Nick's MLB Predictions 2013

The following is a sentence that includes a word that Scott invented: “floolwing”

The floolwing are Nick’s MLB predictions. '''American League  East '''

1. Tampa Bay (3) 2. Toronto (5) 3. Baltimore 4. New York 5. Boston

Like my cousin, I have a small gap between first place and last place. Tampa Bay should win around 90-93 games, while Boston should be around 75. The Yankees have a poor start, but reach .500 by July, and hover around there for the rest of the season. The division’s winner is decided during the last week.

R.A. Dickey slips back to being just an above average pitcher, and the Blue Jays have a very rough April and May as the new team is learning to play together. Travis Hafner is released or traded by the July 31st deadline, and Mariano Rivera announces that he will play in 2014, as he wants to play in the playoffs at least one more time.

'''Central '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Detroit (2) 2. Cleveland (1st out) 3. Chicago 4. Kansas City 5. Minnesota

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Detroit is stacked, but I predict that once again they will have a hard time beating Cleveland and Chicago, so they won’t win the 100 games that some “experts” are already giving them. I toyed with predicting Cleveland as a wild card, but decided that they are likely one year away. I know that sounds familiar, but in 2014 it is actually realistic, not just Shapiro-speak. I think the tribe will win 85 games and will be contending through mid-September. Santana will be the team’s offensive MVP, and a resurgent Masterson will be the best starting pitcher. Chisenhall will hit at least 25 home runs. I also predict that I will drink many Lake Erie Monsters in May, June, and July.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chicago will be around 80 wins, and Minnesota will suck. I’ll believe the KC hype when I see it. They’ve been crying “young talent” for a decade.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">West '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Los Angeles (1) 2. Oakland (4) 3. Texas (2nd team out) 4. Seattle 5. Bongo sized gap 6. Houston

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Astros will win a grand total of 53 games. I don’t get how they’ve been so bad this long. The A’s had a lot of things go their way to win the division last year, one of which was the Angels’ terrible start. I don’t see that happening again this year, and Los Angeles (I still call them Anaheim) will win 98 games, while leading the division throughout the entire year. Seattle is actually a pretty good team, but won’t make any noise in a tough division.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Playoffs '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The race for the Wild Cards will be extremely fun to watch with Toronto, Oakland, Cleveland, Texas, Baltimore, and possibly even Seattle in the heat of the race. The AL East will be the only other interesting race after September 10th or so.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wild Card Playoff

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oakland over Toronto (The Coliseum will be crazy during this game)

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Division Series

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Los Angeles 3, Oakland 1

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tampa Bay 3, Detroit 2

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">ALCS

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Los Angeles 4, Tampa Bay 1

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Awards '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">MVP; Mike Trout, LF, Los Angeles

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cy Young: David Price, Tampa Bay

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">ROY: Dylan Bundy, SP, Baltimore

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">MOY: Mike Scioscia, M, Los Angeles

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Free Agent Flop: Kevin Youkilis, Yankees

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bold Prediction '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the following: Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Justin Verlander will have a long stint on the DL this year. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:22.5pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;padding:0in;">'''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">National League ''' <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">East '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Washington (2) 2. Atlanta (1st out) 3. Philadelphia 4. New York 5. Miami

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“The Marlins will battle the Astros in a Druggies/Players/Reps-esque fight for the worst record in the MLB. The Nationals are superb, and another year of experience make them serious World Series contenders. The loss of Bourn and retirement of Jones will cost the Braves a playoff spot, in my opinion. The Phillies seem kind of average and the Metropolitans were ok but lost their best player due to free agency.” – Scott

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I agree” –Nick

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Not many people have treasure chests as rare as mine that got stolen, eha eha.” – Brad

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I agree” - Trot

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Central '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Cincinnati (3) 2. St. Louis (4) 3. Pittsburgh 4. Milwaukee 5. Chicago

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cincinnati is a bit overrated, St. Louis a bit underrated. But I still think the Reds will win this division, with the Cards about 3 games behind or so. Moving Chapman to the rotation will be considered a failed experiment by early May, and so will the Brewers’ signing of Lohse. Pittsburgh will do its thing and fade late, winning 78 games this year. They will still cling onto hope in August about finally reaching .500. The Cubs will miss the Astros. Actually, all of the teams will, as the NL Central plays the entire AL West this year, and not the Astros 12 times. Their records will fall as a result.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">West '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. San Francisco (1) 2. Arizona (5)

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Los Angeles (2nd out) 4. San Diego 5. Colorado

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The gap in my list is not representative of a gap in the standings. Los Angeles is the most overhyped team I’ve seen in the MLB in some time. Maybe since the 2007 Tigers. They’ll win, but this division is kinda like the AL West (MLB and WBB). I don’t think anyone will catch the Giants and that pitching staff, but I think that Arizona will summon their inner 2012 Oakland and Baltimore and grab a playoff spot. San Diego will be like the 2011 Indians and 2012 Propels in that they will charge out early only to taper back near .500. I think they will be the Indians’ counterpart as NL’s most improved team. The Rockies’ pitching is too terrible to make much of a move this year.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Playoffs? you talkin about Playoffs?" '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The wild card chase should be super cool!!! The Cardinals will have the first one locked up. The other spot will be fought down to the line by Atlanta, Philadelphia, Arizona, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wild Card Down, Show

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Arizona over St. Louis (unlike recent years, St. Louis fails in the playoffs)

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Division Series

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Arizona 3, San Francisco 2 (Upset)

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Washington 3, Cincinnati 2

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">NLCS

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Washington 4, Arizona 2

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Awards '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">MVP: Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">ROY: Jedd Gyorko, 3B, San Diego

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">MOY: Kirk Gibson, Arizona

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Free Agent Flop: Zack Greinke, SP, Dodgers – definitely.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:6pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;">'''<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bold Prediction '''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:2.25pt0in2.25pt30pt;text-indent:-0.25in;line-height:15pt;"> §   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Miami will set a modern day record for least tickets sold in one season. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:22.5pt0in2.4pt;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;padding:0in;">'''<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">World Series ''' <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Angels 4, Nationals 1 (Not a very good W. S.  Nationals inexperience shows.)

<p class="MsoNormal">