Major League Baseball: 2008 Season Preview

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

1) NEW YORK YANKEES- Many pundits believe that their everyday players are too long-in-the-tooth and that the middle of their starting rotation is too green to seriously compete this season. There is little question that neither analysis is accurate. Alex “the purple-lipped pariah” Rodriguez, 32, will likely capture his fourth MVP this year and the precocious duo of Phil Hughes, 21, and Ian Kennedy, 23, will combine for 30 wins on the hill. Don’t be overcome with shock if Hughes seriously contends for the CY Young Award in his first full-season in the majors. The Bronx Bombers will make it to October for the 14th consecutive year and they’ll be a force to reckon with in the post-season.

2) BOSTON RED SOX- The Red Sox have been the most dominant organization this decade and they will essentially field a replica of the squad that captured their 7th championship in team history last October. Nevertheless, Josh Beckett’s back will be a lingering issue and Manny Ramirez, 35, and David Ortiz, 32, will begin to descend statistically. The Sox will be good. But, Yawkey Way will be quiet come October.

3) Toronto Blue Jays- Roy Halladay, 30, will be his overwhelming self and Manager John Gibbons will always have a powerful lineup at his disposal. But in the end, the Jays will again fail to make the playoffs for the first time since 1993. “Oh, Canada,” I’m sorry.

4) Tampa Bay Rays- Devil Rays or just plain Rays, there won’t be mush sunshine on the diamond in St. Petersburg yet again.

5) Baltimore Orioles- The quality of baseball will still suck for those living in and around “Bodymore, Murdaland.” But at least “Charm City” will always have crab cakes and reruns of the Wire to watch.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

1) DETROIT TIGERS- Generally, when one departs sunny Miami for our nation’s murder capital it can only be considered a digression. However, that is not the case for former Marlins Dontrelle Willis, 26, and Miguel Cabrerea, 24. The jettisoned South-Beachers will enable Manager Jimmy Leyland to enjoy many a victory cigarette in 2008.

2) CLEVELAND INDIANS- C.C. Sabathia, 27, and Fausto Carmona, 24, are two of the elite arms in the sport and they will always provide their team with a chance to win. Still, don’t expect the Tribe to repeat the monumental success that they enjoyed last summer when they exploded down the stretch. The Indians will be solid. But, until they get Vaughn, Cerano, Hayes and Taylor off waivers, their championship-drought dating back to 1948 won’t be quenched. My advice, start sending scouts to more California Penal League action.

3) MINNESOTA TWINS- The return of lefty ace Francisco Liriano, 24, will be enormous for the Twinkies. But, not enormous enough for Minnesotans to get their panties in a bunch with excitement for this squad.

4) CHICAGO WHITE SOX- 2005 feels so long ago that it may as well be 1919 for fans of the “South Siders.”

5) KANSAS CITY ROYALS- The Royals haven’t shown residents of the “Show Me State” anything since 1985 and they won’t again this summer.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

1) LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM- The addition of Torii Hunter, 32, to an already preeminent team will pay dividends throughout the regular season and well into October.

2) SEATTLE MARINERS- The acquisition of lefty pitcher Erik Bedard, 29, while be a tremendous compliment to the electric ace of the Mariners, Felix Hernandez, 21. Still, October will be Sleepless in Seattle.

3) OAKLAND A’S- Billy Beane is a tremendous general manager. But, this squad isn’t going anywhere soon. Well, they are going to Fremont.

4) TEXAS RANGERS- This team is run will such steely incompetence, you would think George “Dubya” Bush was still running the show in Arlington.

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

1) NEW YORK METS- The Latin American movement to Flushing continued this winter when the Metropolitans landed prized free-agent Johan Santana, 29. Look for Pedro Martinez, 36, to recapture a glimmer of his old glory and help, along with Santana, spearhead the best staff in the entire National League.

2) ATLANTA BRAVES- The Braves will win like they do every year and, like every year with the exception of 1995, they won’t win it all. Sorry, Teddy T!

3) PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES- Thanks to the fluke that was the Mets September collapse, the Phillie’s made it to October for only the 8th time in their 124 years in existence. Like noted, it was a fluke. The degenerate faithful from Filth-adelphia will have nothing to look forward to once again come October. Well, besides drinking, projectile vomiting and fighting at Eagles games.

4) WASHINGTON SENATORS- David Duke will be running mates with Al Sharpton before this organization does anything of note.

5) FLORIDA MARLINS- Just get the new waterfront stadium built.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

1) CHICAGO CUBS- Look for the Cubbies to flaunt one of the best starting rotations in the Senior Circuit this season. Will the Cubs capture their first championship since 1908? I highly, highly doubt that. But, fans in the North Side will have a fun and enjoyable summer watching their lovable losers at Wrigley.

2) CINCINNATI REDS- This team is a legitimate dark horse to flourish this year. They have an excellent blend of quality veterans and youth and don’t be surprised if this team is still playing in October. If only Big Marge was still around with Schotzie to enjoy it all!

3) MILWAUKEE BREWERS- Prince Fielder will continue to excel and Ben Sheets may have a Cy Young award up his sleeve. If things go perfectly, Laverne and Shirley could be enjoying suds together in late-October.

4) ST LOUIS CARDINALS- This team will be so bad that Manger Tony La Russa could have two more DWIs by May.

5) Houston Astros- Besides ace Roy Osawlt, this team is a joke in need of something, anything, to keep fans entertained. Hey, why not bring in a 45-year old steroid abuser nearing indictment? That’ll pack them in!

6) PITTSBURGH PIRATES- Like George Costanza, why even get out of bed in the morning?

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

1) LOS ANGELES DODGERS- If the Dodgers starting rotation can get healthy and stay that way, they will be a very formidable squad this season. Plus, they just hired some Manager named Joe who has won once or twice in his career and he could be the guiding influence that drives the team to glory. Chavez Ravine could be the hottest spot in LA this summer.

2) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS- Brandon Webb, 28, and Dan Haren, 27, comprise one of the best 1-2 punches in the whole sport. If Randy Johnson, 44, can even resemble his dominating-self, the Snakes staff will scare the bejesus out of opposing hitters.

3) SAN DIEGO PADRES- If Mark Prior, 27, can stay healthy, the Padres could be tough. But, he won’t maintain health and the Padres won’t be tough either.

4) SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS- These guys couldn’t get a hit from a bong on Haight-Ashbury. But, they do have some quality arms. It’s a major misconception that Barry Zito is some graying, has-been. Zito is 29 years of age and if he can recover the form that helped him win the 2002 AL CY Young Award, the Giants could, along with Matt Cain, 23, and Tim Lincecum, 23, have the best rotation in the National League and win on pitching alone.

5) COLORADO ROCKIES- Plain and simple, last year was an aberration and you’d have to be a “Mile High” to think otherwise.

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD WINNER
Cleveland Indians

NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD WINNER
Arizona Diamondbacks

WORLD SERIES
The Detroit Tigers defeat the New York Metropolitans in six games.

 

Now, I am not Nostradamus and I’ve never claimed to be. These are my picks and I am sticking with them. As I told an old friend once, “talk to me about these picks over brews and pool in November.” Until then, I am as correct with my selections as anyone. In April, everyone has a chance.

Thanks again for taking the time to review my material. Without your readership, I’d have absolutely zero reason to write.