American LeagueMVP: Alex Rodriguez, New York A-Rod will break his trend of putting up an MVP season every other year, and will put aside this offseason's soap opera to win the award for a second straight year. Ortiz and Ramirez are both capable but always seem to cancel each other out. Detroit and Cleveland each have multiple candidates, but it will be tough for one guy from either of those teams to shine like A-Rod will. Ichiro and Vlad Guerrero are also contenders out West, particularly if Guerrero can stay healthy. Cy Young: Justin Verlander, Detroit Verlander is the ace of a deep staff in Detoit, has electric stuff, and is backed by the scariest lineup in the bigs. He will win 20 games this year and win his first Cy Young. Beckett saves his best work for the postseason, Sabathia will get off to a slow start in his walk year, and Bedard will be adjusting to a change of scenery. The Angels have a few capable pitchers, Chien Ming Wang will always be there with the run support he recieves, and Mark Buerhle, Roy Halladay, and Fausto Carmona will always have a chance. Rookie of the Year: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Ellsbury will shine in his first full year in Boston, getting the majority of playing time in centerfield and leading off for the high powered Boston offense. Ellsbury has the potential to steal 40 bases, and with David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez behind him will score a ton of runs. National LeagueMVP: Alfonso Soriano, ChicagoSoriano battled injuries in 2007 and had a tough first year in Chicago attempting to live up to his $136MM contract. Soriano will steal bases, drive in runs, and hit around 50 home runs in Wrigley Field. The fans on Waveland Avenue are going to be busy when the wind is blowing out in Wrigley this year. The Phillies and Mets each have three candidates, but will cancel each other out. Mark Teixeria, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Carlos Lee, and Matt Holliday are other candidates. Cy Young: Johan Santana, New York Santana had a 3.33 ERA and won 15 games on a below .500 team in 2007 and this was considered an "off" season for him. Moving to the weaker National Leauge, pitching in Shea Stadium, and having his childhood hero Pedro Martinez behind him in the rotation will lead to a huge season for Santana. He'll win 20 games, and look for Santana to have an ERA around 2 and approach the 300 strikeout mark. Jake Peavy, Dan Haren, Brandon Webb, Carlos Zambrano, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels are other top contenters. Rookie of the Year: Kosuke Fukudome, Chicago Scouts say Fukudome is a combination of Hideki Matsui and Ichiro, which sounds really good. Look for him to have about 15-20 home runs, steal some bases, and have around a .380 OBP. Playoff PredictionsAmerican LeagueDivision Series:Red Sox over Indians 3-2 Tigers over Angels 3-1 ALCS: Tigers over Red Sox 4-3 National LeagueDivision Series:Mets over D'Backs 3-0 Dodgers over Cubs 3-2 NLCS: Mets over Dodgers 4-2 World SeriesMets over Tigers 4-2The New York Mets will win the 2008 World Series, clinching the title in Flushing as they bid farewell to Shea Stadium. Shea will be rocking for one last time as it rides off into the sunset and Mets move into the new Citifield in 2009. The Tigers win the ALCS, taking advantage of Curt Schilling's absense and outslugging the Red Sox, with Verlander matching Beckett. The Mets are too strong for anyone in the National League, with more offense than Arizona and Los Angeles, and more pitching than Atlanta and Philadelphia. Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez neutralize the powerful Tiger lineup in the Fall Classic, with Todd Jones blowing a costly save in Game 3 swinging momentum to the New York side. |