How does San Diego appear out of nowhere ( based on your division finishes) and lose to Chicago? Did the Dodgers concede the title to the Padres? As Houston did the least to improve their team in the offseason I am suprised you have them as the wild card. The wildcard will again be from the West with the winner of the Central participating in the playoffs only on the premise of winning their division,not on winning percentage. A bunch of Free Agents does not a Winner make.

Pedro missed large chunks throughout last season and the Mets somehow managed, and if there is one certainty in life its that the Phillies will find a way to choke out of the playoffs. Position for position the Mets are better at nearly every spot, with the exception of the right side of the in field and the rotation. Better lineup + better bullpen = better record. Don't be surprised.

michael:

Damn! Thanks for bringing the error to my attention. I had changed my previous pick of the Padres to the Dodgers and forgot to change my playoff predictions before I posted the entry. (I would still stick by pick of that whoever comes out of the West will lose to the Cubbies.) Sorry for the confusion!

will g.:

Your equation leaves out one thing: Questionable starting pitching = having to go to the bullpen A LOT in all liklihood = tired bullpen by the All-Star break and into August=no playoffs. Great lineup, though; the Mets will need it for all the runs they're likely to cough up.

How can you leave the braves out of the mix. As long as cox is around the braves will always be contenders. I predict at least a second place finish and a trip to the playoffs........

Couldn't agree more with your AL selections, but in the NL West or Wildcard, I wouldnt' rule out the Dbacks, they made some big offseason moves for hitting, and young talent will be sweet. Not too sure about the Cubs either.

jeremy:

Here are the reasons I left the Braves out of the mix:
1. Starting pitching. Tim Hudson is solid, but Smoltz, while still a stud, has logged a LOT of innings the last 2 seasons on an arm that isn't getting any younger. After that, Hampton is a BIG question mark and James is effective, but wild.
2. Chipper's hamstrings.
3. Possible bullpen issues. The middle relief, if it did what did last year, especially in Villareal's case, it will keep the Braves in a lot of ball games. If not, ouch. And 39-year old Wickman as your closer? Not for long...
4. Plus it was nice to have the Braves NOT in the playoffs for a change. ;-)

That said, they have a very good lineup. I just wish Francouer would learn to take a walk every so often...

Joe:

Yeah, the NL West was a real crapshoot to pick—hence why I screwed up my post-season matchups. The DBacks (god those uni's are ugly) have GOT to get a better year out of Tracy and for Jackson to start displaying the power he's capable of in order to avoid losses of 2-1, 2-0, 3-2 all-season long. Good pitching staff, though!

Ya know, if Prior stays healthy, and Lilly pitches well, and Wood doesn't fall apart, and Lee's wrist is OK, and Soriano and Lou get along....Now you know why I said they look good on paper! LOL

March Madness is the next big thing to come up. Until then, a big yawn is in order.

Dafool.com - Everything Foolish blog

Yes, the endless banter about "bracketing" and whether or not the likes of George Mason or South Dakota State will be invited to the Tournament is just breathtaking. Or, we could talk about the NBA—the Nothing But Ass**les league.

Wake me when the Tournament starts, otherwise I'd MUCH rather talk about baseball.

GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

as always PHILLIES CHOKE and METS WIN!!!
Philidelphia is at best a second rate and second place town in every way.
LETS GO METS

I agree with your selections in the AL including the gutsy pick in the AL Central putting Cleveland #1 and Detroit and ChiSox #3 and 4. However, don't be fooled by the Cubs' spending spree in the NL. The Cubs have added two middle of the road pitchers whose stuff doesn't match up with the Brewers. The Soriano signing was big, but not enough to make up for the glaring holes up the middle of the infield and at the outfield corners. The Cubs will finish no better than third.

Couldn't care less about that "other" league (read: AL), but in the Senior Circuit the Cardinals will rule again.

Accept fate. Accept fact. Redbirds will put up another pennant and another WS Championship.

See you all in October.

Philadelphia a second place town??? Are you crazy?

ZooTrouble

IT'S THE YEAR OF THE DODGERS!!!!

WOW...Two Mets fans talking about the Phillies choking? 97-65 and bowing out of the first round isnt choking???????????

Detroit is getting no respect. Do people think that it was fluke last year? They were in first place all season long. The pitching destroyed the Yanks in the playoffs and Maroth is back. It has only gotten better. Sheffield is the bat needed in the line up. Its gonna be a barn burner in the Central, but the Tigers are gonna take it.

