Baseball 2006

[SmootSmack]

I know there are some baseball fans out here among us. Can you believe we're just hours away from the opening pitch of the 2006 season? I sure hope my Nats can do some damage this season.

Here's my MLB 2006 Preview (in predicted order of finish):

AL EAST:

Red Sox: Their achilles heel could be the bottom of their order
Yankees: At some point, they're going to hit a wall.
Blue Jays: Still not good enough to crack the top two.
Orioles: Good young pitching, but this franchise has such a poor reputation now.
Devil Rays: They are always improving, but they have no chance of being better than 4th.

AL CENTRAL:

White Sox: They are the defending champs and they didn't get worse
Indians: They could struggle if they're not leading by the 7th inning
Twins: Has the window closed on them?
Tigers: A lot of people have them as a sleeper team, but it won't be this year.
Royals: They actually spent some money this offseason, but they got guys at the ends of their careers.

AL WEST:

Angels: They have a lot of players-Erstad, Anderson, Kennedy-who are on the decline
Athletics: Could really push the Angels for the division crown.
Rangers: They added a workhorse in Kevin Milwood but they still have major pitching questions.
Mariners: Will Jamie Moyer ever get old and retire?

NL EAST:

Braves: No point in picking anyone else to win this division
Phillies: Should it count if Rollins breaks Dimaggio's hit streak over two seasons?
Nationals: No way they should finish third, but if GMU can make the Final Four then why not?
Mets: Have tried for years to remind NY that two teams exist there.
Marlins: It's time for them to move. The constant fire-sales are getting old.

NL CENTRAL:

Cardinals: They have to win it all this year or make major changes.
Brewers: Could they be this year's White Sox?
Cubs: Once again Wood and Prior start the season hurt, another waste to a promising season.
Pirates: The best of the rest in this division. Give them a couple more years.
Reds: Just happy to see Griffey, JR. healthy and playing well again
Astros: They will be this year's dissapointment

NL WEST:

Giants: If they stay healthy, and that's a big if, the division is theirs
Dodgers: This team has too many injury prone players to win the division
Padres: The players they have are good but don't seem suited for spaciuos Petco Park
Diamondbacks: They have nothing but a couple of veterans (Green, Gonzales) past their prime
Rockies: They'll contend for worst record in baseball

ALDS:
White Sox over Athletics
Angels over Red Sox
ALCS:
Angels over White Sox

NLDS:
Giants over Braves
Brewers over Cardinals
NLCS:
Brewers over Giants

WORLD SERIES: In a stunner, all the pieces come together at just the right time for the Brewers, just like the Marlins of a couple of years ago. Brewers win the series in 7 games. (I'm probably the only person on the planet picking the Brew Crew to win it all...and I'm probably wrong anyway, lol)

So those are my picks. What say the rest of you baseball fans?