MLB Predictions

(It may be a couple weeks late, but here are my final standing predictions as decided before the season started.)

AL East
1. Yankees--lineup is simply too solid to bet against.
2. Red Sox--pitching will carry them while Dice-K won't be best starter
3. Blue Jays--the dark horse I always pull for in this division has to settle for 3rd
4. Devil Rays--as Lou Brown would say, "there may be a couple future all-stars in there"
5. Orioles--this team needs to make a move or two to even be legit

AL Central
1. White Sox--rockstar rotation returns to form after off year while A.J. and Co. find a way to return to playoffs
2. Indians--after two straight years of barely missing the cut they miss it again and lose WC to Boston
3. Twins--barely edge Detroit because of Santana's 20+ wins...again,
4. Tigers--a bold pick to bet against young Tigers, I just don't see a repeat season
5. Royals--sadly enough, stuck in cellar again because Central is just too damn good

AL West
1. Angels--they win division only because someone has to
2. Athletics--they place second in the division only because someone has to
3. Rangers--Sammy "Corky" Sosa gets to 600 as highlight of season
4. Mariners--I say good riddance to Jeff Weaver as he struggles without the magic touch of Dave Duncan

NL East
1. Mets--hate to say it, but a new powerhouse in National League will emerge with Reyes/Beltran putting up MVP numbers
2. Braves--will come in a very close second as Braves bounce back to claim WC
3. Phillies--Ryan Howard proves to be a fluke (a la Adrien Beltre) as Chase Utley doesn't live up to guady contract
4. Marlins--very young team will show improvement but not make playoffs for another year or two
5. Nationals--see Orioles above

NL Central
1. Cardinals--defending champs' shaky pitching backed by lineup of usual suspects while Pujols does business as always
2. Brewers--pitching rotation rebounds from injury, Brew Crew youngsters mature, and Italian Sausage wins race
3. Cubs--good offseason moves (Lilly+Floyd) only take Cubbies so far if franchise hopes still hang on two lost causes (Wood+Prior)
4. Reds--Griffey has good year but Arroyo and Harang remain question marks
5. Pirates--Bucs avoid cellar again...barely
6. Astros--quite a load placed on Oswalt's shoulders as aging team waits out Biggio's 3000th hit and Clemens' decision (to sign elsewhere)

NL West
1. Dodgers--this rotation will make claim as best in baseball even without Maddux
2. Diamondbacks--return of Randy Johnson results in more wins
3. Padres--anyone think Maddux will retire a Pad?
4. Rockies--the Blue Jays of the National League, a team I always cheer on for some odd reason
5. Giants--lost Schmidt, gave all their money to Zito, and franchise still revolves around Barroid Bonds--could be a long season for bay area fans

And my go-out-on-a-limb awards:

AL MVP: Jim Thome--in my opinion, one of the great hitters in the game today, will take ChiSox back to ALCS
NL MVP: Carlos Beltran--will become more consistant and thrive off having good hitters around him
AL Cy Young: Johan Santana--OK, not really going out on a limb, but until he shows otherwise, he may be the best pitcher in baseball
NL Cy Young: Roy Oswalt--repeats last year's good stats even on last place team and gets nod this year (apologies to my man, Carpenter)
AL Comeback Player of Year: Sammy Sosa--how's this for a ridiculous pick?
NL Comeback Player of Year: Ben Sheets--falls short of Cy Young but puts together solid/complete season