The Outlook for the Rest of the Season As Well As Some Thoughts About the NBA offseason

So people are actually starting to find this blog.  Go figure, or go viral.  Either way, I love it.  Please, always write comments.  I will do my best to accommodate any non-sexual request you make.  Let's get to it...

It's the beginning of August, and it's time for my predictions for the rest of the season:

NL MVP: Albert Pujols

Come on, if you didn't realize this, you're just being stupid.  Although, if the Marlins make a late push, look for Hanely Ramirez to possibly make things close

NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum

He's 25, and has better numbers at this point than he did last year at the same date.  He is truly a freak of nature, and is hands down the best pitcher in the league.  Dark horse to be in the running for getting votes: Clayton Kershaw, the 2nd most talented arm in the game after Lincy. 

NL ROY: Tommy Hanson

I used to think he would top out as a #2 (nothing wrong with that), but since his call up, MmmBop, as I and only I call Hanson, has looked like a bona-fide stud.  He should sustain a charge from Mccutchen and possibly Rasmus if he regains 3rd outfielder playing time.

NL East: Philadelphia

NL Central: Cardinals

NL West: Dodgers

NL Wildcard: Mets

AL MVP: Justin Morneau

This is the hardest award to determine in my opinion.  I was going to put Jeter, but I feel like he has so much help in his lineup.  And with the Twins' pitching woes this year, Morneau earns his 2nd MVP award, as establishes himself as one of the games' superstars.  

AL Cy Young: Zack Greinke

I reserve the right to change this to King Felix as often as I like.  It will be neck and neck.  Greinke has been lights out this year, but hitters are starting to figure him out.  If the Mariners give him run support, I think Felix could snag it.  But then again, the same could be said about Greinke

AL ROY: Andrew Bailey

No, not Porcello.  Bailey has put up superior numbers, and has taken up the 9th inning role for the A's without any problem.  Porcello might be the sexy pick, but Bailey is the right pick

AL East: Boston 

AL Central: Twins

AL West: Angels

AL Wildcard: Yankees

NLCS: Philadelphia v Dodgers

ALCS: Boston v Minnesota

World Series: Boston v Dodgers

Dodgers win in 6

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NBA thoughts now.  

-I think the the Detroit moves this offseason were just stupid.  Neither Gordon nor Villanueva are good defenders, and committing that much money to two guys who will never be able to lead a team is just poor planning.  The Pistons have fated themselves to finishing no higher than 4th in the East standings for the next 4 years.

-Amare is staying put.  As it is, Don Nelson doesn't care all that much for big men, and I really like the core they're building in Golden State.  It's a fun team that will put asses in the seats.  Will they win a championship?  Probably not.  But will they be successful?  Definitely.  Anthony Randolph is my pick for breakout player of the year, even if he spends halftime crying on the bench.  

-Rubio and Flynn could exist together.  The T-wolves could attempt to run a two pg set.  But I don't understand acquiring the 5th pick in exchange for Gomes, who could've been a contributor this year.  I guess that's why they're a bad team.

-Hedo will regret his decision to skip out on Portland for Toronto.  The team is a mosh of players ill suited to play together.  He would've looked pretty good in red and black on the west coast, in my opinion.

-The Magic still look like the front runners to me this year.  I think that with another year together and having Nelson at full strength for the entire year, they can beat the Lakers.  Cleveland could push them however, but I still don't think that the Lakers will win it this year.  Bryant is just becoming the best jump shooter in the league, losing his driving ability as he ages.  I'm not saying he is not one of the top players in the league, but I think that this season, we will see some real signs of aging.  

-Rookie who will look utterly lost for the first 3 months of the season, but then start to put things together: Hasheem Thabeet.

-Rookie who will look dominant out of the gate and then fade down the stretch: Jordan Hill

-Team David Lee is with at the beginning of the season: Knicks

-Blake Griffin's End of the Year stats: 15.6/9.2/.9 blocks

 

-Number of times Rasheed Wallace looks okay coming off the bench, but is secretly thinking of sucker punching Doc Rivers: 82 1/2

-Number of Tweets by Shaq: 328

-Number of Tweets by Kevin Love: 223

-Number of Tweets by Stephon Marbury: 1,034 (hey, you have a lot of spare time when you're retired.)