2013 MLB Preview

Ah, isn't it wonderful? The daily countdowns to pitchers and catchers reporting followed by the daily joke about the pitching and catching slur. The NFL playoffs coming to an end (although for me, they are far from over! GO RAVENS!) and the NBA season approaching All-Star Weekend. This all points to the baseball season coming quick! And with it, my annual preview that will just fall short and likely embarrass me. I can't break tradition, I owe it to my seven readers.


This season will be unlike any other. As generic as that might sound, like Jay Leno or any talk show host promising "We've got a great show for you tonight" as if there have been episodes that started with a "Well, tonight's show is average at best", 2013 actually is unlike any other. The Houston Astros were moved the the junior circuit to balance the teams at 15 in each league. The Astros will now play in the A.L. West, giving that division five and the N.L. Central five teams like every other division in baseball. This move is coming very late, I don't understand why we went into any season in year's past thinking it made any sense for one division to have four teams and one to have six. Ladies and gentlemen, Bud Selig.

Interleague play also has a dramatically different dynamic in 2013. This season, for example, the opening series includes the American League's Los Angeles Angels visiting the reigning National League Central champion, Cincinnati Reds. On any day where all thirty teams are in action this season, there will be at least one interleague game scheduled. The onslaught of interleague play will not come in June anymore as it used to, but there will be a bulk period in late May where all teams will be facing foes from the rival league. Each team has been appointed a rival from the opposite league to play in a four game series from May 27-30. Two games will be at home and two games will be away. I actually like this idea, because I am a fan of interleague play becoming a bigger part of the schedule since the 162 games will never be decreased as long as money runs all things evil in the world. Again, ladies and gentlemen, Bud Selig. 

There is also a certain youth movement to watch out for this season. Mike Trout, the rookie phenom from last season who almost brought an MVP award to the Angels (had it not been for a superhuman season from Miguel Cabrera), is leading the way. Guys like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodrgiuez, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettite (so, the entire New York Yankees), Jim Thome, even Albert Pujols, saw significant declines in their numbers last season due to age and injury, which generally comes with age. Guys like Trout will be ushering in a new era for baseball, one which we all hope will be steroid-ridden. With new rules in effect that call for mid-season testing, players have never been more inclined to stay away from the juicing. Well, that and the obvious distaste the Baseball Writers had in this year's Hall of Fame voting. I had as much as a shot as Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa did on that ballot.

So, obviously 2013 will look much different in terms of the baseball seasons of our memory. The World Baseball Classic will also be making its return this season. I won't really get into that here since pretty much all of America could really not care any less about it, although I think I kind of might, but I might write a blog about it later this month. Depends on how bored I  get. Chances are good it'll happen. 

Without any further ado, my predictions for the National League in 2013!

National League East (in order of projected finish)
1. Atlanta Braves- I like what the Braves did this offseason, look for the offense to flourish for once and to carry this team to there first division title since 2005.
2. Washington Nationals(WC1)- This team won 98 games last season, as much as I don't want to admit it, they should only get better with no limit on Stephen Strasburg and a year of experience for Bryce Harper.
3. Philadelphia Phillies- I think the Phillies improve on their .500 finish from last season, but not by much. Age, injuries and lack of pitching behind the Big Three will ultimately cause a second consecutive season with no playoff berth.
4. New York Mets- The Mets traded away R.A. Dickey, last season's NL Cy Young Award winner, which shows the stage this organization is in. Rebuild around David Wright.
5. Florida Marlins- The team spent more money than many nation's GDP last offseason and lost 93 games in 2012. They had a firesale (mostly to one customer north of the border) and are rebuilding again. This team lacks any real talent and could be in danger for a historically bad season.

National League Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals- The Cardinals went on another playoff run last season behind first year manager Mike Matheny. The team is young and talented and should return to the top of this division.
2. Cincinnati Reds- The Reds were still able to win the Central last season despite Joey Votto missing a considerable amount of time. If he is back and healthy for all of 2013, this team could be a strong choice for the pennant. 
3. Milwaukee Brewers- Ryan Braun will need to step up even more this season for the Brew Crew to see success. I just don't see enough talent on this roster for them to make much noise.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates- Every ounce of me wants to put this team higher, but I simply can't until they prove they can win. Even with last season's early success, they still posted a losing season for the 20th consecutive year.
5. Chicago Cubs- Kudos to the Cubs and Theo Epstein for not blowing things up, but they did lose 101 games last season. This rebuilding is that the organization needs to contend in the future, but it will be ugly to watch in the present.