P.S. you spelled Detroit wrong. No respect.

mets didnt choke in the first round dumbass, they lost the NLCS, where were the phils?

Chicago Cubs finish better than the Chicago White Sox? Are you high?

Here's why it's not going to happen:

1) Aramis Ramirez is an overpaid schmuck (it's hard not to be a Star on a team as bad as the Cubs). 2) Mark Prior (whom MLB scouts almost universally regard as "Mrs. Prior") is a head case and is not just done, he's desicated like Clark Griswold's Christmas turkey.
3) Kerry Wood tries hard, but can't seem to avoid injuring himself. What sort of guy breaks his ribs getting out of a hot tub?)
4) Soriano's a hell of a player, but I'm not sure he's "The Answer".
5) Even a skilled MLBD like Lou Pinella can't save the train wreck that is the Chicago Cubs.

Peter F: Are you a resident of Wrigleyville, by chance, as you seem to have an amazing case of terminal optimism.

Let's face it: having a large payroll does not a winner make. If that were the case, the Yankees (of whom I am a fan) would win the World Series. Every. Single. Year.

Yanks win the AL East again. But, get their butts handed to them again in the first round! Count on it.

Detroit in 3rd place in the central?....shows how much you really know about baseball. i am not even from detroit. they have the deepest team by far in all of baseball

All these Mets fans keep saying the Phils are going to choke?? cmon guys what happened to your boys last year?? i believe they are the ones who choked. nothing further on that matter.

Starting pitchers is everything in winning games! Im sorry Mets fans but my man Cole Hamels is going to tear it up this year and Howard is hands down getting another mvp year.

Milwaukee Brewers will finish first in NL Central and will go to World Series, Brewers starting 5 are all solid and if Sheets remains healthy the win it all, Chicago Cubs spent alot of money for a couple of number 4 starting pitchers and soriano is overated and a liability on defense. Cardinals have no pitching other than Carpnter and will finish third at Best. Cubs will finish 4th

OK, where are the Red Sox? I'm sorry, but Boston has arguable the best rotation in the AL. A lot of power arms and a decent bullpen + very good lineup = 2004 World Champs. The talent is there once again for Boston to not only take over the AL East, but the MLB. The BoSox will win the World Series.

Dave:

Let's review Boston's staff:
Dice-K: Two words: Hideki Irabu. Remember him? Long way to go before Dice-K becomes the saint and savior of the Sox.

Curt Schilling: The ERA keeps getting higher and higher each year. Love the guy, but...

Papelbon: Pitched 68 INN last year and has shoulder issues. And now he wants to be a starter? Eeesh.

Josh Beckett: 5.01 ERA. Yikes. 16 wins=lots of run support...and when will those blisters appear again?

Wakefield: Ugh. Charlie Hough he is not.

Boston's offense:
As always, very good with Manny (if he decides to show up) and Papi. After that? JD Drew is rejected by most insurance companies he gets hurt so much. Lugo, Crisp, Pedroia and Youk? Speed, but not much else...Crisp has a .317 OBP last year...for a leadoff hitter. Ugly. Lugo's decent; Pedroia is unproven. Varitek is aging fast. Lowell had a nice year...after several years in serious decline. The jury's out on him to repeat.

It's not that I don't want the Sox to beat the Yanks, but 2004 is looking to be a long, long, long time ago, especially given how powerful the AL Central has become. Lots of questions and if's for the Sox.

langtry:

I'll address each of your points:

First, nope, I'm not a member of Wrigleyville. I have the misfortune of being a Giants fan. But onwards...

1.) Aramis Ramirez is an overpaid schmuck? A schmuck who puts up monster numbers—31+HRs, 90+ (119 last year) RBI and bats close to or around .300, ALL each of the last 3 years. Schmuck? No.
2.) I agree, Kerry Wood is an accident waiting to happen. So seems Prior. I can rule out a Wood comeback, but Prior is too young and too talented; there's still hope for him. And I think Lou can light a fire under his ass, too. (I'm from Seattle, trust me, Lou will make a BIG difference in ChiTown.)
3.) Soriano is a Grade AAA stud. No...doubt...about it.

The biggest questions are around their pitching staff, obviously. But, unlike Boston, I think there are far, far fewer holes in the Cubs' O that just MIGHT be able to overcome pitching lapses.

P.S. Jason Marquis? Now there's a classic Cubs move for you...ugh.

I Like the sox, but I have to agree with Dave.

