Cafardo's 2nd Half Bold Predictions
Making bold predictions is incredibly hard to get correct, so don't expect much here. If I get one right I'll be pretty happy. Despite this, I'm writing this with complete confidence in each of these bold predictions. Without further ado, "@JaAm15 pin this pls".
Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks finish the season with a winning record.
For someone who has covered the Diamondbacks for 2 seasons now, I should know better about the Diamondbacks and having winning records. It never happens. But this time there is a new energy throughout the clubhouse. Thanks to new additions like Andrew Drechsler and Thomas Chiggins, the team has been much more scouting focused and their production has taken a jump in these past 2 sessions because of this. From my talks with Syd Kidd and Einhorn, I would expect them to bounce back in the 2nd half, at least enough to get them a winning record.
Baltimore Orioles: They have an ERA over 4 in the 2nd half.
The Orioles have a good pitching staff despite their record, There's no denying that they were impressive in the 1st half, but I'm not so sure that'll repeat. To start off with Chipper Dipper, he's done great, but he memes too much on the mound. It's only a matter of time before he gets blown up. Pancakes did not do so well against a struggling Mariners team heading into the break, and Yeagar's entire career is 1 bad start, an auto-k in ECO, and then calling people bums. The D/BF doesn't lie, and they spell disaster for Baltimore in the 2nd half.
Boston Red Sox: The winning streak ends, and turns into a losing streak
This may come off as a "Red Sox hater" take, but I'll get it out of the way: this Red Sox winning streak is totally deserved. They've crushed solid teams all season and Peppers has done a great job turning it around. But as we've seen, streaks can turn against a team quickly. I'm not very confident in their pitching staff, and they don't have any hitters that were good enough to start in the All-Star Game. They come up on a stretch of games against the Brewers, A's, Pirates, Giants, and Indians right out of the break. Maybe they don't lose all 5, but I am predicting there is a string of 4 in a row somewhere.
Cleveland Indians: Tommy Foxconn finishes top 3 in Cy Young voting
I think the first thing worth pointing out is that the AL doesn't have many dominating pitchers outside of Burr and Dipper, so he doesn't have to climb far. Foxconn is doing outstanding work so far this season, and although his innings are low I think they will keep up thanks to his ability to mix pitches and keep runners off base. He'll rack up the innings now with Tuna gone, and by the end of the season I think his name will get much more recognition.
Colorado Rockies: The Rockies will lead all teams in batting average by the end of the year
Coors. Well not actually. The Rockies are a very good hitting team who are already hitting over .300 as a team on the season, and with their offensive prowess and surplus of contact bats, I could see this happening. It helps that they get 1 more go around against NL West teams. Through 8 sessions there are only a few teams still over .300, and I think the Rockies will be the one to keep it up.
Detroit Tigers: John Johnson Jr ends with multiple home runs
It's no secret that Johnson has been struggling, at least prior to session 9. He hasn't been getting hits. I really don't know his skill level, but he is a power hitter that has been on the rise, and I'm confident that he's only been struggling for a short period of time so it will not keep up. Johnson is active and I think will turn it around.
Houston Astros: The Astros make a blockbuster trade right before the deadline
The Astros are set to contend right now (praise be to the Secretary of State), so they may be looking to make last minute moves to really put themselves up there with elite teams like the Twins and Blue Jays to go all the way. We've already seen them make huge moves for Kevin Arianna and Peter Peckershine, I think Wilbur Wood will look to fill his lineup with even more big names.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers beat 3 playoff contenders in the 2nd half
The Dodgers play the Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Giants among others in the 2nd half, and although I don't think they will make the playoffs, I think they have the firepower to play spoiler. They have won big against teams like the Brewers, and now their loaded offense has a chance to beat up on other big name pitchers.
Milwaukee Brewers: James Earl Pwns hits 10 home runs on the season
He already has hit that midway point through 9 sessions which was impressive, but I actually think he can do it again. His power style, and the playing time he gets will give him the opportunity. Not only does he hit home runs, but he has been close to more with doubles, and he usually crushes them with a recent 9 difference against the Padres and a 3 difference against the Nationals.
Minnesota Twins: The Twins finish the regular season on a 4 game winning streak.
