How The Admiral’s 2013 MLB Predicitons Fared

Jul 22, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) reacts after striking out in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium. The Twins defeated the Angels 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Not really close, but not embarrassingly far (+/-10 to +/-14)

LA Angels (-10): How many millions were spent on C.J. Wilson and Josh Hamilton this year? Add that to the money spent on Albert Pujols last year and 78 wins should not be the result.

St. Louis (+10): After winning the wild-card last year, it looked as though it was their last run with this group. The Pirates and Reds looked poised to take the Central and Wild-card spots. Instead, the Cards took the division and the other two fought for the 2nd WC spot.

Toronto (-11): Many other “experts” favorite to win the World Series. They never quite meshed as a team, got behind Boston early and never recovered.

Miami (-11): Like Houston, I knew the Marlins would be bad this year. I thought they would just miss 90 losses. The lost 100 and then threw a no-hitter against Detroit on the last day of the season. Go figure.

Tampa Bay (+11): Who knew that the loss of James Shields, B.J. Upton and others, would mean that Tampa made the playoffs? I figured a just-under-.500 team and they won the AL Wild-Card.

Oakland (+11): Moneyball wins again. This time, it didn’t come down to the last game of the season, the Athletics flat out won the AL West. I figured the revamped Angels and the vengeful Rangers would be too much for the A’s. I was wrong.

Seattle (-12): Signed Michael Morse (traded him in August), had an off year from Felix Hernandez, a regression in the bullpen. A 41-year-old led the team in homers. It was a very disappointing year in the Emerald City.

Philadelphia (-12): How the mighty have fallen. Injuries doomed this team from the start.

Colorado (-12): I was told by a commenter on my blog, that I was a little high on the Rockies. Early in the year, they were making me look good. But just like the fast start by the Yankees and the slow start by the Dodgers, the Rockies proved me wrong again.

Baltimore (+12): Everyone was high on the Orioles to make the playoffs this year. I wasn’t. Still, they almost did as they won 12 more games than I expected.

Houston (-14): WOW! I knew the Astros would be bad this year. Most people knew they would be bad. I didn’t think they’d quite get to 100 losses. I think 97 losses will be the goal for 2014.

San Francisco (-14): I figured 90 wins would take the NL West. Turns out 92 did it. But the Giants were nowhere near even 90 wins.