2008 MLB Standings Prediction

Budworth22 · Feb 16, 2008

Post your predictions for the upcoming 2008 season. BetCRIS has their odds out now, as does bookmaker. These lines are sharper than previous years. If you post win totals, do try to make them add up to 2430, or close, since that is the maximum number of wins possible in a season.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 227pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="302"><col style="width: 179pt;" width="238"> <col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt; width: 179pt;" height="17" width="238">AL EAST</td> <td style="width: 48pt;" width="64">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">New York Yankees</td> <td align="right">94</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Boston Red Sox</td> <td align="right">92</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Tampa Bay Rays</td> <td align="right">82</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Toronto Blue Jays</td> <td align="right">76</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Baltimore Orioles</td> <td align="right">60</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">AL CENTRAL</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Cleveland Indians</td> <td align="right">93</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Detroit Tigers</td> <td align="right">90</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Minnesota Twins</td> <td align="right">82</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Chicago White Sox</td> <td align="right">70</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Kansas City Royals</td> <td align="right">68</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">AL WEST</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Los Angeles Angels</td> <td align="right">89</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Oakland Athletics</td> <td align="right">86</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Seattle Mariners</td> <td align="right">77</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Texas Rangers</td> <td align="right">74</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">NL EAST</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">New York Mets</td> <td align="right">93</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Philadelphia Phillies</td> <td align="right">85</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Atlanta Braves</td> <td align="right">83</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Florida Marlins (this hurts as a fish fan)</td> <td align="right">65</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Washington Nationals</td> <td align="right">65</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">NL CENTRAL</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Chicago Cubs</td> <td align="right">90</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Milwaukee Brewers</td> <td align="right">89</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Cincinnati Reds</td> <td align="right">86</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">St. Louis Cardinals</td> <td align="right">78</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Houston Astros</td> <td align="right">75</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Pittsburgh Pirates</td> <td align="right">75</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">NL WEST</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Arizona Diamondbacks</td> <td align="right">92</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">San Diego Padres</td> <td align="right">88</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Los Angeles Dodgers</td> <td align="right">84</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Colorado Rockies</td> <td align="right">81</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">San Fransisco Giants</td> <td align="right">68</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Budworth22 · Feb 16, 2008

Obviously, I am high on the Rays, Indians, A's, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati. I am low on Seattle and St. Louis.

Vancouverfan · Feb 16, 2008

surprised to see you having the Blue Jays with only 76 wins. They had 87 wins two years ago and 83 last year despite a crapload of injuries and off years with their two studs Roy Halliday and Vernon Wells (played entire season with a torn labrum). The key injury being to closer BJ Ryan who was lost very early in the season. The additions of Rolen and Eckstein will upgrade the offence taking the places of John McDonald (should be a backup) and the oft injured Glaus. Also have a very good starting 4, 5th spot is up for grabs right now. I think this team ends up with 90 wins even in the very tough division, agree with most of the rest of your predictions.

FairWarning · Feb 16, 2008

Not sure why you would be down on Seattle? The division is way down. They could have the best record in the AL.

Budworth22 · Feb 16, 2008

FairWarning said:
Not sure why you would be down on Seattle? The division is way down. They could have the best record in the AL.

Their position players are absolutely horrible. That's arguably the worst collection of position players in baseball. Simply Abysmal. Bad offense, Terrible defense, and good pitching (not great, and probably closer to league average) equal a bad team.

Degenerate · Feb 16, 2008

Arizona, Cubs, Oakland, San Diego, Tampa Bay too high. LA Dodgers, Colorado, San Francisco, Toronto, KC Royals too low.

bulldog77 · Feb 16, 2008

BetCris is first I see with win totals up. -115 vig however. Wish I knew how to put them on here. First place I have seen with them any way.

bulldog77 · Feb 16, 2008

Pirates way too high at 75. CRIS has them at 68.5 and more accurate. Pirate fan here and even I quit drinking the kool-aid. Cheap ownership won't spend money for any thing. Just squeezing the system for every dime. Forbes mag had them 3rd most profitable team in MLB last year so they can't just cry small market. I have been under successfully on Orioles for last 3 years but 60 is a little low for them as they finally cleaned house and will get some aggressive young players out there who actually care and that beats that number.

bulldog77 · Feb 16, 2008

Rays are way too high with 82 also. Only division team they can fatten up on is O's.

Matt24 · Feb 16, 2008

wow reds at 86, that would be nice.

FairWarning · Feb 16, 2008

Would love to see those O/U.

My first fade would be Milwaukee. Usually teams who make a big jump in wins one year slide back a little the next. Didn't really improve themselves, unless you consider Jason Kendall an upgrade.

I would like that over 68.5 for Pitt. Houston and St Louis don't look very good, and are veterans. I would go with the kids at a low number. I can see them winning 72-25 games.

bulldog77 · Feb 16, 2008

Angels too low also.

Budworth22 · Feb 16, 2008

Vancouver fan said:
surprised to see you having the Blue Jays with only 76 wins. They had 87 wins two years ago and 83 last year despite a crapload of injuries and off years with their two studs Roy Halliday and Vernon Wells (played entire season with a torn labrum). The key injury being to closer BJ Ryan who was lost very early in the season. The additions of Rolen and Eckstein will upgrade the offence taking the places of John McDonald (should be a backup) and the oft injured Glaus. Also have a very good starting 4, 5th spot is up for grabs right now. I think this team ends up with 90 wins even in the very tough division, agree with most of the rest of your predictions.

While I can either see the reasoning behind your other statements, and might even agree with them, this statement I have bolded is just flat wrong. These two "additions" will absolutely kill them.

