Originally Published: April 5, 2009
ESPN predicts the 2009 season
2009 PREDICTIONS
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jorge Arangure Jr., ESPN The Magazine |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Diamondbacks Champion: Cubs AWARDS MVP: David Wright Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Cameron Maybin OTHER Breakout player: Justin Upton Underrated player: Rafael Furcal Dark-horse team: Giants |
East champ: Red Sox Central champ: Indians West champ: Angels Wild card: Yankees Champion: Red Sox AWARDS MVP: Mark Teixeira Cy Young: Roy Halladay Rookie of year: Matt Wieters OTHER Breakout player: Zack Greinke Underrated player: Joakim Soria Dark-horse team: Rangers |
|
 WORLD SERIES: Cubs over Red Sox | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Berry, ESPN Fantasy |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cardinals West champ: Rockies Wild card: Phillies Champion: Cardinals AWARDS MVP: David Wright Cy Young: Tim Lincecum OTHER Breakout player: Elijah Dukes Underrated player: Randy Winn Dark-horse team: Marlins |
East champ: Rays Central champ: White Sox West champ: Angels Wild card: Twins Champion: Rays AWARDS MVP: B.J. Upton Cy Young: Francisco Liriano Rookie of year: Matt Wieters OTHER Breakout player: Shin-Soo Choo Underrated player: Xavier Nady Dark-horse team: Royals |
|
 WORLD SERIES: Rays over Cardinals | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Caple, ESPN.com |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Giants Wild card: Reds Champion: Mets AWARDS MVP: David Wright Cy Young: Randy Johnson Rookie of year: Jordan Schafer OTHER Breakout player: Pablo Sandoval Underrated player: Adrian Gonzalez Dark-horse team: Giants |
East champ: Red Sox Central champ: Twins West champ: Angels Wild card: Rays Champion: Twins AWARDS MVP: B.J. Upton Cy Young: Francisco Liriano Rookie of year: Matt Wieters OTHER Breakout player: Howie Kendrick Underrated player: Nick Markakis Dark-horse team: Twins |
|
 WORLD SERIES: Twins over Mets | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Phillies Champion: Cubs AWARDS MVP: Chase Utley Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Cameron Maybin OTHER Breakout player: Daniel Murphy Underrated player: Mike Fontenot Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Red Sox Central champ: Twins West champ: Angels Wild card: Rays Champion: Rays AWARDS MVP: Evan Longoria Cy Young: Felix Hernandez Rookie of year: Travis Snider OTHER Breakout player: Chris Davis Underrated player: David DeJesus Dark-horse team: Rangers |
|
WORLD SERIES: Rays over Cubs | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Gammons, ESPN |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Phillies Champion: Mets AWARDS MVP: David Wright Cy Young: Josh Johnson Rookie of year: Dexter Fowler OTHER Breakout player: Matt Kemp Underrated player: Chris Iannetta Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Red Sox Central champ: Indians West champ: Angels Wild card: Yankees Champion: Red Sox AWARDS MVP: Grady Sizemore Cy Young: Roy Halladay Rookie of year: Gordon Beckham OTHER Breakout player: Josh Fields Underrated player: Aaron Hill Dark-horse team: Royals |
|
 WORLD SERIES: Red Sox over Mets | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedro Gomez, ESPN |
East champ: Phillies Central champ: Cubs West champ: Diamondbacks Wild card: Dodgers Champion: Phillies AWARDS MVP: Manny Ramirez Cy Young: Brandon Webb Rookie of year: Colby Rasmus OTHER Breakout player: Justin Upton Underrated player: Nate McLouth Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Rays Central champ: Indians West champ: Angels Wild card: Twins Champion: Rays AWARDS MVP: Grady Sizemore Cy Young: Francisco Liriano Rookie of year: Elvis Andrus OTHER Breakout player: Alex Rios Underrated player: Nelson Cruz Dark-horse team: Royals |
|
WORLD SERIES: Rays over Phillies | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Grey, ESPN Fantasy |
East champ: Phillies Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Braves Champion: Dodgers AWARDS MVP: Albert Pujols Cy Young: Tim Lincecum Rookie of year: Cameron Maybin OTHER Breakout player: Justin Upton Underrated player: Josh Johnson Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Red Sox Central champ: Twins West champ: A's Wild card: Yankees Champion: Red Sox AWARDS MVP: Mark Teixeira Cy Young: CC Sabathia Rookie of year: Matt Wieters OTHER Breakout player: Howie Kendrick Underrated player: Nelson Cruz Dark-horse team: Rangers |
