2008 MLB predictions and Cardinals outlook

As a Cardinal fan, I am encouraged by the optimism that LaRussa has for this season. But let's be honest here.

If Albert Pujols' elbow doesn't hold up, the Cardinals don't have a chance in hell to win the division, much less anything else.

There are a lot of question marks in the starting rotation. We don't know when Carpenter is coming back, it could be after the all-star break, much less how effective he will be. A lot of people get stronger and more effective after Tommy John, but who knows.

Mark Mulder might be back in Mayish? I'm a huge Mulder fan and really hope he can come back and be as effective as he has been in the past. There are a lot of Cardinals fans out there that don't know how good he can be. When he is healthy, he can be awesome. And with all the righty's in the rotation, the Cardinals needs a lefty in that rotation.

Adam Wainright can be as good as he wants to be. Mid-90's fastball and sick curve, he can win 15+ games again this year.

Braden Looper will struggle as a starter this year. His work load over the past season and the grind of being a set-up/reliever in the past will allow him to barely win 10 games. I'm hoping for more, but am just very unseure about him.

Matt Clement is a wildcard for this organization. I personally love the upside because I was a fan of Clement in his Red Sox days and know his potential. But he just hasen't pitched in a long time. Hopefull we can get 10 wins out of him.

Joel Piniero wouldn't have been signed if he didn't work well with Dave Duncan and Duncan didn't see his potential. He has the possibility of being an upper-middle rotation guy. When he is hitting his spots, he can be unhittable. It's not that often where is he is unhittable though. I optimistically look to 13 wins out of Piniero.

Anthony Reyes/Brad Thompson/Todd Wellemeyer are all the same to me. Someone to fill in that fifth day before Mulder/Carp come back. Anthony Reyes can't have another 2-14 season, can he?

Projected lineup

1. RF Skip Schumaker
2. CF Rick Ankiel
3. 1B Albert Pujols
4. 3B Troy Glaus
5. LF Chris Duncan
6. C Yadier Molina
7. 2B Adam Kennedy
8. Pitcher
9. SS Cesar Izturis


I'm not sold on really anyone in this lineup except Pujols and Molina. Schumaker is going to get a good shot at making the team and becoming a major contributor and I hope he pulls through. Ankiel tailed off after the HGH story came out. If Glaus can stay healthy, he can provide some protection for Albert that he hasen't had in two years. Duncan is terrible in the outfield and strikes out a ton. Kennedy needs to bounce back from his worst offensive performance in his career and from what i remember and from the Cubs fans I have talked to we're in for a long season with Izturis at the plate. He can't hit.

I really hope that LaRussa puts the pitcher back in the nine spot too. It just looks stupid and doesn't make that much sense.

My predictions for this year are as follows.

NL West

Arizona
Colorado
San Diego
Los Angeles
San Francisco

NL Central

Chicago
Houston
Milwaukee
Saint Louis
Cincinatti
Pittsburgh

NL East

New York
Atlanta*
Philadelphia
Washington
Florida

AL West

Seattle
Los Angeles
Texas
Oakland

AL Central

Detroit
Cleveland*
Chicago
Kansas City
Minnesota

AL East

Boston
New York
Toronto
Tampa Bay
Baltimore

* denotes wildcard winner

NL Champions New York Mets
AL Champions Boston Red Sox

WS Champions New York Mets