up. The people let go were the right people, and I’m impressed those decisions were made. Finally, a Dodger teams that seems to be constructed properly. Good defense, fast enough on the basepaths, and good enough pitching. The only thing missing is depth off the bench which you need in the NL.

OUT: Trevor Condrey, Trevor Lewis, Ray Kirwan, Willie Castilla
IN: Virgil Valdes

PREVIEW:
The Dodgers almost met the projected w/l by only four wins. The Dodgers had higher expectations, but its baby steps especially with a younger team. The offense finally improved, as they scored 685 runs. On the opposite side of the ledger, they only allowed 659. Quite an impressive turn around.
Can the Dodgers turn the corner? They didn’t add any new offense, even though they wanted a right handed slugger and didn’t get one. There are some young guys that should appear throughout the season as wvwc mixes and matches to get the best production.
If the Dodgers can find the right combo and up their run production to over 700, they will win the division. If not…they could lose ground. I’m betting on the improvement.

PREDICTION: 85-77, 1^st place

Arizona Diamondbacks (NL) beanpole View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 74-88

LAST YEARS PREVIEW:

New Owner Beanpole brings very little HBD experience, but has been successful already. He’s inherited a good situation, with the exception of the Ozzie Jordan situation (elbows blowing out everywhere!). I think the one year anomaly of the Padres being knocked out of the top spot was a one year proposition. The Diamondbacks have fallen back to mediocre. They are still good, just not good enough.

OUT: No one important
IN: No one that can turn this around

PREVIEW:
Overnight, the pitching staff imploded. By seasons end, the DBacks gave up 801 runs. Things don’t look to be getting any better. Tony Sasaki and Harry Pena were promoted, and really aren’t ML quality. They will fit in. The rest of the pitching staff isn’t ML quality either.
The offense, Raymond Taylor could contribute significantly and play CF at a very high level. Benji Castro is a good 3b, and no slouch at the plate. Jose Pizzaro is a terrific power hitter, but is a 1B not a LF. Santiago Amaro is the teams best hitter, but is a well below average SS. Something will have to give at some point between him and Castro in order to improve the defense. It should cost Albert Castillo his job since he isn’t really a right fielder.
Overall, this teams strength is offense. But it won’t make up for the lack of pitching and defense. Expect a LONG season in Arizona.
PREDICTION: 68-94, Last Place

San Francisco Giants (NL) tmantom3285 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

LAST YEARS RECORD: 68-94

LAST YEARS PREVIEW: This pitching staff is not nearly as bad as they look at first glance. First off, they strike a lot of people out. The  defense which hasn’t been so good (2^nd worst in Kinsella). Several players join the Giants to make them less of a joke. Bonilla and Newson FINALLY give them players that will get more than 5 War and 100 rc. Pitching got better with Choi as the new Ace. Now that’s five good pitchers. To add up…compared to last season the offense, and fielding HAVE to be improved. So are they truly improved after all the changes? With a player like Alex Gabriel (zero range, 22 glove, almost no arm) playing in rightfield I just can’t take the Giants seriously. PREDICTIONs: with the right players in the right places 85-77. Continuing to play people out of position or misusing players: 68-94

OUT: Yannick Redding
IN: Rico Alvarez

PREVIEW:
The predicted win/loss was exactly on point. I’m not going to say I told you so. That’s not appropriate. What I will say, is that this team could be a whole lot better.
The same proposition applies this season. Play players the right way, win. Play players in the wrong spots…lose.

PREDICTION: 66-96, Last place