Who you will see and who will you not see in the MLB playoffs come October!

As we finish up with July and head into August, every Major League Baseball fan is getting a little excited; a little nervous; and most importantly, a little hopeful.

Hopeful for what?

Hopeful that their team can stay on top, or make a move and get to the top.

Hopefully my words here will ease some of you, and infuriate some of you.

So, lets get started with the predictions:

AL WEST

Already out: Seattle. Even with the best young pitcher, Seattle needs to get back into the rebuilding mode and start focusing for being a contender a few years from now.

Stand a chance (kind of): Oakland and Texas. Even though Texas has a couple of good young sluggers, and Oakland has a good young team, I can not see either of them catching the red hot Angels. Sorry Oakland and Texas fans, but do not expect a wildcard either.

Locked up: Los Angeles Angels. With a 10-game lead, do not expect the Angels to falter. You will see them in the playoffs.

AL CENTRAL

Sorry but no cigar: Cleveland and Kansas City. Almost a let-down season for Cleveland after a good one last year. Just do not have the momentum anymore. And how do you get rid of C.C.?

Kansas City is a young team, but aren't they always a young team? Enough is enough if your a Royals fan.

In it to win it: Detroit, Minnesota and Chicago WS. Detroit will hit its stride, Minnesota will keep playing good, and Chicago will keep being gritty. Who will win?

If I were a betting man, I would put my money on Chicago winning the division and Detroit and Minnesota fighting over the Wild card. I think Detroit has shot themselves in the foot, and Minnesota is just not as tough as Chicago to win those must win games when it comes down to it.

AL EAST

Same Ol, Same Ol: Toronto and Baltimore. The tough AL East always seems to bury these two teams who have had good years...sometimes. This year do not expect to see either one of them near the top of the standings as the playoffs near.

Could win the Wild card: Tampa Bay and New York AL. I believe that either one of these two teams will win the wild card in the AL but will not be able to win the division. Tampa Bay will fold and New York just has too many other story lines to keep them from their true potential.

And the winner is: Boston. With the return of Big Papi and maybe the best pitching staff in baseball, plus not to mention the fact that they are the defending champions, expect Boston to display its veteran know how and win the AL East.

AL Run-Down:
AL West—Los Angeles Angels
AL Central—Chicago White Sox
AL East—Boston Red Sox
AL Wild card—New York Yankees

NL WEST

Roughnecks: San Diego, San Francisco and Colorado.

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