2009 MLB Predictions: Division Winners, Awards, and World Series Champ Crowned

It's finally here.

The longest season of all the major sports began yesterday, and this is the time each year that baseball "experts" are telling you who they think is going win it all and why.

Now, you get the truth about each baseball division winner and who wins it all, and you hear it on Opening Day.

AL East Champion: Boston Red Sox

Yes, the nation will be happy to hear this, and Yankee fans will hate it, but its true. 

The Sox have pitching galore, including Jon Lester who could win 20 games this season, and is quickly becoming one of the best lefties in the league.

They have a lineup that can beat you in a number of different ways, and a farm system that has multiple players ready to step in for aging veterans in case of injury.

AL Central Champion: Detroit Tigers

I know they have questions surrounding the pitching staff, but Justin Verlander will win 17 or 18 games, and the bullpen is a lot better than people think. 

They really improved the pen with the addition of Juan Rincon and last year's first-round pick, Ryan Perry. 

They will be helped by 2009 AL MVP Miguel Cabrera.  

I really don't think the rest of the Central is as good as years past. The Twins' starters are solid, but Mauer being out for at least a month will really hurt them. The White Sox, meanwhile, did not improve from last year.  The Indians and KC are still behind the rest of the division.

AL West Champion: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

L.A. or Anaheim, it doesn't matter. When Lackey, Escobar, and Santana come back in May, they will be within 5 games of the division lead and blow the rest of the division out after that.

AL Wild Card: N.Y. Yankees

They will beat the Rays, Twins, and ChiSox for the Wild Card because they will have starting pitching that carries them throughout the year. Their lineup will not be as good as years past, but the starters are better than they have been. 

CC Sabathia will beat out Jon Lester for the CY Young.

NL East Champion: N.Y. Mets

The additions of K-Rod and JJ Putz are all you need to know about the Mets. The bullpen has cost the Mets way too many games the last few years, but that will change this year.

NL Central Champion: Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are good.  They don't really have any weaknesses, and the rest of the Central is just not good enough.

NL West Champion: L.A. Dodgers

Joe Torre had the Dodgers playing well towards the end of the year last year, and Manny Ramirez made it even easier. He will be your NL MVP. 

Arizona will give them a run for the division with Webb (NL CY Young winner) and Haren carrying the load.  The rest of the division just isn't that good.

NL Wild Card: Arizona Diamondbacks

They will hold off the Phillies for the Wild Card, despite a great second half of the season from a recovering Chase Utley. It will probably come down to the wire, but I give the nod to Webb and Haren.

World Series: Boston Red Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Red Sox will beat the Diamondbacks to win the World Series in 6 games.

Webb and Haren will keep games close, but the BoSox have more offense and a deeper rotation and bullpen. 

Arizona has some really nice, young players, and the lineup will produce, but the Sox have been there before and will ultimately prevail to win their third championship since the turn of the century.