AL & NL MVP, NFL Win/Loss Predictions, and “The Last Watson”
Watson Suspension
Hopefully this is the last time we have to discuss this topic, because it’s pretty much a joke. Watson’s suspension has officially been upped to 11 games with an additional $5million dollar fine. Watson continues to claim his innocence, but apologizes for it anyway. He’s not remorseful at all, and his words and actions reflect that. The Browns will probably be out of the playoff picture by the time Watson returns, because Brissett is garbage.
The NFL absolutely botched this, as they do with pretty much everything surrounding discipline of superstars. Watson CONVENIENTLY returns for the Browns trip to Houston so the NFL saves face, and rakes in the money for the game that they know will garner huge ratings.
It’s a joke; the NFL is a joke. He probably shouldn’t be in the league, but by December nobody will even remember it.
O’s head to Boston
O’s fans should, and can, continue to be optimistic and positive about both the remainder of this season and the seasons to come, because it looks like they are starting to come good. There was some pessimism last year about what was on the field, and in the dugout, but that seems a distant memory.
The O’s head to Boston for a big series in terms of the Wild Card race as we get into the final month and a half of the season. This could be a big series to shut the door on Boston and gain some momentum into the stretch. There are so many A.L. East games left, so the O’s hold their fate in their own hands.
A lot of young talent has matured and settled in nicely into the Big League grind. The pitching has been a revelation, especially in the bullpen, which has sustained this current run. The hitting has been hot and cold, but the pitching has kept them in games.
There is still a gap in talent compared to the teams around them. At this point, perfect baseball is the benchmark to have a chance to get a Wild Card spot and to have any chance of getting past that point. No matter what happens, this is a successful season and is just the beginning.
Oh, and Adley Ruschman is a future superstar, in case we hadn’t mentioned it before!
MLB MVP & Cy Young Races
MVP Races
A.L. and N.L. MVPs are pretty much locked at this point with Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt, respectively.
The only other realistic A.L. MVP candidate would have to be Shohei Ohtani, he has become a well-rounded hitter seeming to focus on more contact and “ball-in-play” type approaches at the plate. That doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of his pitching abilities, which have continued to be elite. He has more strikeouts this season, than last, when he won the MVP!
The Yankees are struggling, but that has nothing to do with Aaron Judge, who is slashing .297/.394/.663 currently with 40+ HRs and 100+ RBIs. We definitely think Ohtani belongs in the conversation, but it’s pretty hard to see how Aaron Judge loses this award this year.
Goldschmidt in St. Louis has been absolutely rock solid all year slashing .335/.417/.622, and the usual mid-to-late season slump that usually hits him has not come around this year. That being said, the N.L. race is a bit more open with Freeman or even Machado in there with a shout, but with those numbers it’s hard to see anyone but Goldschmidt claiming the crown this year.
Generally speaking though, we agree that both A.L. and N.L. MVPs are just about set.
Cy Young Races
In the American League….Justin Verlander. That is all. 15 Wins, 1.95 ERA, 148 Ks…that is all. Nobody is anywhere even close. We are continuing to watch one of the best pitchers to ever play the game, and that doesn’t come up enough. Verlander is special, and we’ve been lucky to watch him for a long time.
The National League is a bit more open! Arguments could be made for Alcantara, Burnes, Scherzer, and Fried, but much like the MVP races, this seems like it’s a done deal for Tony Gonsolin, too. He has stepped up with injuries to Kershaw and Beuhler to carry the staff with 15 wins and a 2.12 ERA. Alcantara in Miami is probably the only REAL contender, but unfortunately the team around him will probably hold him back, on almost any other roster he’d be a lock.
NFL Record Predictions:
AFC Divisions
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - Record Prediction:13-4 - We both agree they win the division as long as they stay healthy. They are the best team, on paper, in the division.
Cincinnati Bengals - Record Prediction:11-6 - We can most likely expect a regression. They haven’t added anything exciting really, and it’s only natural to see some regression after a Super Bowl run
Pittsburgh Steelers - Record Prediction:10-7 - There are some QB questions but Tomlin and Co. know how to get it done, and the defense is Top 10, maybe Top 5, easily.
Cleveland Browns - Record Prediction: 5-12 - No Watson. They’re going to stink until he comes back
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars - Record Prediction: NOT 11 Wins - We didn’t settle on a record here because Chris has apparently lost his mind (11-6) and Tom has his feet on the ground. They should be better, but not really. Chris is calling the Jags for this division
Indianapolis Colts - Record Prediction: MAYBE 11 Wins - We disagree here as well, so no prediction. Tom is high on the Colts with Matt Ryan and Jonathan Taylor combining forces; enough so that he compared him to Matt Stafford leaving Detroit. Chris, isn’t buying it and has them at 9-8.
