2003 BASEBALL PREVIEW |
EASTERN DIVISION
1. New York Mets 92-70 2. Atlanta Braves 86-76 3. Philadelphia Phillies 84-78 4. Florida Marlins 78-84 5. Montreal Expos 73-89 |
EASTERN DIVISION 1. New York Yankees 105-57 2. Boston Red Sox 90-72 3. Toronto Blue Jays 86-76 4. Baltimore Orioles 73-89 5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays 64-98 |
LEAGUE LEADERS AND AWARDS |
American League
National League Derek Jeter Yankees Batting Crown Todd Helton Rockies Alfonso Soriano Yankees HR Leader Vladimir Guerrero Expos Alex Rodriguez Rangers RBI Leader Jeff Kent Astros Alfonso Soriano Yankees SB Leader Juan Pierre Marlins Tim Hudson Athletics Win Leader Curt Schilling Diamondbacks Pedro Martinez Red Sox ERA Leader Tom Glavine Mets Pedro Martinez Red Sox K Leader Randy Johnson Diamond Backs Toronto Blue Jays Surprise Team New York Mets Seattle Mariners Disappointing Team Philadelphia Phillies Frank Thomas White Sox Comeback Player Ken Griffey Jr. Reds Chan Ho Park Rangers Comeback Pitcher Kevin Brown Dodgers Josh Phelps Blue Jays Breakout Player Jay Payton Rockies Doug Davis Rangers Breakout Pitcher Mark Prior Cubs Bartolo Colon White Sox Best Acquisition Cliff Floyd Mets Edgar Martinez Mariners Falling Star Hitter Mike Lieberthal Phillies John Burkett Red Sox Falling Star Pitcher Orlando & Livan Hernandez Expos Rey Ordoņez Devil Rays Worst Acquisition Paul Byrd Braves Mike Hargrove Orioles First Manager Fired Bob Boone Reds Buck Showalter Rangers Manager of The Year Art Howe Mets Troy Percival Angels Fireman Armando Benitez Mets Hidecki Matsui Yankees Rookie of The Year Hee Sop Choi Cubs Alfonso Soriano Yankees Hank Aaron Award Vladimir Guerrero Expos Pedro Martinez Red Sox Cy Young Curt Schilling Diamondbacks Alex Rodriguez Rangers MVP Jeff Kent Astros |
A year after everything went wrong the Mets will play up to their potential taking
the NL East. While the Braves will regret letting Tom Glavine and Kevin Milwood
go as Mike Hampton and Paul Byrd struggle. The Phillies will struggle against
high expectations, as Jim Thome's adjustment to the NL is slow. The Marlins will
be fast and entertaining but they don't have enough to contend. While 103 road
games will catch up to the Expos who could contend if they had a permanent
home. |
CENTRAL DIVISION
1. Houston Astros 94-68 2. St. Louis Cardinals 93-69* 3. Chicago Cubs 85-77 4. Cincinnati Reds 80-80 5. Pittsburgh Pirates 68-94 6. Milwaukee Brewers 51-111 |
The Astros and Cardinals will battle all season for the top spot with both teams
being strong World Series contender and making the playoffs. Look for the Astros
to go far with Jeff Kent bring his MVP experience. The Cubs will be stronger
but are a year a way from any real contention. Ken Griffey Jr. will return to his
All-Star level but the Reds don't have any pitching to go far. The Pirates will
continue to drift aimlessly. While the Brewers will need a miracle just to
avoid the embarassment of 110 losses. |
WESTERN DIVISION
1. Arizona Diamondbacks 95-67 2. San Francisco GIants 88-74 3. Los Angeles Dodgers 86-76 4. Colorado Rockies 78-84 5. San Diego Padres 60-102 |
The dynamic duo of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling will continue to drive the Diamondbacks.
The Giants will fall off enough to miss the playoffs, without Jeff
Kent. The Dodgers will need career years from most their team to make any type
of run. While the Rockies will have a competitive team that can start putting together
the formula for winning. However, the Padres don't have a prayer without
Trevor Hoffman and Phil Nevin. Even if both were healthy the Padres still will
finish last. |
PLAYOFFS NLDS: New York Mets 3 St. Louis Cardinals 2; Houston Astros 3 Arizona Diamondbacks 2 NLCS: Houston Astros 4 New York Mets 3 |
A word of advice for anyone playing the Yankees this year; Duck. Unless they self-destruct
they will be unstoppable this year, as they will make a deal to fix any
holes they have. The Red Sox will continue to play second fiddle. While the
Blue Jays will surprise allot of people with a young exciting team. The Orioles
have a long way to go, as they did nothing to improve. While Lou Piniella will
be in misery all season long with the Devil Rays. |
CENTRAL DIVISION 1. Chicago White Sox 84-78 2. Minnesota Twins 79-83 3. Cleveland Indians 65-97 4. Kansas City Royals 61-101 5. Detroit Tigers 59-103 |
The addition of Bartolo Colon should put the White Sox over the top in this sorry
division, as the Twins will fall off with injury problems affecting their pitching
staff already. The Indians will be playing turn back the clock this year as
they relive the days when the only time they won was in the movies. The Royals
have nothing to cheer for again while Tigers fans that their coaching staff of
Alan Trammell and Kirk Gibson were still playing. |
WESTERN DIVISION 1. Anaheim Angels 96-66 2. Oakland Athletics 94-68* 3. Texas Rangers 87-75 4. Seattle Mariners 79-83 |
The Angels and A's will still be strong as both make the playoffs with the Angels
finish first this time. However, there will be no repeat of last years miracle
World Series run. The Rangers will finally bounce back and make some noise with
new Manager Buck Showalter. While the Mariners will miss Manager Lou Piniella
more then they thought as they fall into last place below .500. |
PLAYOFFS ALDS: New York Yankees 3 Oakland Athletics 2 ; Anaheim Angels 3 Chicago White Sox 0 ALCS: New York Yankees 4 Anaheim Angels 2 WORLD SERIES New York Yankees 4 Houston Astros 2 |
Predictions Made by Frank Fleming on March 30, 2003 at 2:00 am EST |
OTHER PREDICITIONS |
Milestones: 300 Wins Roger Clemens Yankees July 500 HR Sammy Sosa Cubs Opening Day Rafael Palmeiro Rangers May Ken Griffey Jr. Reds August Fred McGriff Dodgers September Career HR for Catcher: Mike Piazza Mets June 50-50 Club: Alfonso Soriano Yankees 55 HR 51 SB Murders Row: Alfonso Soriano 55 HR Hidecki Matsui 52 HR Jason Giambi 50 HR Pete Rose Reinstatement: All-Star Break Expos New Home in 2004: Northern Virginia |