MLB Preview

After the disappointing conclusions to the NFL and NCAA seasons, and as the NHL looks set to rig the playoffs for Crosby again, let us turn our attention to the bright spot in the sports landscape; the new baseball season. Like a good sports blogger, I have provided my predictions for each division below:

AL EAST

1. Yankees
2. Red Sox (WC)
3. Rays
4. Orioles
5. Blue Jays

The defending champion Yankees, as usual field the best team money can buy. Despite the departures of Johnny Damon and Hidecki Matsui, the lineup remains stellar, and the already strong pitching rotation has been bolstered by the addition of Javier Vazquez. Someday time will catch up to ageing stars such as Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, but for now they are still going strong.

Although their lineup has been weakened with the departure of Jason Bay, the Red Sox added John Lackey to what was already one of the best rotations in the league, and look like a good bet to clinch the Wild Card. Tampa Bay is a talented young team and would be a strong contender in most other divisions. The Orioles have a bright future with up and coming stars such as Matt Wieters, but right now the competition in this division is just too tough. The Blue Jays traded ace Roy Halladay, and are currently in full rebuilding mode. Toronto fans will have to follow Kyle Drabek’s AAA starts to hold them over until Maple Leafs season starts again.

AL Central

1. White Sox
2. Twins
3. Tigers
4. Indians
5. Royals

The AL Central will likely be a highly competitive division, with three teams fully capable of ending up on top. If Jake Peavy remains healthy and regains the form he had with the Padres, the White Sox will have a very strong chance. With a brand new stadium and a new contract for Joe Mauer, the Twins are also looking to contend, but they have been dealt a serious blow by the season ending injury to closer Joe Nathan. After losing the 1 game tiebreaker to the Twins last year, the Tigers will be hungry as well, and are led by a legitimate ace in Justin Verlander. The Indians are in rebuilding mode, and the Royals are, well, the Royals.

AL West

1. Rangers
2. Angels
3. Mariners
4. A’s

The Rangers have a stacked lineup led by Josh Hamilton, and will be a strong contender if they get serviceable performances from their pitching staff, which will rely heavily on the frequently injured Rich Harden. It is difficult to pick against the Angels since they usually win this division, but their rotation has been greatly weakened by the departure of John Lackey. The Mariners have a solid rotation with the addition of Cliff Lee, but their lineup is still suspect, and addition of clubhouse cancer Milton Bradley is unlikely to help.

NL East

1. Phillies
2. Braves (WC)
3. Marlins
4. Mets
5. Nationals

The Phillies have won this division three years in a row, and are likely to do it again. The addition of Roy Halladay and the probable resurgence of Cole Hamels give the Phillies a powerful 1-2 punch at the front of the rotation, and the return of Placido Polanco improves a lineup that was already the best in the National League by a considerable margin. Concerns have been raised over the bullpen, but Brad Lidge was as bad as humanly possible last season and the Phillies still won the division handily.

The Braves look like the strongest competition, and are a good bet to take the Wild Card. New outfielder Jason Heyward is already the clear cut favorite to win Rookie of the Year, and is definitely a player to watch. The Marlins finished above .500 last year and are only getting better. The Nationals remain the laughing stock of the league, but Nationals fans (if they do exist, think about it, have you ever met an actual Nationals fan?) can look forward to the debut of Steven Strasburg.

Perhaps the most noteworthy event in this division is that despite signing Jason Bay, this is the first year in the Omar Minaya era that the Mets were not crowned the “best team on paper” during the off season. It was a streak almost as impressive as the Eagles’ run of salary cap championships.

NL Central

1. Cardinals
2. Brewers
3. Cubs
4. Reds
5. Astros
6. Pirates

The Cardinals resigned Matt Holliday, and as long as they Have Albert Pujols, they remain the favorite in this division. The Brewers have a strong lineup led by Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, but their pitching is suspect. The Cubs remain bogged down by bad contracts, and the Reds remain mediocre. Its hilarious to watch the Astros run into the ground by the man that ruined my childhood, Ed Wade. Speaking of Ed Wade, perhaps the Pirates would be higher than last had they accepted his 2004 trade offer of Ryan Howard for Kris Benson (true story).

NL West

1. Rockies
2. Dodgers
3. Giants
4. Padres
5. Diamondbacks

After a late run to claim lat season’s wild card, the Rockies are the trendy pick. The Dodgers have been solid contenders the past 2 years, but when Vicente Padilla is your opening day starter, you know a team has issues. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain keep the Giants in the conversation, but they still have a great lack of offense. The Padres (who bear a striking resemblance to Ed Wade’s old Phillie teams) and Diamondbacks are unlikely to compete.

Playoff Predictions:
AL:
Yankees over Rangers
White Sox over Red Sox
Yankees over White Sox

NL:
Phillies over Rockies
Cardinals over Braves
Phillies over Cardinals

World Series:
Phillies over Yankees