September Predictions

by John Sickels on Sep 1, 2006 2:03 PM EDT in News Comment 54 comments

My Predictions for This Fall (generated as of September 1, 2006)

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL East: Athletics
AL Wild Card: Twins
AL CHAMPIONS: Tigers

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Phillies
NL CHAMPIONS: Dodgers

WORLD CHAMPIONS: Dodgers in 7

AL MVP: David Ortiz
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Justin Verlander
NL MVP: Ryan Howard
NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter
NL Rookie: Josh Johnson

OK, so tell me where I'm right and where I'm wrong. Note that these are not necessarily the guys I would pick myself for the awards, but rather what I think will happen.

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Dodgers

Can't see them beating the Mets, even if they get by the Mets I don't think they can beat any of the top AL teams in a series.

Though anything can certainly happen.

by Deech on Sep 1, 2006 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

More on the Dodgers

They would have to play the Cardinals in Rd 1 , then the Mets most likely, then take on the AL. Thats a tough road.

by Deech on Sep 1, 2006 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hard to predict

The NL WC race is so out of control, that it is almost impossible to forecast the winner. Therefore, it's hard to say who the Dodgers, Mets, and Cards will play in the divisional series...

However, if that is the road, that will be extremely difficult to navigate.

by jc3 on Sep 1, 2006 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Phillies are the WC . . .

the Mets would play either the Cards or the Dodgers, whichever team had the poorer record. The WC team does not play against the winner of their own division.

Policeman: Sir, are you classified as human? Korben Dallas: Ah, negative. I am a meat popsicle.

by finman on Sep 1, 2006 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My picks

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL East: Athletics
AL Wild Card: Twins
AL CHAMPIONS: Tigers

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL Wild Card: Dodgers
NL CHAMPIONS: Mets

WORLD CHAMPIONS: Mets in 7

AL MVP: David Ortiz
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Jon Paplebon
NL MVP: Ryan Howard
NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter
NL Rookie: Josh Johnson

by ChrisRef19 on Sep 1, 2006 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yanks over Tigers

The Yanks beat the tigers 5-2 in the season series. I don't see them losing in the playoffs.

by 12to6 on Sep 1, 2006 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yankee

I'm predicting that the Yankees will get arrogant in the playoffs and get knocked off.

by John Sickels on Sep 1, 2006 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How does a team "get arrogant"? I can see them losing in the playoffs, but because their starting pitching is so tenuous and their relievers are overworked. I really don't see the guys on this team being arrogant come the playoffs. I see them as a bunch of guys who are probably hungrier to win the World Series then probably any other team.

by sabernar on Sep 1, 2006 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

re:

I'm guessing by "arrogant" he meant they would let their guard down. Not that I agree, I also think this is a younger, hungrier Yankees team than those squads with the likes of Kevin Brown, Clemens, and the rest of the crochety old men. Those guys were October poison.

I can see guys like Cano really stepping up in the playoffs.

by SmokeyJoeWood on Sep 1, 2006 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Opponent?

Who do you see them losing to?

by 12to6 on Sep 1, 2006 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I'm sorry, John, but that's not likely. Oh the Yanks might easily lose in the playoffs, but it won't be from arrogance. Not this particular bunch and what they've been through this year. In fact their injuries caused them to become something I haven't seen in a Yankees team for several years now: a team.

If they lose in the playoffs, it'll be because of a lack of quality starting arms. Not arrogance.

by FunWithHeadlines on Sep 1, 2006 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What does that even mean?

I think Damon has really changed the culture of the Yankee clubhouse. This year's team seems hungrier to me than any Yankee team since the late 90s. Spotty pitching or no, I wouldn't want to face them come October.

by SirCaptain on Sep 1, 2006 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kool aid

How does it taste?

by limozeen on Sep 1, 2006 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

excellent.

eexxxccellent.

by daveh33 on Sep 1, 2006 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

even so....

come on, thats just silly..

Paps might win ROY, but this team aint makin the playoffs without Ortiz, Manny and someone not named Gabe Kapler in right.

Free Kevin Youkilis!!!

by forage on Sep 1, 2006 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you're advocating calling up Willie Harris?

Hey, he made one start in RF, by my stats... ;)

"What you're forgetting is that you need at least three DWIs before you're considered a 'dominant' drunk driver." (limozeen)

by drjayphd on Sep 1, 2006 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

perdiction

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Athletics
AL Wild Card: Twins
AL CHAMPIONS: Athletics

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Padres
NL CHAMPIONS: Mets

WORLD CHAMPIONS: Athletics in 6

AL MVP: Derek Jeter
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Justin Verlander
NL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb
NL Rookie: Josh Johnson

by limozeen on Sep 1, 2006 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the prediction that is mine.

