Fearless World Series Forecast

This is a day late and the Indians are up one game to none as I write this, but here is my prediction on the winner of the 2016 World Series.

My pick is the Cleveland Indians.

I've seen the Indians play a number of times this year on TV.  Their lineup is very productive, their starters are good and the bullpen is deep.  Granted the Cubs led the Major Leagues in wins this year but my heart is with the Indians.

You really don't expect a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals to cheer for the Cubbies do you?

No Post Season for the Cardinals this Year

For the first time in the last five years, my beloved St. Louis Cardinals will not be playing in Major League Baseball's Post Season Tournament.

The Cards ended up ten games over .500 with a record of 86-76.  Despite winning their final four games, it wasn't good enough to get into the playoffs as the Birds ended up a game back of the Mets and Giants for the Wildcard Playoff game tomorrow night at Citi Field in New York.

The Cardinals had a lot of power this year slamming 225 Home Runs.  That was the best in the National League and second best in MLB behind the Baltimore Orioles.

The Cardinals ultimate downfall was its pitching and poor defense. The Cards ended up with the fourth worst defensive percentage in the National League.  The starting pitching was spotty to say the least and the bullpen was the worst its been in five years.

When I look back at the season I see a number of games where the team blew leads and its bullpen appeared clueless.  Its hard to point to one game or one series, but back in June the Texas Rangers came to St. Louis for an inter-league series and came from behind on both Saturday and Sunday to sweep the series.  I think what might have been had the Cardinals bullpen saved one of those games.

Oh well, there's always next year.