2015 MLB prediction/discussion thread

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AL East

1. Boston (3)
2. Tampa Bay* (5)
3. NY Yankees
4. Baltimore
5. Toronto

AL Central

1. Cleveland (2)
2. Chi White Sox
3. Detroit
4. Kansas City
5. Minnesota

AL West

1. Seattle (1)
2. LA Angels*(4)
3. Oakland
4. Houston
5. Texas

NL East

1. Washington (2)
2. Miami* (4)
3. NY Mets
4. Atlanta
5. Philadelphia


NL Central

1. St Louis (3)
2. Chi Cubs* (5)
3. Pittsburgh
4. Milwaukee
5. Cincinnati

NL West

1. LA Dodgers (1)
2. San Francisco
3. San Diego
4. Arizona
5. Colorado



ALCS: Seattle over Cleveland
NLCS: Washington over LA Dodgers

WS: Seattle over Washington

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Red Sox got Pablo Sandoval, and he helped the Giants to 2 world series.  I want him to succeed so badly with Sox

he's overrated, as Xahar will gladly tell you when he drops in, and also is unlikely to remain a servicable 3B through the duration of that deal.  the Yankees did themselves much better with Chase Headley for 4y/$56M.

though I do like the Red Sox this year... I've never been a Porcello fan, but he'll help, as will Wade Miley and the return of Masterson.  you hope for the best with the other guys, until Henry Owens appears in June.

all that should be enough to support a lineup that can collectively post an OPS+ of 110 or 115.  I'm not in love with Boston, but I like them better than the other AL East teams (though I'd place all of them between say 78 and 89 wins at true talent level - anything could happen).

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the Isles will also be in the playoffs come a few weeks.  even though that's hard to remember since they've sucked for the last four weeks.  I REALLY hope they don't draw the Rangers in a 1-8.  drawing the Penguins as a 2-3 with home ice would be their best shot to win a series, IMO.

and you're right.  Citi Field has had very few special moments -- such is why it doesn't quite feel like "home" after 6 seasons.  given the 2nd wild card, the Mets should remain in contention through mid-September even without a best-case scenario.  I'd put the Mets at about an 82 or 83 win true-talent level: very similar to the 2014 Giants and Royals.  from there, anything can happen.

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Padres/Braves pulled off the rare pre-OD blockbuster today.  the last I remember was Sean Casey for Dave Burba in 1998

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Cardinals @ Cubs in a half-hour.  Wainwright @ Lester.  Kris Bryant paces around his low-rent apartment in Des Moines as Mike Olt goes 0-for-4 with 2 Ks.