|
WORLD SERIES: Red Sox over Dodgers | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Orel Hershiser, ESPN |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Phillies Champion: Mets AWARDS MVP: David Wright Cy Young: Johan Santana OTHER Dark-horse team: Braves |
East champ: Rays Central champ: Twins West champ: Angels Wild card: Red Sox Champion: Rays AWARDS MVP: Carl Crawford Cy Young: CC Sabathia OTHER Dark-horse team: A's |
|
WORLD SERIES: Rays over Mets | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Karabell, ESPN Fantasy |
East champ: Phillies Central champ: Cardinals West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Mets Champion: Cardinals AWARDS MVP: Hanley Ramirez Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Cameron Maybin OTHER Breakout player: Jordan Schafer Underrated player: Skip Schumaker Dark-horse team: Giants |
East champ: Rays Central champ: Indians West champ: Angels Wild card: Red Sox Champion: Red Sox AWARDS MVP: Evan Longoria Cy Young: Jon Lester Rookie of year: Matt Wieters OTHER Breakout player: Alexei Ramirez Underrated player: Shin-Soo Choo Dark-horse team: Royals |
|
WORLD SERIES: Red Sox over Cardinals | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Kurkjian, ESPN The Magazine |
East champ: Phillies Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Mets Champion: Cubs AWARDS MVP: David Wright Cy Young: Tim Lincecum Rookie of year: Jason Motte OTHER Breakout player: Yovani Gallardo Underrated player: Stephen Drew Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Yankees Central champ: Indians West champ: Angels Wild card: Red Sox Champion: Yankees AWARDS MVP: Grady Sizemore Cy Young: Roy Halladay Rookie of year: Travis Snider OTHER Breakout player: Alex Gordon Underrated player: Joakim Soria Dark-horse team: A's |
|
 WORLD SERIES: Yankees over Cubs | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Law, ESPN.com |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Cardinals Champion: Cubs AWARDS MVP: Chipper Jones Cy Young: Chad Billingsley Rookie of year: Colby Rasmus OTHER Breakout player: Justin Upton Underrated player: Carlos Beltran Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Red Sox Central champ: Indians West champ: A's Wild card: Yankees Champion: Red Sox AWARDS MVP: Mark Teixeira Cy Young: Roy Halladay Rookie of year: Travis Snider OTHER Breakout player: Adam Jones Underrated player: Mark Ellis Dark-horse team: A's |
|
WORLD SERIES: Red Sox over Cubs | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Nelson, ESPN.com |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Giants Wild card: Dodgers Champion: Dodgers AWARDS MVP: David Wright Cy Young: Johan Santana OTHER Breakout player: Justin Upton Underrated player: Edinson Volquez Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Red Sox Central champ: Twins West champ: Angels Wild card: Rays Champion: Red Sox AWARDS MVP: Grady Sizemore Cy Young: Jon Lester Rookie of year: Matt Wieters OTHER Breakout player: Adam Jones Underrated player: Joakim Soria Dark-horse team: Royals |
|
WORLD SERIES: Red Sox over Dodgers | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Neyer, ESPN.com |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Diamondbacks Champion: Cubs AWARDS MVP: David Wright Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Jason Motte OTHER Breakout player: Matt Kemp Underrated player: Yunel Escobar Dark-horse team: Cardinals |
East champ: Yankees Central champ: Indians West champ: A's Wild card: Red Sox Champion: Yankees AWARDS MVP: Mark Teixeira Cy Young: CC Sabathia Rookie of year: Elvis Andrus OTHER Breakout player: Jed Lowrie Underrated player: Nick Markakis Dark-horse team: Tigers |
|
WORLD SERIES: Cubs over Yankees | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Buster Olney, ESPN The Magazine |
East champ: Phillies Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Cardinals Champion: Phillies AWARDS MVP: Albert Pujols Cy Young: Chris Carpenter Rookie of year: Jordan Zimmermann OTHER Breakout player: Matt Kemp | East champ: Rays Central champ: Twins West champ: Angels Wild card: Red Sox Champion: Rays AWARDS MVP: Justin Morneau Cy Young: CC Sabathia Rookie of year: Matt Wieters OTHER Breakout player: Kyle Davies Underrated player: Carl Crawford Dark-horse team: Royals |
|
WORLD SERIES: Rays over Phillies | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Pascarelli, ESPN |