Budworth22 · Feb 16, 2008

These are more realistic probably. Content from Free baseball prospectus

<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 61pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="80"><col style="width: 29pt;" width="38"> <col style="width: 16pt;" span="2" width="21"> <tbody><tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 29pt;" height="17" width="38">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 16pt;" width="21">W</td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 16pt;" width="21">L</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">NYY</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">96</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">66</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">BOS</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">93</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">69</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">TOR</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">83</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">79</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">TB</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">82</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">80</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">BAL</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">69</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">93</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">CLE</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">89</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">73</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">DET</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">89</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">73</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">CHI</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">77</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">85</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">MIN</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">74</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">88</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">KC</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">71</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">91</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">ANA</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">89</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">73</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">OAK</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">78</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">84</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">TEX</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">74</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">88</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SEA</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">73</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">89</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">NYM</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">96</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">66</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">ATL</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">86</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">76</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">PHI</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">84</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">78</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">FLA</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">76</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">86</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">WAS</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">72</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">90</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">CHN</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">89</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">73</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">MIL</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">87</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">75</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">CIN</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">79</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">83</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">HOU</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">74</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">88</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">STL</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">72</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">90</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">PIT</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">71</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">91</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> <td class="xl65">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">ARI</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">86</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">76</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">LA</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">86</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">76</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SD</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">83</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">79</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">COL</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">82</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">80</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SF</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">72</td> <td class="xl65" align="right">90</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

shdw01 · Feb 16, 2008

The Brewers seem to be a favorite of a lot of predictions. I also think it is a good fade, but if they make it to the playoffs, it is really anyone's game.

Do we really think the cubs will take the central easy?

wilheim · Feb 16, 2008

From BetCRIS Website.

30 cent line: all totals are posted with OVER juice - to figure UNDER price simply deduct the OVER juice from 30 cents. Example Arizona is 86½-125 for the OVER which would make the UNDER 86½-105 (-125 from -130= -105).

ARIZONA 86½-125
ATLANTA 86-105
BALTIMORE 65-115
BOSTON 94-115
CHICAGO CUBS 87-120
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 76-115
CINCINNATI 76-115
Cleveland 91-115
COLORADO 83-115
DETRIOT 93½-125
FLORIDA 68½-125
HOUSTON 73½-115
KANSAS CITY 73½-105
ANGELS 92-115
DODGERS 87½-115
MILWAUKEE 84-110
MINNESOTA 73½-115
METS 92½-125
YANKEES 94-115
OAKLAND 74-115
PHILADELPHIA 88-105
PITTSBURGH 68½-115
SAN DIEGO 85-115
SAN FRANCISCO o72-115
SEATTLE 85½-115
ST LOUIS 77-115
TAMPA BAY 72-125
TEXAS 75-115
TORONTO 84-115
WASHINGTON 71½-105

wil.

psih · Feb 16, 2008

nyy 96
bos 88
tb 84
tor 83
bal 71

cle 89
det 88
min 75
cws 74
kc 71

laa 91
oak 83
tex 79
sea 73

atl 88
nym 88
phi 82
fla 72
wsh 72

chc 90
mil 83
cin 80
pit 74
stl 74
hou 73

sd 87
lad 85
arz 84
col 80
sf 73

will be on bos u94 oak o74 and tb o72

Vancouverfan · Feb 16, 2008

Budworth, for curiousity sake I'd love to hear why Rolen and Eckstein taking the place of Glaus and McDonald are going to ruin this team. When you compare third basemen, Glaus has a toe injury that gets aggravated on the skydome turf , he can't play at 100% on the turf in Toronto and basically had to go. He was good for power when healthy , but really thats about it. He's about it a .250 hitter and strikes out alot, far more then Rolen does. They already have that with big Frank Thomas, they don't need two of those guys. From all acounts I've read and heard, Rolen is supposed to be the better third basemen defensively. Now he doesn't have Glaus's power, but he hits for a much better average (30 pts higher throughout their careers),and is a much more well rounded hitter then Glaus, which is the type of player the Jays are looking for to bat in front of Rios, Wells, Thomas and Overbay. If Rolen can stay healthy, I think he is a decent upgrade over Glaus, if he ends up having injury problems, then we are right back where we were last year with Glaus playing injured all season and missing a lot of games.

As far as shortshop, I think the world of John McDonald and his amazing defence, but simply put, he's not a starter in MLB. He's a great utility backup player that can play 3rd, short and 2nd Base when he's needed. But his .240 career avg and 8 home runs in 580 career games just doesn't cut it to be an everyday starter in MLB. He'll be much more suited backing up all these guys in the infield. Obviously Eckstein's defence doesn't match McDonald's, and I'm sure there were better options out there at short they could have acquired by trade instead of signing him as a free agent, but one stat doesn't lie about Eckstein, you can plug him in at the top of your lineup and he's gonna hit you .300 for the year. Now that, along with his world series experience may be about all he get's you, but that's exactly what the Jays were looking for, someone that can set the table for those sluggers I mentioned earlier that will hit behind him 2 thru 7. I don't think you can do much worse at short and third then the Jays did last season, so I don't see how the addition of these 2 won't help them out a fair amount. just my thoughts for what its worth.

FairWarning · Feb 16, 2008

Unders:

Balt under 65
Cleveland under 91
LA Angels under 92
***Milwaukee under 84 best bet
St Louis under 77
Washington under 71.5

Overs:

Boston over 94
Cubs over 87
Whiite Sox over 76
Cincinnati over 76
Pitt over 68.5
***Seattle over 85.5 best bet

JackStraw77 · Feb 16, 2008

What, no love for the Phillies. Everybody thinks the choking Mets won't do it this year. The Phillies have more heart. Flip flop the totals on the Phillies and the Mets.