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Athletics
AL Wild Card: Twins
AL CHAMPIONS: Twins

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL Wild Card: Reds
NL CHAMPIONS: Mets

WORLD CHAMPIONS: Twins in 6

AL MVP: Derek Jeter
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Justin Verlander
NL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter
NL Rookie: Prince Fielder

by daveh33 on Sep 1, 2006 2:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ortiz

I'm not sure how he gets the MVP considering that the Red Sox don't make the playoffs. Excellent numbers, yes, but I can't see him winning the award over Jeter, Dye, or Mauer considering the team's collapse.

by jc3 on Sep 1, 2006 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yup

Whether Ortiz individually deserves it or not, if the Red Sox miss the playoffs, their season will be considered a major disappointment, and I don't see the writers rewarding a player on a disappointment.

I do think Jeter is your favorite right now. Obviously he gets a lot of publicity. And he'll end up with 90+ RBI, which will mean a lot to the writers.

Similarly, I think Philly would have to make the playoffs for Howard to win NL MVP (which John does have happening, so he's consistent); if they don't, then I think it'll be Pujols.

Top 2 NL Cys right now would be Zambrano and Webb, I would think.

and boom goes the dynamite.

by Mean Dean on Sep 1, 2006 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It happens

Players sometimes win the award on non-playoff teams. Cal Ripken's done it on a last place team, as has our old friend Slappy McBluelips, if I recall correctly.

Plus, the sympathy factor, re: his irregular heartbeat. That will weigh on the minds of writers.

by SmokeyJoeWood on Sep 1, 2006 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...

... but it's when the player stands head-and-shoulders above everyone and/or the playoff teams have no "deserving candidates," neither of which is the case this year.

and boom goes the dynamite.

by Mean Dean on Sep 1, 2006 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought

Andre Dawson was the only player to ever be named MVP on a last place team.

by slurve on Sep 2, 2006 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup

agreed he has to be.. and Manny will get more votes than any other yankee. It would be intresting to think about what type of votes Abreu would get if he was with the team the whole year. The impact he has had on htis team is so obvious. Jeter has to be the MVP with all the injuries and stuff to the team he has carried them

by Metty5 on Sep 2, 2006 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Predictions

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: A's
AL Wild Card: White Sox
AL Champions: Yankees

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinal
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Padres
NL Champions: Mets

World Series: Yankees in 5

AL MVP: Derek Jeter
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Justin Verlander
NL MVP: Carlos Beltran
NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb
NL Rookie: Josh Johnson

by stusviews on Sep 1, 2006 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

re

AL EAST- Yanks
AL WEST- A's
AL CENT- Tigers
AL WILD- White Sox

NL EAST- Mets
NL WEST- Padres
NL CENT- Cards
NL WILD- Phillies

AL CHAMP- Yanks
NL CHAMP- Phillies (upset time)
World Champ- Yanks in 6

AL MVP- Jeter (sorry Jermaine Dye)
AL CY- Santana
AL ROY- Verlander
NL MVP- Ryno Howard
NL CY- Carpenter
NL ROY- Uggla (Marlins got to win some hardware for this miracle season)

by ScottAZ on Sep 1, 2006 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marlins

With all due respect to Willie, I think Girardi has M.O.Y. locked up, so they will get some hardware at least.

by BobbyMac on Sep 1, 2006 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

re

Think so? It could go either way right now, I'd also throw in Narron too

by ScottAZ on Sep 2, 2006 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

go stros

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: A's
AL Wild Card: White Sox
AL Champions: Yankees

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinal
NL West: Padres
NL Wild Card: Astros
NL Champions: Astros

World Series: Yankees in 7

AL MVP: Jermaine Dye
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Jonathan Papelbon
NL MVP: Carlos Beltran
NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb
NL Rookie: Josh Johnson

by donniebaseballman on Sep 1, 2006 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Predilections

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: White Sox
AL West: A's
AL Wild Card: Twins
AL Champions: Twins

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL Wild Card: Dodgers
NL Champions: Mets

World Series: Mets in 6

AL MVP: Derek Jeter-Swallows (kidding, although it should be Ortiz, as Mauer might have too much pitching support)
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Jonathan Papelbon (could be Verlander or Liriano, I think it'll be really tight between all three)
NL MVP: Carlos Beltran (maybe Pujols, when Beltran splits the vote with Wright?)
NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb
NL Rookie: Josh Johnson (Fielder's fallen off the pace)

"What you're forgetting is that you need at least three DWIs before you're considered a 'dominant' drunk driver." (limozeen)

by drjayphd on Sep 1, 2006 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

first post

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: White Sox
AL West: Athletics
AL Wild Card: Tigers
AL Champions: Athletics

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Padres
NL Champions: Dodgers

World Series: Athletics in 7

AL MVP: Jermaine Dye
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Justin Verlander
NL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb
NL Rookie: Josh Johnson

by mateodh on Sep 1, 2006 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just one

One place where I think you are wrong:

The Athletics won't win the AL East ;)

by twill on Sep 1, 2006 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

MVP

Are these award predictions for who should win, or who will win? If it's the former, I can't see how Mauer and Beltran aren't the slamdunk choices at this point.

