MLB Playoff Predictions – Second Half: NY Yankees, Washington Nationals Stay Hot

MLB Playoff Predictions – Second Half of 2012 Season: New York Yankees, Washington Nationals Stay Hot, Texas Rangers Hold off LA Angels. Are Pirates a Playoff Team?

The second half of the season has a plethora of exciting headlines to sort out. The Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Mets are off to unexpectedly good starts. The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers are meeting expectations. On the flip side, the Philadelphia Phillies have been awful this season, falling well below expectations. Can Albert Pujols’ Angels catch the Rangers out west? Can the Yankees hold off the best division in baseball? What teams will emerge from the mediocrity that plagues most divisions this year? MLB predictions are more than analyzing the first half. It’s going to be an exciting and intense MLB playoffs run. What teams can survive the grind?

AL East Champion : New York Yankees

1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Baltimore Orioles
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Toronto Blue Jays

The New York Yankees are tested. They’re the best team in this division and their lengthy lead won’t evaporate. The Red Sox have too much money and too much talent not to catch the Orioles, who have leveled off recently, but I don’t think they’re a playoff team due to their dysfunctional clubhouse and their difficult division. The Rays don’t have the lineup depth to compete in this division without Evan Longoria. The Blue Jays are .500, but they’re the weakest link here.

AL Central Champion: Chicago White Sox

1. Chicago White Sox
2. Detroit Tigers (Wild Card #2)
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Minnesota Twins

The White Sox trading for Kevin Youkilis inspired the lineup, gave Chicago production from third base, and solidified the Sox as contenders in the second half. The Detroit Tigers are hot and will continue to push towards the playoffs. Look for the Indians to fall apart in the second half, but they’re still better than the Royals and Twins.

AL West Champion: Texas Rangers

1. Texas Rangers
2. LA Angels (Wild Card #1)
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Seattle Mariners

The LA Angels will take the top Wild Card spot, thanks largely to playing the Athletics and Mariners so frequently. The Texas Rangers will hold off the Angels, despite having one of the worst managers in sports, because Texas has so much depth and talent. The A’s are .500 but should fall off a bit in the second half and the Mariners will continue to struggle.

NL East Champion: Washington Nationals

1. Washington Nationals
2. Atlanta Braves (Wild Card #1)
3. New York Mets
4. Miami Marlins
5. Philadelphia Phillies

The Washington Nationals have one of the best rotations in baseball and should hold off the Mets and Braves for the top spot in the division. The Braves have solid pitching as well, but don’t have the lineup depth to catch the Nats. The New York Mets, also led by their pitching, face a similar shortcoming. The Marlins have star power, but they lack consistency. Look for the Phillies to start trading off pieces at the deadline and remain in the basement.

NL Central Champion: Pittsburgh Pirates

1. Pittsburgh Pirates
2. Cincinnati Reds (Wild Card #2)
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Chicago Cubs
6. Houston Astros

As the Astros and Cubs battle for the basement, the top four teams in this division all have a chance to steal the title. The Pittsburgh Pirates likely have the best chance to hold on because of their balanced young lineup and solid pitching rotation. The Cardinals have struggled to fill the Albert Pujols void and the Reds have struggled to find consistency. Ultimately, the Pirates look like the safest bet here, despite relying on AJ Burnett to pitch well this season.

NL West Champion: San Francisco Giants

1. San Francisco Giants
2. LA Dodgers
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. Colorado Rockies
5. San Diego Padres

I like the Giants and their dynamic rotation to catch the surprising Dodgers atop the worst division in baseball. The Diamondbacks have a chance, but they’ve played like a minor league team lately. Speaking of minor league caliber teams, the Padres and Rockies round out the division.