National League Predictions....

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National League East

1.) New York - How can you NOT pick them to win the division? A historic collapse is the only thing that kept them out last season, and they improved their team. Having some guy named Santana essential take the place of Glavine is huge, both physically and mentally. Ryan Church is a nice add in RF. Hernandez and Martinez are health concerns, but Heilman can always be plugged into the rotation. Delgado should have somewhat of a rebound year. The closer spot, for me, really separates the Mets from the other two competitors in the East. It should be a fun pennant race.

2.) Atlanta - I’m going out on a limb here. Diaz had a monster season under the radar last year, and the team moved Renteria for Escobar, which lets you know what they think of their young shortstop. The rotation has question marks, mainly with Hampton, but I like it a little better than Philadelphia’s. A healthy Mike Gonzalez in the ‘pen will be nice. This team hung in the race last year, so don’t be surprised if they challenge for first this year. Jones needs to remain healthy for that to happen though.

3.) Philadelphia - I like the Phillies overall, but it’s a tough division. They have the three best hitters on any one team in baseball in Rollins, Utley, and Howard. Victorino is solid, but I have concerns about the rest of the lineup. Hamels is a stud, but you can’t be sure what you’ll get from the rest of the rotation. Even Lidge is somewhat of a question mark. Can Romero continue his midseason resurrection last year, and can Gordon stay healthy? He says he hasn’t felt this good since ’04. This team could very well win the division, but it won’t be given to them like last year.

4.) Washington - This is rather easy. They don’t belong with the big three, even with three Boones, but they are clearly better than Florida. They have several guys with questionable character on the team, but they do have talent. I doubt Young will have as good as season as last year, but the team has Johnson back this year, so they are strong at first base. It would be great to see Patterson stay healthy all season.

5.) Florida - No Cabrera and no D-Train? This really is Ramirez’s team. Hanley is an MVP-type player but has no one else in the lineup to protect him. Ugla must rebound from a less than stellar sophomore season. Maybin struggled last year during hiscall up but will have more of a chance to prove himself this year. Miller will show flashes of brilliance last year, but the team needs Sanchez to be healthy and shore up the rotation. Once again this team is rebuilding, but it might not be long before they’re good again.

National League Central

1.) Chicago - The only team with a descent starting rotation in the Central shouldn’t have too much of a problem in the league’s weakest (by far) division. A full year of Soto will be a plus. The bullpen is this team’s real strength. With Marmol, Wood, and Howry teams will have a tough go of it. It will be interesting to see how good Fukudome is and if he can stay healthy. I love Jon Lieber. I still think he has enough leftin the tank.

2.) Houston - This is the hardest league to predict, but I kinda like the lineup put together in Houston. Depends how Tejada does, but this could be a potent offense. Pitching is going to be weak, but they have a good closer in Valverde. This team made a lot of moves this offseason, but it won’t be good enough to even sniff the playoffs, but it just might squeeze out second in the division.

3.) Cincinnati - I picked this team second in the division last year, but I still think it can be a solid club. It has several young guys such as Bruce and Votto who will need to produce, but don’t underestimate the importance of Cordero in this weak division. Bailey will need to show dramatic improvement. The team loves Volquez, but was he worth Hamilton? The Reds could be the second best team in the division.

4.) Milwaukee - I love this lineup, except for Kendall, but the pitching will cause this to be a very disappointing year in Wisconsin. This team somehow managed to get worse during the offseason after a very solid ’07. They lost Cordero, Jenkins, and Linebrink and brought in the likes of Gagne, Kendall, and Mota. Plus, Cameron will have to sit out the first 25 games of the season. I think the Brew Crew will have an awful bullpen, and the starters aren’t strong enough to ease the load. They can’t afford for Sheets to get hurt again.

5.) St. Louis - Talk about a team in regress. There is little offense here aside from Pujols and Duncan and whatever Glaus can muster up. The Cardinals rotation is absolutely horrible. Reyes went 2-14 last year and Clement, who didn’t even pitch last season, isn’t expected to be ready for Opening Day. I’m really tempted to put them last, because I think the Pirates have a stronger rotation. It’s going to be a long summer in a city that loves its baseball.

