MLB Season Preview

I've been promising this for a long time...and thankfully, baseball season is almost here. Here is the way baseball will work this season. After the first week, I will begin posting one or two series a week. I will aim for a big weekend series. What I will ask for each series is who will win the series (1 point) and how the series will finish (1 bonus point).

Example: I might post a Friday, Saturday, Sunday series between the Phillies and Mets. You will tell me that the Mets will win 2 games to 1 and I will score it accordingly.

In the meantime, I have some pre-season prop bets for you guys.

Deadline: Sunday, April 5th

First, who will win each division and the Wild Cards? (5 points each)

AL East

Actual Winner: New York Yankees
Predictions:
Carmen: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Jeff: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Kubatski: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: New York Yankees (5pts)
Marty: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
McClain: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Murray: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Paulie: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Princess G: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Ryan G.: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Scott: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Wade: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Wild Bill: New York Yankees (5pts)

AL Central

Actual Winner: Minnesota Twins
Predictions:
Carmen: Cleveland Indians (0pts)
Jeff: Detroit Tigers (0pts)
Kubatski: Cleveland Indians (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Minnesota Twins (5pts)
Marty: Cleveland Indians (0pts)
McClain: Cleveland Indians (0pts)
Murray: Chicago White Sox (0pts)
Paulie: Minnesota Twins (5pts)
Princess G: Minnesota Twins (5pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Minnesota Twins (5pts)
Ryan G.: Chicago White Sox (0pts)
Scott: Minnesota Twins (5pts)
Wade: Chicago White Sox (0pts)
Wild Bill: Cleveland Indians (0pts)

AL West

Actual Winner: Los Angeles Angels
Predictions:
Carmen: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Jeff: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Kubatski: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Marty: Oakland Athletics (0pts)
McClain: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Murray: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Paulie: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Princess G: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Ryan G.: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Scott: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Wade: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)
Wild Bill: Los Angeles Angels (5pts)

AL Wild Card

Actual Wild Card: Boston Red Sox
Predictions:
Carmen: New York Yankees (0pts)
Jeff: New York Yankees (0pts)
Kubatski: Tampa Bay Rays (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Boston Red Sox (5pts)
Marty: New York Yankees (0pts)
McClain: New York Yankees (0pts)
Murray: New York Yankees (0pts)
Paulie: New York Yankees (0pts)
Princess G: New York Yankees (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: New York Yankees (0pts)
Ryan G.: Minnesota Twins (0pts)
Scott: New York Yankees (0pts)
Wade: New York Yankees (0pts)
Wild Bill: Tampa Bay Rays (0pts)

NL East

Actual Winner: Philadelphia Phillies
Predictions:
Carmen: New York Mets (0pts)
Jeff: Philadelphia Phillies (5pts)
Kubatski: Philadelphia Phillies (5pts)
Kubatski Sr.: New York Mets (0pts)
Marty: New York Mets (0pts)
McClain: Philadelphia Phillies (5pts)
Murray: New York Mets (0pts)
Paulie: New York Mets (0pts)
Princess G: New York Mets (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: New York Mets (0pts)
Ryan G.: Philadelphia Phillies (5pts)
Scott: New York Mets (0pts)
Wade: Philadelphia Phillies (5pts)
Wild Bill: Philadelphia Phillies (5pts)

NL Central

Actual Winner: Saint Louis Cardinals
Predictions:
Carmen: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Jeff: Saint Louis Cardinals (5pts)
Kubatski: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Marty: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
McClain: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Murray: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Paulie: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Princess G: Saint Louis Cardinals (5pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Ryan G.: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Scott: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Wade: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Wild Bill: Chicago Cubs (0pts)

NL West

Actual Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
Predictions:
Carmen: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Jeff: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Kubatski: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Marty: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
McClain: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Murray: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Paulie: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Princess G: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Ryan G.: Colorado Rockies (0pts)
Scott: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Wade: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)
Wild Bill: Los Angeles Dodgers (5pts)

NL Wild Card

Actual Wild Card: Colorado Rockies
Predictions:
Carmen: Philadelphia Phillies (0pts)
Jeff: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Kubatski: New York Mets (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Philadelphia Phillies (0pts)
Marty: Philadelphia Phillies (0pts)
McClain: New York Mets (0pts)
Murray: Philadelphia Phillies (0pts)
Paulie: Philadelphia Phillies (0pts)
Princess G: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Philadelphia Phillies (0pts)
Ryan G.: Saint Louis Cardinals (0pts)
Scott: Philadelphia Phillies (0pts)
Wade: Saint Louis Cardinals (0pts)
Wild Bill: Saint Louis Cardinals (0pts)

