by Billy Donovan
April 1, 2007
It is April which means that it is time for baseball to begin. After watching the Patriots blow a 21-6 halftime lead to the Colts in the AFC Championship Game and the terrible play of both the Celtics and Bruins all winter, I am ready for the Red Sox to get going. My excitement level has not been higher for baseball since 2004.
As in years past, I will make some predictions on teams and individuals. The setup will be basically the same as always with some minor changes/improvements.
Also, check my blog later this week for my Red Sox preview.
So, without further ado, here are the 2007 TheBostonInsider's MLB predictions:
AL EAST
1. Boston Red Sox
2. Toronto Blue Jays
3. New York Yankees
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles
The Yankees closer to the Devil Rays than the Red Sox in the AL East? Count on it. The Yankees don't have the pitching and we will see the tense relationship between New York and A-Rod come to a head in July when he is traded (see below) with the team on the brink of collapse But the pitching they get in return for Rodriguez won't be enough to make the playoffs.
AL CENTRAL
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Detroit Tigers
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Kansas City Royals
The Central is the hardest American League division to predict. I have the ChiSox placing fourth and they are a World Series contender if things fall right with them. I give it to Minnesota today though because they have the best pitcher on the planet in Johan Santana, a very good lineup with Joe Maurer and Justin Morneau and a closer in Joe Nathan.
AL WEST
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2. Texas Rangers
3. Oakland A's
4. Seattle Mariners
The Angels should be the class of the West, and I see them making a blockbuster deal in July to fortify that, with the improved Rangers right behind them. I think that Oakland has just lost too much -- Barry Zito is just the latest Oakland star to bolt as a free agent -- and they are relying too much on the fragile bodies of Rich Harden and Bobby Crosby to contend this summer. But who am I to challenge Billy Beane?
NL EAST
1. Atlanta Braves
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. New York Mets
4. Florida Marlins
5. Washington Nationals
The Mets have the best offense in the National League and they have three legit MVP candidates (Carlos Beltran, David Wright and Jose Reyes) but they lack starting pitching and that is why I think both the Braves and Phillies will beat them out in the East. The Marlins are so young but they are loaded with talent. Washington may turn out to be baseball's worst team.
NL CENTRAL
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Milwaukee Brewers
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Houston Astros
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
continued...