6.) Pittsburgh - The team that finished last, last year, did absolutely nothing this offseason to get better. I think it has better starting pitching than several teams in the division but absolutely no offense. This whole division is a joke, but the Pirates may be the worst of the bunch. Wouldn’t surprise me if they climbed to fourth, but without any improvement, they have to be slated for sixth. Bay should have a rebound year, but, other than Sanchez, has no help.

National League West

1.) Arizona - By far the best division in baseball, I like the Diamondbacks again. I understand the offense was weak last year, but look at the roster. The only established players were Byrnes and Hudson, who both hit well. The rest are all young guys who gained valuable experience during last year’s playoff run. But even if guys like Drew, Upton, and Young don’t produce, the reason this team win’s the division is the stellar rotation. No team in the majors can compete with this rotation 1-5. Lyon will have to produce in the new closer role.

2.) Colorado - Last season’s N.L. champs are back again. The way this team gelled at

the end of the year is the reason they get placed so high in a tough division. The Rockies have the best lineup in the West, and they are a gritty team personified by Tulowitzki. Their young pitchers need to continue to mature, but like the D-Backs, they got invaluable playoff experience last season. It’s a good thing Torrealba came back.

3.) Los Angeles – Tough to pick them over the Padres, but I like the lineup better. Jones obviously has to hit better than last season, but Loney and Kemp could have bust-out years. The rotation will determine where this team places. If Schmidt is healthy and Kuroda is as-advertised this team can compete for first, or they could finish fourth. Lowe needs to stay consistent. Martin is the heart and soul of this squad.

4.) San Diego - The outfield is in decline, and no one on this roster really scares me. They all CAN hit, which says something, but there just isn’t enough pop. The rotation has lots of question marks like L.A. You know what to expect from Peavy and Young, but 3-5 could be All-Stars or could struggle to get through five innings. Neither would surprise me. How much does Hoffman have left? Missing the playoffs absolutely crushed him. Prior, Wolf, and Maddux have to produce.

5.) San Francisco - Clearly the worst team in a stacked division, there will be no more Barry Bonds drama this year….I think. There is precious little offense available and little power. The Giants do have some excellent young pitchers in Cain, Lowry, and Lincecum. If Zito can pitch consistently well, this can be a team to be reckoned with. But the pitching is going to have to be better than it will be to compensate for a weak offense.

Playoffs

I think there are eight teams with a legitimate shot at making the postseason: New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, Arizona, Colorado, Los Angeles, and San Diego. But the wild card goes to the defending champs, the Rockies.

NLDS

New York (1) OVER Colorado (4) - I think the Mets are just slightly better than Colorado in every area. The Rockies do have the charm of last season, but the Mets should be the better team. Having someone like Santana in the playoffs is huge. Just ask the teams that had to face Josh Beckett.

Arizona (2) OVER Chicago (3) - This will be close, but Arizona already showed that they can beat the Cubs last season. The young hitters must develop as planned to reach this point, but I think they will. The Diamondbacks have a fierce some rotation. Plus, Arizona should be ready for the playoffs after fighting for their division, but Chicago will have waltzed to theirs.

NLCS

Arizona (2) OVER New York (1) – I have to shake things up. At this point in the season, I expect Arizona’s young hitters to be in a groove, but the real reason they win is because of this: Webb, Haren, and Johnson. In the playoffs, with those three healthy, they should be unbeatable…….in the National League.

National League Champ: Arizona Diamondbacks


World Series Matchup: Detroit Tigers OVER Arizona Diamondbacks - No one should EVER pick an NL team over an AL team.

WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS: Detroit Tigers

2008 MLB Predictions - American League

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I was pretty successful with last year’s regular season predictions, but it fell apart in the playoffs. Although I had Colorado finishing dead last in the West, I did have Arizona in the NLCS and picked five of the six division winners.


American League East


1.) Boston - How can you not pick the defending World Series champs when practically their entire team returns intact? Their rotation is somewhat suspect if they have to rely on Lester AND Buchholz (or Tavarez) instead of just one with Schilling being out. Trading Crisp for a SP could be a possibility, but if the Sox hold onto him, they could have the deepest outfield in baseball. If Schilling can return after the All-Star break, it could prove to be a huge momentum boost to the team. They should have the best bullpen in the majors.

