MLB Season Predictions

1^st: Chicago Cubs (85-90 wins) Is it the Cubs year? No, but with the Central so shaky, they will make the playoffs again. Even though they have a lot of nice pieces, they do not look like a championship team. If Derek Lee can repeat his 2005 performance, maybe they have a chance. Then again, they are the Cubs.

2^nd: Milwaukee Brewers (83-88 wins) This team could be a huge letdown after the last season's surprise. Ben Sheets needs to stay healthy for an entire year for them to have a chance. I do not see it happening. They may fall hard, or rise to the top. Unpredictable is usually not a good thing.

3^rd: Houston Astros (79-84 wins) Why the high placing? Look at the rest of the Central. Their pitching could be good, and the offense might score runs, or the whole team might go to heck in a hand basket. Much like the Brewers. At least you can count on Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt.

4^th: Cincinnati Reds (77-82 wins) Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo are possibly the best one-two combination in the division. Past that, there is a lot of potential to the team. Some people say this team is a dark horse, but I do not see it. Maybe they will trade Ken Griffey Jr. to a contender so he can try and win a ring.

5^th: St. Louis Cardinals (76-81 wins) Did this team win the World Series two years ago? They haven’t fallen off the face of the planet like the Miami Heat in the NBA, but they are a shell of their former self. Albert Pujols cannot be counted on, as he is a twist away from season-ending elbow surgery.

6^th: Pittsburgh Pirates (59-64 wins) I am making a bold prediction here – the Pirates will have yet another losing season. The team has Jason Bay and… a lot of future losses ahead. If only they could infect the Steelers with their horridness.

NL West

1^st: Colorado Rockies (89-94 wins) Will this team win 22 of 23 games again and play in the World Series? Maybe not, but that does not stop them from winning the West. The line-up is great from top to bottom, and the pitching is the best in the history of the Rockies. The defense is not too shabby either.

2^nd: San Diego Padres (88-93 wins) Pitching is a wonderful thing, and the Padres have plenty. As long as Jake Peavy is not pitching in the playoffs, he is lights out. They might not have the best offense, but they allow so few runs it does not matter. Chris Young proved as long as you are not pitching for the Rangers, you can pitch well.

3^rd: Arizona Diamondbacks (87-92 wins) If this team was in the NL Central, they would run away with the division. If Randy Johnson stays healthy and can dominate at some level, this team could take this division. But like with Ben Sheets and Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays, the chances of that are slim.

4^th: Los Angeles Dodgers (80-85 wins) Is there something infecting Los Angeles? Like the Angels, the injury bug has bitten this team, only for the Dodgers it is their infield. Lack of a good farm system might make for a rough start they will not recover from. At least Joe Torre does not have to deal with George anymore.

5^th: San Francisco Giants (65-70 wins) The best part about the Giants is that steroid king Barry Bonds is no longer on the team. Otherwise things look grim. I hear I am up for the starting third base job, I will keep people updated on that.

AL Wildcard: Detroit Tigers because of the 1927 Yankee replica offense

NL Wildcard: San Diego Padres with one of the best rotations in baseball

World Series Prediction: Cleveland Indians over the Colorado Rockies. The torment Cleveland fans have endured since 1964 without a major sports championship ends with a bang.

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