Opening Day is upon us, which means it’s time for us to give grand predictions about how the 2016 season will unfold. Our more general predictions—awards, division winners, World Series—are interspersed in tables among some more specific/eclectic auguring about the Angels and other baseball things. Be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back in October and laugh at how wrong we were… or marvel at how right we were. Probably the former.
What will Mike Trout have more of this year: Intentional walks or stolen bases?
Scotty: Intentional base-on-balls. Mike is only going to become more feared as his career develops, and Albert is only going to become less feared as his career winds down. While Trout can steal, it simply isn’t Scioscia’s MO. He likes to hit-and-run and take the extra base, but the hit-and-run isn’t commonly called with Trout on base.
Nate: Trout talked a big game entering camp about swiping more bases this season, but it’s hard to believe him when he did the same thing last year only to post a career low (11). I’m going intentional walks. Not because I don’t think he can still steal 25+ bases, but because he’s hitting in front of The (GIDP) Machine.
Andrew: Intentional walks, for the reasons already mentioned. Also, maybe Trout isn’t that good as stealing bases anymore? His success rate last season was 61.1%. It’s a small sample size, but we shouldn’t be surprised if Trout loses some speed as he ages and bulks up. If he’s pounding 40 homers a year it’s well worth the trade-off.
Jered Weaver will make 15 starts for the Angels this season. Over or under?
Andrew: Under. He’ll get a crack at the rotation because he makes a lot of money and is a veteran, but we’re past the point of no return with his velocity.
Scotty: Under, and we all know why.
Nate: Under. I just don’t see how he survives past May with an 80 mph fastball. Mike Scioscia often trusts veterans to a fault, but even he has his limits.
[table id=194 /]Will C.J. Wilson pitch for the Angels this year?
Nate: Nope. Dude redid his entire delivery just so that he could avoid pain in his shoulder, and it didn’t work. As prevalent as elbow injuries are these days, it’s shoulder woes that pitchers more often don’t come back from. And even if/when Wilson can get healthy, there might not be a spot for him come June.
Scotty: Yes, C.J. will pitch out of the ‘pen beginning in July.
Andrew: I’m with Scotty on this one: I think Wilson’s destiny is as a very handsomely paid reliever. The Angels have better rotation options and his trade value couldn’t be lower, so why not try him in the ‘pen? He’s been a successful reliever before.
How many regular Angels batters will post a >.325 OBP in 2016?
Nate: I’m gonna go with three: Trout, Nava, Escobar. Not great, but still a big improvement over last year when it was just Trout.
Scotty: I’m a bit more optimistic here, I’m going to go with five. Escobar, Nava, Trout, Pujols and Calhoun. Simmons and Giavotella will both be in that neighborhood.
Andrew: I’ll split the difference and say four: Trout, Calhoun, Escobar, Nava.
Will Johnny Giavotella still be the starting second baseman on August 1?
Andrew: Yep, he’ll be fine-ish and the alternatives are uninspiring anyway.
Scotty: Yes. Giavotella has shown to be much better than the statue he was in 2015. I think he’ll turn into an acceptable defender at second base.
Nate: My gut says no, but then I remember that Simmons survived two-plus years with Dan Uggla as his double-play partner and it gives me pause. As long as his bat remains mediocre, I suppose they can live with his sub-par glove. So, yes.
[table id=192 /]Which of 2015’s several star rookies will experience the worst sophomore slump?
Scotty: Does Jackie Bradley Jr. count? His batted-ball profile indicated a great deal of luck in his performance in Boston last year. All the talent in the world, but I don’t think the pitch recognition or refinement is there yet.
Andrew: I spent high draft picks on Carlos Correa and Noah Syndergaard in my fantasy league. So probably both of them.
Nate: Matt Duffy (the Giants’ one). If/when that BABIP deflates, he’ll start looking a lot more like a bench player than an All-Star.
Who will finish their season with more wins: Golden State Warriors or the Oakland A’s?
Nate: I think it’s going to be really close, but I’m giving the edge to the Warriors. The A’s don’t seem much better than they were last year, when they won 68.
Andrew: The A’s will pull some random good players out of their butts like always and eek out the 74-75 wins necessary to edge the Dubs.
Scotty: Warriors.
[table id=193 /]At what point in the postseason will the Cubs’ World Series dreams be crushed?
Andrew: It’s November 4, one week after Joe Maddon took the team on another one of his movie field trips. They decided to see Rings, the second sequel to The Ring, this one starring international superstar Johnny Galecki. Maddon can’t sleep. He pours himself a glass of milk and ponders how the Giants did it again in an even year. “More pajama parties,” he mutters to the silent house. Maddon rummages through his fridge, nudging the Diet Coke cans aside before finding the leftover chow mein. The TV flicks on behind him. The curse continues.
Nate: I picked them to win the AL Central, so I guess I can’t go with a 2014 A’s/Royals-esque Wild Card game. I’ll say the NLCS, with Daniel Murphy again going on an absurd HR binge but this time for the Nats.
Scotty: NLDS. I’m just not that impressed with their pitching staff.
Of all the tanking NL teams, which will come away with the No. 1 draft pick?
Scotty: The Reds. At least the other bad teams have some good, young arms. The Reds have Iglesias.
Andrew: The Phillies, in spite of Aaron Nola’s best efforts. But Ryan Howard is only there for one more season, so that’s something.
Nate: It’s gotta be the Braves. That roster is just so, so bad. At least 100 losses.
[table id=195 /]And lastly: Is this the year ESPN finally fires Curt Schilling?
Nate: Oh, for sure. Schilling regularly on national TV in an election year this contentious? Dude is going down in flames.
Scotty: No way, Schill is beloved.
Andrew: He gone. The trash internet memes are simply too abundant for him to avoid.
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