The Rockies, Athletics, Mariners, and Rangers don't look like serious contenders quite yet, and if they are out of the race the ultra-active Twins offense can attack and hit off of them, while their ability to mix all 4 pitchers up will keep them hard to scout all the way through 22 games played.
Montreal Expos: Cal Tiberius Jr. goes on hiatus with an elbow injury, pitching struggles
The Expos have had troubles keeping their players healthy, especially pitching. Tiberius is great though and has managed to carry them this far, but with the career innings count that he's had so far, I'm not sure he will continue for the whole season without a session off on vacation. Buttholo Colon has done well so far, but having a youngster take over such an important role will not bode well for the Expos.
Oakland Athletics: Kid Notcher finishes top 3 in AL MVP votes
He's not there right now, but as some of the 1st half wonders fall off the map I imagine Notcher will stay in contention. Creepy name aside, Notcher has been within the area of the pitch as much as anyone, and he is only heating up now. Eventually his flyouts will turn into walks, and his singles will turn into home runs, and his 2nd half will be an explosion of offense.
Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies finish the year with the least runs scored
They are already at the bottom of the runs scored leaderboards, averaging 2 per game. That's bad. They also have to play some pretty good pitching teams in the 2nd half like the Athletics, Devil Rays, Pirates, Cardinals, Expos, Brewers, and Nationals. Coming off a shutout loss and seeing more star pitchers on the schedule can't be motivating for the relatively young clubhouse.
Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates finish with the best record in the National League
Under Diligent Moose the Pirates have only gotten better, with 2 convincing wins in the past 2 sessions. I fully believe that a number-centric team will last longer than most, and with Darth Vader and Jimmy Johns, the Pirates have that going. Add in active and great players like Lance Lummox and Ashton Westenburg, and the Pirates have the talent to end strong.
San Diego Padres: AJ Preller is ejected in each of the final 3 games
I secretly think Preller is okay. I hope he reads this and doesn't get angry. Once session 20 hits, I believe the Padres will be out of contention, but because Preller never stops trying, he will get ejected to show the fans he means business and that the team will be back next year.
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners finish above .500
People seem quick to forget that the Mariners were once one of the better teams at 3-1. With their recent win with solid pitching against the Orioles, they showed that the pitching is improved. If Ziff and the other pitchers can do even just average, that offense has the ability to take them a long way.
San Francisco Giants: The Giants start the 2nd half with 3 losses in their 1st 4 games
The Giants are a really good team, but the schedule out of the gate is one of the hardest stretches in the MLR. Peters is the only trustworthy starter so far, and I doubt he will be able to go every game, so they will have to play underdog a lot.
St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals make the Paper Cup
This recent game hasn't been very promising for the pitching staff, but the Cardinals have no doubt been one of the top teams since the first couple sessions. With the motivation to be taken seriously, the Steelflex led Cardinals with a top pitching duo and bats like Ninefingers and Ewell will be able to go on a crazy playoff run as a Wild Card.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: The Devil Rays switch back to just Rays by Session 15
When the Tampa Bay team was named the Devil Rays at the beginning of the season, it was to be a bit edgy. After all, they are an edgy team. But once we reach session 15, the real life Rays will have already worn the throwback jerseys a few times to make it less edgy, and Whitt Bass will get tired of typing it all out.
Texas Rangers: The Rangers lead the MLR in 2nd half home runs.
They already have plenty on the season (12 to be exact), and then they added in a bunch of active power bats like Joe Random and Dallas Houston to go along with the already power-happy lineup. With the help of G.H. Morello and Joe Trundle, expect the balls to be flying out of their ballpark.
Toronto Blue Jays: Graham Grams finishes top 3 in AL MVP
Grams is almost undoubtedly the most dominant hitter in MLR history, and he's not stopping anytime soon. If he can continue to hit a double a day, it's only a matter of time before the 10s digits start to lineup and they get over the wall. He's got tremendous power for a contact hitter that is also active, he's a guy to keep an eye on as always is the case.
Washington Nationals: They complete the 2-0 series sweep against the Cardinals
I think that what they showed in session 1 can repeat against the strong favorited Cardinals later this year. Especially with a well balanced lineup, they can counter against any reliever the Cardinals throw at them.