It's here, folks! The 2013 season for major league baseball is in full swing (pun intended). The teams have put Spring Training behind them and are looking forward to going out on the field to prove that they're the best in the league. This is particular blog entry are my predictions for the 2013 season, as unbiased as I can be.
First, we'll start with the National League:
NL WEST: San Francisco Giants
If you follow on me Twitter, you know I'm a huge San Francisco Giants fan. However, I'm going to try my best to be objective as to why I believe they'll take the NL West.
The San Francisco Giants won the World Series last year by sweeping the Detroit Tigers. As a result, they will be defending their title this year and all eyes are on them - and they know it. Spring Training is often referred to as "games that don't matter", but several giants players have stepped up their game during ST. One of which is first baseman Brandon Belt. In 2012, Belt finished Spring Training with 3 HRS, 9 RBIs, and a .378 batting avg. This year, Belt finished 2nd in the league in home runs with 8, as well as 19 RBIs, and a .410 batting average. And his teammate and fellow Brandon, shortstop Brandon Crawford, significantly improved his bat as well during this year's ST.
Everybody knows the San Francisco Giants bullpen is dominant with the likes of Tim Lincecum (although he's been struggling), Matt Cain (their opening day starter), and Sergio Romo (who's taken over in Brian Wilson's absence), but they aren't really known for their batting. I feel like with the mix of both Belt and Crawford's improvements at the plate, as well as key hitters Pablo Sandoval and Buster Poesy, the Giants are going to show that not only can they pitch the ball, but they can knock it out of the park.
Lincecum, although struggling, has show major improvement since last year. He's a two-time CY Young winner. He knows how to pitch and he can dominate the strike zone. If he can get himself out of his funk and if the Giants continue with their batting momentum, then I see them taking the NL West.
NL CENTRAL: Cincinnati Reds
The Reds finished the 2012 season with the best record in the NL Central (97-65) and made it to the NLDS against the Giants, eventually blowing their 2-0 lead. I think 2013 is going to see improvements for this club. They acquired right fielder Shin Soo-Choo from the Cleveland Indians. A quality hitter, he will be a key improvement to the Red lineup (which finished 21st in the majors in runs scored per game). And they may also have Joey Votto back from injury. Along with young bats Cozart and Fraiser (who put up solid numbers filling in for Votto), the Reds will see significant improvement in their ABs.
And with last year's NSDL loss to the Giants, the Reds will be on a journey of redemption this year and will be looking to redeem themselves.
NL EAST: Philadelphia Phillies
I feel like the Philadelphia Phillies are going to be a surprise upset this year by taking the NL East. Their pitching staff has suffered quite a bit - Roy Halladay isn't quite as intimidating as he used to be, and Cliff Lee gave up HRs on a silver platter and I'm not gonna go into Worley's performance last year. However, like other struggling pitchers (i.e. Lincecum and Zito of the Giants), 2013 offers a chance at redemption. Cole Hamels definitely stepped up as an effective pitcher needed him. The hope is that Halladay and Lee can look at their mistakes and learn from them.
From the plate, Michael Young is a solid hitter, along with Dominic Brown and Ryan Howard (who's looking better than he ever has). Will they completely erase the disappointing memories of the 2012 season? No. However, I'm not counting them out as contenders for the NL East. I don't see them taking the NLDS, but at least the top spot in the East.
NL CHAMPIONS: San Francisco Giants
I see a repeat of the NLDS between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds. The Giants will be driven to once again clinch, and the Reds will be looking to turn the tables and defeat the Reds. When all is said and done, I see the Giants walking away with another NLDS win over the Reds. On paper and on the field, they're a stronger team and extremely motivated to outdo what they did last season and once again find themselves int he World Series.
And now, for the American League:
AL WEST: Oakland A's
To say the Oakland A's can hit is a gross understatement. It blows my mind how Yoenis Céspedes can crush the ball while making it look so effortless. Along with an impressive lineup featuring Josh Donaldson, Eric Sogard (congrats, by the way), Coco Crisp, and Josh Reddick, expect base hits and home runs galore. But the 2012 AL West champs aren't one trick ponies. Once they drop the bats and put on the gloves, they can retire a side as quickly as they step up to the plate. And not to be outdone, their pitching staff which includes Brett Anderon, Grant Balfour, Jerry Belvins, and Sean Doolittle (who I'm looking forward to seeing this year), can dash a hitter's hope of getting on base.
The A's clinched the AL West last year, but were defeated by the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. I don't see that happening again. The Oakland A's can fire on all cylinders, showing effectiveness on offense and defense. They surprised many last year by taking the AL West, and they'll do it again this year.
AL CENTRAL: Detroit Tigers
With star pitcher Justin Verlander's massive contract extenuation, the Tigers will be on the hunt to make back to the World Series. And if the rumors of the Tigers' interest in free agent and former Giants closer Brian Wilson are true (and if Wilson decides to sign with them), the Tigers could have quite the dangerous bullpen.
Also on the defensive end, the outfield is loaded with talent. Not only has he improved his bat, but center fielder Austin Jackson has proved in his three-year career to be one of the best in the league, and he'll be joined by one of the all time greats Torii Hunter.
Along with big hitter Prince Fielder, hard-hitting outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo could turn out to be a secret weapon in the Tigers batting arsenal in their hunt for a World Series championship. Expect them to take the AL Central.
AL EAST: Tampa Bay Rays
Reigning CY Young winner David Price had an incredible year on the mound in 2012. And 2013 could be an even more dominant year for Price, which is a scary thought if you're a hitter. And with an ERA of 2.65 last year, Price proved he's not much of a giver. Only four times all season did he give more than three runs in a game. And with his most recent performance against the Twins, he pitched three shutout innings, garnered five strikeouts and allowed ONE hit in a 7-2 victory. He's a pitcher who just keeps getting better with age. And along with fellow pitchers Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore, and Fernando Rodney, they'll be a force to reckon with.
There are those that feel the Rays won't make it to the post-season (people said that about the A's last year and look what happened). However, with solid a lineup consisting of Yunel Escobar, Evan Longoria, Matt Joyce, and Ben Zobrist, the Rays have shown they can get it down at the plate, on the mount, and in the infield/outfield.
AL CHAMPIONS: Oakland A's
I see somewhat of a "shocker" matchup between the A's and the Rays. Both teams have impressive lineups as well as bullpens and neither team made it to the World Series last year. You can see it by the way the play, they're both contenders for taking the AL championship. This year, I gotta give it to the Oakland A's. As impressive as the Rays bullpen can be, the Oakland A's can light up pitchers like nobody's business. And once they get going, it's no walk in the park to slow them down. Oakland A's are going to the World Series.
There you go, my predictions for the upcoming 2013 season. Who knows at the season will take shape. Baseball can be quite unpredictable, which is part of the beauty of the game. I hope you enjoyed this entry and I would love to hear your predictions as well. Feel free to tweet and/or follow me on Twitter - @MrJordanHart.
Thanks For Reading,
Jordan Hart
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