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| New Angels Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson will lead their team to the World Series. |
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| Roy Halladay will lead his team to the World Series this year. |
They’re back. Stephen Strasburg, Johan Santana, Buster Posey, Kendrys Morales and more. After a long winter, Baseball is back. For Strasburg, Santana, Posey, and Morales, this season couldn’t have come faster. Strasburg pitched in just five games last year due to a Torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament. Posey, fractured his left fibula, and missed all but 45 games. Santana and Morales each sat out the whole season. The 2012 season brings a new opportunity for each of these four players.
So, what happened during the winter? For starters, the Angels spent 500 million to get arguably the best hitter in baseball, and the best pitcher on the free-agent market in Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. As an added bonus, Wilson was the ace of division rival Texas Rangers By adding Pujols, the Angels have an extremely dangerous lineup, and the addition of Wilson, contributes to an already potent starting rotation. These two signings have many thinking the Angels could win their second World Series, and reclaim the division crown.
The Angels will have some trouble getting back the division crown from the Rangers, however, as they signed Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish. Darvish is expected to replace Wilson in the rotation. The Rangers also have former Angels catcher Mike Napoli, Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre, and Nelson Cruz in their lineup. The Angels-Rangers rivalry could be one of the most interesting this season.
Besides in the AL West, what else happened? The Brewers had some drama. Ryan Braun was accused of taking illegal drugs, and star first baseman Prince Fielder signed with the Tigers, to team with Miguel Cabrera, who is shifting over to third base for the first time since 2007, when he was with the Marlins.
The Marlins had a spending spree of their own. Adding former White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen, to rejuvenate a franchise that has won more world series titles in their 19 year history, then the Cubs have in the last 104. Owner Jeffery Loria built a lavish new stadium, and added former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, former White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, and former Padres closer Heath Bell. The Marlins also renamed themselves, in order to identify with their city. Their new name, the Miami Marlins, has also led to a new logo.
This season also has added a second wildcard. Both wildcards will have a play-off, with the first place in the wildcard gaining home field advantage in the game. The winner of that game will face the team with the best record. This second wildcard should make for an exciting postseason. Speaking of postseason, see below for play-off predictions!
Postseason Predictions:
American League: National League:
Wild-card Playoff: Wild-card Playoff:
Yankees over Rangers Giants over Marlins
Division Series: Division Series:
Angels over Yankees Phillies over Giants
Tigers over Rays Diamondbacks over Reds
Championship Series: Championship Series:
Angels over Tigers Phillies over Diamondbacks
World Series:
Phillies over Angels
