2015 MLB Predictions

Hey look at that. The Colonel and I are back to give you our 2015 MLB predictions. Looking back at our 2014 predictions I can say...........well at least we correctly predicted what managers will  get fired. As always these are semi-serious predictions. Also we plan on doing some more Talkin' Baseball's in the future starting sometime between now and Monday of opening day as our first one.

49er16
Don Mattingly will get fired: I've been predicting his firing for 3 years now. It has to come true eventually right? Probably not because this team is so talented it really doesn't matter who the manager is.

The AL East will be perfectly mediocre: ZIPS is projecting that none of the teams in this division win 90 games with the divisional winner having only 87 wins. I disagree with the projection system saying the Red Sox win the division but I do agree with the projections that this will be a perfectly mediocre division with no great teams but no bad teams.

The Chicago White Sox will be the surprise team of the AL Central:  Sports Illustrated picked Cleveland to win the world series. I'm picking the White Sox to be the surprise team of the season and Cleveland not even making the playoffs. Chicago improved the rotation with Jeff Smardjajaja and improved their lineup with Melky Cabrera. Plus factor in Jose Abreu and Chris Sale and you're looking at a sneaky good team.

The Oakland A's won't make the playoffs: They barely made the playoffs last season and that was before they sold everyone. Now the A's did make some smart moves in acquiring Zobrist and Billy Butler but I'm just not a fan of the roster as a whole. The A's are still relying on Coco Crisp who cannot stay healthy. They're hoping Ike Davis will settle at first nevermind the fact he's been a disappointment everywhere he's gone. The rotation is hoping a bunch of guys come back from injuries. The bullpen looks good again but I'm just not feeling the rest of that roster.

The Marlins will still be mediocre: ZIPS is projecting a perfectly mediocre 81-81 record for the fish. And that sounds about right.

The Reds will trade one of their key players: The Reds were bad this year and their main core of players aren't getting younger. I think this is the year they finally bite the bullet and trade one of their key players, either Jay Bruce or Brandon Phillips. Joey Votto's contract is too expensive to trade so he's not going anywhere.

The Giants will hit the least amount of home runs: The Giants last year were in the middle of the pack in home runs. That was before they lost Sandoval and Mike Morse and replaced them with guys who combined to hit 5 home runs last season. The Giants better pray they can knock balls into the gaps because they ain't hitting a lot of homers this year.

The Padres won't have the pitching: The Padres finally shat and got off the pot and improved their team through trades. That should be one of the best outfields in the game this year. One problem I have with them though is their starting pitching. Yes they improved it with James Shields but he ain't exactly a staff ace. The rest of that rotation ranges from good to who? There's a reason why they'll be linked to a Cole Hamels trade all season.

The Mariners will make a panic trade that hurts their franchise: The Mariners are projected to be the division winner in the AL West. They still have holes though at first base and most of the outfield. I could easily see them trading one of their stud prospects in a panic that hurts their franchise in the long run.

The Colonel
Brad Ausmus or Mike Matheny will get fired: Either the Tigers or Cardinals are set up for a disappointing season (most likely Detroit). I could see the fan bases and front office of either of these teams being disappointed and firing either one of these managers. (Note: This might be the first time in 10 year I have no idea which manager will get fired. My darkhorse to be fired though is Joe Girardi.)

The MLBPA will complain about Kris Bryant not making the major league roster and still won't do anything about it: This has been a storyline all spring training and you know what, the players union won't do a damn thing about it. They like to holler and raise their voice (mostly Tony Clark) but I doubt the players really give a crap if Kris Bryant makes the big league roster immediately or not because of arbitration time.

The Blue Jays will once again win between 78-84 games: The Blue Jays appear to be stuck in a rut. Yeah they keep improving the team with trades and signings but they still look stuck in place. A big part of this is injuries and the health gods have already taken Marcus Stroman from us. They'll once again win between 78 and 84 games.

Bruce Rodon will win the AL Rookie of the Year: Keep Rodon's name in the back of your mind. He's the left handed stud who should have been the first pick and instead fell to the White Sox at 3. He might not make the club on opening day but he'll eventually make the big leagues and win rookie of the year.

The Astros will make the playoffs: I look at the AL West and go "belch". I'm sorry I just don't like the A's or Mariners. Rangers are already falling apart. The Angels rotation is getting older. So the Astros are my surprise team and I don't even feel good about that.

The Nationals will once again fall short in the NLDS: It's going to be hilarious when the Nats are losing in the NLDS again this time to the Dodgers or Pirates.

The Cardinals finally don't make the playoffs: Okay I'm just wishing this and not actually predicting it.

The Giants will be lucky if they win 80 games: The Giants have just flat out sucked in spring training and I don't see this as a coincidence. They don't have power, they're counting on guys like Hudson, Vogelsong, Lincecum, and Peavy in the rotation. They look like they're going to be a disaster.

OMG JOE MADDON!: Old goofy Joe has joined the Cubs and my God I'm not looking forward to the fawning over this guy with the Cubs. OMG JOE MADDON IS SUCH A GENIUS, HE CUT HIS HAIR INTO MOHAWK TO MOTIVATE HIS TEAM! WHAT WILL HE DO NEXT? OMG? OMG?