Second, who will represent each league in the World Series? (7 points each)

AL Champion

Actual Champion: New York Yankees
Predictions:
Carmen: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Jeff: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Kubatski: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Los Angeles Angels (0pts)
Marty: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
McClain: Cleveland Indians (0pts)
Murray: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Paulie: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Princess G: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Ryan G.: Los Angeles Angels (0pts)
Scott: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Wade: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Wild Bill: Los Angeles Angels (0pts)

NL Champion

Actual Champion: Philadelphia Phillies
Predictions:
Carmen: New York Mets (0pts)
Jeff: Los Angeles Dodgers (0pts)
Kubatski: Philadelphia Phillies (7pts)
Kubatski Sr.: New York Mets (0pts)
Marty: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
McClain: Philadelphia Phillies (7pts)
Murray: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Paulie: New York Mets (0pts)
Princess G: New York Mets (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Ryan G.: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Scott: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Wade: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Wild Bill: Chicago Cubs (0pts)

Third, who will win the World Series? (10 points)

MLB Champion

Actual Champion: New York Yankees
Predictions:
Carmen: New York Mets (0pts)
Jeff: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Kubatski: Philadelphia Phillies (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: New York Mets (0pts)
Marty: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
McClain: Philadelphia Phillies (0pts)
Murray: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Paulie: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Princess G: New York Mets (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Ryan G.: Los Angeles Angels (0pts)
Scott: Boston Red Sox (0pts)
Wade: Chicago Cubs (0pts)
Wild Bill: Chicago Cubs (0pts)

Next, who will win each of these awards? (3 points each)

AL MVP

Actual MVP: Joe Mauer
Predictions:
Carmen: Grady Sizemore (0pts)
Jeff: Miguel Cabrera (0pts)
Kubatski: Grady Sizemore (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Vladimir Guerrero (0pts)
Marty: CC Sabathia (0pts)
McClain: Grady Sizemore (0pts)
Murray: Vladimir Guerrero (0pts)
Paulie: Mark Teixeira (0pts)
Princess G: Matt Holliday (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Josh Hamilton (0pts)
Ryan G.: Evan Longoria (0pts)
Scott: Kevin Youkilis (0pts)
Wade: Alex Rodriguez (0pts)
Wild Bill: Mark Teixeira (0pts)

NL MVP

Actual MVP: Albert Pujols
Predictions:
Carmen: David Wright (0pts)
Jeff: Albert Pujols (3pts)
Kubatski: Manny Ramirez (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: David Wright (0pts)
Marty: Hanley Ramirez (0pts)
McClain: Albert Pujols (3pts)
Murray: Albert Pujols (3pts)
Paulie: Ryan Howard (0pts)
Princess G: Albert Pujols (3pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Manny Ramirez (0pts)
Ryan G.: Albert Pujols (3pts)
Scott: Albert Pujols (3pts)
Wade: Albert Pujols (3pts)
Wild Bill: Albert Pujols (3pts)

AL Cy Young

Actual Cy Young: Zack Greinke
Predictions:
Carmen: CC Sabathia (0pts)
Jeff: Roy Halladay (0pts)
Kubatski: Roy Halladay (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Roy Halladay (0pts)
Marty: CC Sabathia (0pts)
McClain: CC Sabathia (0pts)
Murray: Fransisco Liriano (0pts)
Paulie: Roy Halladay (0pts)
Princess G: Felix Hernandez (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Felix Hernandez (0pts)
Ryan G.: CC Sabathia (0pts)
Scott: CC Sabathia (0pts)
Wade: Josh Beckett (0pts)
Wild Bill: Daisuke Matsuzaka (0pts)

NL Cy Young

Actual Cy Young: Tim Lincecum
Predictions:
Carmen: Johan Santana (0pts)
Jeff: Cole Hamels (0pts)
Kubatski: Tim Lincecum (3pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Johan Santana (0pts)
Marty: Tim Lincecum (3pts)
McClain: Brandon Webb (0pts)
Murray: Carlos Zambrano (0pts)
Paulie: Johan Santana (0pts)
Princess G: Johan Santana (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Johan Santana (0pts)
Ryan G.: Johan Santana (0pts)
Scott: Johan Santana (0pts)
Wade: Carlos Zambrano (0pts)
Wild Bill: Carlos Zambrano (0pts)

