MLB 2008 Preview

Since it is the official Opening Day of the 2008 Major League Baseball season, I figured I would throw out some predictions that everyone can make fun of me for later, as well as one thought on each team.

AL East:
1. Boston Red Sox - I just don't see them failing to win the division after getting over the hump last season.
2. New York Yankees - Didn't do enough to the pitching staff to make me take them over the Red Sox and maybe even miss the playoffs.
3. Toronto Blue Jays - Keep spending, but too much competition.
4. Tampa Bay Rays - New name (sort of), new attitude, young and eager team - could be similar to 2006 Marlins, who vastly overachieved.
5. Baltimore Orioles - Just not very good.

AL Central:
1. Detroit Tigers - Huge offseason pickups and have both the hitting and pitching to win this tight division.
2. Cleveland Indians - Playoff capable, but Tigers, Yanks and Red Sox too much to overcome.
3. Minnesota Twins - This team could surprise, but the lack of Santana will doom them in '08.
4. Kansas City Royals - I just think their ever so slightly better than the White Sox this season, but have no justifiable reason why (see 2007 Cleveland Browns).
5. Chicago White Sox - 1/2 of the 2005 World Series, but will join the Astros as cellar dwellers in 2008.

AL West:
1. Anaheim Angels - Did just enough in the offseason to stay ahead of the Mariners and A's.
2. Seattle Mariners - New pitching staff will make this team competitive, but will fall just short of both the Angels and the wild card.
3. Oakland A's - Just haven't done enough to stay competitive.
4. Texas Rangers - See Baltimore Orioles.

AL Wild Card: Yankees
AL Champions: Red Sox

NL East:
1. New York Mets - They will not choke again.
2. Atlanta Braves - They are back and will be the wild card this year.
3. Philadelphia Phillies - Still strong, but NL East too tough.
4. Washington Nationals - New ballpark, same results.
5. Florida Marlins - Now minus Miguel Cabrera, so they are dunzo.

NL Central:
1. Milwaukee Brewers - This is the year they break through and break the hearts of Cubs fans for the 100th straight year (or 99th or something).
2. Chicago Cubs - When you rely on Carlos Zambrano as your ace, results may vary.
3. Cincinnati Reds - Not that they are good, but Pirates, Cards and Stros are just that bad.
4. St. Louis Cardinals - It all depends on the health of Pujols and whether the revamped rotation can win the close ones.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates - Still the Pirates.
6. Houston Astros - I don't know if I am putting them down here to hedge my fandom and thus, be impressed if they do better, or if they really deserve to be down here. Hitting and team speed is vastly improved, but pitching staff is beyond horrible.

NL West:
1. Colorado Rockies - Last year was no fluke.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks - I picked them correctly last year to win the West, but don't have the same feeling this year.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers - I just don't see them overtaking the Rockies or D-Backs this season.
4. San Diego Padres - I have trouble putting them third, but this division will come down to the waning weeks of September before a winner will be declared.
5. San Francisco Giants - Will be going against Baltimore for worst record this season.

NL Wildcard: Atlanta Braves
NL Champion: New York Mets

World Series: Mets over Red Sox in 6.