2008 MLB Predictions & Baseball Season Preview

June 8, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Larry Cook has gone over every single MLB team to find their strengths and weaknesses before the season began. Now that the 2008 MLB season is under way it’s time to see what Larry thinks about how the teams from every division will fare. This is year in and year out one of the most profitable sports to handicap. You get 162 chances from 30 different teams to find value on a daily bases. Make sure you are on board this MLB season for one of Larry’s best years ever with over 20 years of handicapping experience under his belt. Below Larry gives you his 2008 MLB predictions as well as a preview of what will happen in each division.

AL East Predictions:

The AL East looks to be even stronger in 2008. If the Toronto Blue Jays can stay healthy, this is going to be a very competitive division. Of course you already know about the power of the Yankees and Red Sox. But the Tampa Bay Rays have some solid pitching at the front of their rotation, a much improved bullpen, and one of the most talented young lineups in the league. Baltimore may exceed some expectations this season if their hitters can finally get it going. When it’s all said and done the Boston Red Sox will take down the AL East Division crown just ahead of the Yankees, Blue Jay, Rays and Orioles.

AL Central Predictions:

The AL Central Division is the toughest in the American League, hands down. The Detroit Tigers have completely revamped their lineup with what, on paper, looks to be the best lineup in all of baseball. Now their pitching just has to follow suit because they won’t be able to outscored teams every day. The Cleveland Indians still have perhaps the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball with Sabathia and Carmona. The White Sox are 2 years removed from their World Series title, and they have basically the same team that got it done for them in 2005. There’s no reason these guys can’t muster up another magical run in 2008. Minnesota may have taken a step back in losing Johan Santana, but their lineup is more potent this year so they should be able to produce a few more runs. The K.C. Royals are ready to finally break through and make their run at a .500 record. They have great starting pitching and one of the best bullpens in the league. In the end, the Cleveland Indians’ pitching, coupled with a great lineup, will prevail to take down the 2008 AL Central Division.

AL West Predictions:

The AL West is probably the weakest division in baseball. Obviously with just 4 teams they aren’t going to be very strong, but after the Angels and Mariners it gets pretty ugly. The Texas Rangers and Oakland A’s are in big rebuilding years where each will finish 3rd and 4th in their divisions respectively. The Rangers should sell some pretty good tickets with their potent lineup, but their starting pitching will cause many headaches along the way. Oakland simply doesn’t have enough experience to compete. The Seattle Mariners added Erik Bedard which adds a ton of depth to the starting rotation. This will be their best shot in a long time to take down the LA Angels for the AL West crown. But in the end the LA Angels have too much hitting and solid starting pitching that will prevail. When John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar return to the starting rotation, the Angels will have a huge second half with the emergence of Jared Weaver and Joe Saunders already anchoring down the pitching. Torii Hunter protects Vlad Guerrero at the plate, making pitchers think twice before automatically walking Vlad. The Angels win the 2008 AL West Division title.

NL East Predictions:

The NL East got even stronger this season with the addition of Johan Santana to the New York Mets. That should give New York the starting pitching they need to overtake the Phillies as the 2008 NL East champions. The Atlanta Braves finally get a full season with Mark Teixiera in the lineup. They also have Mike Hampton and Tom Glavine back in the starting rotation. Philadelphia has added a few power bats to an already potent lineup with Geoff Jenkins and Pedro Feliz. But their starting pitching and bullpen will not be enough to match what the Mets have. With the Washington Nationals finishing 64-64 to end the season last year, they have proven they are capable of contending. It all stops there though with the Florida Marlins, once again, failing to pick up any big free agents and they may have the worst starting pitching in the league. Your safest bet would be to take the Mets to win the NL East Division.

NL Central Predictions:

The NL Central got much more competitive last season and looks to be again in 2008 with more great moves by teams from this division in the offseason. We know the Cubs and Brewers will be competing for the NL Central crown through October, but the Cardinals, Astros and Reds all are capable of competing as long as injuries don’t destroy these teams again. Houston added more pop to their lineup, the Reds hired a proven winner in Dusty Baker to manage, and Tony LaRussa always seems to get the most out of his clubs when they have little expectations. If Ben Sheets can finally stay healthy for a full season, it could make all the difference in the world for the Brewers in 2008 to at least catch a Wild Card spot. With the Cubs consistency in their starting pitching, bullpen and lineup, there is no reason Chicago won’t win back-to-back NL Central titles this year. But it won’t come easy.

NL West predictions:

The NL West Division is deep as ever in 2008 with the best starting pitching in the league. Last years’ champs, the Arizona Diamondbacks, only got better in the offseason with the addition of Dan Haren from the A’s. Haren and Brandon Webb will pick up a pair of wins to start almost every series they enter. The San Diego Padres have the 1-2 punch of Peavy and Young to match it, but they don’t have the same pop in the lineup that the Diamondbacks will be putting on the field on a daily basis. The LA Dodgers now have a proven manager in Joe Torre to direct things. Their 1-2 punch of Penny and Lowe is not far behind. Colorado proved they can defy all odds by their magical run to end the season en route to a World Series berth. You can’t count this young team out with the experience they gained last season. The Giants will be the bottom feeder once again in a huge rebuilding. Arizona only got better in the offseason and if Randy Johnson can stay healthy, the Diamondbacks could represent the NL in a World Series berth. Arizona takes down the 2008 NL West crown.

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