For all the rants and ravings (including mine) about how Opening Day was ruined forever, today was an excellent day of baseball. We got to see Roy Halladay, Stephen Strasburg, Justin Verlander, Johan Santana, Jon Lester, and five minutes of Clayton Kershaw all pitch. Scoring was down, but what do you expect on a day when everyone is throwing their ace?
A couple interesting notes:
- Jose Valverde did not blow a single save the entire season in 2011. He blew one today the first game of the season.
- The Blue Jays/Indians 16 inning marathon was the longest Opening Day game in history.
- Former Red Sox Jonathan Papelbon closed out the Phillies win. His Beantown replacement didn't blow a save but he lost the game.
- 6 out of 14 teams that played Thursday scored 1 or fewer runs. If you include the game from yesterday and from last week, that number is 9 of 17. The Decade of the Pitcher continues.
Onward to Miller's Fearless Projections
I know the season has started but have no worries; none of these were adjusted unfairly from today's outcomes.
If you have gripes about where your team places then write your own blog. Or post a comment on mine. Then check back in October.
Lots of surprises. I love the Nationals this year. Pirates will reach 81 wins. Blue Jays will finish 3rd.
American League
East
*Yankees 96-66
*Rays 92-70
Blue Jays 88-74
Red Sox 87-75
Orioles 62-100
Central
*Tigers 95-67
Twins 79-83
Indians 78-84
Royals 77-85
White Sox 68-94
West
*Angels 97-65
*Rangers 95-67
Mariners 75-87
Athletics 66-96
National League
East
*Nationals 92-70
*Phillies 91-73
*Marlins 86-76
Braves 84-78
Mets 63-99
Central
*Brewers 87-75
Reds 84-78
Pirates 81-81
Cardinals 79-83
Cubs 73-89
Astros 56-106
West
*Diamondbacks 91-71
Dodgers 84-78
Giants 80-82
Rockies 76-86
Padres 73-89
Playoffs
Rays over Rangers
Angels over Rays
Yankees over Tigers
Angels over Yankees
(Ugh, do I have to pick the NL?)
Phillies over Marlins
Brewers over Nationals
Phillies over Diamondbacks
Brewers over Phillies
2012 World Series
Angels over Brewers
Okay, that's right. I'm not picking my Yankees. Happy?
Maybe now they will win because of that.
Okay, Miller's unofficial other pick:
Yankees over Brewers
Awards, etc.
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera
NL MVP: Giancarlo Stanton
AL Cy Young: Dan Haren
NL Cy Young: Stephen Strasburg
AL Rookie: Matt Moore
NL Rookie: no idea. who are the candidates?
AL Manager: Joe Maddon
NL Manager: Davey Johnson
AL Comeback: Kendrys Morales
NL Comeback: Adam Wainwright
AL: Batting Champ: Miguel Cabrera
NL: Batting Champ: Andre McCutchen
AL Homer Leader: Jose Bautista
NL Homer Leader: Troy Tulowitzki
Posts
Miles,
ReplyDeleteThis is good stuff. I'm on board with almost all of what you've got here. Something makes me feel like the Cards are going to be a bit more scrappy than you've got them, albeit in a tight division.
Also, I agree that the Nats are totally on the rise and will be fun to watch this year. They've definitely got bigger bats than the Phils. But in the end, I'm nigh unto positive the Phils have a stronger pitching staff. If this is the decade of the pitcher (which I think it is) I don't see Washington winding up even a game ahead of the Phillies.
Also: Bryce Harper will be NL ROY and the Blue Jays will win Most Improved Uniforms.
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