2009 MLB: Fearless Predictions

Another year of Major League Baseball is upon us.

2008 saw some surprises, notably the Tampa Bay Rays exorcising their previous demons by dropping the Devil from the name and supplanting the power structure (the Yankees and Red Sox) that has ruled the AL East by winning the division.

It marked the first time one of those two teams has not won the division since the Baltimore Orioles did it in 1997.

The AL East also brought us another surprise, as the Yankees failed to make the playoffs since the institution of the Wild Card in 1995.

The AL Central gave us 163 games for both the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins as they tied for the division lead at the end of the regular season. The White Sox were victorious and went back to the playoffs for the first time since they won the World Series in 2005.

The AL West, on the other hand, went pretty much exactly as planned when the Los Angeles Angels won the division as they ran away with the best record in the American League. The only surprise from that division was the futility of the Seattle Mariners; a team that some "experts" had winning the division.

The National League produced another choke by the New York Mets, giving way to another playoff appearance by the Philadelphia Phillies winning the National League East. However, last year would not be a repeat of 2007's NLDS loss by the Phillies. They went on to claim their first World Championship since the days of Michael Jack Schmidt, Pete Rose and Steve Carlton in 1980.

The Cubs won the Central Division, which gave them another chance to prolong their troubled playoff history.

The Milwaukee Brewers took the Wild Card and ended their streak of 26 consecutive years without making the playoffs. This was the first time they made the playoffs as a National League team.

The NL West Champion Los Angeles Dodgers benefited from acquiring Manny Ramirez. His tear through National League pitching after the trade deadline propelled the Dodgers into the playoffs.

So after recapping the surprises of the 2008 season, it makes you wonder what will happen in 2009. Here are my fearless predictions for the 2009 season which is less than three weeks away:

AL East Champion: Boston Red Sox

Order will be restored to the top of the AL East as the Red Sox deep pitching staff and above average lineup will produce their second division championship in three years.

AL Central Champion: Kansas City Royals

Okay, this one might be a stretch—but after what the Rays did last year, anything is possible.

The Royals will emerge from the cellar of the Central as a result of key off season additions Mike Jacobs and Coco Crisp along with the help of a young and talented pitching staff. They have talented youth all over the field and will be a tough team in the AL Central.

I am not ruling out the possibility of the Twins or even an improved Indians club winning a pretty weak division; but I am giving the nod to the Royals.

AL West Champions: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the United States of America of Earth of the Milky Way

The Angels will continue to reign supreme in the West, but I expect a strong challenge from the Rangers and Athletics. Sorry Mariners fans—they will continue to suffer even after getting Griffey back.

AL Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays

Although I do not think they will have the same kind of year as 2008, the Rays will again make the playoffs.

This means no New York Yankees for the second consecutive year. Why? No A-Rod to start the season and the continued health questions of A.J. Burnett and Chien-Ming Wang, as well as an inadequate bullpen.

NL East Champions: New York Mets (no choke)

The Mets' biggest problem in 2008 was their bullpen. How do they correct that? Add the guy that holds the single season save record in K-Rod and add a bona fide closer to set him up in J.J. Putz. Their lineup will produce and their bullpen will not blow nearly as many leads as they did last year.

NL Central Champions: Chicago Cubs

The Cubbies will be back...no doubt.

NL West Champions: Los Angeles Dodgers

Manny being Manny should be enough to send the Dodgers back to the playoffs in '09. He has an out in his contract and he is going to want to put up major numbers in order to get a major contract next offseason.

Also, the addition of Orlando Hudson at second base improves the Dodgers lineup.

NL Wild Card: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies will continue to be a good team, but I just think the Mets will be better, leading the Phillies to win the Wild Card instead of the division.

ALDS:                                                             NLDS:

Red Sox d. Royals                                             Cubs d. Phillies

Angels d. Rays                                                 Dodgers d. Mets

ALCS:                                                             NLCS:

Red Sox d. Angels                                             Dodgers d. Cubs

                                       World Series:

                                     Red Sox d. Dodgers

AL MVP: Kevin Youkilis-BOS                                NL MVP: Manny Ramirez-LAD

AL Cy Young: Jon Lester-BOS                             NL Cy Young: Johan Santana-NYM

AL ROY: Travis Snider-TOR                                 NL ROY: Cameron Maybin-FLA

Well those are my fearless predictions for 2009. Hopefully, they are flawless.

If not, that's why I do not work for ESPN.