AL Rookie of the Year

Actual Rookie of the Year: Andrew Bailey
Predictions:
Carmen: David Price (0pts)
Jeff: David Price (0pts)
Kubatski: Rick Porcello (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Matt Wieters (0pts)
Marty: David Price (0pts)
McClain: Travis Snider (0pts)
Murray: Travis Snider (0pts)
Paulie: Travis Snider (0pts)
Princess G: Matt Wieters (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: David Price (0pts)
Ryan G.: Matt Laporta (0pts)
Scott: David Price (0pts)
Wade: Matt Weiters (0pts)
Wild Bill: Matt Weiters (0pts)

NL Rookie of the Year

Actual Rookie of the Year: Chris Coghlan
Predictions:
Carmen: Cameron Maybin (0pts)
Jeff: Cameron Maybin (0pts)
Kubatski: Cameron Maybin (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Colby Rasmus (0pts)
Marty: Colby Rasmus (0pts)
McClain: Jason Motte (0pts)
Murray: Colby Rasmus (0pts)
Paulie: Cameron Maybin (0pts)
Princess G: Cameron Maybin (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Cameron Maybin (0pts)
Ryan G.: Dexter Fowler (0pts)
Scott: Tommy Hanson (0pts)
Wade: Jason Motte (0pts)
Wild Bill: Cameron Maybin (0pts)

Name the MLB leaders in each of the following categories and how many of each particular stat they will compile. (3 points for correct person, 2 point bonus for being within 1 of the number, 4 point bonus for the exact number)

Hitter with the most home runs

Actual Leader: Albert Pujols - 47 HRs
Predictions:
Carmen: Ryan Howard – 51 HRs (0pts)
Jeff: Josh Hamilton – 51 HRs (0pts)
Kubatski: Ryan Howard – 47 HRs (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Miguel Cabrera – 45 HRs (0pts)
Marty: Ryan Howard – 44 HRs (0pts)
McClain: Ryan Howard – 48 HRs (0pts)
Murray: Josh Hamilton – 48 HRs (0pts)
Paulie: Ryan Howard – 44 HRs (0pts)
Princess G: Ryan Howard – 44 HRs (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Ryan Howard – 45 HRs (0pts)
Ryan G.: Albert Pujols – None (3pts)
Scott: Ryan Howard – 48 HRs (0pts)
Wade: Ryan Howard – 46 HRs (0pts)
Wild Bill: Ryan Howard – None (0pts)

Hitter with the highest batting average

Actual Player: Jou Mauer - .364
Predictions:
Carmen: Albert Pujols - .362 (0pts)
Jeff: Albert Pujols - .345 (0pts)
Kubatski: Manny Ramirez - .349 (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Miguel Cabrera - .345 (0pts)
Marty: Albert Pujols - .346 (0pts)
McClain: Albert Pujols - .342 (0pts)
Murray: Ichiro Suzuki - .348 (0pts)
Paulie: Albert Pujols - .355 (0pts)
Princess G: Albert Pujols - .343 (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Albert Pujols - .332 (0pts)
Ryan G.: Ichiro Suzuki – None (0pts)
Scott: Albert Pujols - .348 (0pts)
Wade: Albert Pujols - .345 (0pts)
Wild Bill: Ichiro Suzuki – None (0pts)

Player with the most stolen bases

Actual Player: Jacoby Ellsbury - 70 SBs
Predictions:
Carmen: Jimmy Rollins – 63 SBs (0pts)
Jeff: Jose Reyes – 68 SBs (0pts)
Kubatski: Jose Reyes – 62 SBs (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Jose Reyes – 58 SBs (0pts)
Marty: Hanley Ramirez – 30 SBs (0pts)
McClain: Jose Reyes – 57 SBs (0pts)
Murray: Carl Crawford – 34 SBs (0pts)
Paulie: Jose Reyes – 62 SBs (0pts)
Princess G: Carl Crawford – 49 SBs (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Willie Tavares – 76 SBs (0pts)
Ryan G.: Jose Reyes – None (0pts)
Scott: Jose Reyes – 53 SBs (0pts)
Wade: Hanley Ramirez – 41 SBs (0pts)
Wild Bill: Jose Reyes – None (0pts)

Pitcher with the most wins

Actual Player: Felix Hernandez, CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander, Adam Wainwright
Predictions:
Carmen: Roy Halladay – 21 Ws (0pts)
Jeff: Tim Lincecum – 24 Ws (0pts)
Kubatski: Brandon Webb – 19 Ws (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Johan Santana – 22 Ws (0pts)
Marty: Tim Lincecum – 22 Ws (0pts)
McClain: Brandon Webb – 22 Ws (0pts)
Murray: Jake Peavy – 21 Ws (0pts)
Paulie: Brandon Webb – 21Ws (0pts)
Princess G: CC Sabathia – 21 Ws (3pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Brandon Webb – 20 Ws (0pts)
Ryan G.: Cole Hammels – None (0pts)
Scott: Brandon Webb – 18 Ws (0pts)
Wade: Carlos Zambrano – 21 Ws (0pts)
Wild Bill: CC Sabathia – None (3pts)

