Predicting the Entire 2009 MLB Season

Baseball season is upon us, and the regular season will be here before we know it. Below, I offer my take on how each team will finish in its division, as well as how the postseason may look.

AL Central

Detroit Tigers, 94-68: This year, I think the Tigers will come out booming. Justin Verlander will have a much better start than last year. Also, Miguel Cabrera is used to the American League, and Armando Galarraga and Edwin Jackson can probably promise 12 wins each, if not more.

Minnesota Twins, 90-72: It will always be a close race between the Tigers and Twins, but the Twins will fall short this time. With all their young players, especially pitchers, just starting to get used to the league, this won't be their year.

Cleveland Indians, 87-75: With the new pickup of Mark DeRosa and the rising Grady Sizemore, the Indians will probable end third. Their pitching isn’t as good as it was, but Francisco Liriano and Cliff Lee will both have a 15-game win season.

Chicago White Sox, 83-79: After last year's success, I just don’t think they can replicate it. Jim Thome is almost out of gas and Ken Griffey Jr. is gone, so they will have an OK season.

Kansas City Royals, 79-83: Face it, the Royals don’t really have any good pitchers. Also, their only hard hitter is Jose Guillen, but you can’t trust one guy for your season. They make way too many errors.

AL West

Los Angeles Angels, 91-71: Vlad Gurrero is too good of a hitter not to take this team to the playoffs. He gives you 20 homers a season for sure. Also, Torii Hunter will help in the outfield.

Texas Rangers, 84-78: With Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, and Milton Bradley, this team has an All-Star lineup. But the bullpen just won’t be enough to pass the Angles.

Oakland Athletics, 73-89: Jason Giambi will have a great season, but the starting pitching won’t be enough.

Seattle Mariners, 71-91: Face it, the only good players on the Mariners are Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro.

AL East

New York Yankees, 114-48: With the new additions of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, the Yankees will be nearly unbeatable. They will have the best record in the big leagues. A-Rod will have another great season, and Jorge Posada is back and healthier than ever. Look for them to finally reach a World Series, as the talent and stars will finally align.

Boston Red Sox, 95-67: Without that many stars, the Sox aren’t completely able to beat the Yankees. They will still give New York a run for its money, though; I expect Big Papi to have a 40 home run season.

Tampa Rays, 91-71: Matt Garza and James Shields will have terrific seasons, but in the end it won’t be enough to beat the Yankees or Red Sox.

Baltimore Orioles: 78-84: They will hit many home runs and score a lot, but their pitchers will give up a lot, too.

Toronto Blue Jays: 71-91: The Jays have no one good left now that A.J. Burnett is gone. The only really good person is Shannon Stewart. They have no one that can absolutely promise 20 homers a season or 20 games won.

NL East

Philadelphia Phillies, 91-71: The World Series champs will start off hot and continue to burn. Cole Hamels and Brad Linge will have another MVP-like season. I except Ryan Howard to have the most homers in MLB.

New York Mets, 89-73: With the new help from their bullpen, especially K-Rod, David Wright and Delgado will have terrific seasons. They will be second in the NL East by only a couple of games.

Atlanta Braves, 83-79: Even without John Smoltz, I think the Braves can end up third. Garrett Anderson will help this team in its hitting and fielding, and Chipper Jones will remain dominant.

Florida Marlins, 81-81: Everyone says the Marlins will win it all, but I don’t think so. Expect good seasons from Uggla and Hanley Ramirez. Their pitchers will do well, but the other batters won’t do enough to win the east.

Washington Nationals, 69-93: Do I even have to explain myself on this one? They don’t have really any good pitching, and the only good batter is Ryan Zimmerman.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs, 92-70: This team will continue what it did last year. The only difference is Soriano is 100 percent healthy, and the All-Star pitching rotation is almost unbeatable.

St. Louis Cardinals, 90-72: Albert Pujols will have a great season along with Rick Ankiel. Also, Chris Carpenter is back and healthier than ever. Expect a big season for the Cardinals.

Houston Astros, 82-80: The big puma will help win games, but in the end it won’t be enough.

Milwaukee Brewers, 81-81: C.C. or Ben Sheets led them to the playoffs

last year. Now they are gone and so are the Brew Crew's chances.

Cincinnati Reds, 73-89

Pittsburgh Pirates, 60-102

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers, 91-71: By the beginning of the season, I expect Manny to be a Dodger, which will bring confidence to a team that lost Jeff Kent and a playoff series.

Arizona Diamondbacks, 83-79: Brandon Webb will have another Cy Young-like year.

San Francisco Giants, 80-82. With the new addition of their starting pitching, they will have a good season. Tim Lincecum will win the Cy Young in the NL.

Colorado Rockies, 73-89

San Diego Padres, 71-91

World Series: Yankees win in five against the Chicago Cubs.