The Picks - Division Winners, Champions

Scott mentioned how the preseason predictions of post season awards is ridiculous. And while many "experts" usually have better luck with the prognostication of division winners and eventual world series champions, there is always one team that makes us all look ridiculously dumb. Tampa Bay Rays anyone? I don't think any of the players down in St. Pete would have chosen them to win the American League Pennant. On that note, check this out in six months and let us know how stupid we are....

The Divisions:
AL East:

Scott: Red Sox - I don't necessarily think they've got such a great team, and the Manny-hole in the lineup will be apparent, all season. But, injuries to the Yankees will hurt them. The Rays bullpen will falter this year, ruining a great year from the rest of the team.

Jordan: Yankees - Scott's likely being a massochist by not picking the Yanks to win the division considering they spent a kagillion dollars this off season. But this year they have what they didn't have the last couple of years, a dominant ace. C.C. you back in the playoffs, Pinstripes. And the Red Sox seemingly never win the division. Even last year Tampa Bay won the East and not Boston.

AL Central:

Scott: Twins - Young guns (Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey) and the return of Francisco Liriano, coupled with a big year from Justin Morneau put this team on top of a division lacking any front runners. The Indians and White Sox will be around all year, though.

Jordan: Indians - You could really pick a name out of a hat for this division winner, but I expect a good year from Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez (both returning from injury), and they've added stability to the back end of the bullpen with Kerry Wood.

AL West:

Scott: Mariners - Again, not a great team, but I'm expecting big things out of King Felix and Erik Bedard. On top of that, I don't think the Angels are going to be as good as they have been in year's past, due to injuries and decline.

Jordan: Athletics - I've been thinking about this for a while, and maybe I'm insane. It doesn't appear this club has any pitching. But the Angels won't be as good, we agree, and while I think the M's could compete Oakland's lineup may be good enough to eek this out.

AL Wild Card:

Scott: Yankees - Nagging injuries to Joba Chamberlain, A.J. Burnett, and Alex Rodriguez will pester the Yankees, but their depth will allow them to put together a solid season to make the playoffs, getting strong and healthy just as October rolls around.

Jordan: Red Sox - Yankees Jr. get in again. Very good pitching, good line up, and a good bullpen. They're always balanced, and they appear to be a sure fire 90+ win team.

NL East:

Scott: Phillies - Bottom line, need to see the Mets not blow it in September. Need to see it, before I can predict it.

Jordan: Mets - It would be so Philadelphia for that team to not win the NL East the year after winning it all. And, the Mets have added two closers, so things have to improve in the back end of the pen. No collapse this year.

NL Central:

Scott: Cubs - Far and away, best team in this division, no questions asked. I may have them going to far (who doesn't want to be the guy picking them to win the World Series?) in the post season, but this team is far too talented and deep not to win this division.

Jordan: Cubs - Did you think I'd pick someone else? But seriously, who is better than the Cubs in the Central? Exactly. No one. They may not win 97 this year, but even if they win just 90 that should be good enough. And Scott, take it easy with this World Series talk.

NL West:

Scott: Dodgers - Poor division will allow the Dodgers to win this one. It'll be tight, because no one's really that good, but there's one difference between the Dodgers and the rest of the division: Manny Ramirez. The Giants and Diamondbacks don't have him (or any good hitters).

Jordan: Dodgers - What Scott said.

NL Wild Card:
Scott: Reds - Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto are primed to put together full, dominant seasons. A young core of Phillips, Votto, and Bruce will anchor the lineup in a good hitter's park. Expect better things from Aaron Harang. Not a bad thing either to play the Brewers, Pirates and Astros a bunch of times.

Jordan: Phillies - Scott's crazy about the Reds. The Phillies may not be as good as last year, because Joe Blanton and Brett Myers will probably return to normalcy. But this team will still be the rest of the rest in the NL, which is not all that strong. Pains me to say it, but St. Louis could win this too.

The Playoffs: The Division Series:

Scott: Cubs defeat the Mets, Dodgers beat the Phillies,
Red Sox top the Mariners, Yankees over the Twins

Jordan: Cubs defeat the Phillies, Mets beat the Dodgers
Yankees over the Athletics, Indians over the Red Sox

The Playoffs: League Championship Series:

Scott: Yankees beat the Red Sox, Cubs over the Dodgers

Jordan: Mets beat the Cubs (Jordan cries), Indians beat the Yankees (Scott cries)

The Playoffs: The World Series:

Scott: Cubs over the Yankees (Jordan is elated, Scott kills Jordan)

First time for everything, right? I picked them a few years back, and I was wrong then. Who knows. Maybe it's because I don't like picking my own team, but this Cubs team seems to darn talented. (Jordan thinks this is crazy but is elated at the thought)

Jordan: Indians top Mets (neither Scott nor Jordan watches)

I've been burned too many times to pick the Cubs. That's why I'll take my boys Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa to earn the glory in October. Plus, the Indians haven't won the series in 60 years or so, and they with a very promising team, they very well might.