How about that All-Star Game last night? By that I mean, how about Major League Baseball and Fox forgetting to honor the late Tony Gwynn during that Derek Jeter love-fest last night?
Be that as it may, the first half of the 2014 MLB regular season had a few surprises (Milwaukee in first place, defending champion Boston in last place). This “checkpoint” is a litmus test of sorts against my predictions before the season. And while the season is not over, this checkpoint kinda helps determine whether I should stay out of the MLB prediction business.
Let’s go…
American League
East Division
Predicted Finish
- Boston Red Sox (98-64)
- New York Yankees-* (95-67)
- Tampa Bay Rays-* (93-69)
- Baltimore Orioles (88-74)
- Toronto Blue Jays (80-82)
Record at All-Star Break
- Orioles (52-42)
- Blue Jays (49-47)
- Yankees (47-47)
- Rays (44-53)
- Red Sox (43-52)
Analysis: It wasn’t a big shock to see the Orioles playing well – I did predict them to finish over .500. It’s seeing Boston, who are virtually the same team that won last year’s World Series, hit bottom that is more shocking. Good to see the talent in Toronto finally becoming productive. As for my Yankees, it’s shocking to see them so competitive, with no pitching and hitting to speak of.
Central Division
Predicted Finish
- Detroit Tigers (96-66)
- Cleveland Indians (90-72)
- Kansas City Royals (88-74)
- Minnesota Twins (74-88)
- Chicago White Sox (72-90)
Record at All-Star Break
- Tigers (53-38)
- Royals (48-46)
- Indians (47-47)
- White Sox (45-51)
- Twins (44-50)
Analysis: No real surprises here. The top three teams of this division are competitive as I predicted. I am good at my job!!!
West Division
Predicted Finish
- Texas Rangers (93-69)
- Oakland Athletics (92-70)
- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim near El Segundo south of Hollywood (81-81)
- Seattle Mariners (78-84)
- Houston Astros (60-102)
Record at All-Star Break
- Athletics (59-36)
- Angels (57-37)
- Mariners (51-44)
- Rangers (40-56)
- Astros (38-57)
Analysis: The big miss here was on the Rangers. Talk about the bottom falling completely out…
National League
East Division
Predicted Finish
- Washington Nationals (94-68)
- Atlanta Braves (90-72)
- Philadephia Phillies (87-75)
- New York Mets (70-92)
- Miami Marlins (60-102)
Record at All-Star Break
- Nationals (51-42)
- Braves (52-43)
- Mets (45-50)
- Marlins (44-50)
- Phillies (42-53)
Analysis: Washington and Atlanta are at the top of the division, no shock there. I thought too much of the Phillies though. How Philly’s general manager Ruben Amaro still has a job is a mystery to me…
Central Division
Predicted Finish
- St. Louis Cardinals (97-65)
- Pittsburgh Pirates-* (94-68)
- Cincinnati Reds-* (93-69)
- Chicago Cubs (75-87)
- Milwaukee Brewers (70-92)
Record at All-Star Break
- Brewers (53-43)
- Cardinals (52-44)
- Reds (51-44)
- Pirates (49-46)
- Cubs (40-54)
Analysis: I correctly predicted that this division will be the most competitive in baseball. I’m shocked as hell to see Milwaukee on top. Props to Ryan Braun, I guess…
West Division
Predicted Division
- Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69)
- Arizona Diamondbacks (90-72)
- San Francisco Giants (85-77)
- Colorado Rockies (81-81)
- San Diego Padres (65-97)
Record at All-Star Break
- Dodgers (54-43)
- Giants (52-43)
- Padres (41-54)
- Rockies (40-55)
- Diamondbacks (40-56)
Analysis: Dodgers are on top of the division after a rough start – yay me. And while the Giants are in the thick of it as I predicted, I didn’t think the D’Backs would suck THAT bad.
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