2010 Predictions

With the 2010 season under way as we speak, I would like to make some quick predictions for the 2010 season:

AL East: Contrary to popular belief, I believe that the Yankees will repeat as AL East Champs in 2010. They were hands down the best team in all of baseball last year and with the additions of Curtis Granderson and Javier Vazquez, they have only improved. With the exception of Rivera, I feel that their bullpen is weak (why is Chan Ho Park still pitching in the majors?), but a strong starting rotation and the best batting line-up in baseball will carry them.

AL Central: I think this will come down to the Twins and White Sox, with the deciding factor being who has the stronger bullpen. I am expecting Jake Peavy to have a huge year, but the White Sox can never be considered a safe assumption. I give the nod to the Twins.

AL West: I feel like this is the toughest call of all in the AL, but I just can't find any reason not to give it to the Angels again. Yes they lost Vlad, Lackey, and Figgins, but I feel that Hunter, Morales, and Abreu still prove to be a strong enough line-up in an overall weak division. I'm not sold on the Mariners like everyone else (I believe they were last in the AL in runs scored last year and Cliff Lee will be starting the year on the DL). Felix Hernandez is my pick for AL Cy Young.

AL Wild Card: Red Sox will take it again this year in a tight race over the Rays. I do not feel comfortable enough with the Rays starting rotation to give them the edge over the Red Sox.

NL East: With the addition of Roy Halladay (my prediction for 2010 NL CY Young), the Phillies will win the East again. Not much thought needs to go into this one.

NL Central: Cardinals will take it again. I think all five teams in the rest of that division will be really bad.

NL West: This is much tougher but the Dodgers are a safest pick. The Rockies' pitching has to convince me more and both Jeff Francis and Huston Street are on the DL already. I like the Giants pitching but they lack the offensive power. Dodgers did not do much in the off-season but they are already pretty strong all the way around.

NL Wildcard: I am going to go with the Braves over the Rockies, not only because I already have predicted the same division winners as last year, but also because Tommy Hansen and Jason Heyward are legit.

Well, that should wrap it all up for my predictions, plus it's just not my specialty. In fact, I'm flat-out bad at them. I'll look forward to seeing how I do come October, but there are too many great days between now and then, so I'm going to sit back and enjoy the new season for now (and continue hating on Nick Punto and Delmon Young).