East champ: Phillies Central champ: Cardinals West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Braves Champion: Cardinals AWARDS MVP: Albert Pujols Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Jordan Schafer OTHER Breakout player: Joey Votto Underrated player: Dark-horse team: Giants |
East champ: Rays Central champ: Twins West champ: Angels Wild card: Yankees Champion: Rays AWARDS MVP: Carl Crawford Cy Young: Jon Lester Rookie of year: Elvis Andrus OTHER Breakout player: Howie Kendrick Underrated player: Dark-horse team: Tigers |
|
 WORLD SERIES: Cardinals over Rays | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nate Ravitz, ESPN Fantasy |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Diamondbacks Champion: Mets AWARDS MVP: Jose Reyes Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Cameron Maybin OTHER Breakout player: Jay Bruce Underrated player: Ubaldo Jimenez Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Rays Central champ: Twins West champ: Angels Wild card: Red Sox Champion: Rays AWARDS MVP: Jason Bay Cy Young: Roy Halladay Rookie of year: Brett Anderson OTHER Breakout player: Kendry Morales Underrated player: Grant Balfour Dark-horse team: Royals |
|
 WORLD SERIES: Mets over Rays | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Roberts, ESPN Fantasy |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Phillies Champion: Mets AWARDS MVP: David Wright Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Cameron Maybin OTHER Breakout player: Yovani Gallardo Underrated player: Shane Victorino Dark-horse team: Cardinals |
East champ: Yankees Central champ: Tigers West champ: Angels Wild card: Red Sox Champion: Red Sox AWARDS MVP: Mark Teixeira Cy Young: Felix Hernandez Rookie of year: Travis Snider OTHER Breakout player: Howie Kendrick Underrated player: Jose Lopez Dark-horse team: Twins |
|
WORLD SERIES: Red Sox over Mets | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrique Rojas, ESPNdeportes.com |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Reds Champion: Reds AWARDS MVP: Hanley Ramirez Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Cameron Maybin OTHER Breakout player: James Loney Underrated player: Pablo Sandoval Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Yankees Central champ: Twins West champ: Angels Wild card: Rays Champion: Yankees AWARDS MVP: Mark Teixeira Cy Young: John Lackey Rookie of year: David Price OTHER Breakout player: Nelson Cruz Underrated player: Carl Crawford Dark-horse team: Royals |
|
WORLD SERIES: Yankees over Reds | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Singleton, ESPN |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cardinals West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Marlins Champion: Mets AWARDS MVP: Hanley Ramirez Cy Young: Brandon Webb Rookie of year: Cameron Maybin OTHER Breakout player: Matt Kemp Underrated player: Ryan Ludwick Dark-horse team: Marlins |
East champ: Yankees Central champ: White Sox West champ: Angels Wild card: Rays Champion: Yankees AWARDS MVP: Josh Hamilton Cy Young: Jon Lester Rookie of year: Elvis Andrus OTHER Breakout player: Josh Fields Underrated player: Mark Ellis Dark-horse team: A's |
|
WORLD SERIES: Yankees over Mets | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Stark, ESPN.com |
East champ: Phillies Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Mets Champion: Phillies AWARDS MVP: Ryan Howard Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Cameron Maybin OTHER Breakout player: Joey Votto Underrated player: Chris Iannetta Dark-horse team: Reds |
East champ: Red Sox Central champ: Twins West champ: Angels Wild card: Yankees Champion: Red Sox AWARDS MVP: Kevin Youkilis Cy Young: CC Sabathia Rookie of year: Travis Snider OTHER Breakout player: Alexei Ramirez Underrated player: Nick Markakis Dark-horse team: Tigers |
|
WORLD SERIES: Red Sox over Phillies | |||
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | AMERICAN LEAGUE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gene Wojciechowski, ESPN.com |
East champ: Mets Central champ: Cubs West champ: Dodgers Wild card: Phillies Champion: Cubs AWARDS MVP: Albert Pujols Cy Young: Johan Santana Rookie of year: Colby Rasmus OTHER Breakout player: Jayson Werth Dark-horse team: Cardinals |
East champ: Red Sox Central champ: Indians West champ: Angels Wild card: Rays Champion: Red Sox AWARDS MVP: Miguel Cabrera Cy Young: CC Sabathia Rookie of year: Matt Wieters OTHER Breakout player: Chris Davis Dark-horse team: White Sox |
|
WORLD SERIES: Cubs over Red Sox | |||
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