MLB Predictions: Final Standings NL Edition

Do I spy a Championship for these guys?

To check out the AL edition, click here or just go back to the home page.

National League

East

1. Washington Nationals. This one was tough, both Washington and Atlanta have made significant moves to bulk up their team. But, and I want to put this on public record now, three years ago I made the bold prediction that Washington would win the 2013 World Series. So we're sticking with that!

2. Atlanta Braves. It's going to be fun watching this neck and neck race in the NL East this upcoming season. I expect the Braves to continue being a strong team on both sides of the ball. After bringing in the Upton brothers, the Braves may have the most talented outfield in baseball.

3. Philadelphia Phillies. What can you say about the Phillies? Injuries and age is catching up with them. However, they're still an above average team with a great rotation. In the end I can't see it being enough.

4. New York Mets. After trading ace RA Dickey, the Mets are just blah.

5. Miami Marlins. The AAA team of the NL. Hey, at least they have a new stadium and Giancarlo Stanton ... For now.

Central

1. Cincinnati Reds. The Reds look great coming into 2013, the addition of Shin Soo Choo and retaining the services of Jonathan Broxton make the Reds a top five team in the game. They're the only team in baseball I can see getting 100 wins this season.

2. St. Louis Cardinals. I don't really like this pick, but who else in this division is going to step up?

3. Chicago Cubs. I'm being serious here.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates. Somewhat of a surprising pick, but the Pirates are in fact the Pirates. After a strong start last season they fizzled out in the worst way. I don't see that hot 2012 start coming back their way.

5. Milwaukee Brewers. Sorry guys, but now that Houston is in the AL, someone has to be last place. I'm concerned that super star Ryan Braun gets suspended. If not, I'll move the Brew-Crew back up the charts.

West

1. San Francisco Giants. The defending World-Series Champions should have no problem making it back to the post-season.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers. This team is STACKED!...With over-paid players. Regardless, they still finish second again. I will also give them the playoffs.

3. Colorado Rockies. The line-up can hit, no one doubts that. But if the pitching can find a way to be a hair above average the Rockies could have a nice season.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks. This is really a toss up. But after losing Upton, I'm not sure how the team will respond. Obviously Martin Prado will make a quick impact, and they still have a nice looking outfield even without Upton but what worries me is literally everyone else. Can they go from average to above average? My answer is, that depends on the rotation.

5. San Diego Padres. Not even Chase Headley can save you.

Sorry, Chicago.

MLB Predictions: Final Standings AL Edition

Baseball is back! Will these guys be even better in 2013?

Here in Michigan we're expecting another nasty snow storm, but down south baseball is heating up! With Spring training finally here, and teams starting to play a little ball again, you can almost smell the flowers blooming. The boys of summer are back, and here's how I believe the season will go. Highlighted teams are who I believe will make the playoffs.

American League

East

1. New York Yankees. While the team has got older, and injuries have slowed them down, no one can deny the power of their line-up. Pitching is always a concern, but the Yankees still win this division filled with talent.

2. Toronto Blue Jays. Adding guys like Jose Reyes and Josh Johnson will without a doubt give the Jays just what they needed. While R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle are nice additions, I'm not really putting much stock in either of them. The Jays improve to 90 wins this season.

3. Boston Red Sox. Surprise, surprise. The Sox were hindered by injuries last season, and come back this season with maybe the best relief pitching in baseball. Their line-up can still match-up with any team, and starting pitching is right about average. The Sox improve this season.

4. Tampa Bay Rays. Most people have the Rays are a top two team in the East, I have them falling a little this season.

5. Baltimore Orioles. The Cinderella 93 win team last season gets a dose of reality in this stacked division. Too many teams with more talent, and the O's fall back into last place.

Central

1. Detroit Tigers. By far the most talented team in the division and should have no problem working their way to a 90+ win season. Put it this way, the Tigers were a World Series team last year without Victor Martinez. He's back, and Tori Hunter is now a Tiger, giving Detroit arguably the best line-up in baseball. Not to mention they have some guy named Justin Verlander.