National League West
1. San Francisco Giants- Why count this team out again? No one believed in them in 2010 or 2012, and they won the World Series both years. This team is better than people credit them for.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers(WC2)- They spent the money and look good on paper, and I expect them to reach the wildcard play-in game, but their pitching still worries me as does their ability to get hurt.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks- Arizona is getting better, but they are not quite good enough to strike any real fear in opponent's eyes. Give this team a season or two and they will be back in the playoffs.
4. Colorado Rockies- The NL West used to be the most competitive division in baseball a few years ago, now a team this bad can boast fourth place. The Rockies don't have much pitching, and take away Troy Tulowitzki, and they don't have much offense either.
5. San Diego Padres- They will lose a lot of 1-0 and 2-1 games this season. Sound familiar? The lack of additions to the offense over the past five years is truly stunning. 

National League Playoffs

Wild Card Play-In Game

Nationals over Dodgers

National League Division Series

Braves over Cardinals

Giants over Nationals

National League Championship Series

Braves over Giants

And now, my predictions for the American League!

American League East

1. New York Yankees- Sure, they are about as old as the cast from Gilligan's Island, but the star power is still there. This team did boast the best record in the American League last season, let's not forget about that.

2. Toronto Blue Jays(WC1)- I know plenty of teams have had the big offseason and than come up short on the field, but it is hard to discount just how remarkable of an offseason Toronto put together.

3. Baltimore Orioles- Unfortunately, I think this team saw its window close for a little bit, coming up one win short of the ALCS last season. The talent is still there, but not enough to see a run again.

4. Tampa Bay Rays- The Rays are good enough to compete in other divisions in baseball for the crown, but they still play in the reloaded AL East. 

5. Boston Red Sox- The most controversial team in sports over the past two years, the Red Sox could see a repeat of last season or win 95 games. I really don't know what to expect, but I can't see an instant turnaround with the lack of pitching depth. 

American League Central

1. Detroit Tigers- The Central rarely seems to see repeat winners, but the Tigers are too good overall to not win it again. Miguel Cabrera might not win another Triple Crown, but the Tigers should win another division crown.

2. Chicago White Sox- The White Sox are a tough team to eye up, as they have a good young offense and a good young rotation, but thats about it. Good, not great.

3. Cleveland Indians- Call me crazy, but I think Terry Francona can turn this sinking ship around quicker than people assume.

4. Kansas City Royals- The Royals might finally have enough pitching to put up a winning season.

5. Minnesota Twins- Health is a big concern in Minnesota, but evident by the trade of Ben Revere, the Twins might not have too high of expectations right now.

American League West

1. Los Angeles Angels- The chips should fall into place, as most teams in history can not boast a better offensive trio than Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton.

2. Texas Rangers(WC2)- The Rangers collapse at the end of last season was a concern, as is losing Josh Hamilton to a division rival, but Ron Washington still has a good enough team to squeak out at least a second place finish in the West.

3. Oakland Athletics- History has shown us that teams can lose for many seasons, put together a surprise year, and than return to futility. I have a bad feeling that is in store for this organization.

4. Houston Astros- Sellar-dwellars in 2012, the mere thing keeping them from returning to the basement in 2013 is that they switched divisions to one boasting the Seattle Mariners.

5. Seattle Mariners- Eventually, this team will have enough pitching and offense to surround Felix Hernandez and get him into the postseason. Right?

American League Playoffs

Wild Card Play-In Game
Rangers over Blue Jays
American League Division Series
Angels over Rangers
Yankees over Tigers
American League Championship Series
Yankees over Angels
2013 World Series
Atlanta Braves over New York Yankees

Player Awards

NL MVP- Ryan Braun, Milwaukee

AL MVP- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

NL Cy Young- Cole Hamels, Philadelphia

AL Cy Young- Justin Verlander, Detroit

NL Manager of the Year- Mike Matheny, St. Louis 

AL Manager of the Year- John Gibbons, Toronto

So, take these predictions to the bank, y'all! On a side note, I just want to say that I really hope Michael Jordan is enjoying this debacle ESPN is putting on for his 50th birthday. Does anybody actually care or am I just really cynical all of a sudden? So he's turning 50, why the hell do we need that to be shoved down our throats every half hour on ESPN and everyday on their SportsCenter facebook page? He might be the greatest basketball player there ever was, but I don't think we need to act this way because the dude is turning 50 years old. Besides, he is running the shittiest team the NBA has seen in years, that has to count against him somehow. 

Thanks for reading! Happy Birthday to anyone who is turning 50 this year, whether you are the best accountant there ever was, the best construction worker in history or the best lay in bed and read college kid's blogs reader in the world! Go get 'em!