In celebration of the 2008 season kicking off this week, we decided to deviate a bit from standard fantasy baseball information and make our picks and predictions for the upcoming season. We’ll pick the divisional standings, playoff results, regular season award winners, sleepers, busts, top prospects, and a starting fantasy lineup for each division for bragging rights at the end of the season.
Please note that in an effort to avoid repetition, we opted not to consider our Rookie of the Year picks for each league in our divisional top prospect picks. Also, the utility/DH position in each divisional fantasy starting lineup is essentially the best hitter who’s not the best at his position – it is not reserved exclusively for DHs or players without any positional eligibility.
Without further adieu, our 2008 regular season, playoff, and fantasy baseball picks and predictions:
| 2008 MLB Predictions | ||
| Dave | James | |
| Standings Predictions | ||
| American League East | ||
| 1. Red Sox | 1. Red Sox | |
| 2. Yankees | 2. Blue Jays | |
| 3. Blue Jays | 3. Yankees | |
| 4. Rays | 4. Rays | |
| 5. Orioles | 5. Orioles | |
| American League Central | ||
| 1. Indians | 1. Tigers | |
| 2. Tigers | 2. Indians | |
| 3. Twins | 3. Twins | |
| 4. Royals | 4. Royals | |
| 5. White Sox | 5. White Sox | |
| American League West | ||
| 1. Angels | 1. Angels | |
| 2. Mariners | 2. Rangers | |
| 3. Rangers | 3. Mariners | |
| 4. A’s | 4. A’s | |
| National League East | ||
| 1. Mets | 1. Mets | |
| 2. Braves | 2. Braves | |
| 3. Phillies | 3. Phillies | |
| 4. Marlins | 4. Marlins | |
| 5. Nationals | 5. Nationals | |
| National League Central | ||
| 1. Brewers | 1. Brewers | |
| 2. Cubs | 2. Cubs | |
| 3. Astros | 3. Astros | |
| 4. Reds | 4. Reds | |
| 5. Cardinals | 5. Pirates | |
| 6. Pirates | 6. Cardinals | |
| National League West | ||
| 1. Dodgers | 1. Dodgers | |
| 2. Diamondbacks | 2. Diamondbacks | |
| 3. Rockies | 3. Rockies | |
| 4. Padres | 4. Padres | |
| 5. Giants | 5. Giants | |
| Playoff Predictions | ||
| ALDS | ||
| Red Sox def. Angels | Red Sox def. Angels | |
| Yankees def. Indians | Blue Jays def. Tigers | |
| NLDS | ||
| Mets def. Brewers | Mets def. Diamondbacks | |
| Dodgers def. Braves | Dodgers def. Brewers | |
| ALCS | ||
| Red Sox def. Yankees | Red Sox def. Blue Jays | |
| NLCS | ||
| Mets def. Dodgers | Dodgers def. Mets | |
| World Series | ||
| Red Sox def. Mets | Dodgers def. Red Sox | |
| 4 games to 2 | 4 games to 3 | |
| World Series MVP | ||
| Jonathan Papelbon | Russell Martin | |
| Regular Season Awards | ||
| American League Awards | ||
| Manny Ramirez, Red Sox | MVP | Miguel Cabrera, Tigers |
| Justin Verlander, Tigers | Cy Young | Scott Kazmir, Rays |
| Clay Buchholz, Red Sox | Rookie of the Year | Clay Buchholz, Red Sox |
| Joe Girardi, Yankees | Manager of the Year | John Gibbons, Blue Jays |
| National League Awards | ||
| Matt Holliday, Rockies | MVP | David Wright, Mets |
| Jake Peavy, Padres | Cy Young | Cole Hamels, Phillies |
| Colby Rasmus, Cardinals | Rookie of the Year | Michael Bourn, Astros |
| Ned Yost, Brewers | Manager of the Year | Joe Torre, Dodgers |
| Sleepers & Busts | ||
| American League East | ||
| Ian Kennedy, Yankees | Top Sleeper | Matt Garza, Rays |
| Dennis Sarfate. Orioles | Deep Sleeper | Adam Loewen, Orioles |
| Scott Kazmir, Rays | Biggest Disappointment | Jason Giambi, Yankees |
| Joba Chamberlain, Yankees | Top Prospect for 2008 | Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox |
| American League Central | ||
| Ryan Garko, Indians | Top Sleeper | Franklin Gutierrez, Indians |
| Mike Lamb, Twins | Deep Sleeper | Masahide Kobayashi, Indians |
| Dontrelle Willis, Tigers | Biggest Disappointment | Brian Bannister, Royals |
| Luke Hochevar, Royals | Top Prospect for 2008 | Luke Hochevar, Royals |
| American League West | ||
| Josh Hamilton, Rangers | Top Sleeper | C.J. Wilson, Rangers |
| Mark Ellis, A’s | Deep Sleeper | Kendry Morales, Angels |
| Garret Anderson, Angels | Biggest Disappointment | Carlos Silva, Mariners |
