AL EAST
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles
I see the Jays beating out the Rays, mostly in part to some guys falling short/getting injured in Tampa. I love the young pitching staff the Rays have, but watch out for the Jays, led by Joey Bats and some nice young pitchers. I think the Jays could push for the wild card.
AL CENTRAL
1. Detroit Tigers
2. Minnesota Twins
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Cleveland Indians
I just don't think Ubaldo Jiminez is the answer in Cleveland. The White Sox are in a rebuilding year, with some old pieces kicking around. Dunn and Rios do just enough to keep them out of the cellar. The Tigers run away with this division and could be the best team in baseball.
AL WEST
1. LA Angels
2. Texas Rangers
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Oakland A's
The A's are a triple A team this year. They have some nice young pieces, but when Coco Crisp is leading the attack, they have no chance. The Angels and Rangers both make the playoffs, just beating out the Rays. Seattle could see a spark from a better year from Ichiro, Ackley getting better and Felix leading the way.
Wild Card
Red Sox over Rangers
Red Sox over Tigers
Angels over Yankees
Angels over Red Sox
NL EAST
1. Miami Marlins
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Washington Nationals
5. NY Mets
If Josh Johnson can stay healthy, the new-look Marlins will push for the East title. The Phillies hang tight and get the wild card in part to some great pitching. I don't have the Braves as high as most people, but I am not a fan of this team this year. The Nationals get better, but not much, and the Mets are in the basement due to some injuries and no pitching.
NL CENTRAL
1. Cincinnati Reds
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Chicago Cubs
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. Houston Astros
The Cardinals should make the wild card, but I think this is the year for the Reds. Plus this division lost Pujols. I don't think they can do it this year. The Reds have some decent pitching and a heck of an offense. The Brewers are hurt by the spotlight of the Braun scandal and the loss of Prince. The Astros and Pirates are a joke.
NL WEST
1. San Francisco Giants
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
3. Colorado Rockies
4. LA Dodgers
5. SD Padres
I could possibly see 3 teams make it in from this division. Depending on how the Cardinals handle the loss of Big Albert. The Diamondbacks are as good as they are young. This is a fun team to watch. I like the Rockies led by Tulo and Cargo. Will it be enough? The Dodgers have Kershaw, but not much else outside of a nice bullpen.
Wild Card
Phillies over Diamondbacks
Giants over Phillies
Reds over Marlins
Reds over Giants
Angels over Reds
I think the Angels have what is takes this year. They have three Aces (Haren, Weaver, Wilson), they have the best hitter in baseball, and 4 all star caliber outfielders. I love the Reds this year, I think the addition of Latos, with Cueto stepping up as a dominant ace should help. That offense can be scary if Heisey continues to develop. Phillips is the proVotto is a beast. All in all I'd like to say my beloved Red Sox make it, but I just don't see it happening this year. I think Valentine is the perfect guy for this position.