2012 MLB Preview: Brett Zimmerman&#39;s Division and Award Winners

After a great visit to the Final Four in New Orleans, I came home and realized that baseball had already started (well not really, those Japan games had about seven people in the US that actually paid attention and watched them)...but, it was time for me to put my baseball mind on and make some predictions on what I see in the 2012 MLB season. By division...

American League

AL East

Rays	91-71
Yankees	91-71
Red Sox	88-74
Blue Jays	84-78
Orioles	64-98

Baseball's toughest division. I think the Yankees will be hit by some injuries and old age and not score nearly as many runs as last year. I think the Rays will continue to be great and receive a big year from Evan Longoria. Boston will have some pitching depth issues and maybe some regression from Ellsbury and Ortiz, although I like the Cody Ross signing. The Jays continue to improve and make great front office decisions but need some bullpen depth to be elite. And sorry Orioles, but you are in the best division in baseball.

AL Central

Tigers	90-72
W'Sox	87-75
Indians	83-79
Royals	72-90
Twins	69-93

Tigers might survive, but that defense might be historically bad. Verlander is amazing but replicating last year’s career year might be difficult. At first, I thought the White Sox would be terrible, but seeing who they kept, and how even a slightly better offense would mean a big change, I am now a believer. Cleveland is young but needs pitching help, especially starting. Royals are young, and a few players away from playoff contention. Twins lost a few key line-up members and seem like they are on their way down.

AL West

Angels	96-66
Rangers	89-73
Mariners	70-92
Athletics	69-93

I love the Angels rotation and bullpen. With Pujols the Angels can be a great team this season, although I have my doubts about the future there. Texas has lost a bit of luster with losing CJ Wilson and some of those bats are getting older. Seattle and Oakland are clearly second-class in this division and offer very little in the way of excitement.

AL Wild Cards:

New York Yankees and Texas Rangers

National League

NL East

Braves	98-64
Phillies	92-70
Nationals	91-71
Marlins	85-77
Mets	67-95

I like Atlanta’s mix of young and old and outstanding pitching depth. I think they have a big year and win a very tough division. Philly is going to struggle to score runs minus Howard and Utley, but their pitching will keep them alive for the season. The Nationals will draw on their youth, not knowing about the pressure and will play loose and come out real fast with a great pitching rotation. They bring up Harper and hold on to wild card number 2. Miami will be one crazy clubhouse, but I think that the bullpen could be its downfall later on in the season. And the Mets, well, they are the Mets.

NL Central

Cardinals	89-73
Reds	82-80
Brewers	81-81
Pirates	77-85
Cubs	67-95
Astros	62-100

Cardinals win this on pitching depth and enough hitters to score just enough. The Reds will be solid, but will they have enough to stay in the playoff hunt? Brewers line-up took a hit with Fielder, which makes meworriedis going to mean more to that line-up than what they want to believe. Pittsburgh seems to be stuck with how they are rebuilding, and I am not sure the Cubs and Astros combined make a playoff team.

NL West

D'backs	93-69
Giants	88-74
Rockies	82-80
Dodgers	76-86
Padres	64-98

I was planning on not picking the Diamondbacks this high, but looking over their core and pitching staff, it is hard to not believe they will be right back where they were last year. Giants have great pitching, but can their new bats be enough? Rockies are a team that is an ace away from being a playoff contender, while the Dodgers have the stars but are a whole supporting cast away from being a playoff team. And the Padres need to get out of Petco to have any chance to attract offensive players to come play there.

NL Wild Cards:
Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals

American League Playoffs:

Wild card: Yankees over Rangers

ALDS: Angels over Yankees, Rays over Tigers

ALCS: Rays over Angels

National League Playoffs:

Wild card: Phillies over Nationals

ALDS: Phillies over Cardinals, Braves over Diamondbacks

ALCS: Phillies over Braves

World Series: Rays over Phillies in 7

American League Award Winners:

AL MVP: Evan Longoria