| Carlos Gonzalez, A’s | Top Prospect for 2008 | Wladimir Balentein, Mariners |
| National League East | ||
| Josh Willingham, Marlins | Top Sleeper | Yunel Escobar, Braves |
| Shawn Hill, Nationals | Deep Sleeper | Jayson Werth, Phillies |
| Mark Kotsay, Braves | Biggest Disappointment | Dmitri Young, Nationals |
| Cameron Maybin, Marlins | Top Prospect for 2008 | Cameron Maybin, Marlins |
| National League Central | ||
| Ty Wigginton, Astros | Top Sleeper | Edwin Encarnacion, Reds |
| Joey Votto, Reds | Deep Sleeper | Manny Parra, Brewers |
| Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs | Biggest Disappointment | Jack Wilson, Pirates |
| Jay Bruce, Reds | Top Prospect for 2008 | Johnny Cueto, Reds |
| National League West | ||
| Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres | Top Sleeper | Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies |
| Scott Hairston, Padres | Deep Sleeper | Dan Ortmeier, Giants |
| Aaron Rowand, Giants | Biggest Disappointment | Aaron Rowand, Giants |
| Franklin Morales, Rockies | Top Prospect for 2008 | Chase Headley, Padres |
| Divisional Fantasy Starting Lineups | ||
| American League East | ||
| Jorge Posada, Yankees | Catcher | Jorge Posada, Yankees |
| David Ortiz, Red Sox | First Base | David Ortiz, Red Sox |
| Robinson Cano, Yankees | Second Base | Robinson Cano, Yankees |
| Derek Jeter, Yankees | Shortstop | Derek Jeter, Yankees |
| Alex Rodriguez, Yankees | Third Base | Alex Rodriguez, Yankees |
| Manny Ramirez, Red Sox | Outfielder #1 | Carl Crawford, Rays |
| Carl Crawford, Rays | Outfielder #2 | Nick Markakis, Orioles |
| Bobby Abreu, Yankees | Outfielder #3 | Manny Ramirez, Red Sox |
| Nick Markakis, Orioles | Utility/Designated Hitter | Alex Rios, Blue Jays |
| Roy Halladay, Blue Jays | Starting Pitcher #1 | Scott Kazmir, Rays |
| Josh Beckett, Red Sox | Starting Pitcher #2 | Josh Beckett, Red Sox |
| Phil Hughes, Yankees | Starting Pitcher #3 | Roy Halladay, Blue Jays |
| James Shields, Rays | Starting Pitcher #4 | Dustin McGowan, Blue Jays |
| Dustin McGowan, Blue Jays | Starting Pitcher #5 | James Shields, Rays |
| Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox | Reliever #1 | Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox |
| Mariano Rivera, Yankees | Reliever #2 | Mariano Rivera, Yankees |
| American League Central | ||
| Victor Martinez, Indians | Catcher | Victor Martinez, Indians |
| Justin Morneau, Twins | First Base | Justin Morneau, Twins |
| Placido Polanco, Tigers | Second Base | Placido Polanco, Tigers |
| Carlos Guillen, Tigers | Shortstop | Carlos Guillen, Tigers |
| Miguel Cabrera, Tigers | Third Base | Miguel Cabrera, Tigers |
| Grady Sizemore, Indians | Outfielder #1 | Grady Sizemore, Indians |
| Magglio Ordonez, Tigers | Outfielder #2 | Magglio Ordonez, Tigers |
| Curtis Granderson, Tigers | Outfielder #3 | Curtis Granderson, Tigers |
| Paul Konerko, White Sox | Utility/Designated Hitter | Delmon Young, Twins |
| Justin Verlander, Tigers | Starting Pitcher #1 | Justin Verlander, Tigers |
| C.C. Sabathia, Indians | Starting Pitcher #2 | C.C. Sabathia, Indians |
| Jeremy Bonderman, Tigers | Starting Pitcher #3 | Jeremy Bonderman, Tigers |
| Javier Vazquez, White Sox | Starting Pitcher #4 | Francisco Liriano, Twins |
| Fausto Carmona, Indians | Starting Pitcher #5 | Fausto Carmona, Indians |
| Joe Nathan, Twins | Reliever #1 | Joe Nathan, Twins |
| Bobby Jenks, White Sox | Reliever #2 | Bobby Jenks, White Sox |
| American League West | ||
| Kenji Johjima, Mariners | Catcher | Kenji Johjima, Mariners |
| Casey Kotchman, Angels | First Base | Daric Barton, A’s |
| Howie Kendrick, Angels | Second Base | Howie Kendrick, Angels |
| Michael Young, Rangers | Shortstop | Mike Young, Rangers |
| Hank Blalock, Rangers | Third Base | Chone Figgins, Angels |
| Vladimir Guerrero, Angels | Outfielder #1 | Vladimir Guerrero, Angels |
| Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners | Outfielder #2 | Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners |
