MLB Weekly - Season Preview

Since the baseball season starts tomorrow, I thought I would do a preview for the upcoming season. Here are my predictions and analysis for each division.

AL EAST

1. Boston Red Sox

2. New York Yankees

3. Toronto Blue Jays

4. Tampa Bay Rays

5. Baltimore Orioles

Analysis: This was a tough one for me to pick. I have questions about both the Red Sox & Yankees starting pitching, so I'll give the edge to the Red Sox to win the division since they are the champs. However, I make that choice knowing that I am picking the Yankees to be the Wild Card team in the AL. I think if Boston or New York gets injuries then Toronto will be the second place team. I really like Toronto's starting pitching but I'm not sold on their offense. Tampa Bay is still a year away from being a legitimate threat in my eyes.

AL Central

1. Cleveland Indians

2. Detroit Tigers

3. Chicago White Sox

4. Minnesota Twins

5. Kansas City Royals

Analysis: This was another tough decision because I feel that the loser of this division will miss the playoffs. I'm not sure Cleveland will get the same pitching performances from their starters as they did last year but I think they are going to win the division. Despite Detroits ridiculous lineup, I do have some questions about their starting pitching and bullpen as well and I think this will cost them in the end. Chicago could be pesky this year, I expect them to finish around .500

AL West

1. Los Angeles Angels

2. Seattle Mariners

3. Texas Rangers

4. Oakland Athletics

Analysis: I think this is the Angels division to lose and this is definitely the weakest of the 3 AL divisions. The Mariners can win this division if LA doesn't recover from the injuries to Lackey and Escobar right now. Seattle's pitching should be improved this year with the addition of Erik Berdard but I am not impressed with their offense and this will keep them from making the playoffs.

NL East

1. New York Mets

2. Philadelphia Phillies

3. Atlanta Braves

4. Florida Marlins

5. Washington Nationals

Analysis: In the NL East, I expect the Mets to take this division and be the top team in the NL. The Phillies are probably the only legimate threat to beat the Mets in the division because I don't see the Braves having enough offense to compete here. I am taking the Phillies as my Wild Card team because I think the West teams will beat each other up and I don't think anyone in the Central is good enough to win 90 plus games besides the Cubs.

NL Central

1. Chicago Cubs

2. Milwaukee Brewers

3. Cincinnati Reds

4. St Louis Cardinals

5. Houston Astros

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

Analysis: In the NL Central, I have to go with the Cubs although I'm not completely impressed with their pitching. I think the Brewers will push the Cubs for the division and the Reds will surprise some teams and finish above .500

NL West

1. Arizona Diamondbacks

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

3. Colorado Rockies

4. San Diego Padres

5. San Francisco Giants

Analysis: The NL West is going to be a dogfight in my eyes. I'm going with the D'Backs simply because of the Dan Haren/Brandon Webb duo at the top of their rotation. I think this will be the deciding factor that puts them over the top. However, I think the Dodgers will definitely make a run at the division and if they can muster enough offense I can see them challenging for a playoff spot. The Rockies will be in the mix too but I don't think they can match the magic of last season. I expect a dropoff from the Padres because I think their offense will be suspect and Trevor Hoffman is starting to slow down in my opinion as well.

So here are my picks for the playoffs, which are definitely subject to change since the season is so long:

ALDS

Cleveland Indians over Boston Red Sox

LA Angels over NY Yankees

NLDS

NY Mets over Chicago Cubs

Arizona D'Backs over Philadelphia Phillies

ALCS

Cleveland Indians over LA Angels

NLCS

NY Mets over Arizona D'Backs

World Series

NY Mets over Cleveland Indians

Here are my picks for MVP & CY Young:

AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera

NL MVP: David Wright

AL CY Young: Erik Bedard

NL CY Young: Johan Santana