They will be great or be thinking about playing golf come late September

ted turner hasn't owned the braves since the 90's. you're a douchebag

bob,

However right you are about Turner selling the Braves, you are more the douchbag for missing the entire point of my comment: the Braves are falling into the proverbial toilet. And if you want to get picky, Turner, like it or not, will be forever linked—in reality or folklore—with the Braves (hell, the stadium is named after him ). If you don't like the reference, well, root for another team. Otherwise, lick my left one, f-wad.

i dont think thta the brewers are going 4th this year look for them to beat up on the cardinals and astros with there middle infielders back and there sured up pitching staff

Phillies will not choke this year. They got Freddy Garcia, who already knows what it is like to win it all. Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, and Adam Waton will own the Mets this year. Hopefully Jon Lieber will get traded for bullpen pitchers. Then we would kill even more. With Gordon, and Geary. And the offense is the best part. Howard, how many home runs 58!!! How many awards in 2 years. NL Rookie of the year and NL MYP!!!! Utley is probably the best 2b in the league. And Rollins is a good lead off man. I believe Burrell will do what he is expected to do backing up Howard. On the defense Rowand. How many top ten Sportscenter plays did he have last year.
My Philadelphia PHILLIES are winning it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure you're really in tune with reality on your comments of the Dodgers. TripleA batting champion (.380 average) .312 this spring - will likely take over at first base and move Nosemar over to third. The Dodgers were like 30-11 with Russell Martin behind the plate for them last season. They lost JD Drew but he is an injury scare and isn't worth the loss of sleep that entails. Andre Ethier was a candidate for rookie of the year last year until he ran into shoulder problems, but has been swinging a real hot bat in spring thus far. Gonzo has a good year left in him and our pitching staff is the best in the NL. Schmidt, Lowe, Penny, Wolf, Billingsley. The bullpen should be strong too, with Broxton (98mph) and Saito (2.14 era last year?) and what was his save percentage 93%? holding up the rear. The Jacksonville Suns were the minor league team of the year 2 years ago (Double A ball) and these players are going to make an impact for a long time. Just waiting on Andy LaRoche, and Matt Kemp. Kemp averaged what a homerun every 7 abs last year when he was called up? Granted his spring numbers arent hot now in spring.

Furcal SS
Pierre CF
Kent 2B
Loney 1B
Nomar 3B
Ethier RF
Gonzo LF
Martin C
--Pitcher--

Schmidt - pitched in WS
Lowe - pitched in WS
Penny - pitched in WS

Ugh, Dodger Defenders

That said...

Schmidt, Penny and Lowe pitched in the WS. Big whoop. That means squat until the post-season, and they have to make it there first.

Greg:

You make some points, but you make my point in that the Dodgers O is so anemic that they may have to dip down to the minors for help. Second, a rookie isn't going to move Nomar (Nosemar...haha), .312 AVG and all (so what? it's spring), so don't count on Loney being brought up to be a savior.

Gonzo and Kent? Please. They both need walkers just to get their positions. Diminished productivity in the past two years, could signal a significant decline in O from these two. (Two reminder words to keep in mind re: Gonzo: Steve Finely. Capice?)

I like Russell, Pierre (except for that sad OBP of his) and Furcal. Two nice 1-2 hitters and a good hitting backstop. But the middle of the order is VERY short on power and at Dodger Stadium that isn't good.

Ethier is a nice player, sure. But, there's always the Soph Jinx and scouts will find his holes sooner than later. We'll see what happens...

Outside of the Rockies, there's good pitching in the NL West, with the Dodgers having some of the strongest ones and a good BP. But even pitching will only take you so far in the REGULAR season; you've GOT to have hitting, too. The Men in Blue just don't scare any one, at least for now.

we all know the falcons are wining the worls series! u guys r dumb

Yo idiot who said the Falcons are going to win the world series. The Falcons are NHL every1 knows that. The Flyers are going to win the Series World DAH!!!!!!

It's true that the White Sox are weaker than they were in '05, but fourth? Not a chance. But to predict the scrubs to win their division? That's positively insane. If the scrubs and Sox changed leagues, the scrubs would battle the Royals for the basement, and the Sox would win the NL central by 20 games.

Can I have some of what you're smoking?

Forget about the Red Sox this year, Curt Schilling's past his prime and Dice-K will be woken from dream land when he sees the Yanks lineup. I would like to see a close race but in the end the Yanks are gonna blow away this division. However the playoffs are all about pitching so look fo Pettite to come up big in the playoffs.