Step Right Up and Show Your Baseball IQ, Predictions For The Upcoming Season.

Spring Training is starting to get underway and now is the time of the year where every fan feels like their team has a chance at winning it all. So now is the time to lay your predictions on the table and in October you can look back and see how right or completely wrong you were.

Before I tell you my playoff teams and results, remember to keep in mind some of the things that happened last season.

A team went from worst to first (Rays).

A World Series contender turned out to be terrible (Mariners).

The Billy Goat curse struck again (Cubs).

And a New York team collapsed again (Mets).

With all of that in mind, let's get started already!

My American League playoff teams are the Tampa Rays, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Rays: They have arguably the best starting rotation in baseball and their young position players are only going to mature. Their one problem could be their bullpen.

Yankees: Once again they spent a ton of money, but this time I think it pays off. When Andy Pettitte is your fourth starter then you've got a pretty good staff. The offense they have is almost unfair, with guys like A-Rod, Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, and Cano. Also, once you get to the ninth inning it's over.

Tigers: The Central is wide open, and even the Royals should compete. The Tigers' starting rotation isn't bad with guys like Verlander, Bonderman, and Galarraga. Their offense is more then capably, and I think they'll have a bounce back year.

Angels: A good starting rotation that includes Saunders, Lackey, Santana, and Weaver. Their offense has a nice mix of speed and power. The big question is how will the closer position pan out with Francisco Rodriguez gone to the Mets? If I had to pick a sleeper team for AL West, I'd go with Oakland.    

Now it's time for the National League playoff teams. My picks are the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Phillies: The champs have a pretty good starting staff, but the real strong point of this team is the offense and bullpen. With guys like Romero, Madson, and Lidge in the bullpen the Phillies could make it a six-inning game.

Braves: Their starting rotation is the big question mark, but with three guys who could easily win 15 games a piece it should work out. The offense should do enough to win close games with guys like Jones, Johnson, Escobar, and McCann.

They also have two closer to come in and shut the game down in the late innings.

Cubs: The Cubs' starting rotation is right up there with the Rays, lead by Carlos Zambrano. Of the eight other position players five have the potential to make the All Star team, so they should be just fine.

Diamondbacks: This team just missed the playoffs last year, and with a lot of young position players they have the potential to really shine this season. Their rotation starts two of the best pitchers in the game with Webb, and Haren.

World Series: Cubs defeat the Angels in six. Rejoice Cubbies, the curse is over!!!

The notables who missed the cut:

Red Sox's: Could possibly win 90 games or more but the loss of Ramirez will hurt more than most people think, Lowell is turning 35 and coming off an injury, and Lester and Matsuzaka are the only reliable starters right now.

Mets: Not sold on their starting rotation after Santana and is playing in a division that has four teams who will beat up on each other.

Dodgers: Will be in the mix up to the end, and I could be wrong on these guys, but their starting pitching doesn't impress me, and who knows how hard Manny is going to play after he only gets $25 million.