No, I have not abandoned my little corner or the internets, folks. I just didn't have anything to say at present. Or better yet, have decided to hold off on political posting for the meantime, and am lucky to have the baseball season upon us in short order (tonight for Braves and Phillies fans.) Since I have some little time left, let me put out my picks for the oncoming season. How right am I? Have I studied the teams enough? Do I have any idea of what I am talking about? You may be the judge of that. I, of course, think I am spot on and perfect. Thus the picks:
American League East
- New York Yankees
- Tampa Bay Rays (WC)
- Boston Red Sox
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Baltimore Orioles
This is among the toughest divisions not only to play in but so too to pick. Many are picking the Sox to win the whole thing. I just don't see how they get by without Manny given the strengths of the other teams. The Yankees have become younger and cheaper all at once. I still don't entirely trust that Sabathia will be the best buy in the long run, but for now he remains a stellar pitcher and with the addition of him and Burnett (with Pettitte in the 5th starter role) they have a decent rotation. So too do the Rays return a very strong team. They will not surprise this year, but they will compete with great pitching and defense and young players capable of the big play. They may drop a bit from last year's height. This leaves the Sox the odd man out. Boston will still compete however, leaving Toronto and Baltimore the punching bags of the division.
American League Central
- Cleveland Indians
- Detroit Tigers
- Chicago White Sox
- Minnesota Twins
- Kansas City Royals
In great contrast to their eastern league members, the central division is not a strong one. In truth, it is difficult to figure if the west or central is worse, top to bottom. The teams in this division all maintain a strong core of good players, but each lack the players to round out the staff in such a way as to dominate. Of them all, I think Cleveland is the best bet to win out, though Detroit has the capabilities, with strong performances by all involved, to come out ahead. Chicago and Minnesota both do not have sufficient strength to counter their betters and the Royals remains a wasteland of a team and an embarrassment to Kansas City and the league. Every time I hold out some hope for them, they let me down.
American League West
- Anaheim Angels of California in Los Angeles
- Oakland Athletics
- Texas Rangers
- Seattle Mariners
The Angels remain the class of this division on paper but they start the season with starting pitching woes. Due to that, the gap between them and a vastly improved Oakland lessons, but I still think the Angels win out. Texas may have some talent, but not enough to win the division and Seattle only has Junior's return to cheer. They have a season full of one last lap to rejoice over and that's nice.
National League East
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Atlanta Braves (WC)
- New York Mets
- Florida Marlins
- Washington Nationals
I cannot pick the Braves to win the division this year, however it would not shock me to see such an outcome. The Phillies must be given some respect for winning it all last year and their core remains solid, though injury to Cole Hamels is troublesome. The Mets have improved themselves as well, though their hapless management remains paramount in my mind when I consider them. I do think the Braves and Mets will be very close this year and if the Braves squeak into the wild card slot, it will be by a very, very close margin. The Marlins too have a sneaky bunch down there and it is possible their youthful and talented team could and likely will compete. And the Natspos remain a joke, sorry to say. They may be a difficult team to keep down but they will not win.
National League Central
- Chicago Cubs
- Milwaukee Brewers
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Cincinnati Reds
- Houston Astros
- Pittsburgh Pirates
Chicago is clearly the class of this division and may be poised to be best in the league if everything hits on all cylinders, but when does that ever happen? They have little fear from their division members, however. Milwaukee and St. Louis are a step ahead and both Cincinnati and Houston have some promising parts, but none have a whole enough to compete with Chicago. And Pittsburgh remains the pits (excuse the pun.)
National League West
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- San Francisco Giants
- Colorado Rockies
- San Diego Padres
Again, the Dodgers are far and away better than the other teams here. Arizona and San Fran both have talent and the Rockies can compete a little, but none have the all around tools like Los Angeles. The Manny signing helps tremendously. San Diego is treading water and look for Jake Peavy to be moved before the trade deadline. I read talk that the Angels are interested and that may be a good fit.
For the postseason:
Division Series:
Yankees over Indians
Rays over Angels
Phillies over Los Angeles
Cubs over Braves
Championship Series:
Yankees over Rays
Cubs over Phillies
World Series:
Cubs over Yankees in seven games
And there you have it. It sucks picking against the Braves given such good pitching, but I still think they lack enough offense to really compete with the big boys and their wild card will be luck more than anything (if they even make it that far.) The Cubs are due and have a very good team, all things considered. I might pick the Yankees, Rays or even the Phillies again to win it all (or even Boston or the Mets if they were to make it to the postseason), but I am sticking with the Cubs. Call it a sentimental pick. We'll revisit at the end of the season and see how I did. Hopefully more baseball blogging in the near future. I am certainly excited about the season starting yet again. It is always a highlight of my year. That is all.
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