ETB’s 2007 MLB Predictions

- The Season's Over -

ETB’s 2007 MLB Predictions

April 4, 2007

God Likes The Angels You’ll notice that these predictions came out about a week or two after the rest of those charlatan prognosticators published theirs. I may be lazy, but I’m no fool. I’ve been paying close attention over the first few days of the season and I’ll be using that data to ensure that these predictions are at least twice, if not three times, as accurate as anybody else’s. I’ve been watching live games in the evenings and archived games in the afternoon (MLB.TV is a beautiful thing), and I’ve learned more than a couple of things. Just to name a few: Willy Taveras is set to lead the league in steals with somewhere between 140 and 162 (though he’ll see some stiff competition from Jason Tyner), the Minnesota Twins will probably win around 150 games (even though Johan Santana is just a mediocre pitcher) and this is the year that Xavier Nady finally puts it all together, hitting 50+ homers (slugging over 1.000).

As you can see, based on what’s taken place over the last three days, we can draw some fairly conclusive . . . conclusions about the next 5.9 months. There are some chalk picks, but also a few you may not expect (the bones reveal many strange things), so take check out ETB’s 2007 MLB divisional and individual award predictions.

Predicting the Divisions

Red Sox Win the AL East

American League

AL East
1. Boston Red Sox (98-64)
2. New York Yankees (92-70, Wild Card)
3. Toronto Blue Jays (83-79)
4. Baltimore Orioles (71-91)
5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays (70-92)

AL Central
1. Detroit Tigers (92-70)
2. Minnesota Twins (89-73)
3. Cleveland Indians (85-77)
4. Chicago White Sox (76-86)
5. Kansas City Royals (63-99)

AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels (91-71)
2. Texas Rangers (84-78)
3. Oakland Athletics (82-80)
4. Seattle Mariners (66-96)

Cole Hamels: Fact

National League

NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies (96-66)
2. New York Metropolitans (90-72, Wild Card)
3. Atlanta Braves (83-79)
4. Florida Marlins (71-91)
5. Washington Senators (54-108)

NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers (86-76)
2. Chicago Cubs (81-81)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (80-82)
4. Houston Astros (75-87)
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-90)
6. Cincinnati Reds (71-91)

NL West
1. Arizona Diamondbacks (92-70)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (87-75)
3. San Diego Padres (85-77)
4. Colorado Rockies (81-81)
5. San Francisco Giants (73-89)

The Playoffs

ALDS
Los Angeles Angels over Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers over New York Yankees
NLDS
Philadelphia Phillies over Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets over Arizona Diamondbacks
ALCS
Los Angeles Angels over Detroit Tigers
NLCS
Philadelphia Phillies over New York Mets
World Series
Los Angeles Angels over Philadelphia Phillies

The AL MVP

Individual Awards

American League

AL MVP: Grady Sizemore, Cleveland
AL CY Young: Johan Santana, Minnesota
AL ROY: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston
AL Breakout Hitter: Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels
AL Breakout Pitcher: Daniel Cabrera, Baltimore

National League

NL MVP: Ryan Howard, Philadelphia
NL Cy Young: Ben Sheets, Milwaukee
NL ROY: Chris B. Young, Diamondbacks
NL Breakout Hitter: Prince Fielder, Milwaukee
NL Breakout Pitcher: Rich Hill, Chicago Cubs

The Leading Scorer

MLB Individual Leaders

Home Runs: 55, Travis Hafner, Cleveland
RBIs: 150, Lance Berkman, Houston
Runs: 135, Hanley Ramirez, Florida
Batting Average: .336, Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles Angels
Stolen Bases: 61, José Reyes, New York Mets
Wins: 21, Roy Halladay, Toronto
Saves: 44, Joe Nathan, Minnesota
Strikeouts: 233, Johan Santana, Minnesota

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4 Comments »Posted by Andrew Thell on Apr. 4, 2007 at 9:43 pm in ETB Articles, MLB, MLB Fantasy News

4 Responses

Im not trying to be a homer here but im absolutely sure the Mets are going to run away in their division just like last year. Their starting pitching has me worried but their offense will be winning them many many games.

Posted by: Will on April 5th, 2007 at 2:48 am

Yeah, I think there’s a good chance that happens. But I really like the Phillies this year, they are the underdogs, but I see an upset. I hesitated to give the Mets so few wins, but there are some serious injury concerns and questions in the rotation. That should be a fun division to watch all year.

Posted by: Andrew on April 5th, 2007 at 9:01 am

You forgot to mention that Gary Sheffield will hit somewhere around 75 home runs, that Joel Zumaya will throw a 200-mph pitch, and that Jim Leyland will break the record for most packs of cigarettes smoked during a post-game press conference (five packs).

Posted by: Brian on April 5th, 2007 at 10:17 am

I can understand your Mets pick, even with the lack of pitching that lineup and pen will keep them in most games, but that Phillies pick is off.
There has been huge concerns about their pen in the spring and these first 2 games have done nothing but increase concern. I see them being in the same situation as the Braves last year (somewhere around 29 blown saves).
Plus, its the Phills….they will figure out a way to not make playoffs.
Also:
AL Breakout Hitter: Ian Kinsler
and Tim Hudson for a dark horse Cy Young pick.

Posted by: Max on April 5th, 2007 at 2:45 pm

Empty the Bench

The season's over.