2016 MLB Regular-Season Thread

In service to the board I kick off the regular season!

 

So, how about some playoff picks?

AL East: Blue Jays
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Mariners
AL wild-cards: Royals, Rangers

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Pirates
NL West: Giants
NL wild-cards: Cubs, Dodgers

AL champ: Blue Jays
NL champ: Giants

World Series champ: Blue Jays

 

Cubs and Astros in the World Series.

Cubs win the World Series.

 

AL East: Blue Jays
AL Central: Indians
AL West: Astros
AL wild-cards: Royals, Angels

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Giants
NL wild-cards: Cardinals, Diamondbacks

AL champ: Blue Jays
NL champ: Giants

World Series champ: Blue Jays

AL MVP: Mike Trout
AL Cy: Chris Sale
AL ROY: Byron Buxton

NL MVP: Paul Goldschmidt
NL Cy: Clayton Kershaw
NL ROY: Corey Seager

 

In before it's locked.

 

Is this going to be a regular thing now, a World Series rematch as the season opener? It's doable since we have constant interleague with an odd number of teams in each league.

Oh, and: Giants win, everyone else playing for second, etc. Dodgers are going to suck.

 

Royals and Cardinals disappoint in the regular season.

Diamondbacks are this year's Padres in the "LOL, you thought your offseason meant you were in it?" role.

Dusty Baker continues his exceptional ability to cherrypick jobs and gets all the credit when the Nats regress to the mean and win 90+, sealing another MOY award.

 

Goodness, do Cubs fans hate that guy.

 

I kind of liked what the D'backs did with this year's roster (if not with their long-term plan), but Pollock's injury takes all the wind out of them going into the season.

 

Fuck the rest of Cubs fans in particular, because I was screaming about what he was doing to Mark Prior's arm while it was happening and they told me "shut up, we're winning."

I'm going to hold that grudge forever.

 

Robin Ventura was pulling the same shit with Carlos Rodon last year during the ferocious push to 76 wins.

 

Agreed. Part of what made the Diamondbacks dangerous was a high-scoring offense anchored by two of the best hitters in the National League and they just lost one, probably for all of 2016. Arizona was second in the NL in runs scored in 2015 behind the Rockies and the starting pitching could be dramatically improved. Not only did they add Greinke and Miller, they also get a full season out of Corbin.