Thursday, January 17, 2013

2013 Season Standings- Our Predictions

It's took a bit of work but after looking through info and digging through stats, we've come up with our standings predictions. We've based all our predictions on how teams have improved their roster or gotten worse. Check back with us in a few days for our postseason picks!

2013 Season Standings (X=Division Champ, Y=Wild Card Winners)
                          W-L           GB

AL EAST
X-Toronto          97-65            -
Y-Tampa Bay     91-71           6
Baltimore            89-73           8
New York          88-74           9
Boston                82-80           15

AL CENTRAL
X-Kansas City    90-72           -
Detriot                89-73           1
Chicago              84-78           6
Cleveland           78-84           12
Minnesota          75-87           15

AL WEST
X-Oakland         94-68            -
Y-Los Angeles   93-69            1
Texas                 88-74            6
Seattle                81-81           13
Houston             60-102         34

NL EAST
X-Washington     102-60          -
Y-Atlanta             94-68          7
Philadelphia          81-81         21
New York           77-85         25
Miami                  63-99         39

NL CENTRAL
X-Cincinnati         97-65          -
Milwaukee           87-75         10
St. Louis              85-77         12
Pittsburgh            78-84          19
Chicago              61-101        36

NL WEST
X-San Francisco  93-69          -
Y-Los Angeles     88-74          5
Arizona                81-81         12
San Diego            79-83         14
Colorado             70-92         23


Explaining Our Predictions
You might be looking at our predictions and thinking we are totally wrong on all of our picks. Here's the thing, we looked at every teams offseason moves and their current rosters. We also look at player stats, including the stats of those guys whose numbers are in a deep decline or increase.

The AL East- Simply put, Toronto spent big this offseason and made HUGE improvements to the team. No one in the AL East improved themselves more and because of that, they are the division winner. Tampa Bay has a well rounded team and offseason moves have helped the team out. Pitching is the Rays biggest strength, which is why they'll take a Wild Card. Baltimore was a surprise team last year but their offseason moves, or lack of them, will take them away from postseason contention. New York has done NOTHING to improve their ball club and there's no way they are going to top Toronto or Tampa Bay unless they make more changes. Boston has done well to improve the team but, like New York, they need to do more to compete with Toronto and Tampa Bay.

The AL Central- Kansas City has impressed me alot with their offseason moves and I think they have what it takes to win the division, IF everyone on the team remains healthy. Some would argue that Detroit is the team to beat in the Central but they haven't improved their roster enough. It'll come down to the last day between Kansas City and Detroit. Chicago has not done much for their roster to compete for a playoff spot, but they will still be a player in the division if all goes well. Cleveland has improved greatly but Terry Francona's squad will need a bit of work and improvement to compete. Lastly, Minnesota is still terrible. Although they have made improvements and players are returning to form, they need to do more to be a player in the division.

The AL West- Oakland is the team to beat, as their roster has improved with offseason trades. Los Angeles has improved but they lack starting pitching behind Weaver and Wilson. Texas has not improved their roster and I think for the first time in a few years, they won't even be in the playoffs. Seattle has improved with offseason trades but still needs a few more bats to compete in the West. Houston will be the exact same as they were in the NL Central, terrible. Houston doesn't have much going for them in 2013, except the change to the AL.

The NL East- Washington will be a force in the NL, winning over 100 games because they have made HUGE improvements to a already awesome roster. Atlanta will be good but will need more starting pitching depth in order to catch Washington. Philadelphia will again be useless in this division  failing to make the playoffs and barely making it to .500. New York hasn't done anything to get better or worse, so expect more of the same 75ish wins team. Miami got rid of everyone of great value to the team and will struggle to avoid 100 loses this season.

The NL Central- Cincinnati is still the force in the Central, as they have improved their already amazing roster. Milwaukee will surprisingly contend again in the division but will fall short of the Wild Card. St Louis has barely made it into the playoffs the last 2 years, but 2013 will see them miss the playoffs. Pittsburgh will come close to being a .500 team again but they need a little more roster improvement to get there. Chicago will be in the basement and without Houston, they'll be in last the whole time.

The NL West- San Francisco will be the team on top, thanks to offseason moves to keep guys on the team. Los Angeles has spent big but they still lack the rest of a starting pitching staff and need veteran guys to return to form. Arizona will be an improved team but will again be a .500 team due to improvement in the pitching staff. San Diego will come close to being a .500 team but they seriously need pitching help in order to do so. Colorado will struggle without good pitching and although they have a good lineup, they will be a poor ball club. 




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