Friday, April 6, 2012

A few Rockies (and baseball) predictions for 2012

No algorhythms or computers needed for these predictions! Just my brain and a keyboard (that's attached to a computer... so I guess I needed one after all). 

Rockies Predictions 

Wins: 78 (Should keep them ahead of San Diego!)

All-Stars: Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez (A real stretch I know.)

Team leader in wins: Juan Nicasio (14)

Best starter ERA: Drew Pomeranz (3.15)

Team leader in saves: Rex Brothers (22)

Jamie Moyer starts: 14

Jorge De La Rosa starts: 19

Alex White starts: 6

Todd Helton & Jason Giambi total home runs: 25

Ramon Hernandez & Wilin Rosario total home runs: 25 (Rosario will hit at least 15 of those.)

Tyler Colvin home runs: 18 (There will be enough slumps and injuries for Colvin to carve out a significant role on this team. I think he's ready to handle it.)

Date Dexter Fowler steals his first base: April 7th (You know they'll put him in motion early and often, so getting that first one won't be a problem. But how much patience will they have if he doesn't show enough improvement of the bases? Or worse yet, if the next situation lingers on for too long.)

Date Dexter Fowler finds his swing: May 20th (This would be too long.)

Date Nolan Arenado arrives: June 4th

Date Rockies fans end their "boycott" of Root Sports: Already did.

First designation for assignment: Eric Young Jr.

Public Enemy #1: Esmil Rogers (Someone has to take over for Franklin Morales, Ian Stewart and Huston Street. I don't think it'll be Fowler, though he could contend. The maddeningly inconsistent Rogers should prove to be the easiest target though since relief pitchers are always lightning rods.)

First closed door meeting: April 23rd

Jim Tracy meltdowns: Monthly

Jim Tracy lineup changes: Weekly

Baserunning errors: Nightly

Baseball Predictions 

NL MVP: Joey Votto (Reds)

AL MVP: Robinson Cano (Yankees)

NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers)

AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander (Tigers)

NL Rookie of the Year: Yonder Alonso (Padres)

AL Rookie of the Year: Yu Darvish (Rangers)

Home Run Kings: Joey Votto and Jose Bautista

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies

NL Central: Cincinnati Reds

NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers

NL Wild Cards: Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals

AL East: Tampa Bay Rays

AL Central: Detroit Tigers

AL West: Los Angeles Angels

AL Wild Card: New York Yankees, Texas Rangers

NLCS: Reds over Cardinals

ALCS: Rays over Angels

World Series: Rays over Reds (in 6)

Sleeper/Fun team: Kansas City Royals — Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Aaron Crow, Greg Holland, among others, will make them difficult to ignore. I'm not even kidding. Watch'em.

Disclaimer: These predictions — like all predictions — are intended for entertainment purposes only. Wager at your own risk.

More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813

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