2. Cleveland Indians. No one can say they haven't got any better. With tons of move this off-season (for once) to bulk up their team, the Indians who already have great relief pitching will be a problem for a lot of teams. I think they finish with just under 80 wins this season.

3. Kansas City Royals. Finally have some starting pitching for the first time in a long time. And remember all those young prospects in KC? Well they grew up. All have over a season of MLB experience and should without a doubt make the Royals and pain in a lot of teams butt.

4. Chicago White Sox. A little hard to believe, after finishing second in the division last season with 85 wins, I expect the Sox to fall all the way to fourth this year. I mean, look at who they've added to their team ... Still looking?

5. Minnesota Twins. They'd make a pretty good AAA team.

West

1. Los Angeles Angels. Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and Mark Trumbo. Enough said. The Angels will have tons of fire power!

2. Oakland Athletics. With one of the premiere pitching staffs in all of baseball, and young super stars Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddick with the bat, the A's are not going anywhere.

3. Texas Rangers. Still a very good team, but after loosing Hamilton I believe the Rangers get pushed down the AL West ranks by Hamilton's new crew.

4. Seattle Mariners. I love what they're doing in the great North-West! They're a team with a ton of talented young guys, and a pretty good group of vets. Seattle is on the rise, but still a year away from any real playoff contention.

5. Houston Astros. Not only are the Astros bad, they're really bad. And to make matters worse, they move to one of the toughest divisions in all of baseball.

Happy Baseball Season!

Come back and check out the NL edition this Thursday!

NHL Predictions: Final Standings

As the puck is FINALLY about to drop, I decided I want to take a shot at predicting the final regular season standings. Chances are I'm going to be way off, but here we go. Teams that are highlighted are the teams I believe will make the playoffs.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

1. New York Rangers
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Philadelphia Flyers 
4. New York Islanders
5. New Jersey Devils

Northeast

1. Boston Bruins
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
3. Ottawa Senators
4. Buffalo Sabers
5. Montreal Canadians

Southeast

1. Tampa Bay Lightening 
2. Washington Capitals
3. Florida Panthers
4. Winnipeg Jets
5. Carolina Hurricanes

Western Conference

Central

1. St. Louis Blues
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. Chicago Blackhawks
4. Nashville Preditors
5. Columbus Blue Jackets

Northwest

1. Vancouver Canucks 
2. Minnesota Wild
3. Colorado Avalance
4. Calgary Flames
5. Edmonton Oilers

Pacific

1. Los Angeles Kings
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Phoenix Coyotes
4. Anaheim Ducks
5. Dallas Stars

Us hockey fans have been waiting too long, here's to one hell of a season!

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Picks

So last week I didn't make a post, mostly because I'm just starting to take advantage of this page. However, I went 3-1 with my only loss coming from Cincinnati. This week, we are shooting for 4-0!

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos (Sat. 4:30PM CBS)

Peyton Manning and the well balanced Broncos prove too much for the inconsistent Ravens, as the roll to the AFC Championship. Denver wins 31-17

*Side note: At the start of the year I picked Baltimore to win the Super Bowl. While I'd love to look good, I just can't see it happening. 

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers (Sat. 8PM Fox)

At times, the 49ers look unstoppable, others, awful! The way I see it, that wont flow in the playoffs. Green Bay has experience on their side, and a team that for the most part, is finally healthy. After a strong Wild Card win, Green Bay pulls out a win in Candle Stick led by Aaron Rodgers. Packers win 24-21

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons (Sun. 1PM Fox)

Seattle is hot, and we all have to question Matt Ryan in the playoffs, his task does not get any easier this year going up against one of the NFL's top defenses. I believe neither quarterback has a great day, but in the end, Russell Wilson does just enough for the Hawks' to pull out a tight victory. Seattle wins 17-14

Houston Texans at New England Patriots (Sun 4:30 CBS)

Look no further than week 14. The Pats beat down the Texans by a whooping 42-14. I think Houston comes out much stronger this weekend, but end the end, Tom Brady leads the Pats to another AFC Championship game. New England wins 34-24