Mike's 2009 MLB All Star Break Predictions

National League West

Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants (WC)
Colorado Rockies
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres

National League Central

Milwaukee Brewers
St Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs
Houston Astros
Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates

National League East

Philadelphia Phillies
New York Mets
Florida Marlins
Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals


The LA Dodgers will most likely finish the regular season with the best record in the National League, but I'm not a hundred percent convinced of a World Series berth. San Francisco's pitching staff around Tim Lincecum could earn them a Wild Card spot plus a few more October wins than most people are giving them credit.

The NL Central is a tight race, but Milwaukee's stronger lineup can edge out St. Louis... The Cardinals desperately need to provide some protection for Albert Pujols, teams just aren't giving him pitches to see in big situations.

The Phillies can win the east again, even with their pitching problems. The likely signing of Pedro Martinez will help in the long run. Despite the Mets' terrible play in the first half of the season, they are far underperforming, and should regain a lot of ground when names like Beltran and Delgado (hopefully) come off the DL, among many others. The Mets should threaten the Giants for the NL Wild Card, but if the Giants stay consistent over the rest of the season it will probably be too much to overcome.



American League West

Texas Rangers
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Seattle Mariners
Oakland Athletics

American League Central

Detroit Tigers
Minnesota Twins
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals
Cleveland Indians

American League East

Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees (WC)
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles

I've been liking Texas more and more since way back in April. The Angels are not the same team they were last year, they've lost the free agents I believe they need to win the AL West. While that's always a possibility with a good team like the Angels, the Texas Rangers can definitely take it from them down the stretch.

The Tigers have great pitching with Verlander and Jackson, plus a good mix of strong bats. Their biggest competition is the Twins, a well rounded team, but Detroit's strong starting pitching should keep them ahead in the AL Central.

The Tampa Bay Rays are not going away any time soon. They've had more than their share of injuries, still they're only three games behind the Wild Card leading Yankees. The Yankees have that strong offense that wins them a lot of games, but a weak and overworked bullpen. The Yankees are a threat, but they need to figure out how to bridge the gap consistently between their starters and number 42. Meanwhile, the Red Sox bullpen seemed a lot stronger on paper during the offseason than they've been performing in the past month. If last month was only a temporary slump, Boston will come out with the best record in the American League. However, if those bullpen struggles continue or get worse, either the Yankees or the Rays can win the AL East.



National League Division Series

Brewers at Dodgers: Dodgers in three

Giants at Phillies: Giants in four


National League Championship Series

Giants at Dodgers: Dodgers in six


American League Division Series

Rangers at Red Sox: Red Sox in five

Yankees at Tigers: Yankees in four


American League Championship Series

Yankees at Red Sox: Red Sox in five


2009 World Series

Dodgers at Red Sox: Dodgers in seven



Justin's 2009 All Star Break Update

NL West: LAD (1)

NL Central: MIL (3)

NL East: PHI (2)

NL Wild Card: SFO


LAD vs. MIL: LAD in 4

PHI vs. SFO: PHI in 4

LAD vs. PHI: LAD in 7


AL West: LAA (2)

AL Central: DET (3)

AL East: BOS (1)

AL Wild Card: TBR


BOS vs. DET: BOS in 3

LAA vs. TBR: TBR in 5

BOS vs. TBR: TBR in 5


TBR vs. LAD: TBR in 6


Archives: Justin's Preseason Predictions

National League West

Los Angeles Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
San Diego Padres

National League Central

Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
St. Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds

National League East

New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies (WC)
Atlanta Braves
Florida Marlins
Washington Nationals


American League West

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Oakland Athletics
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners

American League Central

Detroit Tigers
Cleveland Indians
Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals
Chicago White Sox

American League East

Boston Red Sox
Tampa Bay Rays (WC)
New York Yankees
Baltimore Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays


National League Division Series

CHC vs. PHI - PHI in 5
NYM vs. LAD - NYM in 5


National League Championship Series

NYM vs. PHI - NYM in 5


American League Division Series

BOS vs. DET - BOS in 4
LAA vs. TBR - TBR in 3


American League Championship Series

BOS vs. TBR - TBR in 7


2009 World Series

Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Mets
Tampa Bay Rays is 5