Tennessee Titans - Record Prediction 9-8 - They’ll stink, too. They lost their stud receiver and didn’t replace him. Oh, and Tannehill is still under center. This division is mediocre at best.
Houston Texans - Record Prediction 4-13 - Davis Mills will be slinging it around, but they’re not going to win games. They’ve got a long way to go.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills - Record Prediction:14-3 - this is a no brainer, the division is fairly weak and the Bills are lightyears better than the competition. We both agree here.
Miami Dolphins - Record Prediction:11-6 - are shaping up to turn a corner. They have a good Defense, the O-Line has been revamped, and of course the addition of Tyreek Hill. If Tua “arrives” there could be some interesting conversations later in the year.
New England Patriots -Record Prediction:9-8 - Mac continues maturing and the Pats look solid as they continue to rebuild.
New York Jets - Record Prediction:3-14 - it’s the 37 year old Joe Flacco show now and those of us from Baltimore know how that goes, especially with no weapons, O-Line, and just being the Jets.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs - Record Prediction:12-5 - The Chiefs are still the standard in the west, but this is a competitive division, probably the most competitive. They lost Tyreek Hill, but added JuJu. The cliff isn’t that steep. We both agree on that.
Los Angeles Chargers - Record Prediction: 11-6 - we have some disagreement here, but they are capable of winning this division. They haven’t corrected their problems; run defense, speed at wideout, etc.
Denver Broncos - Record Prediction: 10-7 - Russell Wilson is boring, the Broncos are boring, but they’ll be decent
Oakland Raiders - Record Prediction: 9-8 - The Raiders secondary and O-line are atrocious, and in this division that’s a major problem. They didn’t address this but they snagged Adams. Tom thinks they are better than 9-8 but not enough to catch the Chiefs.
NFC Divisions
NFC North
Green Bay Packers - Record Prediction:11-6 - They are the class of the division even though it’s a shitshow, still. They lost Devante Adams, but also beefed up an already stellar defense. They still lost in the Playoffs, so whatever.
Minnesota Vikings - Record Prediction:10-7 - The Vikings lost 9, one-score games last year so the defense is still the concern. The Offense is nasty with Cook, Jefferson, and Cousins slinging it.
Chicago Bears - Record Prediction:4-13 - Justin Fields could be good, if he didn’t play for this team. This is also not the new coaching staff’s guy. The Bears are just awful, but are somehow better than the Lions.
Detroit Lions - Record Prediction: LOSE - It’s sort of amazing they still are capable of paying professional athletes to play football and live near Detroit. They’re terrible.
NFC South
New Orleans Saints - Record Prediction:11-6 - We disagree here just a bit, but not like Jacksonville. Winston and the cast around him can definitely snag this division with a little bit of uncertainty with Brady & Tampa. The Red Rifle is there, too, just in case!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Record Prediction:9-8 - Also a contender for the division with a 45 -year old Brady, Evans, Jones, etc. The defense is Top 5, but things are shaky in paradise.
Carolina Panthers - Record Prediction:7-10 - BAKER! They’ll stink because Baker stinks and the rest of the team isn’t very good. Maybe next year.
Atlanta Falcons - Record Prediction:5-12 - They won 7 Games last year largely because of Matt Ryan, and he’s gone. They’re going to be awful.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles - Record Prediction:12-5 - The Eagles are looking pretty damn good. The addition of AJ Brown, and Goddard only boost Hurts’ upside.
Dallas Cowboys - Record Prediction: 9-8 - The question marks at WR are a major issue.Zeke is finished, except for as an expensive blocker, and Dak Prescott is still their QB.
Washington Commanders - Record Prediction:9-8 - We disagree here, Tom does not see this team winning 9 games, but the division and Conference are weak, so maybe? Oh, and they have Carson Wentz under center
New York Giants - Record Prediction:5-12 - This is probably accurate. They stink, and will continue to stink. Saquon and Sterling are rotting in NY.
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams - Record Prediction:13-4 - the only question mark is Stafford’s health, but they improved slightly after a Super Bowl win, so they have to be the favorite here.
San Francisco 49ers - Record Prediction:12-5 - This team is Super Bowl ready with the move to Trey Lance under Shanahan. They are an exciting prospect, but they still have to go through LA.The Defense is probably Top 3, and the surrounding cast of characters are outstanding; Samuel, Kittle, etc. This will be a fun division to keep an eye on.
Arizona Cardinals - Record Prediction:10-7 - Murray improves and has some new weapons but they’re still looking up.
Seattle Seahawks - Record Prediction:3-14 - The Seahawks get to play sports on TV, so that’s fun. They’re going to be terrible though.