It's Break Time...

I'm not entirely sure what I predicted at the beginning of the season.  I don't remember writing anything down, and if I did, I can't figure out where I put the paper.  So I may not be able to make any of those bold, "You may remember that I predicted __________, and you can see I was exactly right!"  Or at least not accurately.   

Like that'll stop me.

WHAT I PREDICTED AND HOW I DID:

Things I got right-

The Cardinals would run away with the Central- This one I'm sure about, and not because I make the same that every year (although there are times- say most of the early 90's- when I didn't believe it).  And I said it before I knew for sure that the Cubs pitching staff would disappear faster than Skeet Ulrich.  In fairness, it was also before I knew Derrick Lee would somehow channel the spirit of Babe Ruth, so I'm calling it a wash. 

The Padres would win the West- Hey, look what one good month in the NL west will do!  .500 the rest of the way could very well be enough for San Diego to take the division.  Unfortunately for those of for whom geography means we face constant exposure to this train wreck of a division (worse than the NL Central.  Think about that)  .450 the rest of the way could win it as well. 

The Angels would take the West- Vlad, Bartolo, Erstad, G.A., K-Rod, Washburn.  Toss in solid performances by Paul Byrd (got that right!), and a good enough John Lackey, and this one is like shooting fish in a barrell.  Imagine how good they'll be when Cabrera and Finley start playing like Cabrera and Finley.

Things I'm pretty sure I got wrong-

What's the deal with the Florida Marlins?-  I mean, seriously, what is the deal with the Florida Marlins?

Did I pick Boston or the Yankees to win the East?-  Honestly, I don't remember.  It's not that I'm unwilling to admit when I'm wrong (Seriously, what is the deal with the Florida Marlins?), I just can't figure out what I predicted.  The good news is I know that I said whoever didn't win the division would take the AL Wild Card.  Because I'm a sports journalist who's willing to go out on a limb and make bold preseason predictions.

The Chicago White Sox have screwed everything up-  After a slow start, the Indians are finally showing me the love that I was giving them at the beginning of the season.  Except there was nothing in my crystal ball that said Jon Garland, and Dustin Hermanson would sell their souls to Satan, and the Sox would be 9 million games up on the Tribe.  In fact, it's very possible the entire team has put their afterlife on the open market.  Nobody in the regular lineup is hitting over .300.  They've only had a couple real run producers for most of the year- although Frank Thomas' return seems to be helping in that regard, and Carl Everett apparently doesn't believe in ***********.  Or homosexual dinosaurs, for that matter.  That's an unusual recipe for success.   

What I know I got wrong- 

The Washington Nationals- Yeah, I thought the Nats could finish .500 (actually documented on this site!), but 16 games over .500 at the break?  Still, it's really cool to be wrong sometimes. 

The Dodgers would be competitive-  Of course, I didn't know Dodger Stadium had it's own fleet of black cats and broken mirrors, either. 

Houston would ****- That one looked good for a while. 

The Rockies would win the World Series-  Just kidding. 

Next time- My Fearless 2nd Half Predictions!!!!!