MLB 2010 Division by Division Predictions + Future Baseball Picks
Teams have reported to 2010 Major League Baseball training camps, we’ve played a whack of pre-season baseball, and now the season is here. It’s time to NOW bring you our division-by-division betting future picks & our 2010 season MLB baseball betting predictions for the year.
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2010 MLB Season Preview
So – over the last month, I’ve covered every MLB team in the Cappers Picks pre-season major league baseball season preview and forecasted its season.
Now, it’s time to assemble all the analysis into a comprehensive whole.
Here’s my prediction for how the 2010 season will play out.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Toronto Blue Jays
I know the Red Sox want to believe they “caught” the Yankees by improving this offseason, but it just ain’t happening. Sure, John Lackey’s addition gives Boston an A-plus rotation and their defense should be better, but the Yankees remain ridiculously stacked and added Curtis Granderson and Javier Vazquez to the mix.
The talented Rays should push Boston for second. Better luck next year for the Orioles and Blue Jays. Baltimore should at least score plenty of runs. As for Toronto: er, no comment.
Central
1. Chicago White Sox
2. Minnesota Twins
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Cleveland Indians
Sure, Joe Mauer and the flashy new ballpark have made Minnesota the talk of the Central. But I see Chicago stealing the crown. It has quite an underrated pitching staff featuring Peavy/Danks/Floyd/Buehrle and decent offensive pop that should only improve as Gordon Beckham matures.
The Twinkies have too many question marks in their pitching staff and the Tigers sacrificed too much offense to improve their pitching this offseason.
West
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Texas Rangers
4. Oakland Athletics
The Angels aren’t ready to relinquish the West just yet. They still have a savvy, veteran pitching staff and not a single easy out in their lineup. The Seattle Mariners, on the strength of Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee and outstanding defense, should push L.A. hard.
I’m not convinced Texas’ pitching is for real yet, however.
Wild Card: Boston Red Sox. They’re head and shoulders above every bubble team save for Tampa Bay in terms of raw roster talent.
Close but no cigar: Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Seattle, Texas
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Florida Marlins
4. New York Mets
5. Washington Nationals
The Phillies were already the NL’s monster, loaded with power and deep in their rotation. Now they add Roy Halladay? That’s just unfair, especially since I expect a huge bounce-back from Cole Hamels. Watch out for the Braves, however. Their arms are intriguing.
Florida should do its usual pesky-without-really-threatening act and the Mets will flop with no depth behind Johan Santana in the starting rotation.
Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Houston Astros
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Cardinals are a given with Pujols, Holliday, Carpenter and Wainwright. Let’s move on. It seems I’m the only handicapper out there who sees something in the Cincinnati Reds. They have some up-and-coming bats in Joey Votto and Jay Bruce and a quietly dangerous pitching rotation that could get very interesting once Aroldis Chapman gets the nod.
The Cubs look too old to contend in my eyes and Milwaukee’s pitching isn’t up to snuff.
West
1. Colorado Rockies
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. San Diego Padres
What? The Dodgers to crash and burn? Trust me; L.A. doesn’t have rotation depth after Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley and it’s relying on too many comeback efforts from its offense. The Rockies have a deep pitching staff led by Ubaldo Jimenez and a potent lineup.
Arizona is intriguing given its talented youth movement.
Wild Card: Atlanta Braves. A lot will depend on Jason Heyward’s impact in the outfield but the Braves’ top four starters – Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson – can get them to the postseason.
Close but no cigar: Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers
American League Pennant: New York Yankees. Their ridiculous group of talent still seems untouchable to me – even for the improved Red Sox.
National League Pennant: Philadelphia Phillies. I expect Colorado to reach the NLCS and battle the Phillies to the brink but the Phillies have too much star power.
WORLD SERIES CHAMPION: NEW YORK YANKEES
Bo-ring, I know. A repeat matchup and champion? But take a good look at the Bronx Bombers’ roster and try to tell me how this All-Star team won’t win again.
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