Happy Wacky Wednesday Y'all! This week is Spring Break for the majority of North Texas kids so I hope you let your little ones read along with this installment of Wacky Wednesday Wisdom. This weeks installment sees us diving into the National League divisions in baseball and putting my very early predictions on these teams. So with that being said let's dive right into these.
NL East
1) Washington Nationals- 101-61
2) Atlanta Braves 96-56 5 games back
3) Philadelphia Phillies 95-57 5.5 games back
4) Miami Marlins 90-72 9.5 games back
5) New York Mets 88-74 13 games back
So one might ask why did I come up with this early prediction for these teams? Really it boils down to the Nationals being the defending World Series champions and the Braves this year despite not signing a lot of people still have a lot of raw talent on the team. Lots of young players that can and have developed over the years and will continue to shine in the major leagues. As far as the Phillies go I really think injuries will once again hurt this team despite the players they signed in the offseason. The Marlins come out ahead of the Mets because to be quite honest with you the Marlins young talent will start to shine and flourish this season under the great hands of owner Derek Jeter. I honestly think by this time next year or a year and a half you will be putting the Marlins in the top spots.
NL Central
1) Milwaukee Brewers 97-65
2) St. Louis Cardinals 96-66 1 game back
3) Chicago Cubs 95-67 2 games back
4) Pittsburgh Pirates 94-68 3 games back
5) Cincinnati Reds 62-100 35 games back
This is the division in the National League that I really want to watch. Why? Because this is the division of a lot of teams that have something to prove. The Brewers with making trades with the Dodgers this season have a lot to prove. St Louis on the other hand wants to get back to the World Series they were constantly in in the early 2000's. The Chicago Cubs have a lot to prove. Pitching has to be on top if you can and will make it to the playoffs. Hitting wise they have a lot of young hitters and players who continue to shine, however, some if not most of the team is not under contract far past next season. So for the Cubs it's win now or forever hold your peace. The Pirates fall out of playoff contention only in the last week of the season due to injures. The Reds what can I say due to injuries and non existent bats and pitching they fall way behind the pack.
NL West
1) Los Angeles Dodgers 107-55
2) Arizona Diamondbacks 100-62 7 games back
3) San Diego Padres 90-72 17 games back
4) San Francisco Giants 70-92 37 games back
5) Colorado Rockies 55-107 52 games back
What can I say? The Dodgers pull off another division crown! The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to get better, however, due to injuries late in the season to pitching they fall out of contention in the final two weeks of the month(or do they?). San Diego continues to get better as well with the young talent they have on that team and the wonderful GM work of AJ Preller you see this team contending all the way up to at least the all star break. The Giants due to injuries and really bad pitching fall out of contention in the first two months of the season. Last but not least, what about the Rockies? What about Arenado? Well we are saving the best for last right? Not exactly, as Colorado falls out of contention in the first month causing Arenado to call for a trade. Will it be a happy divorce? NO! Arenado will continue to be bitter both on the field and in the clubhouse causing many to wonder about his lack of commitment to the team. This will ultimately lead to the Rockies making a trade with a surprise American League West team.
Well, that is this week's installment of Wacky Wednesday Wisdom. As you can see from the above the National League could be as competitive if not more competitive than the American League. So what are your thoughts? Your predictions? Shoot me an email and give me your thoughts or comments. Until next week I hope you continue to have a Happy Wacky Wednesday Y'all!