2009 MLB Predictions

Congratulations America! We have made through a winter of discontent, in more ways than one, and now it is time to try to forget about our troubles and think about the pleasures of baseball, summer, sun and fun.

At a time when the economy continues to hit record lows, where thousands are being laid off, hundreds more are having trouble getting into college, let alone paying off student loans and extremely high taxes, baseball gives us all an avenue for escape. It gives us a chance to forget about corruption in Washington D.C., corruption at the corporate level, and instead remember why it is great to be alive in a free country.

The 2009 season is here and with it the promise of better days. Will the 2009 season be different for clubs like the Mets, Yankees, and Cubs? Or will it continue to be the same ole' song for these teams? Will the paradoxical events that have afflicted the league over the last decade continue, or will things settle down and the big spenders regain supremecy atop baseball? Now it is time to find out. Here are predictions:

NL EAST..........W - L

Philadelphia.....91 - 71

METS...............85 - 77

Marlins............83 - 79

Braves.............76 - 86

Nationals........66 - 96

NL CENTRAL....W - L

St. Louis.............95 - 67

Chicago..............90 - 72

Cincinnati...........81 - 81

Milwaukee.........78 - 84

Houston.............70 - 92

Pittsburgh.........68 - 94

NL WEST........W - L

Arizona...........92 - 70

Los Angeles...90 - 72

Colorado........80 - 82

San Fran........74 - 88

San Diego......63 - 99

AL EAST.............W - L

Yankees.............93 - 69

Boston...............90 - 72

Tampa Bay.......84 - 78

Toronto.............79 - 83

Baltimore..........59 - 103

AL CENTRAL....W - L

Cleveland...........94 - 68

Minnesota..........91 - 71

Detroit................89 - 73

Chicago.............80 - 82

Kansas City.......77 - 85

AL WEST...........W - L

Oakland.............88 - 74

Los Angeles......87 - 75

Texas.................70 - 92

Seattle...............69 - 93

PLAYOFFS

ALDS: Twins vs. Yankees: PICK: Twins in five. The Yankees will fight tooth and nail in this series but will come up short again in the first round thanks to Alex Rodriguez, who will not hit again when he is needed most.

ALDS: Athletics vs. Indians: PICK: Indians in four. The Indians have pitching led by Fausto Carmona and Cliff Lee. With Kerry Wood now set as the new closer, the Indians should have a bounce back year.

NLDS: Dodgers vs. Cardinals: PICK: Cardinals in five. If the Cards can keep their starting pitching relatively healthily, there is no reason for them not to contend with the Cubs for the NL Central crown. The Dodgers are a good team; expect them to land another big starter to get them into the postseason. Should be a great series, if these two should meet.

NLDS: Diamondbacks vs. Phillies: PICK: Diamondbacks in four. The D-Backs have the best rotation in baseball with Cy Young winner Brandon Webb spearing heading the staff. Behind him is Dan Haren, Doug Davis and the best free-agent pick up of the winter in Jon Garland. The D-Backs have a fiesty and young lineup too, that is only getting better. The Phillies, will have enough to win the east, but their lack of pitching will kill them in a series with Arizona.

NLCS: Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals: PICK: D-Backs in six. The D-Backs pitching is better than anything the Cardinals have to offer, and that should be enough here.

ALCS: Twins vs. Indians: PICK: Twins in seven. Not exactly what the doctor ordered for an ALCS, but I believe parity will reign supreme once again in baseball. The Twins will find a way to out muscle the Indians.

World Series: Twins vs. Diamondbacks: PICK: Diamondback in five. The D-Backs will cruise to their second world title of the decade, and Brandon Webb will win MVP honors.