MLB Picks

I decided I should publish my thoughts on the divisions here quickly before it looks as though I have jumped on any band wagons. I will not be doing any playoff predictions however. I think it's foolish. Considering injuries, teams simply getting hot at the right time, and the weather can throw a whole entire postseason off real quick. So here's my regular season picks.


AL West

1) Anaheim Angels (Don't get me started with the name)
--Basically the same team as last year, only improvements in a couple areas--A better bat at Short in Cabrera, and the elimination of a cancer to the clubhouse (Jose Guillen) replaced by a timeless Steve Finley who will only help Garrett Anderson and Vladi see better pitches.

2) Texas Rangers
--With an infield like this (Teixera, Soriano, Young, and Blalock) it is only a poor pitching staff that will hold them back. However if we see a Chis Young live up to his young potential, and Kenny Rogers solidify his spot on the rotation, they will keep Anaheim lookin over the shoulders. In fact don't be surprised to see Texas really make a push come July 31st. Teixera is amongst many trade talks around the majors. If the Rangers could pin down a veteran starter in return for Teixera it could make things a lot more interesting down the stretch.
3) Seattle Mariners
--The Mariners spent a lot of money this offseason. Whether they delegated it well or not is yet to be seen. But after spending big bucks on a two power hitters it is safe to say that you should expect some more offense out of this team. Maybe even as much as their 2001 team produced. Sexson and Beltre will add a lot of pop to this lineup not too mention will help the confidence of Raul Ibañez and Bret Boone. Sexson and Beltre solidify an infield defense that will make Jamie Moyer and Gil Meche look like geniuses out there on the mound. Don't forget about that maniacal Ichiro at the top of that lineup as well.
4) Oakland Athletics
--Like any Billy Beane team you can always count the pitching staff to be full of phenoms. And that is what this team is going to need to rely on. Young starters. Joe Blanton, Danny Haren, and Rich Harden. However the A's lack in one big category. Power. The only real big threat in that lineup is Eric Chavez. After that you may see some splurges from Eric Byrnes and possibly Nick Swisher. Coming down the stretch you may see this team start to show some signs of age. Yes, too much pressure for these young guys. Especially when their lineup will be scoring about 3 runs a game for them. Also don't be surprised to see the band Maxeen come out with a single that will sweep the nation much like Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel. The song will build up to a touching part of the song where the lyric "Where have you gone Barry Zito?" will have Oakland fans in tears.

AL Central

1) Minnesota Twins
--With a healthy Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau this team has ample opportunity to add the long ball to their already perfected small ball. Johan Santana and his change will add to a dominating starting rotation. One that led the AL in ERA last year and has a great potential in Joe Mays returning to the staff. If Kyle Lohse can fix what's between his ears you're lookin at a starting rotation very similar to the 1991 Twins. Look for Torii Hunter, and Jacque Jones's power numbers to rise with a little protection from a new monster by the name of Justin Morneau.

2) Chicago White Sox
--Could most definitely put a scare in the Twins this year. Ya know, they say if you can't beat 'em join 'em. And the White Sox have finally taken that advice. And as weird as it is, they have joined onto the Twins philosophy of small ball, or as Ozzie Guillen says "Smart Ball". With Podsednik running all over pitchers it definitely could add something to this team that shines a new light on them. A light that is much more intimidating than years past.

3) Cleveland Indians
--Much power from top to bottom of this lineup. Although much of it is young power and are prone to sophomore slumps. Even still, if this team can hold up the power as well as some fine starting pitching (Sabathia, Westbrook) they'll be just what they were last year. A team that poses a threat for much of the season, but after being swept by a Twins or White Sox in a series in August will let all the air out of the balloon. Let's not forget that they did nothing to improve a shaky, at best, bullpen.

4) Detroit Tigers
--A lot of talk can help you walk, but it can also make you stumble. In this case the Tigers will stumble. This was a team that snuck up on a lot of people last year and made a name for themselves. However this year the central division will be ready for them. How could they have not snuck up on people? They had one of the worst records in MLB history in 2003. The division will be ready this time around. Free agent pickup Magglio Ordoñez has very tempermental health, and this new revamped bullpen is simply a bomb waiting to explode. We have never seen all that great of things come out of Farnsworth (who is a head case) and Urbina (who you could apply the old phrase "When it rains, it pours". Percival is simply too old.