| Raul Ibanez, Mariners | Outfielder #3 | Torii Hunter, Angels |
| Torii Hunter, Angels | Utility/Designated Hitter | Raul Ibanez, Mariners |
| Erik Bedard, Mariners | Starting Pitcher #1 | Erik Bedard, Mariners |
| Felix Hernandez, Mariners | Starting Pitcher #2 | Felix Hernandez, Mariners |
| John Lackey, Angels | Starting Pitcher #3 | John Lackey, Angels |
| Jered Weaver, Angels | Starting Pitcher #4 | Rich Harden, A’s |
| Rich Harden, A’s | Starting Pitcher #5 | Jered Weaver, Angels |
| Francisco Rodriguez, Angels | Reliever #1 | Francisco Rodriguez, Angels |
| J.J. Putz, Mariners | Reliever #2 | J.J. Putz, Mariners |
| National League East | ||
| Brian McCann, Braves | Catcher | Brian McCann, Braves |
| Ryan Howard, Phillies | First Base | Ryan Howard, Phillies |
| Chase Utley, Phillies | Second Base | Chase Utley, Phillies |
| Hanley Ramirez, Marlins | Shortstop | Hanley Ramirez, Marlins |
| David Wright, Mets | Third Base | David Wright, Mets |
| Carlos Beltran, Mets | Outfielder #1 | Carlos Beltran, Mets |
| Jeff Francoeur, Braves | Outfielder #2 | Jeff Francoeur, Braves |
| Jeremy Hermida, Marlins | Outfielder #3 | Jeremy Hermida, Marlins |
| Mark Teixeira, Braves | Utility/Designated Hitter | Jose Reyes, Mets |
| Johan Santana, Mets | Starting Pitcher #1 | Johan Santana, Mets |
| Cole Hamels, Phillies | Starting Pitcher #2 | Cole Hamels, Phillies |
| John Smoltz, Braves | Starting Pitcher #3 | Brett Myers, Phillies |
| Tim Hudson, Braves | Starting Pitcher #4 | John Smoltz, Braves |
| Brett Myers, Phillies | Starting Pitcher #5 | Pedro Martinez, Mets |
| Billy Wagner, Mets | Reliever #1 | Billy Wagner, Mets |
| Rafael Soriano, Braves | Reliever #2 | Rafael Soriano, Braves |
| National League Central | ||
| Geovany Soto, Cubs | Catcher | Geovany Soto, Cubs |
| Albert Pujols, Cardinals | First Base | Prince Fielder, Brewers |
| Brandon Phillips, Reds | Second Base | Brandon Phillips, Reds |
| Miguel Tejada, Astros | Shortstop | Miguel Tejada, Astros |
| Ryan Braun, Brewers | Third Base | Ryan Braun, Brewers |
| Alfonso Soriano, Cubs | Outfielder #1 | Alfonso Soriano, Cubs |
| Carlos Lee, Astros | Outfielder #2 | Carlos Lee, Astros |
| Lance Berkman, Astros | Outfielder #3 | Lance Berkman, Astros |
| Prince Fielder, Brewers | Utility/Designated Hitter | Albert Pujols, Cardinals |
| Carlos Zambrano, Cubs | Starting Pitcher #1 | Aaron Harang, Reds |
| Aaron Harang, Reds | Starting Pitcher #2 | Carlos Zambrano, Cubs |
| Roy Oswalt, Astros | Starting Pitcher #3 | Roy Oswalt, Astros |
| Rich Hill, Cubs | Starting Pitcher #4 | Rich Hill, Cubs |
| Ian Snell, Pirates | Starting Pitcher #5 | Yovani Gallardo, Brewers |
| Jose Valverde, Astros | Reliever #1 | Francisco Cordero, Reds |
| Matt Capps, Pirates | Reliever #2 | Jose Valverde, Astros |
| National League West | ||
| Russell Martin, Dodgers | Catcher | Russell Martin, Dodgers |
| Todd Helton, Rockies | First Base | James Loney, Dodgers |
| Jeff Kent, Dodgers | Second Base | Jeff Kent, Dodgers |
| Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies | Shortstop | Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies |
| Garrett Atkins, Rockies | Third Base | Garrett Atkins, Rockies |
| Matt Holliday, Rockies | Outfielder #1 | Matt Holliday, Rockies |
| Matt Kemp, Dodgers | Outfielder #2 | Brad Hawpe, Rockies |
| Brad Hawpe, Rockies | Outfielder #3 | Matt Kemp, Dodgers |
| Adrian Gonzalez, Padres | Utility/Designated Hitter | Adrian Gonzalez, Padres |
| Jake Peavy, Padres | Starting Pitcher #1 | Jake Peavy, Padres |
| Brandon Webb, D’Backs | Starting Pitcher #2 | Brandon Webb, D’Backs |
| Dan Haren, D’Backs | Starting Pitcher #3 | Tim Lincecum, Giants |
| Chris Young, Padres | Starting Pitcher #4 | Dan Haren, D’Backs |
| Matt Cain, Giants | Starting Pitcher #5 | Chad Billingsley, Dodgers |
| Takashi Saito, Dodgers | Reliever #1 | Takashi Saito, Dodgers |
| Trevor Hoffman, Padres | Reliever #2 | Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers |
