MLB Predictions: Preseason Picks Prove Challenging

The trees are turning green, it's starting to get hot and people are already planning summer getaways. You know what that means. It’s time to play ball.

This offseason in baseball has been a busy one and it is hard to choose a clear-cut favorite to win the World Series.

The oddsmakers have the Phillies favored to win the World Series at +225, next the Red Sox with 400, then the Yankees with 600, and the reigning World Series champs at 1,500. Unfortunately for Nationals, Jays, Mariners, Padres, Pirates, Royals, Astros, Indians, and Diamondback fans, all of those teams are at 10,000.

The trendy pick to take home the title would have to be the Boston Red Sox. Everyone knows they picked up two of the best free agents this year, cashing in on former San Diego Padre great Adrian Gonzalez and Rays outfielder Carl Crawford. With Gonzalez’s power and Crawford’s lightning speed it makes for a great combination.

Not only did the Red Sox get hitters, they also improved their bullpen by acquiring 6'4", 275-pound former Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks. Since 2006, Jenks has been in the top 10 in saves, and twice coming in second. His role as a setup man to long-time closer Jonathan Papelbon will be needed.

Another bullpen addition the Sox made was signing former Ray Dan Wheeler to a one year deal. Although the Red Sox have made some good acquisitions, they may have lost their best and most consistent player last year, Adrian Beltre, who now plays for the Rangers.

The Red Sox look good, but they also play in arguably the best division in baseball, the American League East. With new additions to the last place Orioles, they may be able to take some easy wins from the Red Sox. The Yankees every year are a threat, and with the young Rays no one knows how good they could be.

The National League is pretty balanced this year, so it is difficult to choose a favorite. Even though the Phillies are favored to win the World Series they are battling an injury to five-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley. 

Also closer Brad Lidge was injured last year, and this year isn’t any different. He is scheduled to have an MRI Tuesday, but Lidge says he thinks he could return by mid-April. Don’t discount how good the Phillies are however. With four pitchers that could be aces for any team, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee could be unstoppable. Don’t forget about power from Ryan Howard. With all of that it still makes the Phillies the favorite.

Although the San Francisco Giants won the World Series it will be hard for a repeat. No team has won back-to-back World Series championships since the New York Yankees won it three years in a row from 1998-2000. The Giants still have most of their championship team from last year in place but they haven’t made many additions except for veteran shortstop Miguel Tejada.

Closer Brian Wilson will start the season on the disabled list. Their pitching still remains a threat especially with another year's worth of experience for young Madison Bumgarner. Switch-hitting third baseman Pablo "Kung-Fu Panda" Sandoval has lost considerable weight looking to get back to his 2009 numbers where he was in the top 10 in National League categories including hits, batting average, on-base/slugging (OPS) and slugging.

The beauty of sports is that everything is up in the air. Every year there are upsets and that proved to be true last year with the San Francisco Giants. Look out for the Oakland Athletics to make some noise. We are two days away from Opening Day and seven months from the World Series champs being crowned. Don’t be surprised if it is your team.