random thoughts of buckeye22 - CBSSports.com Message Boards, Blogs and Groups

East
New York 93-69
Philadelphia 91-71
Atlanta 87-75
Washington 68-94
Florida 63-99

Central
Chicago 90-72
Milwaukee 81-81
Cincinnati 76-86
St. Louis 74-88
Houston 72-90
Pittsburgh 66-96

West
San Diego 93-69
Arizona 89-73
Colorado 86-76
Los Angeles 84-78
San Francisco 66-96

Playoffs
AL: Detroit over New York 3-1, Boston over Los Angeles 3-0
NL: New York over Chicago 3-0, San Diego over Philadelphia 3-2
AL: Detroit over Boston 4-3
NL: New York over San Diego 4-1
World Series: Detroit over New York 4-2

Thought about taking Boston again, but I feel like they just have too big of a bullseye on their backs. There are probably a handful of teams who could win it all, but the Tiger fan in me just couldn't pick against the Tigers.

Predicted NL Standings and Playoffs

Yeah I'm high on San Diego, have been since 2005 for some reason. You'd think after a while I'd learn my lesson but so far nope.

Milwaukee I just see taking a step back this year, unless Sheets can stay healthy. I can see Braun and Fielder struggling, at least compared to last year, and if that happens I just don't see enough offense.

But I agree, the top 4 in the West could win it and it's just too hard to pick.

Predicted NL Standings and Playoffs

I don't think there will be a 9 game difference between the top four in the NL West (more like a 5 or 6 game difference IMO), and I think that FLA will surprise people this year. They always seem to field a good team, even though their owner could care less about their team, they have little fan support, even after 2 unexpected WS titles, and the fact that they always seem to win with youth. Sending Maybin to AA was probably the smartest thing they could have done, however. He showed last year that he wasn't quite ready for the MLB level...

My standings (records left out):

NL East: New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Florida, Washington

NL Central: Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh

NL West: Los Angeles, Colorado, Arizona, San Diego, San Francisco

Playoffs: ALDS: CLE over BOS, DET over LAA; NLDS: CHC over PHI, NYM over LAD -- ALCS: CLE over DET; NLCS: NYM over CHC -- WS: CLE over NYM

Predicted NL Standings and Playoffs

I just don't see Philly being only two games worse than the Mets. That is a far better rotation the Mets have than what they had last year, and with the best second half pitcher in baseball, another September collapse shouldn't happen. I also don't think the Cubs are nine games worse than the Brewers. Yes, I do believe the Cubs will walk away with the division, but Milwaukee will keep it close (1-3 games) going into the final week of the season. In the West, you can really make the argument for any of the four big teams (this has to be the best division in baseball), but I think the D-Backs are really the team to look out for, for the second straight year. I think they have the best combination of a strong lineup and starting rotation. The X-factor for the D-Backs, I believe, will be Doug Davis, and I think he will have a solid year. The Wild Card will also come out of that division and I think LA is getting back to the post-season. In short, my standings are:

East:
New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington, Florida

Central:
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Houston, Pittsburgh

West:
Arizona, Los Angeles (WC), Colorado, San Diego, San Fransisco

TigersMAN Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 20, 2007	Posted on: March 30, 2008 12:50 am Score: 95 Predicted NL Standings and Playoffs Couple of surprises...San Diego to win the West and Milwaukee to finish at .500! Other than those two things, it looks good. I think any of the top 4 teams in the West have a shot at winning that division. Same with the top 3 in the East, though I agree it'll be the Mets. [ Reply to Comment ]
buckeye22 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 11, 2006	Posted on: March 30, 2008 1:42 am Score: 94 Predicted NL Standings and Playoffs Yeah I'm high on San Diego, have been since 2005 for some reason. You'd think after a while I'd learn my lesson but so far nope. Milwaukee I just see taking a step back this year, unless Sheets can stay healthy. I can see Braun and Fielder struggling, at least compared to last year, and if that happens I just don't see enough offense. But I agree, the top 4 in the West could win it and it's just too hard to pick. [ Reply to Comment ]
kcman11 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 21, 2008	Posted on: March 30, 2008 2:03 pm Score: 22 Predicted NL Standings and Playoffs I don't think there will be a 9 game difference between the top four in the NL West (more like a 5 or 6 game difference IMO), and I think that FLA will surprise people this year. They always seem to field a good team, even though their owner could care less about their team, they have little fan support, even after 2 unexpected WS titles, and the fact that they always seem to win with youth. Sending Maybin to AA was probably the smartest thing they could have done, however. He showed last year that he wasn't quite ready for the MLB level... My standings (records left out): NL East: New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Florida, Washington NL Central: Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh NL West: Los Angeles, Colorado, Arizona, San Diego, San Francisco Playoffs: ALDS: CLE over BOS, DET over LAA; NLDS: CHC over PHI, NYM over LAD -- ALCS: CLE over DET; NLCS: NYM over CHC -- WS: CLE over NYM [ Reply to Comment ]
Buckeyesblow Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 17, 2008	Posted on: March 30, 2008 7:37 pm Score: 32 Predicted NL Standings and Playoffs I just don't see Philly being only two games worse than the Mets. That is a far better rotation the Mets have than what they had last year, and with the best second half pitcher in baseball, another September collapse shouldn't happen. I also don't think the Cubs are nine games worse than the Brewers. Yes, I do believe the Cubs will walk away with the division, but Milwaukee will keep it close (1-3 games) going into the final week of the season. In the West, you can really make the argument for any of the four big teams (this has to be the best division in baseball), but I think the D-Backs are really the team to look out for, for the second straight year. I think they have the best combination of a strong lineup and starting rotation. The X-factor for the D-Backs, I believe, will be Doug Davis, and I think he will have a solid year. The Wild Card will also come out of that division and I think LA is getting back to the post-season. In short, my standings are: East: New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington, Florida Central: Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Houston, Pittsburgh West: Arizona, Los Angeles (WC), Colorado, San Diego, San Fransisco [ Reply to Comment ]
beanerjones Reputation: 36 Level: Rookie Since: Feb 14, 2008	Posted on: March 30, 2008 7:57 pm Score: 67 Predicted NL Standings and Playo