As to AL ROY, I wonder if Markakis might be a dark horse. His OPS is now up to .870, and Verlander seems to be fading a bit. If Markakis has a strong Sept., and Papelbon and Verlander don't, he might have an outside shot. i.e., if Markakis finishes at .315/.375/.510, with 18 HRs and 75 RBI, and Verlander finishes at 16-9 with an ERA around 4.00, and Papelbon has a couple of bad outings and finishes with an ERA around 2.00, it might be close. If the season ended today I'm sure Papelbon will win.

by rp0806 on Sep 1, 2006 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

choices for...

MVP of course.

by rp0806 on Sep 1, 2006 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my predictions are for who "will" win...

...as I believe most others have done as well...except for the boston fan...his was pure comedy.

by daveh33 on Sep 1, 2006 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no love for han-ram

i thought me might get mentioned for NL-ROY. if he finishes 15/50, only he CC and Jose Reyes will have had 15/50 seasons since 2000.

i know that's not really a magic number, but it is still an impressive combo of speed and power...

by Dfarth on Sep 1, 2006 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

True, but...

It's probably the same thing as with Mauer, if you ask me. When you think of the Marlins and their success, who gets the credit? Hanley Ramirez isn't going to be the first person you think of. Although, really, who'd be the first player on the Marlins to come up? If I had to pick one person with the team, it'd be Girardi. Likewise, for the Twins, I'd say Santana y LIRIANO!.

"What you're forgetting is that you need at least three DWIs before you're considered a 'dominant' drunk driver." (limozeen)

by drjayphd on Sep 1, 2006 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think you're right

on a couple points. first off, girardi definitely deserves a lot of credit. it will be a disgrace if he isn't MOY. secondly, most people probably don't think of han-ram first when thinking who's the best ROY candidate on their team. but, nonetheless, he's going to finish with very good numbers for a rookie.

another good reason why he SHOULDN'T be ROY is that he defense has been suspect at times. i think he has a bit of the BJ upton disease with a flare for the big play but sometimes he can't handle the routine ones.

regardless, i love the kid. i think him and jose reyes maybe the two most exciting players in a the game within a year or two (well reyes already is if you ask me)...

by Dfarth on Sep 3, 2006 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Predictions

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: A's
Wildcard: White Sox
AL Champions: White Sox

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
Wildcard: Padres
NL Champions: Dodgers

World Series: Dodgers in 6

AL MVP: Ortiz
AL CY: Santana
AL ROY: Verlander

NL MVP: Beltran
NL CY: Zambrano
NL ROY: Johnson

by Scott Proctor Fan Club on Sep 1, 2006 5:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate the Yankees

... and I rarely pick them to win, but I just don't see anyone derailing them this year. Easy World Series win for the Bombers this season.

by BobbyMac on Sep 1, 2006 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

White Sox Repeat

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Athletics
AL Wild Card: White Sox
AL CHAMPIONS: White Sox

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Padres
NL CHAMPIONS: Mets

WORLD CHAMPIONS: White Sox in 7

AL MVP: Jermaine Dye
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Justin Verlander
NL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb
NL Rookie: Josh Johnson

World Series MVP: Bobby Jenks

by Jim in Maine on Sep 1, 2006 5:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

are you smoking something?

by yanksfan6129 on Sep 1, 2006 5:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mine

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL East: Athletics
AL Wild Card: Whitesox
AL CHAMPIONS: Yankees

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Phillies
NL CHAMPIONS: Mets

WORLD CHAMPIONS: Mets in 7 in the highest scoring WS in years.

AL MVP: Jeter
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Markakis(Verlander completely folds in Sept)
NL MVP: Ryan Howard
NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter
NL Rookie: Zimmerman

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen.

by Phil Gurnee on Sep 1, 2006 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

unlike previous yrs...

and teams back in the early 2000's, A's arent expected of much and are probably ocnsidered underdogs. so hopefully they can get at least past the 1st rd, but i guess it would really help with a semi-healthy Rich Harden. also i'm nt sold on the tigers, they've been a pretty avg team the past 2 months. the have some offense issues with Ordonez hitting 2 hr's the past 2 months, grnadersn being a leadoff strikeout machine.

by rayver723 on Sep 1, 2006 9:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll try the anti-jinx

being a Dodger fan, I don't want to jinx them by picking them to win it all. Thus...

