A.L. East:
As much as it pains me to say, I will just say it flat out. I don't believe the Yankees will make the playoffs this year. Too much of their success is depended on young unproven pitchers and an aged Mariano Rivera. I'm not saying they won't compete, although there is a possibility the Blue Jays take 2nd, I just don't see them good enough to compete with the rest of the League. They are still going to win close to 90 games due to a great offense and pitching that is going to give them quality innings, just not enough. Other than a minor injury to Josh Beckett, the Red Sox have the same team plus a healthier David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Add the prospects of Bartolo Colon doing the unforeseen, the Red Sox could find themselves back in the WS as they have arguably the best closer in baseball.
A.L. Central:
Two great teams that area going to battle it out all season long and be able to take advantage of having the Royals, Twins, and White Sox in their division. Which is why I am 90% certain the A.L. Wild Card will lie in the Central. As I see the Tigers as the most improved and deepest squad, I believe they will win the division. The Indians still have a very competitive squad, but I think they will get trumped by Detroit's violent offense.
A.L. West:
The Mariners may have a chance to capitalize on John Lackey missing a chunk of baseball due to injury, but I am optimistic that the ace will return to baseball and give the shot in the arm needed to give the Angels another A.L. West title. I am sure the Mariners are going to put up a fight and keep a lead if and until Lackey returns, but I am on a wait-and-see basis with Erik Bedard because he still does not seem to be healthy. There isn't much else to fear in the West as the Athletics have stripped their team to the thinnest talent and the Rangers will be what the always are and what we think they are.
N.L. East:
Arguably the most competitive division in baseball with the Mets being the most complete team. With the addition of Johan Santana and a healthy Pedro Martinez, this team is going to be very hard to beat in a series. There only whole being depth on offense which could possibly be addressed during the season but it may be hard being that they have gotten rid of most their blue chips. The Phillies should keep a very close race but with their weakest link being their bullpen they may fall short to the Braves in the wild card race. Having one of the best triple threats in baseball could be the deciding factor that could send the Phils on their second straight playoff trip.
N.L. Central:
Still probably the weakest division in baseball as their is no clear cut favorite to win the division. All that said it should boil down to the Cubs taking it for their second straight year. After the Brewers did so much in the offseason before the 2006 season, they did the exact opposite and have arguably gotten worse after letting their 9th inning stalwart in Francisco Cordero get away to the Reds. The Brewers will definitely have a solid offense, but there is only one Albert Pujols and expecting the same out of Ryan Braun could be difficult with him dealing with the distractions that come with adjusting to a new position. Should we expect another gruelingly slow start out of the Cubbies bats this Spring, I doubt it. Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez, could be the top three triple threat behind Detroit's combo. Still nobody should count out the Reds as they found the missing piece that heavily contributed to their woes in 2007. Now the injury to Alex Gonzalez could prove detrimental as he has supreme importance to their defense.
N.L. West:
If the East isn't the most competitive, the West has to be as they have 4 teams that could legitimately win the division in their own unique ways. After the addition of Danny Haren, the Diamondbacks have got to be the odds on favorites in my opinion. But it won't be that easy for them as they have some question in their bullpen with Brandon Lyons being their anchor. Many don't think the Rockies will repeat, but that is natural for a perceived cinderella team. This division will undoubtedly come down to who can score the most runs as all of them have very strong rotations. Being that they are going to beat each other down a lot this year, I still think the wild card will end up in the East as they will have the Nationals and the Marlins to play. However this is going to be the most watched and interesting divisions right down to the end.
WS Tigers vs Mets
Tigers win.