Pitcher with the most saves

Actual Player: Brian Fuentes - 48 Saves
Predictions:
Carmen: Francisco Rodriguez – 56 Saves (0pts)
Jeff: Francisco Rodriguez – 62 Saves (0pts)
Kubatski: Brad Lidge – 49 Saves (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Francisco Rodriguez – 59 Saves (0pts)
Marty: Mariano Rivera – 42 Saves (0pts)
McClain: Kerry Wood – 48 Saves (0pts)
Murray: Francisco Rodriguez – 43 Saves (0pts)
Paulie: Francisco Rodriguez – 49 Saves (0pts)
Princess G: Francisco Rodriguez – 43 Saves (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Francisco Rodriguez – 49 Saves (0pts)
Ryan G.: Joe Nathan – None (0pts)
Scott: Jonathan Papelbon – 43 Saves (0pts)
Wade: Francisco Rodriguez – 51 Saves (0pts)
Wild Bill: Kerry Wood – None (0pts)

Finally, pick if each of these teams will record over or under the amount of wins posted below. (2 points each)

I think these three cover everyone's favorites (sorry if I missed yours):

Atlanta Braves (84.5 wins)

Actual Wins: 86 - Over
Predictions:
Carmen: Under (0pts)
Jeff: Over (2pts)
Kubatski: Under (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Under (0pts)
Marty: Under (0pts)
McClain: Over (2pts)
Murray: Over (2pts)
Paulie: Under (0pts)
Princess G: Over (2pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Over (2pts)
Ryan G.: Under (0pts)
Scott: Under (0pts)
Wade: Under (0pts)
Wild Bill: Under (0pts)

Chicago Cubs (92.5 wins)

Actual Wins: 83 - Under
Predictions:
Carmen: Over (0pts)
Jeff: Over (0pts)
Kubatski: Over (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Over (0pts)
Marty: Over (0pts)
McClain: Under (2pts)
Murray: Over (0pts)
Paulie: Under (2pts)
Princess G: Under (2pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Over (0pts)
Ryan G.: Under (2pts)
Scott: Over (0pts)
Wade: Over (0pts)
Wild Bill: Over (0pts)

Detroit Tigers (81.5 wins)

Actual Wins: 86 - Over
Predictions:
Carmen: Over (2pts)
Jeff: Over (2pts)
Kubatski: Over (2pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Over (2pts)
Marty: Under (0pts)
McClain: Over (2pts)
Murray: Under (0pts)
Paulie: Under (0pts)
Princess G: Over (2pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Over (2pts)
Ryan G.: Under (0pts)
Scott: Under (0pts)
Wade: Over (2pts)
Wild Bill: Over (2pts)

Let's do these three just for fun:

Los Angeles Angels (88.5 wins)

Actual Wins: 97 - Over
Predictions:
Carmen: Over (2pts)
Jeff: Over (2pts)
Kubatski: Under (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Over (2pts)
Marty: Under (0pts)
McClain: Under (0pts)
Murray: Over (2pts)
Paulie: Under (0pts)
Princess G: Under (0pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Over (2pts)
Ryan G.: Over (2pts)
Scott: Over (2pts)
Wade: Over (2pts)
Wild Bill: Over (2pts)

Philadelphia Phillies (88.5 wins)

Actual Wins: 93 - Over
Predictions:
Carmen: Under (0pts)
Jeff: Over (2pts)
Kubatski: Over (2pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Over (2pts)
Marty: Over (2pts)
McClain: Over (2pts)
Murray: Over (2pts)
Paulie: Over (2pts)
Princess G: Over (2pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Over (2pts)
Ryan G.: Over (2pts)
Scott: Over (2pts)
Wade: Over (2pts)
Wild Bill: Under (0pts)

Tampa Bay Rays (88.5 wins)

Actual Wins: 84 - Under
Predictions:
Carmen: Under (2pts)
Jeff: Under (2pts)
Kubatski: Over (0pts)
Kubatski Sr.: Over (0pts)
Marty: Over (0pts)
McClain: Under (2pts)
Murray: Under (2pts)
Paulie: Over (0pts)
Princess G: Under (2pts)
Ronnie “Butters” Rowe: Under (2pts)
Ryan G.: Under (2pts)
Scott: Under (2pts)
Wade: Under (2pts)
Wild Bill: Over (0pts)