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: A's
AL Wild Card: Twins

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Astros (just a hunch)

AL Champion: A's (they're due)
NL Champion: Mets

World Series Champs: Mets

AL MVP: Jermaine Dye
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL ROY: Jonathan Papelbon
AL Manager of the Year: Jim Leyland
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Jim Thome

NL MVP: Carlos Beltran
NL Cy Young: Chris Carpenter
NL ROY: Josh Johnson
NL Manager of the Year: Grady Little
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Scott Rolen

by overkill94 on Sep 1, 2006 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My picks

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Athletics
AL Wild Card: Twins
AL CHAMPIONS: Twins

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Padres
NL CHAMPIONS: Mets

WORLD CHAMPIONS: Twins in 7

AL MVP: David Ortiz
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie: Francisco Liriano
NL MVP: Carlos Beltran
NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb
NL Rookie: Josh Johnson

by papelpower58 on Sep 1, 2006 11:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dodgers, Ethier and Jeter...(surprise)!

John,

I like most of your picks - particularly, your choice of the Dodgers(!) - with a few exceptions... If you choose LAD, then you certainly need to at least consider Andre Ethier for ROY (my choice), and - to my surprise - Brad Penny for NL Cy Young. Also, while Ortiz and Jeter have been neck-n-neck during most of the year for AL MVP... Ortiz's health (and the B-Sox free-fall) has virtually assured it for Jeter.

by ItTakesFaith on Sep 2, 2006 3:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Penny????

You must have missed his last 5 starts.

by The Colonel on Sep 2, 2006 4:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What the Hell...

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Atheltics
AL Wild Card: White Sox

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL Wild Card: Padres

AL Champion: White Sox
NL Champion: Dodgers (Mets rotation will be their demise.)

World Series Champs: White Sox again in 5. And I saw someone say Jenks will be the WS MVP. I think Charlie Haeger will be. Vive El Knuckleball! (Okay, actually, my guess is Konerko)

AL MVP: Jermaine Dye
AL Cy Young: Roy Halladay (just to piss off the Twinkie fans)
AL ROY: Justin Verlander (I think The Papelboner is done for the year)
AL Manager of the Year: Jim Leyland
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Mike Lowell (Homer pick, he is my DMB Team's 3B)

NL MVP: Carlos Beltran (Unless Philly makes the WC, then Howard... and if Howard hits over 57HR, he wins no matter what.)
NL Cy Young: Brandon Webb (Johnson surprising by coming in 2nd here)
NL ROY: Ryan Zimmerman (Johnson surprising by only coming in 2nd here)
NL Manager of the Year: Girardi in a landslide.
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Nomar Garciaparra

by Boxkutter on Sep 2, 2006 5:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

predictions....

AL EAST: Yankees
AL CENTRAL: Tigers
AL WEST: Oakland Athletics
AL WILDCARD: White Soxs

NL EAST: Mets
NL CENTRAL: Cardinals
NL WEST: Dodgers
NL WILDCARD: Marlins (what the hell, who knows)

AL CHAMPION: The Oakland Athletics...Yes, an A's team finally built for the playoffs.

NL CHAMPION: Los Angeles Dodgers - another team with a good pitching staff, a good bench, and peaking at the right time.

WORLD SERIES WINNER - Oakland Athletics in a re-match of 1989...finally redemption.

by GSIZEMORE on Sep 2, 2006 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You mean...

a rematch of the 1988 series. That was the year Gibson hit the HR off Eck in Game 1. 1989 was the Earthquake series between the Giants and the A's. Then 1990 was the sweep at the hands of the Reds.

by Boxkutter on Sep 4, 2006 5:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's what SHOULD happen

AL East- Yankees
Central- Tigers
West- A's
WC- Twins
AL Champion- Yankees

NL East- Mets
Central- Cardinals
West- Dodgers
WC- Padres
NL Champ- Mets
WORLD CHAMPIONS- METS

AL MVP- Jeter
Cy Young- Santana
ROY- Papelbon

NL MVP- Ryan Howard
Cy Young- Carpenter
ROY- Josh Johnson

by acr on Sep 2, 2006 6:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

East-Yanks
Cent-Tigers
West-A's
Card-White Sox

AL Champs- hard call, I go with Yanks, their lineup is just too good and their pitching has been vastly underrated.

NL
East-Mets
Cent-Cards
West-Dodgers
Card-Phillies

NL champs- presuming that Pedro and Glavine are healthy.... Mets.

I doubt the Yankees will "get too confident" they've really won all the games they needed to this year.

by RollingWave on Sep 3, 2006 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

East Coast kool aid

Papelbon over Verlander is ridicolous to say the least. Unfortunatley Papelbon will probably be rewarded for pitching over 100 innings less this year than Verlander. Verlanders will probably end up with 17 or 18 wins and a sub 3.50 era and Papelbon doesnt have to pitch another inning and he will be awarded ROY by the Peter Gammons Red Sox hype machine.

by longdong on Sep 4, 2006 5:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs