Kelly’s 2014 Predictions

Last year was the 1st year I did my predictions but instead of me just thinking about it, everyone who read my predictions knew what I thought, all 27 of you. Here’s to a few more readers this year.

Let’s start with the AL East. Red Sox win the AL East again but this year it is not much of a surprise. I do think that they come back to the pack a little bit. Yankees loaded up again spending $491 million on 9 players. Tanaka got $155 million plus $20 million for posting fee. Ellsbury got $153 million, McCann got $85 million and Beltran got $45 million. After saying all that they still have no 2nd baseman (Cano to Mariners), no closer (Mo retired) and even though they paid Tanaka that much he’s still there 4th starter, that isn’t a good thing.

1) Red Sox
2) Rays (WILD CARD)
3) Yankees
4) Blue Jays
5) Orioles

The Royals are getting much closer to the Tigers. I’m just not sure the Royals have enough starting pitching to dethrone the Tigers. The Tigers are going to miss Prince Fielder this year, no protection for Miggy means he gets pitched around a lot more this year. The Indians didn’t do much this offseason and fall back to the middle of the pack. I like what the White Sox did, getting younger. I don’t think they will battle for a Wild Card spot but they will be much better.

1) Tigers
2) Royals (WILD CARD)
3) White Sox
4) Indians
5) Twins

The A’s work their magic again even with #1 starter Jarrod Parker out with TJ surgery and Colon off to the Mets. Angels have spent money the last 2 off-seasons and it hasn’t paid off. The Rangers traded Kinsler for Fielder (2014 AL MVP) so Profar could play 2nd, he’s out for 2 months. Holland is missing some extended time, Darvish may miss a few starts. The Astros are the Astros but give it a few years and they may be on the top in the AL West. I wanted to pick the Mariners to be higher but I don’t see it. They didn’t get a RH bat to bat behind Cano and they didn’t get a #3 starter to put in behind Felix and Kuma (whose out for most of April). I do think they will improve and could possibly be in 4th with a winning record.

1) A’s
2) Rangers
3) Angels
4) Mariners
5) Astros

The Nationals are back on top of the NL East after struggling in 2013. New coach, new attitude. I believe the Braves played above their heads last year and came crashing down this year. The NY Mets are improved and the Phillies/Marlins battle for last place.

1) Nationals
2) Braves
3) Mets
4) Phillies
5) Marlins

The NL Central is between the Cardinals and Pirates this year with the Cardinals coming out on top by a game or two. Pirates make the Wild Card again with the Reds falling short this year. The Cubs pass the Brewers and are no longer the cellar dwellers.

1) Cardinals
2) Pirates (WILD CARD)
3) Reds
4) Cubs
5) Brewers

The NL West belongs to the Dodgers again this year, that is all!!! Oh, D-Backs struggle, no pitching. The Padres surprise everyone this year and win the 2nd Wild Card spot. The Rockies are still trying to figure it out. The Giants don’t get that every other year luck like they did in 2010 and 2102.

1) DODGERS!!!!
2) Padres (WILD CARD)
3) D-Backs
4) Giants
5) Rockies

In the ALCS I have the Red Sox playing the A’s with the Red Sox winning in 6.

In the NLCS I have the Dodgers getting some revenge on the Cardinals. Hanley is healthy and he makes the difference. Dodgers in 7.

So I got the Red Sox looking to repeat against the Dodgers. Every year the Dodgers break my heart and I’m hopeful this is the year they don’t. It’s hard to repeat and no team has done it since the 1999-2000 Yankees. I don’t like to be a homer but I really do believe the Dodgers have the team to win it all this year. My one concern is their bench. They have the rotation, bullpen and lineup but their bench worries me, and MATTINGLY!! It goes to a 7th game in Los Angeles so the NL better win the All-Star game. It’s a very fun and stressful series that ends for me like every year, tears but this time its tears of joy.
Once again those are my picks so I will check back at the end of year and see how I did. Hopefully I’m somewhat correct but at the very least if I’m way off then we can all have a good laugh at my expense.