If you thought my American League preseason predictions were bad, get a load of this…

Actual NL East Standings

1. Washington Nationals
2. Atlanta Braves
3. New York Mets
4. Miami Marlins
5. Philadelphia Phillies

My Predicted Standings

1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Miami Marlins-*
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Washington Nationals
5. New York Mets

This is “what in the hell?!” Part One.  Now in my defense I (nor did anyone else I know) saw the Nationals coming THIS quick.  I mean sure they have good young talent, but who’d had thunk it right?  And what in the hell is going on in Philly?  Last place?  Really?  Sure the Phillies are a MASH unit, but they really suck!  As for New York, I guess I should table the “METS = My Entire Team Sucks” mantra – maybe…

Actual NL Central Standings

1. Pittsburgh Pirates
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Houston Astros
6. Chicago Cubs

My Predicted Standings

1. Cincinnati Reds
2. Milwaukee Brewers
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Houston Astros

Enter “what in the hell?!” Part Two.  The Pittsburgh “Friggin” Pirates are in first place.  Raise your hand if you saw that coming – I didn’t think so.  Like the Nationals, the Pirates have a good collection of young talent.  Who would have thought that Yankees castoff AJ Burnett would be doing the damn thing in Pittsburgh?  This will be one helluva pennant race down the stretch, reminiscent of the old Pirates-Reds battles of the 1970s (yes I know they were in separate divisions back then, so leave me alone dammit)…

Actual NL West Standings

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

My Predicted Standings

1. San Francisco Giants
2. Arizona Diamondbacks-*
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

Not too bad I suppose.  The Giants finally remembered they are the Giants and are contending.  Now as soon as Tim Lincecum remembers he is Tim Lincecum, the NL West will be there for the taking for San Fran.  The Dodgers are a great story.  As soon as they are healthy, this will be one fun race to watch.  LA-San Francisco: gotta love it!

Categories: baseball, MLB, sports story

Tags: baseball, Major League Baseball, MLB, Opinion, Sports