One more day! We're almost there, baseball fans!Over the past five days, I've taken a look at the entirety of Major League Baseball save the NL West. Today, we finish off with them since they house the defending World Series Champions.
To a degree, I goofed with these guys last year, but it also housed my biggest prediction success since predicting the score of Super Bowl XLIII. If you want to look at last year's predictions, you can view them here.
Let's get to the final batch of predictions.
Last year: 94-68 (1st in NL West), Lost in NLDS; 1 win above COAS Prediction
So close. They continue to be the class of the division thanks largely to their rotation led by Best Pitcher in the World Clayton Kershaw, who I'm sure will come back to earth slightly while still being amazing. Meanwhile, the lineup changed some, though Yasiel Puig is still the guy on offense. I'm interested to see what Joc Pederson can bring to the table for them this season, as he'll probably battle Kris Bryant and Jorge Soler for Rookie of the Year honors en route to another division title.
2015 Prediction: 94-68
Last year: 88-74 (2nd in NL West), Won World Series; At COAS Prediction
Hey, I had to get one team right, didn't I? Sure, I didn't give them the wild card, but I was right on the money with my record projection. The big loss here comes in the form of third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who was a fan favorite. They still have some good bats in the form of Brandon Belt, Buster Posey and Hunter Pence, so they'll be fine, and Casey McGehee isn't a terrible replacement. Meanwhile, the rotation rivals that of the Dodgers, so they'll be right in the hunt all season. Even though it's an odd numbered year, I think they make the playoffs.
2015 Prediction: 85-77, Wild Card
Last year: 77-85 (3rd in NL West), Missed playoffs; 9 wins above COAS Prediction
I had the Padres finishing last last season, and instead they were a good team behind the resurgence of former Cub Andrew Cashner. They added to it with the surprising signing of James Shields to be their ace, and the offense got a nice overhaul with Wil Myers, Matt Kept, and Justin Upton. They're going to be in the playoff hunt all year, only I think the inexperience will make them fall just short, but this will be another team to watch in the coming years.
2015 Prediction: 84-78
Last year: 66-96 (4th in NL West), Missed playoffs; 9 wins below COAS Prediction
I know, I know... this might be expecting a lot, but it's really a toss up between them and the D-Backs for fourth place. Ultimately, I'll take whatever production Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez can give Colorado before they inevitably get hurt again. Nolan Arenado and Justin Morneau can help pick up the slack, certainly. After them... there's not much here. I'm also not really impressed with the rotation, though there might be some promise in the coming years. We'll have to see.
2015 Prediction: 71-91
Last year: 64-98 (5th in NL West), Missed playoffs; 20 wins below COAS Prediction
Again... oops. Other than Paul Goldschmidt, what is there here? Mark Trumbo has pop, but doesn't hit for a high average, and plays bad defense. I'm also not impressed with the pitching staff, other than Addison Reed at closer. It's going to be a race between them and the Phillies for worst record in the National League, and throw the Twins in for worst in the majors.
2015 Prediction: 64-98
Good luck to your team this season!
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