Predictions

Everyone seems to be putting out their annual predictions for the upcoming MLB season. I'm watching Baseball Tonight, a mere 30 minutes before opening pitch of the 2007 season and want to chime in on the annual tradition. So here's my predictions along with a few notes. (Sorry this is a little long)

AL EAST
1. Boston Red Sox - The addition of Dice-K and J.D. Drew give them the extra boost in this division. Their rotation might be the best in the league and now that they have Papelbon back in the pen they're
2. New York Yankees - Obviously have enough power in their lineup that they'll win a ton of games. Abreu should have an unbelievable season this year, just a hunch.
3. Toronto Blue Jays - Added Thomas which gives them some more power. Halladay is gonna win his 18-20 and they'll be third again. Put them in the AL West and they might have a chance at the wild card.
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Kazmir's a stud. Delmin Young should help them out. Their core of young guys is awesome and I think they'd go somewhere if they could pitch and if they didn't live in the boringest city ever.
5. Baltimore Orioles - They blow.

AL CENTRAL
1. Chicago White Sox - I know this is a Homer pick. They added bullpen help which they desperately needed and got rid of two starters (Garcia and McCarthy) that they perhaps shouldn't have. But I see this team getting back to winning close games and the addition of Erstad doesn't hurt.
2. Cleveland Indians - Every article I read has this two either one or two, so I got suckered into this pick. I really think they'll finish fourth again but whatever.
3. Detroit Tigers - I see this team as the exact same as the 2005 & 2006 White Sox. After the Sox won the ring they added Jim Thome and everyone thought they had a good shot at a repeat. Instead their pitchers grew tired late in the season and had to rely on a bullpen that was suspect. The Tigers look to get back to series having lost no one really and added Gary Sheffield. But look for the Tigers to fade late in the season because of tired pitching arms.
4. Minnesota Twins - If Liriano were healthy I think you're talking about a division leader, instead they don't have the pitching strength to get them through enough tough games. I hate this team, given that the Sox don't play well against them ever, but I respect their hard work on the field and regret putting them fourth.
5. Kansas City Royals - Gil Meche #1. Enough Said. Alex Gordon will be a stud though.

AL WEST
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Garrett Anderson looks back to normal for the first time in two years which is going to help this team a lot. Howie Kendrick will only get better and having Glad in the middle of an order is just plain scary. Their offense will carry them in this division.
2. Oakland A's - Well Rich Harden seems to be the favorite dark horse to pick for AL Cy Young. But I look over the last 20 years and I'm sure it goes way back until you'd find a pitcher that won a Cy Young after an injury plagued season. It's just not going to happen. Their offense is suspect and lack power with the Big Hurt in the lineup.
3. Texas Rangers - Whatever, I don't really care about this team.
4. Seattle Mariners - See above.

NL EAST
1. New York Mets - Solid Pitching, great offense. Jose Reyes is my NL MVP over Pujols unless for a reason stated below.
2. Philadelphia Phillies - Ryan Howard looked bad this spring. His timing is way off but I think he'll get back to normal and he and Utley will put up some big numbers. Garcia helps this rotation and Cole Hamels should have a breakout season.
3. Atlanta Braves - Most articles also have the Braves either 1 or 2, but I really don't see it at all.
4. Florida Marlins - Without Joe Girardi I'll be surprised if this team does nearly as well as last year, but they'll stay out of the cellar...
5. Washington Nationals - Awful, just awful.

NL CENTRAL
1. Chicago Cubs - Soriano is such a great addition that they vault to number 1 in the division. I know it's the Cardinals to lose, based on history, but come on. Big Z will be in contention for the Cy Young and Rich Hill should continue to be a threat as a superior number 2.
2. St. Louis Cardinals - Pujols sadly won't win the MVP, UNLESS he wins the Triple Crown. I think he has a definite chance this year. If Ryan Howard starts off slow he'll be a lot closer in the RBI race this year. He's always going to be close in HR's and avg.
3. Houston Astros - I think Roger will come back to help out this team a little, but once again too little too late. I'm sure they'll start slow and have an amazing second half like always. It's sad because if Roger played the whole season he'd probably win another Cy Young and vault this team into the playoffs.
4. Milwaukee Brewers - So many articles are predicting them number 1. WHAT??? No. Ben Sheets is good, but not this good. And their offense is weak. Prince Fielder should have a great season, but they lack consistency and will lose too many games in August and September.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates - Surprisingly they did pretty well post all-star break last year. But they'll have a tough time doing that for a whole season.

NL WEST
1. L.A. Dodgers - Interesting team. Brad Penny looks like he's back to full strength after last years 16-9 record and Jason Schmidt adds some depth to their rotation. It's also a weak division so, we'll see.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks - Webb is dangerous and if Johnson gets back to throwing how he was when he was here last, then watch out. Chad Tracy should have a big season and I'm excited to see what Stephen Drew does this year.
3. Colorado Rockies - Helton is losing power and avg but Atkins picks that back up. Their rotation is very weak which isn't good at Coors. I think 3rd is the best they could do here.
4. San Diego Padres - They'll be in the cellar for sure but I can't put the Giants here, because I hate Barry so much.
5. San Francisco Giants - See above.

AL PLAYOFFS
Boston defeats Cleveland
White Sox defeat Angels
Boston defeats White Sox

NL PLAYOFFS
Mets defeat Cardinals
Cubs defeat Dodgers
Mets defeat Cubs

WORLD SERIES
Mets defeat Boston