Baseball 2005

Since we're only 2 days away from opening night, I guess I should get my predictions in. So, here goes.

NL EAST
1. ATLANTA BRAVES
2. FLORIDA MARLINS
3. NY METS
4. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
5. WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Atlanta's got one of the top three pitching staffs in the league and a solid line-up. This division's going to be pretty tough for them since it's gotten so much deeper, but I think they made some good moves to only pull of regular season greatness but maybe even post as well. Florida is as solid as they have been in the past three years. NY is much improved; defense is still average at best however. The Phillies are on a lot of lists to take this division, but they seem like the same choking ass team to me; I'm sick of hearing how this will be Burell's season, that guy is a slugger with no batting average, let's just face it. The Nationals could really be the surprise of this division, but that pitching staff looks a little scary; I just don't have the balls to pick them any higher.

NL CENTRAL
1. CHICAGO CUBS
2. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (w)
3. CINCINATTI REDS
4. HOUSTON ASTROS
5. PITTSBURGH PIRATES
6. MILWAUKEE BREWERS

If they have a solid team, I just can't pick against my cubbies, so that's that. The Cardinals offense should drop a bit after all of the career highs of a year ago, and that pitching staff is about the same, but good enough to make the wild card. Cincinatti has done some interesting things where they're pitching staff is concerned, and they may have the best line-up in the division if everyone stays healthy; could be a contender going into the later months. Houston didn't really do much in the offseason except lose some of there power. Pittsburgh is on the right track but need a couple of more years; could be the next Twins. The Brew Crew, like the Nationals makes no sense to me on paper, which in my mind makes them a little scary; hell, the Cubs can never seem to beat them no matter how bad they are.

NL WEST
1. SAN DIEGO PADRES
2. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
3. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
4. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
5. COLORADO ROCKIES

With Bonds being out possibly the entire season, I give my edge to the Padres, but it should be close. The Diamondbacks are definately on the way up. The Dodgers have Gagne, but what else? The Rockies are probably the worst team in the NL.

NL PLAYOFFS
ATLANTA OVER ST. LOUIS
CHICAGO OVER SAN DIEGO

ATLANTA OVER CHICAGO


AL EAST
1. NY YANKEES
2. BOSTON REDSOX (W)
3. BALTIMORE ORIOLES
4. TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
5. TORONTO BLUEJAYS

With the exception of the Rays and Jays trading places last year, this order has not changed for the past few years, so I'll stick with last year's allignment.

AL CENTRAL
1. MINNESOTA TWINS
2. CLEVELAND INDIANS
3. DETROIT TIGERS
4. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
5. KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Minnesota should be a pretty bad ass team. I think this will be the best pitching staff in baseball, and they have solid hitting which should have a little more power to it plus some good defense. Cleveland and Detroit are going to be making some waves in this division in the next couple of seasons. The White Sox seem to be going nowhere with there asinine moves the past few offseasons, and the Royals are the Rockies of the American League.

AL WEST
1. TEXAS RANGERS
2. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
3. SEATTLE MARINERS
4. OAKLAND A'S

The Angels will probably win this division, but I had to pick something a little different from last year, and the Rangers are a good team. Anything the Mariners do will be a huge improvement, and I just don't see the A's doing much of anything here.

AL PLAYOFFS
NY YANKEES OVER TEXAS RANGERS
MINNESOTA TWINS OVER BOSTON REDSOX

MINNESOTA TWINS OVER NY YANKEES

WORLD SERIES
MINNESOTA TWINS OVER ATLANTA BRAVES (5 GAMES)

It's going to be 91 all over again I guess. I can't wait for this season to get under way.