How Did I Do?

Back in March I wrote “My Fearless Forecast”. I thought that I would try my hand at forecasting where each of the 30 MLB teams will finish. Going carefully, division by division, I even predicted the two wild cards for each league. Now that the regular season is complete, let’s see how I did, beginning with the American League:

East - Prediction
1. New York Yankees
2. Tampa Bay Rays*
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Boston Red Sox
5. Baltimore Orioles

East – Outcome
1. New York Yankees
2. Baltimore Orioles*
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Boston Red Sox

Central - Prediction
1. Detroit Tigers
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Kansas City Royals
4. Cleveland Indians
5. Minnesota Twins

Central - Outcome
1. Detroit Tigers
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Kansas City Royals
4. Cleveland Indians
5. Minnesota Twins

West - Prediction
1. Texas Rangers
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim*
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Seattle Mariners

West - Outcome
1. Oakland Athletics
2. Texas Rangers*
3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
4. Seattle Mariners

* - Wild Card team

Not horrible, I hit 50% of the teams exactly right – 7 out of 14. My playoff predicting was even better. I had 3 out of 5 correct. The only two I missed were the Athletics and Orioles. The most remarkable piece of AL prognostication was getting all five of the Central division teams in the exact order they actually finished. Now for the National League: 

East - Prediction
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Atlanta Braves*
3. Washington Nationals*
4. Miami Marlins
5. New York Mets

East - Outcome
1. Washington Nationals
2. Atlanta Braves*
3. Philadelphia Phillies
4. New York Mets
5. Miami Marlins

Central - Prediction
1. Milwaukee Brewers
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. Pittsburgh Pirates
4. St. Louis Cardinals
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Houston Astros

Central - Outcome
1. Cincinnati Reds
2. St. Louis Cardinals*
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Houston Astros

West - Prediction
1. San Francisco Giants
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

West - Outcome
1. San Francisco Giants
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. San Diego Padres
5. Colorado Rockies

* - Wild Card team

Not so good in the senior circuit. Once again I correctly prophesied 3 of the 5 teams that would qualify for postseason play. Unfortunately, my regular season mark was 4 out of 16, a paltry 25%. My downfall was picking with my heart and choosing the Brewers to win the Central division. The Reds and Cardinals both finished above the Crew and were also the two playoff teams that I missed.

I asked that somebody remind me in October to make my playoff prognosis. Well, it’s October and nobody reminded me, but I will make my picks anyways. Again I ask you to remember that these predictions are for entertainment purposes only.

On the American League side of the tournament, the Orioles and Tigers will advance to the ALCS. This is based on the fact that JJ Hardy plays for the O’s and Prince Fielder for Detroit, both former Brewers. And, because Prince is still my favorite player, the Tigers will emerge victorious and becoming the AL representative in the 2012 World Series.

Over in the National League, I couldn’t care less who makes it to the World Series as long as it isn’t St. Louis. The Cardinals still have that Tony LaRussa stank about them and I can’t stand them. Forced to choose a team, I guess I will go with the Reds. But the Tigers will destroy them in the Series, become World Champions and Prince will be named MVP. Oops, I just picked with my heart again rather than my head didn’t I? Oh well.

Until next time…from the booth.