Now that the Wiz has given his bold predictions for the upcoming baseball season ( I still cant get over picking the White Sox for the wild card) its time to give mine.
American League
East- Boston Red Sox
I think the Sox so called pitching problems are a little bit overblown as they still have the best pitching in the American League. I think any team would take on these so called problems. Manny is primed for perhaps the best season of his career which is really saying something. I expect them to get off to a slow start because of the Japan trip but they should hang on for a division win. The Yankees will always be there because they have a monster offense but the people in the "Yankee Universe" think Phil Hughes is the second coming of Nolan Ryan. The Blue Jays are just always cursed by injuries on key players from some reason. The Rays are not that bad. They actually have pitching with Kazmir and Matt Garza. I would not be surprised if they challenge the Blue Jays for the third spot. Baltimore is for another day.
West- Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have the best pitching. Getting Bedard in the off season was brilliant move and hes going to be even better in that pitchers ball park. Felix Hernandez should be ready to fulfill his potential. JJ Putz is a top flight closer. That combination plus a good offense equals a division title. The Angels could contend but already too many injuries to their pitching staff and they will miss Orlando Cabrera more than they think. The Rangers can never pitch and the A's fans should enjoy these days they have in first place but it will be their only days in it.
Central- Detroit Tigers
The Tigers made the most noise in the off season by shelling out the big bucks for the D-Train and Miguel Cabrera. I really like their starters. Willis will have the common tough adjustment to the AL but they still have Verlander and Bonderman. Their bullpen has red flags everywhere and that will be their achilles heel come October. But an offense can just mash its way through a division and that's what I see this team doing. What a freighting middle of the order. 1 through 9 they are scary as well. I'm not sure how CC Sabathia can recover from throwing so many innings last year and we all saw what he was like the playoffs and its tough to recover from something that. Travis Hafner should bounce back and have a normal Hafner year and Grady Sizemore is one of the 10 best players in baseball. I don't see the White Sox competing at all. The Twins are in a rebuilding year and the Royals are continuing their 10 years rebuilding process.
Wild Card- Cleveland Indians
The Indians have a little more pitching than any other team competing for the Wild Card and that's why they will get it. Plus, they have Grady Sizemore.
National League
East- New York Mets
The addition of Santana should blind the New York media from last years historic collapse. But if they get off to a rough start, the media will be applying the pressure to this team. The Phillies don't have enough pitching after Cole Hamels but they will hit the ball all over the place with Howard, Rollins, and Utley. I like the Braves pitching staff plus a full year of Mark Teixeria will be big. The Marlins are starting from scratch again and the Nats have too many thugs.
West- Arizona Diamondbacks
They have great young players all over the field with Young, Drew, Tracy, and Jackson. The addition of Danny Haren along with Webb and a healthy Randy Johnson gives them a strong rotation. Last year they found ways to win one-run games and I see them doing that again. I'm interested to see how the Rockies react to being expected to win instead of just coming out of no where. Joe Torre was the Dodgers biggest addition in the off season but he should destroy their bullpen by July. Ive been waiting for the Padres to actually win something for awhile and I am tired of waiting. The Giants are just now ridding themselves of Barry Bonds and are starting over.
Central- Chicago Cubs
Carlos Zambrano is nice and fresh from being pulled in last years Game 1 of the ALDS and should have a big year. They have the best offense in the division with Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano. Kerry Wood gives them a fearless closer if he is used properly and can stay healthy. The rest of the division has zero pitching. The Reds have none, The entire Cardinal rotation is on the DL, all the Brewers have is Ben Sheets, all the Astros have is Oswalt, and the Pirates are the NL version of the Royals.
Wild Card- Atlanta Braves
I really like the Braves this season. I like their mix of young and veteran pitchers plus the full year of a middle of the order with Teixeria, Chipper, and Francoeur. Bobby Cox always gets the best out of his ball club and I expect no different this year.
World Series
Red Sox over Mets in 6
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