Happy, Opening Day! In commemoration of the big day, the Amazin' Avenue writers have submitted their preseason projections. We can't promise their veracity, but they're definitely better than these.
NL East
| Eric | James | Sam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mets | Phillies | Mets |
| 2 | Phillies (Wild Card) | Mets (Wild Card) | Braves (Wild Card) |
| 3 | Braves | Braves | Phillies |
| 4 | Marlins | Marlins | Marlins |
| 5 | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals |
Eric: The Phillies could very easily win the division, and even the Braves could take the NL East crown if they can get any kind of offense out of their outfield.
James: Ask me again in an hour and I might put the Mets ahead of the Phillies – it’s too close to call. The Mets rotation is really starting to worry me though.
Sam: The Phillies are overrated and the Mets finally have a bullpen. The Braves did everything I wanted Omar to do this offseason with the rotation.
NL Central
| Eric | James | Sam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cubs | Cubs | Cubs |
| 2 | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| 3 | Reds | Reds | Brewers |
| 4 | Brewers | Brewers | Reds |
| 5 | Pirates | Pirates | Pirates |
| 6 | Astros | Astros | Astros |
NL West
| Eric | James | Sam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodgers | Dodgers | Diamondbacks |
| 2 | Diamondbacks | Giants | Dodgers |
| 3 | Giants | Diamondbacks | Giants |
| 4 | Rockies | Rockies | Rockies |
| 5 | Padres | Padres | Padres |
AL East
| Eric | James | Sam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yankees | Yankees | Red Sox |
| 2 | Red Sox (Wild Card) | Red Sox (Wild Card) | Rays (Wild Card) |
| 3 | Rays | Rays | Yankees |
| 4 | Blue Jays | Blue Jays | Blue Jays |
| 5 | Orioles | Orioles | Orioles |
AL Central
| Eric | James | Sam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indians | Indians | Indians |
| 2 | Twins | White Sox | Twins |
| 3 | White Sox | Twins | Tigers |
| 4 | Tigers | Tigers | White Sox |
| 5 | Royals | Royals | Royals |
AL West
| Eric | James | Sam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angels | Angels | Athletics |
| 2 | Athletics | Athletics | Angels |
| 3 | Mariners | Mariners | Mariners |
| 4 | Rangers | Rangers | Rangers |
Playoffs
| Eric | James | Sam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLDS | Phillies and Mets | Phillies and Cubs | Braves and Mets |
| ALDS | Yankees and Red Sox | Yankees and Red Sox | Rays and Athletics |
| NLCS | Mets | Cubs | Mets |
| ALCS | Red Sox | Yankees | Athletics |
| WS | Red Sox | Yankees | Mets |
Eric: The Cubs might never win another playoff series. ESPN is already salivating over another Yankees/Red Sox ALCS.
James: The Cubs won't win 97 games again but they're still very good. If the Mets don't win it all I'm fine with any team but the Phillies winning. I'm not sure I could stomach a W.F.Champtions repeat.
Sam: Ya Gotta Believe.
The Awards
| Eric | James | Sam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL MVP | Albert Pujols | Albert Pujols | David Wright |
| AL MVP | Mark Teixeira | Grady Sizemore | Dustin Pedroia |
| NL CY | Derek Lowe | Dan Haren | Javier Vazquez |
| AL CY | CC Sabathia | Josh Beckett | Josh Beckett |
| NL ROY | Cameron Maybin | Cameron Maybin | Jordan Zimmermann |
| AL ROY | Pat Listach | Travis Snider | Matt Wieters |
Eric: Derek Lowe > Oliver Perez, as if it needed saying again. Yea, I've got Yankees winning the AL MVP and Cy Young. With any luck I'll jinx 'em. I don't know squat about American League rookies so I just pretended it was 1992 and went with Listach.
James: Pujols is a lock for NL MVP if he stays healthy. David Wright and Jimmy Rollins are runners-up. I have a hunch that Rollins is going to have a terrific season, unfortunately. Haren had a career year in 2008, and at age 28 I see no reason why he can’t repeat it. Sizemore is the safe/boring pick for AL MVP, but Dustin Pedroia has a great shot at winning it again.
Sam: Am I really the only one who picked Wieters? I think if the Mets make the playoffs they give Wright a make-up MVP.
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