I want to start my annual Kreskin attempt by saying two things about the season. One ESPN NEEDS TO SHUT UP. I am tired of the talking heads bitching and moaning. I really don't care about the scandals. I want to see baseball. Lets be honest, there no such thing as integrity in professional sports. Let's just enjoy the season and games. Let's play ball. Secondly, I still hate the wildcard so there will be no second place teams in my perdictions. Second is still first losers. So without further bile, it is time for some irrelevent predictions.
AL LEAST
This once again is a two team race. Evil Team A vs Evil Team B . Tampa Bay is a mess as usual. This is a great place to mention getting rid of teams. I don't mean contraction. I mean relegation. It's time to move back to four divisions of seven. You come in last and down to AAA you go. Back to this division. Toronto simply isn't ready but you never know if all the young players catch fire they can come in third. Baltimore still is owned by the anti-christ. At least, Steinbrenner wins. What does Angelos have to say for himself. Evil Team A will win the division as Curt Schilling comes down with the Foot in Mouth disease he so richly deserves.
Cowboy up my ass!!!!!
THE YOUNG AND THE WEEK SISTERS OF THE POOR (AL CENTRAL)
This is a wide open division as there is no dominant team in this divison. The Twinkees, Indians, Southsiders and Tigers all have a chance to win. The Royals will stink that is for sure. The Twinkees are owned by the richest person in baseball and still have one of the lowest payroll. What is wrong with Cal (cheaper than Walmart) Pohlard? The Twins should be the favorite but the Indians have the young talent. If the bullpen comes around they will win. The tigers and pale hose will contend but in the end I think the Indians will find enough pitching to outlast the Twins.
AL WEST
This is another wide open division as all the teams have questions. I still can't bring myself to take the Ranger seriously. They have a good manager but no pitching. They are also owned by the Clear Channel man who bought them from Dubya. Which of course is why silver spoon has any money at all. Oakland lost two of the big three and got nothing in return but a couple of prospects and some used ball bags. Nothing of any use this year. Seattle got better but will it be enough. The Los Angeles of Anaheim just north of San Diego just west of palm springs way east of hawaii not sure where Angels are the favorites. Billy Beane will either cement his genius this year or look bad. I think this is the year he looks bad as Oakland comes in last.
Angels, Mariners, Texas
NL LEAST
The Braves. Till they lose there is no point picking anyone else. Without Red ass the Phillies have chance though.
NL Central.
St Louis Should run away with this division. There really aren't any teams that match them here. The Cubs could contend but woods and prior are already hurt. Just wait till Dusty mismanges them. Dusty is a master motivator but can't handle pitchers. Millwaukee will suprise. Cincinnati just won't spend the money. Houston got significantly weaker and older. Berkman getting hurt doesn't help.
NL WEST
This division just got a lot closer. With Bonds on the self for a month or two it will be a dogfight. The Padres and Giants have the best pitching. This is an interesting division because there are three exteme pitchers parks and two extreme hitter parks. The Rockies and there horrible uniforms are a mess. The Diamondbacks can't possibly be as bad. The Dodgers Suck. So it's the Padres and Giants. If Bonds is in the lineup by end of May the Giants will win otherwise it's the Padres. Did I mention the Dodger suck.
Winners
Evil Team A
Cleveland
California Angels
Atlanta
St.Louis
San Francisco
Headed to AAA
Tampa
Kansas City
Oakland (somewhat unfair because of the four team division)
Washington
Pittsburgh
Colorado
