|
PREDICTIONS
FOR THE 2001 MLB SEASON
|
| PAUL
KATCHER |
CATEGORY |
MARK
COATNEY |
1.
Editorials in July will argue that each All-Star team should
be allotted 80 roster spots
2. A batter will hit .430 in April and adorn the cover
of Sports Illustrated. He'll finish the season at .329
3. A star player will endure a major slump due to unrevealed
marital or substance-abuse challenges. The public will think
he's got a back problem |
Things
Guaranteed to Happen |
1.
Bob Costas will be described as "The conscience of baseball"
2. A pitcher will credit the good Lord for helping him
throw a two-hit shutout
3. Manny Ramirez will get picked off first base |
1.
Newly acquired Rockies Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle will not
petition manager Buddy Bell to pitch only in home games
2. Nobody will come close to breaking Joe DiMaggio's
56-game hitting streak. Not this year; not for 100 years
3. Champagne delivery truck drivers will not have any
problem getting past the Yankee Stadium guard they've become
friends with over the past three years |
Things
Guaranteed Not to Happen |
1.
Bob Costas will be described as "That guy who doesn't know
a thing about the game"
2. A pitcher will blame the good Lord for helping him
throw the pitch that was hit for a game-winning home run
3. Jason Giambi will hit an inside-the-park home run |
1.
Alex Rodriguez, SS, Rangers: Even if he doesn't win
it, he can buy the trophy from whomever does
2. Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees: Does everything magnificently
except clear the yard. Like Steinbrenner cares
3. Pedro Martinez, P, Red Sox: He's the guy every
GM would start a team with, yet writers won't vote him MVP |
AL
MVP |
1.
Jason Giambi, 1B, A's: With Johnny Damon setting the
table, Giambi will drive in more than 160 runs
2. Ivan Rodriguez, C, Rangers: There's too much
pressure on Texas' quarter-bil man; Pudge will thrive
3. Juan Gonzalez, OF, Indians: Healthier and (for
now) happier outfielder could have a monster year |
1.
Vladimir Guerrero, RF, Expos: Finished among NLs top
five in all Triple Crown categories last season
2. Mike Piazza, C, Mets: Gives Mets lethal offensive
production from the catcher position. That's value
3. Andruw Jones, CF, Braves: Performed better
in 2000 than that center fielder in Cincy |
NL
MVP |
1.
Barry Bonds, OF, Giants: Entering what could be his final
contract year; expect big numbers in Pac Bell
2. Vladmir Guerrero, OF, Expos: Could provide
the answer to the question "If a home run is hit in Montreal,
does anyone hear it?"
3. Mike Piazza, C, Mets: Along with Jeff Bagwell,
maybe the best bad hitter in the history of baseball |
1.
Pedro Martinez, P, Red Sox: Unless batters have been
fooling us for several years, nobody will hit him in 2001, either
2. Roger Clemens, P, Yankees: Back in the saddle
as the true ace of his staff
3. Mike Mussina, P, Yankees: Hard to see this
marriage not working out |
AL
Cy Young |
1.
Pedro Martinez, Red Sox:
Unless the Yankees have him kneecapped, this is the surest bet
in sports
2. Tim Hudson, A's: An emerging star
3. Roger Clemens, Yankees: Still in probably the best
physical condition of any AL pitcher |
1.
Greg Maddux, P, Braves: Posted his second-worst ERA (3.00)
in nine seasons and still finished third in Cy Young voting
last year
2. Randy Johnson, P, Diamondbacks: We'd like to
see the Big Unit try to kill two birds with one stone
3. Kevin Brown, P, Dodgers: L.A. scored a total
of 10 runs in his six losses |
NL
Cy Young |
1.
Kevin Brown, Dodgers:
Won with little run support last year; that should get better
this time around
2. Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks: There's a bird-in-the-hand joke here somewhere, but we're not going to stoop so low
3. Greg Maddux, Braves: Injuries might cost him, but
still capable of dominating the league |
AL
East: Yankees
AL Central: Indians
AL West: A's
NL East: Braves
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Diamondbacks |
Division
Winners |
AL
East: Yankees
AL Central: Royals
AL West: A's
NL East: Braves
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Giants |
AL:
White Sox
NL: Giants |
Wild
Cards |
AL:
Indians
NL: Mets |
AL:
Yankees over A's
NL: Braves over Diamondbacks |
LCS |
AL:
Yankees over A's
NL: Cardinals over Giants |
| Yankees
over Braves |
World
Series |
Yankees
over Cardinals |
