It's that time of year again.  Without further ado, here we go:

AL East:
Yankees
Red Sox
Blue Jays
D-Rays
Orioles

AL Central:
Tigers
Indians
White Sox
Minnesota
Royals

AL West:
Angels
Mariners
As
Rangers

Wild Card: Red Sox

Dark Horse: Blue Jays, White Sox, As

Summary: This is a very difficult year to pick.  There are essentially six teams (Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Indians, Angels, Mariners) competing for four spots.  Each team has its strengthens and weakness.  The Yankees have the bats but not sure about Kennedy and Pettitte's back.  I would have picked the Red Sox as Manny and Big Papi are healthy.  But, Schilling is out for half the season and I'm not sure how healthy Beckett will be.  The Tigers have the bats and arms.  The Angels were a lock until their recent pitching woes.  The Mariners have rebuilt and still have Ichiro.

If Halliday is healthy, the Blue Jays can challenge for the AL East.  I don't know which Ozzie Guillen will show up.  The White Sox are talented but he has to go back to the looseness of a relaxed clubhouse that won it all in 2005.  If Ozzie goes back to the loose cannon of the past couple of seasons, the White Sox will struggle.  The As still have great pitching and will be in the mix if they have consistent offense.

AL Champion: Yankees.



NL East:
Mets
Phillies
Braves
Nationals
Marlins

NL Central:
Cubs
Brewers
Cardinals

Reds
Astros
Pirates

NL West: Hardest division to pick

Diamondbacks

Dodgers
Padres
Rockies
Giants

Wild Card: Phillies.

Summary: The NL East is going to be a battle royale between the Mets, Phillies, and Braves.  The Cubs are better but probably not the year they win it all.  They last won it all in 1908, yes, 100 years ago.  Joe Torre will help the Dodgers contend but they are a year or two away.

Dark Horse: Braves, Brewers, Dodgers.

NL Champion: Mets.

World Series Champion: Yankees in seven games.

Bottom Line: My brain tells me to pick the Tigers but my heart says the Yankees have a little more magic in the last Stadium, God Willing/touch wood/lucky rabbit's foot/etc.

Local Team Outlook: The Yankees have gotten younger through an emotionally trying 2007.  In the Yankees' darkest hour on July 12, I predicted 94 wins and that's what happened.  I like Joba as Mariano's setup man and eventual successor.  I like Hughes and Kennedy.      
                   
In 2008, the Yankees will win 98+ games.  The Mets will win 95+ games.  Both teams will be made or broken by how long their starters can last and how their middle relief is.  Joe Smith got the Mets out of a tough seventh inning against the White Sox in the Civil Rights Game.

Posted by a hopeful Tank in NY.

Mets Analysis (MLB) | MLB | Predictions | Yankees Analysis (MLB)

Sunday, March 30, 2008 5:21:53 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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