2.) Toronto - Yeah.....this is going out on a limb, but this could be the year the Jays truly make a playoff push. Eckstein and Rolen are clear upgrades on the left side of the infield. Rolen should feel invigorated to get out of St. Louis. This team has no glaring weaknesses, but to finish second it will need Wells to hit much better than the .245 he hit last year. McGowan, Marcum, and Litsch are unspectacular but solid 3,4, and 5 starters to complement two studs in Halladay and Burnett. The return of B.J. Ryan should definitely help.


3.) New York - It was hard to not pick them second, and they could very well win the whole thing - especially when mid-season acquisitions are accounted for - but I think this is the year karma finally doesn’t go their way. They have no idea what they can expect from Pettitte or for that matter anyone in their rotation other than Wang. Mussina has nothing left, and Chamberlain could have to fill his role which would devastate the bullpen if that happens. Scouts say Jeter’s range gets shorter by the year, and I highly doubt Posada hits over .330 in two consecutive years. Although I think Girardi will eventually be an excellent hire, I’m predicting the team will miss Torre in Year One.


4.) Tampa Bay - They ain’t the Devil Rays this year so they won’t be finishing last. The Rays have three quality starting pitchers for the first time since.......well, ever. And clubhouse cancers Young and Dukes are gone. Floyd will prove a nice complement to Gomes at DH. If Percival can continue what he did in St. Louis last season, the closer role will be solid. Here’s to hoping that Longoria is everything he’s supposed to be. Has Pena really gotten it together now or was last season an aberration?


5.) Baltimore - Eeeek. No Tejada and no Bedard equals cellar dwellers for this club. Adam Jones could be fun to watch, but this team has no good position players aside from Markakis. This has to be the worst rotation in baseball. This team is building for the future and hopefully it works, because they haven’t been a factor since ‘97.


American League Central


1.) Detroit - I just can’t not pick this team. It’s loaded. I picked them to win it last year, and at the All-Star break they were the best team in baseball but faded after that. This is the best 1-9 lineup on paper that I have seen in my lifetime. I expect the rotation, including a rejuvenated Willis, to be fairly solid. The bullpen is weak, but...............look at that lineup! Renteria’s defense needs to be much better than the last time he played ball in the A.L. This team could always add a bullpen arm at the deadline.


2.) Cleveland - They were the second best team in baseball last year. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t have Josh Beckett, and this year the Tigers improved. This is basically the same team as last year. Hafner should have a better year, and Sabathia is playing in a contract year, which is a scary thought. They have a very good bullpen, but Borowski is scary- scary good and scary bad.


3.) Chicago - I don’t think this is a good team, but it’s better than the remaining two. I give them credit for trying to shake it up though. Cabrera will give some life to a lineup that is quite average. Swisher could be a positive influence in the clubhouse as well as the field. Linebrink is a solid addition to the ‘pen, but his contract borders on insane as his numbers continue to get worse. Dotel is good..........when he’s healthy enough to pitch. Ozzie says he’s going to be more strict this year. How will the team respond when they’re so used to him being so easy going. (No, not really).


4.) Minnesota - Losing Hunter and Santana and not being last in the division would be an accomplishment. Silva and Garza are also gone. Their season will depend a lot upon how well Liriano pitches after being out all last year. Except for Hernandez, the rest of the rotation is young. Young needs to have a monster year and an even better attitude. Too many questions about the rotation to put them above Chicago.

5.) Kansas City - The 1-3 starters are very solid. That’s about the only thing this team has going for it. Soria is an up-and-comer and so is Gordon, who should have a much better season than last year. I think 3-5 in this division are real close, but the Royals simply don’t have enough fire power in their lineup, and any team that starts Brett Tomko has to finish last. They should re-sign Reggie Sanders if for no other reason than his presence in the clubhouse.


American League West


1.) Los Angeles - This is another two-horse race but the Angels’ depth gives them the nod. They have four outfielders just as potent, if not better, than Boston’s. They might miss Cabrera, but they have Wood in waiting. Their rotation is very solid with all five starters having the ability to get a ‘W’ every time they go out. This team will need to stay healthy as they have several guys who have broken down in recent years. Sounds like K-Rod will be pitching mad and pitching for a contract. Other teams better be ahead going into the 9th.


2.) Seattle - So many A.L. teams have stellar 1-2 SP combinations, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Hernandez and Bedard are the best. This rotation is much better than last year’s and should match the Angels all year long. They too have an outstanding closer in Putz. Last year, I picked them last in the division and couldn’t figure out how they were keeping pace. I think their rotation is awesome, but still wouldn’t want to rely on anyone in the lineup other than Ichiro and Johjima. Vidro was relatively healthy last year. Think he can do it again?


3.) Texas - I’m really tempted to put Oakland here, because the Texas rotation is THAT bad. They have enough professionals in the lineup to hold onto third place though. Kinsler and Saltalamacchia need to step up and show they can be feared major league hitters. Too much would have to go right for this club to finish higher than third.


4.) Oakland - “Turn out the lights, the party’s over ” They’ll be back, but this is a rebuilding year. There’s no guarantee Blanton will be around after the All-Star break, heck or even Opening Day. Harden is a beast the 7 games a year he pitches but simply can’t stay healthy. Other than that, the rotation will be in trouble. You know they’ll have youngsters coming up to contribute, but there’s not way I can justify putting them anywhere besides last place. Probably will be the worst team in the American League.


Playoffs

I think there are seven teams who have legitimate postseason aspirations: Boston, Toronto, New York, Detroit, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Seattle. But the wildcard has got to go to Cleveland.

ALDS

Detroit (1) OVER Boston (3) - I just don’t trust Boston’s young rotation enough......yet. Although the same could be said for Detroit’s bullpen. Boston’s luck has to run out sometime.

Los Angeles (2) OVER Cleveland (4) - This is a tough call. Both teams appear to be evenly matched. I just like L.A. slightly more overall than Cleveland.

ALCS

Detroit (1) OVER Los Angeles (2) - I’m banking on the Tigers getting bullpen help at some point this season, unlike last year, and am going with the Tigers again. I think the Detroit rotation will be strong all year.....they’ll have to be.


AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMP: Detroit Tigers

2008 season revs up at Daytona

-The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season kicks off with the dropping of the green flag in next Sunday's 50th running of the Daytona 500, and in true NASCAR fashion, there is already stuff to talk about. NASCAR as most of us know it, is nothing more than a yearly saga with storylines similar to any network soap opera. As the World Turns....left, Days of our Thunder, or even, The not so young, but very Restless, the Tony Stewart story. Now before I get off topic and embarrass myself any further than I might have already, in honor of the 12 drivers that now make the Chase, here are 15 predictions that you can take to the bank about this years NASCAR Sprint Cups series.
1. Jeff Gordon picks up 4th Daytona win in the 50th running.
-In a year where Gordon welcomes in a highly publicized new teammate, and watched another teammate win back to back titles, it's only fitting that the sports most successful current driver picks up the win in the season opening Daytona 500. Chevrolet has won the last five Great American Races and 15 of the last 19. Look for new Hendrick teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. to challenge for the win, especially after seeing how well he ran in winning Saturday's Budweiser Shootout, but at the end of the day, Jeff Gordon and the Rainbow Warriors will be celebrating in victory lane like they were for the 47th running in 2005. (photo: Orlando Sentinal)
2. Chevrolet and Hendrick WILL NOT dominate this year.................................only kidding
-While Chevrolet does lose one major player in Joe Gibbs racing move to Toyota, don't expect to see Hendrick Motorsports and the bow tie brigade to struggle. Last season, Chevrolet won 26 of the 36 races for an astounding 72 %. There are other teams out there capable of winning races, and I do feel that Roush-Fenway has closed the gap, expect to see Dale Earnhardt Jr, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon win AT LEAST half the races this year.
3. Toyota will win in 2008 but only drivers for JGR.
-Joe Gibbs Racing is just too good of a team to not get Toyota there first win, even though the manufacture struggled mightily last year. Expect Tony Stewart to reach victory lane a few time for Toyota, but expect teammate Kyle Busch to pick up victory number one.
4. Michael Waltrip makes more races than commercials.
-2007 was a historical one for Michael Waltrip. He started his own 3 car team from scratch. Was involved in Daytona 500 controversy when they found traces of jet fuel in his intake manifold. He only made 14 races last year, yet it seemed like every race during the season, 36 in all, brought us a new Michael Waltrip commercial. Of course I only kid, but it was quite comical to see a driver/owner marketing his teams so much only to fall flat on his face in qualifying. MWR has already improved from last year with Michael grabbing 2nd starting spot for the 500. So things are looking up, then again, it can't get any worse.
5. Comeback driver of the Year
- There are many candidates for comeback driver of the year. Ryan Newman is one, and the obvious will be Dale Earnhardt Jr, as the switch to a new team has made racing fresh and new for him, but I'm going with Kasey Kahne. Last season was a miserable one for Kahne in which he failed to reach victory lane, and only had one top 5 finish all season. What made Kahne's horrible 2007 campaign so surprising? Perhaps the fact that Kahne reached victory lane six times the year before. With new sponsorship in Budweiser, and a focused owner in Ray Evernham, Kasey will improve, win at least 1 race, and make the Chase. photo: (Evernham Racing)
6. Kurt Busch gets punched, a lot.
-This prediction might be going out on a limb, but aw what the heck. After a reported dust up during Shootout practice where Tony Stewart reportedly punched Kurt Busch in the face, things will only get worse for the former Nascar champion. Expect Kurt to irritate analyst and former driver Jimmie Spencer again, and get a couple shots to the face from Mr. Excitment. Carl Edwards has made up with teammate Matt Kenseth who he "fake" punched last year at Martinsville. I predict somewhere along the road, (most likely Bristol) for Kurt to bump Carl out of the way only to get paid back with a punch to the face. Finally during this season's All Star weekend, Kurt will attempt to pay back his brother Kyle for wrecking him in the last year's All Star race only for Kyle to sock his older brother right in the kisser.
7. Talladega fans throw AMP energy drinks at Jeff Gordon car.
-I mean it only makes sense. Last year beer cans rained down on Gordon's winning car after picking up the victory at Talladega. As most people are aware of by now, Dale Earnhardt Jr, has a new sponsorship deal with Mountain Dew AMP energy drink. Now, I'm not trying to say that everyone who threw items at Gordon's car last year where Earnhardt fans........but I'm going to assume they were
8. Franchiti wins Rookie of the Year.
-This one is just too easy. Last year he won the Indy 500 and the IRL championship, and already this year, he won the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. This guy is on fire. Don't exect Mr. Ashley Judd to win any races just yet, but rookie honors is a great start for the Scotsman.
9. Jack Sprague wins Craftsman Truck Series title.
-This season, Sprague teams up with defending champ Ron Hornaday for Kevin Harvick Racing in what should make for a historical duo. Sprague and Hornaday are the two winningest drivers in Truck Series history, and with a change in scenory for Sprague, a championship should follow.
10. Clint Boyer captures the 2008 Nationwide (Busch) Series crown.
-In what will always be known as the Busch Series to me, expect the Busch Whackers or I guess you would call them Nationwide Whackers to be in full force. Carl Edwards walked away with the title last year with little competition from anyone. Toyota's best shot at any sort of a title this year may be with David Reutimann driving the Aaron's, XM Radio, Napa Auto Parts, Best Western number 99 Toyota for MWR. (I had to get all of those sponsors in for Mikey) Edwards will be tough again, but we saw just how good Clint Boyer could be last year in both series, and this year he grabs the championship.
11. The 11 drivers that make the Chase but come up short.
-in the order they will finish.
12.Kyle Busch 11.Ryan Newman 10.Casey Mears 9.Jeff Burton 8.Kasey Kahne 7.Tony Stewart 6.Clint Boyer 5.Matt Kenseth 4.Jeff Gordon 3.Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2. Carl Edwards
12. Johnson 3 peats for Cup Title.
-Best resources, best cars, best crew chief, best driver, yeah Jimmie Johnson has it all. It won't be easy, not that either of the first two were, but expect JJ to win his third straight title. He will have plenty of competition in Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, and his two Hendrick teammates, Gordon and Junior, but Jimmie Johnson has shown why he is the ultimate professional, and why he is a deserving champion. photo(cnn)

So there are my predictions, now you know, Boogity Boogity Boogity, let's see how badly these picks go!
-Nick Yeoman