5) Kansas City Royals
--Not much to say about these guys. Mike Sweeney is the lone star on this team. However this is not a completely lost cause. Keep your eyes on Zach Greinke. Look for him to possibly be a Yankee within the next few years too.

AL East

1) NY Yankees
--Don't let this Red Sox nation fool you. Yankee pride will indeed prevail. Although I am not so sure about their postseason play. It is hard to think that you could hold down that offense for 2 out of three games in a series or 3 out of 4 in a series. Yeah their pitching is indeed store bought and whether their chemicals will mix with the Yankees fans well will be seen. Like their pickups in Loaiza and Vasquez we saw that simply buying stars from other teams does not work every time. But like I say, this is an offense that is just too powerful. Look for Matsui to come out and surprise a lot of people this year. He has only improved as years in the majors have gone along. Players like Jeter, and Bernie will have key plays down the stretch that will deflate the Sox.
2) Boston Red Sox
--"HAHAHAHA. Boy wasn't that fun getting all interested in baseball last year? I mean wow, screwups beating the aristocrats. And that movie Fever Pitch? Baseball is like totally like I mean the dopest sports now."----Oh man. I can't stand those BoSox and all of their "nation". But I will try to be unbiased as possible here. Yeah they have a helluva lot of power in their lineup. But you must consider that a lot of those guys had career years last year and to demand similar seasons out of those screwups is difficult. Clement will be a key addition, however don't expect anything spectacular out of an aged Curt Schilling. This division is more difficult than last year and will pose much more of a threat. Don't count on them for postseason action.
3) Toronto Blue Jays
--Here again we have a small ball team. With the addition of Koskie and the subtraction of Delgado you may think they took a step down. But now they have strengthened what was very weak defense and have a young phenom in Russ Adams at short. Lily, and Halladay should hold down their rotation. This could be a Detroit Tigers of sorts for this year. They might come out and surprise some people.
4) Tampa Bay Devil Rays
--Hey! Can you name more than two players on this team? No? Well that's good this team is full of great prospects from great drafts like Gathright, Brazelton, and Crawford. These guys no doubt will have some fun pestering the Yanks and the BoSox. Scott Kazmir is indeed a fun prospect to look after. And don't forget about Hideo Nomo. Many old players like Nomo use Tampa as a time to turn their career around or simply retire (much like the rest of the citizen from Florida). We'll see if Nomo can do the former and lead these young kids to a respectable above .500 finish.
5) Baltimore Orioles
--Well done Peter Angelos. You have once again brought more old balls to the team. Sammy Sosa? Amongst much contreversy, how about adjusting to a new team for the first time in well over a decade, not to mention a new league. I just don't see great things there. Raffy is getting to old (even if he can still get him self up-it's still chemically stimulated, not natural) And in Sosa's case without his chemicals he will find himself looking a little bashful up at the plate.

AL Wild Card

1) Chicago White Sox
2) Boston Red Sox
3) Texas Rangers
4) Seattle Mariners
5) Toronto Blue Jays


