AllAboutThe'O'
4/1/2005, 11:36 PM
What are your picks for the upcoming MLB regular season? Here's how I think it shakes out:
AL East (in order)
Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Blue Jays, Devil Rays
The top two could be reversed, but on paper, the Yankees have the better team. But they could be done in by injuries, inconsistent starting pitching and chemistry issues, so the Red Sox could very well win the division. I think Sammy Sosa rebounds with the Orioles, and Lou Piniella will still wonder why he left Seattle to go back home and take over a perennial woebegone franchise.
AL Central
Twins, Tigers, Indians, White Sox, Royals
This may very well be the most interesting division in baseball. Actually, every team with the possible exception of the Royals could win the title. I think Detroit is ready to make a major move, but I still think the Tigers are a year away. The Twins will reload for another run, and the White Sox are definitely a mystery team.
AL West
Angels, Rangers, Athletics, Mariners
Even though I'm a Rangers fan, and I think we'll have another good season, they're a year away from being serious contenders. Right now, I'll put the Angels at the top because of their overall talent. The A's will sorely miss the 1-2 punch of Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder and the Mariners will be improved but not enough to make a run at the division title.
NL East
Braves, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Nationals
I'm finally learning my lesson this year. Until they don't win it, the road to the NL East crown goes through Atlanta. Hudson and the return of Smoltz to the rotation will give the Braves the edge solely because of that. Mets will be a fun team to watch, they had a good offseason, and the Marlins will contend if their starting pitching stays healthy. Nationals finally have a home, but still reside in a brutal division.
NL Central
Astros, Cardinals, Cubs, Reds, Pirates, Brewers
Like the AL Central, could easily be flip flopped between the top three or four teams. If Pettitte stays healthy and Clemens continues his Cy Young form, the Astros could do it. Mulder gives Cardinals the starting ace they lack but the Cubs have health issues with their rotation. Watch out for the Reds, they probably won't win the division but they'll be a team no one wants to face. Of course, one factor will depend on the health of Griffey. Pirates and Brewers have some good young faces but still reside in the bottom of the division.
NL West
Giants, Padres, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Rockies
Even without Barry Bonds, the Giants have enough talent to win the division. Dodgers have too many holes to fill and the Padres are still trying to figure out how to hit the big fly at Petco. D'backs will be improved while the Rockies may possibly sport the worst record in the majors.
AL Wildcard: Red Sox
NL Wildcard: Marlins
ALCS: Red Sox over Yankees (no comeback this time)
NLCS: Marlins over Braves (Braves fall short in the postseason again)
World Series: Red Sox over Marlins (as if New England and the city of Boston have already celebrated enough).
Your thoughts?
AL East (in order)
Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Blue Jays, Devil Rays
The top two could be reversed, but on paper, the Yankees have the better team. But they could be done in by injuries, inconsistent starting pitching and chemistry issues, so the Red Sox could very well win the division. I think Sammy Sosa rebounds with the Orioles, and Lou Piniella will still wonder why he left Seattle to go back home and take over a perennial woebegone franchise.
AL Central
Twins, Tigers, Indians, White Sox, Royals
This may very well be the most interesting division in baseball. Actually, every team with the possible exception of the Royals could win the title. I think Detroit is ready to make a major move, but I still think the Tigers are a year away. The Twins will reload for another run, and the White Sox are definitely a mystery team.
AL West
Angels, Rangers, Athletics, Mariners
Even though I'm a Rangers fan, and I think we'll have another good season, they're a year away from being serious contenders. Right now, I'll put the Angels at the top because of their overall talent. The A's will sorely miss the 1-2 punch of Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder and the Mariners will be improved but not enough to make a run at the division title.
NL East
Braves, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Nationals
I'm finally learning my lesson this year. Until they don't win it, the road to the NL East crown goes through Atlanta. Hudson and the return of Smoltz to the rotation will give the Braves the edge solely because of that. Mets will be a fun team to watch, they had a good offseason, and the Marlins will contend if their starting pitching stays healthy. Nationals finally have a home, but still reside in a brutal division.
NL Central
Astros, Cardinals, Cubs, Reds, Pirates, Brewers
Like the AL Central, could easily be flip flopped between the top three or four teams. If Pettitte stays healthy and Clemens continues his Cy Young form, the Astros could do it. Mulder gives Cardinals the starting ace they lack but the Cubs have health issues with their rotation. Watch out for the Reds, they probably won't win the division but they'll be a team no one wants to face. Of course, one factor will depend on the health of Griffey. Pirates and Brewers have some good young faces but still reside in the bottom of the division.
NL West
Giants, Padres, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Rockies
Even without Barry Bonds, the Giants have enough talent to win the division. Dodgers have too many holes to fill and the Padres are still trying to figure out how to hit the big fly at Petco. D'backs will be improved while the Rockies may possibly sport the worst record in the majors.
AL Wildcard: Red Sox
NL Wildcard: Marlins
ALCS: Red Sox over Yankees (no comeback this time)
NLCS: Marlins over Braves (Braves fall short in the postseason again)
World Series: Red Sox over Marlins (as if New England and the city of Boston have already celebrated enough).
Your thoughts?