MLB predictions and why the Tigers are awful

Well, I have predicted the World Series winner correctly two out of the last three years, but it's not looking good so far this year.  The Tigers finally won a game last night against Boston, but it's not a good sign when your World Series pick starts the year 0-7.  It's been painful to watch Miguel Cabrera at the plate (especially since I own him in fantasy), but the Detroit bullpen has been even worse.

Brandon Inge is off to about the hottest start of any Tiger.  If I'm the Tigers, I'm looking to trade him now while his value is high and get a good setup man in return.  They missed out on one of the Cubs' good bullpen arms when the Cubs signed Reed Johnson.  A win-win for both teams would be sending him to the Indians where 3B Casey Blake isn't exactly raking at the plate this year (or any year), but that won't happen since it would be between two division teams.

Baltimore could be a good fit.  The O's could use another good young versatile outfielder and have plenty of options for the Tigers... Sarfate, Sherrill and Albers, the best of whom is Dennis Sarfate.  He already has two wins this year and hasn't given up a run.

The Tigers biggest problem is just getting to October.  I think they'll be fine if they get there because the use of the bullpens will shrink and they can ride Justin Verlander.  Getting there though will be tough.  Their division is the best in baseball, and the Indians have been picked by many to win it all.  (But they won't because Sports Illustrated picked them.  I still blame the Cubs' terrible 2004 on them.)  The White Sox, Twins and wow, even the Royals are also competitive this year.

If they hope to contend, they need to make a move now.  Trade Inge for some help in the 'pen... or ride it out as the blown saves and blown holds mount up.

Here are my preseason MLB picks that I'm reposting on my new blog:

NL East - Mets
NL Central - Cubs
NL West - Diamondbacks
NL WC - Phillies

AL East - Red Sox
AL Central - Indians
AL West - Angels
AL WC - Tigers

World Series - Tigers over Cubs

NL MVP - Hanley Ramirez
AL MVP - Miguel Cabrera

NL Cy Young - Jake Peavy
AL Cy Young - C.C. Sabathia

NL Rookie of Year - Kosuke Fukudome (Cueto best non-Japanese player) 
AL Rookie of Year - Clay Buchholz

If I had to pick three teams to win it all, I'd pick:

1. Tigers
2. Indians
3. Diamondbacks

Teams that will do better than expected:

AL Sleeper - Rays (3rd in AL East)
NL Sleeper - Dodgers (2nd in NL West)