NATIONAL LEAGUE
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NL West

1) LA Dodgers (Don't count them out simply cuz they have a dumb GM)
--Alright they have possibly the dumbest GM in baseball. They nurse along the phenom Adrian Beltre for years and years and waited through all of his failures (not too mention the organization gettin in big trouble for signing the kid when he was 15 years old.) One year he finally turns into a top tier player and they don't even so much as make an offer for him. And then letting go of a hero in the timeless Steve Finley. Anyone else remember that walk off home run he had last year agains their big rival Giants to get in the playoffs? Holy crap was that awesome. But no they thought Jeff Kent and JD Drew would replace them just fine. These two will do a OK job keeping the power surge goin for the Blue. As overpayed as Derek Lowe is he is a gamer and will throw some big games for these guys. You can expect some consitency out of Odalis and Weaver to an extent. You do have large question marks with Elmer Dessens (pronounced DAH-sunz) and Scott Erickson. As soon as Penny is healthy again (who they are nursing along slowly) he will be ready to go and help this team grab the title again. Champions of the division indeed, but had so much more potential before the free agent season came last winter.
2) San Diego Padres
--The Pad's have the best shot at dethroning the defending division champs. With wonderful talent in Jake Peavy, a veteran in Woody Williams, and much potential from Adam Eaton and Brian Lawrence. Their offense lacks though and will prevent them from getting into the playoff picture. Look out for Trevor Hoffman to start showing some signs of age as well. Yes they will indeed make a push for a title this year, but they will come up just short. Sean Burroughs and Khalil Greene need to produce like their potential says and they may find themselves in the playoffs. But that might not happen for a year or two. A bullpen revamp is needed as well.
3) San Francisco Giants
--A buncha old fogies hopin and hopin they won't end up on the DL. Yeah I'd have to say that they have a decent chance at stayin healthy as they historically have. However, these are guys who are gettin old and to expect previous numbers from these guys seems ridiculous to me. A tempermental Benitez will make closing games entertaining, and after Jason Schmidt it's a lot of question marks. Noah Lowry and Jerome Williams have potential as well. This lineup will hurt without Bonds in there. They are going to see more difficult pitches. An interesting strategy to go for veterans but I don't think it'll work.
4) Arizona Diamondbacks
--Well don't expect too much improvement from last year. I guess only that it can only get better after last year's record. Tracy will be a fun rookie to have at first. Luis Gonzalez will be healthy this season and we'll see if his numbers from a couple years back are for real. Otherwise the pitching looks pretty sad. Glaus adds quite a bit of power too, but this team still has a lot more improvement ahead of them in their pitching. Not the bottom of the division, but just above the Rockies.
5) Colorado Rockies
--Hey hey, a pathetic team. Even management doesn't believe in them. Todd Helton is the only thing they have going for them and don't be surprised to see them unload the long time Rockie before the trading deadline. This team is desparate for pitching. They put a ton of money into the staff by signing Denny Neagle and Mike Hamption to huge deals, but the problem was that they were veterans. Guys who are easily intimidated with the norms of ballparks. What this team needs is some great pitching prospects that don't know any better. That is the only chance this team has at success. Ever since they made the playoffs back in 1995 there has been a terrible stigma with this thin air business. Yeah it makes the balls fly and pitchers' ERA sky rocket, but there is a chance to build a winning team out there. But sadly this will not be the year.

NL Central

1) St Louis Cardinals
--Pujols? Edmonds? Rolen? No question. There's no getting by these guys. 3 guys capable of hitting 40+ HR's and 110RBI. Let's not forget about their gloves either. This team is full of great defense. Then take a look at the pitching. If Mulder doesn't feast on the NL it will surely be a dissappointment. Jason Marquis keeps showing us more like he should be, and Morris will indeed be a pleasant surprise after a year on the DL. This will be a runaway.
2) Chicago Cubs
--To keep Prior and Wood healthy? To be or not to be. If these Cubs wanna create a ruckus of band wagon jumpers pushing them through the playoffs they're going to need these two to be on the top of their game this season. This appeared to have lost a lot of pop in the offseason with Sosa and Alou leaving. And they did. Burnitz will be questionable outside of a Rockies jersey, and keep an eye on Ramirez's and Lee's numbers now that Sosa and Alou are out of the lineup. Also look for Nomar to remind people of his existence. Even if they do get the pitching and offense rolling their bullpen is so shaky. Latroy and Remlinger should make for a entertaining portion of the game for the opposing team. Cya later Cubs.
4) Houston Astros
5) Cincinnati Reds
6) Pittsburgh Pirates

NL East

1) Florida Marlins
2) Atlanta Braves
3) New York Mets
4) Washington Nationals
5) Philadelphia Phillies

NL Wild Card

1) Atlanta Braves
2) Chicago Cubs
3) San Diego Padres
4) New York Mets


Like I said no postseason predictions except this: THE BOSTON RED SOX AND THE CHICAGO CUBS WILL NOT WIN THE WORLD SERIES. PERIOD.

Barring injury:

AL MVP: Ichiro
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Rookie of the Year: Nick Swisher

NL MVP: Albert Pujols
NL Cy Young: Tim Hudson