pagsz's Journal: MLB Regular Season Wrap-Up

Well, the baseball season ended Sunday. The Boston Red Sox failed to qualify for the playoffs again this year (but I won't get started on them). For now, I will compare my predictions ( Killing Time (And Hoping to Dodge the Murder Charge) ) with actual results:
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AMERICAN LEAGUE:
East:

• I picked: New York Yankees
• At break: New York Yankees
• Champion: New York Yankees

Not surprising, really. The Yankees are loaded, featuring great pitchers who are near the end of their careers, and great position players who are in their prime. The Red Sox couldn't even come close to keeping up, finishing 10 1/2 games behind.

Central:

• I picked: Minnesota Twins
• At break: Minnesota Twins
• Champion: Minnesota Twins

The Twins had no real competition in their division. The Indians and White Sox were disappointing, and the Royals and Tigers never really had a shot.

West:

• I picked: Oakland A's
• At break: Seattle Mariners
• Champion: Oakland A's

A much better division than I expected. The A's, Angels, and Mariners all had very good seasons. The A's took control down the stretch, including that amazing 20-game winning streak.

Wild Card:

• I picked: Seattle Mariners
• At break: Boston Red Sox
• Champion: Anaheim Angels

I'll admit, I had no clue on this one. I had no clue that the Angels would put together the season they did. Even as the A's won 20 straight, the Angels somehow kept it close. The Red Sox and Mariners fell off in the second half (which to be honest, is kinda what you come to expect from the Sox).
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NATIONAL LEAGUE:
East:

• I picked: New York Mets
• At break: Atlanta Braves
• Champion: Atlanta Braves

OK, I was completely and totally wrong about the Mets. They stunk. The Braves, as usual, were a dominant team. They finished with the NL's best record, winning over 100 games again. 11th consecutive division title.

Central:

• I picked: Houston Astros
• At break: St. Louis Cardinals
• Champion: St. Louis Cardinals

Another one I was way off-base on. The Astros did mount a second-half run, but they weren't quite good enough to catch up to the Cards. Props to the Cards, who won despite the difficult events of this season.

West:

• I picked: Arizona Diamondbacks
• At break: Los Angeles Dodgers
• Champion: Arizona Diamondbacks

My only correct pick in the NL. This was a damned good division, with the D-Backs, Dodgers, and Giants all contending. In the end, the Dodgers slipped back and the D-Backs held off the Giants.

Wild Card:

• I picked: St. Louis Cardinals
• At break: Arizona Diamondbacks
• Champion: San Francisco Giants

Wrong again. The Cards did make the playoffs, but did so through a division title. I didn't think the Giants would be this good this year, but like a few other teams, they proved me wrong.
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FINAL SCORE:
Four right (AL East, AL Central, AL West, NL West)
Four wrong (NL East, NL Central, AL Wild Card, NL Wild Card)

Hey, 50% ain't half bad. Oh, wait, it is . . .
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REVISED PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:

ALDS 1: Yankees over Angels
ALDS 2: A's over Twins

ALCS: A's over Yankees
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NLDS 1: Braves over Giants
NLDS 2: Cardinals over Diamondbacks

NLCS: Cardinals over Braves
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World Series: A's over Cardinals