Jamie's MLB Predictions

Quicker than JH Nan's, but more info for you fans to noodle. I start with the NL because they play real baseball.

NL EAST

1. Atlanta Braves: Staff is good, Roger McDowell looks like a great pitching coach. If Andruw Jones can produce anything like last year they'll be there. You know last year's rooks are just going to get better.

2. New York Mets: We'll see on these guys. The key is Billy Wagner, if he's healthy he anchors a bullpen that is not deep. Beltran must bounce back, he has the protection now.

3. Philadelphia Phillies: Well, they have the Phanatic. They also have a darn good lineup. I don't trust their staff at all though. Abreu MVP?

4. Washington Nationals: If Bud "I'm a huge piece of crap car dealer masquerading as the leader of MLB and I hate the Expos/Nats organization" Selig would ever get this team and owner and let them move on they could improve in a hurry. As it is the rotation and bullpen are horrifically thin. The loss of Luis Ayala was an absolute killer (Thanks World Baseball Classic, what a great idea). The offense will be better however.

5. Marlins: Terrible this year, better next year, World Series 2008.

NL CENTRAL:

1. St. Louis Cardinals: They're still good, I don't understand why people think they're on the decline. If Rolen is even mediocre they'll be better.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates: I love Jim Tracy as the new manager. The key will be the rebound of Oliver Perez. Keep his foot away from hard objects!

3. Milwaukee Brewers: They will win the Wild Card in 2007. Ben Sheets should sleep in a hyperbolic chamber or something, get healthy Sheets!!!! Plus, Kolb is back.

4. Chicago Cubs: Dusty Baker has destroyed a potential multiple World Series team but letting Kerry Wood and Mark Prior throw 130 pitches a game, they aren't named Livan, Dusty!!! Jim Hendry should take some blame too for having such a crappy bullpen (Joe Borowski???) that Dusty had to stick with the starters, but what else would you expect from someone associated with Creighton University.

5. Houston Astros: How the hell did they get to the World Series? Roy Oswalt is awesome, but man they are boring besides that.

6. Cincinnati Reds: What is this team trying to do? Do they have a direction? BORING.

NL WEST

1. SF Giants: Matt Morris is consistant and moving to Candlestick/SBC/Pacbell will help. Plus Barry Bonds will probably hit 80 HR's just to piss people off.

2. SD Padres: The next three teams are pretty even. But Peavy and Giles will carry the Pads. Bruce Bochy is the man.

3. Arizona D'Backs: Getting better, improved 26 wins last year.

4. Dodgers: Too many injury risks in the rotation, although I like the Seo pickup. Also smart to get Baez. I just have the feeling that this team won't score runs.

5. Colorado Rockies: I bet they score a lot of runs and have a 6.00 ERA. Call me Nostratallman.

AL EAST

1. Yankees: So many runs, a rotation that's healthier than last year and a solid bullpen add up to the Yanks back in the playoffs.

2. Red Sox: It will be a duel to the death between the Jays and the Sox. I love Josh Beckett if he stays away from blisters. The lineup is fine and the defense is better. Coco is better than the overrated Damon.

3. Blue Jays: Their most important moves were in the lineup. Adding Glaus and Overbay takes some pressure off the kids.

4. D'Rays: Alright D'Rays, get some pitching for goodness sakes. I love the lineup, could use one more power bat, or have Aubrey Huff hit some more bombs.

5. Orioles: Screw the Orioles.

NL CENTRAL

1. White Sox: They are good, damn good. The vulnerablility is the bullpen, gotta sure that thing up, they could be in the market for someone like Baez or Mesa around the deadline.

2. Twins: Best starters in the league get better with the addition of Liriano. The lineup is improved, Morneau and Mauer will just get better.

3. Indians: I really really don't like their rotation. People don't realize how good Millwood was last year. Jason Johnson is not good. Their offense is scary though, could be as good as the Yankees if Victor Marinez steps up his game.

4. Detroit Tigers: Leyland will help, he knows his stuff. If Mags hits they will be right there for second place.

5. Royals: How does Allaird Baird still have a job? Does David Glass look at the direction of the Royals and say, "Wow, that looks super." Baird has had lots of time and he's built a rotation where the best starter is Joe Mays. They are my second favorite team, but man do they piss me off.

AL WEST

1. Angels: Time for McPherson and Kotchman to step up. Erstad must remain healthy in CF. The bullpen is rock solid, but the rotation is cause for worries. This team will be in the market for a starter come trading time.

2. A's: Not sure why they gave all that cash to Estaban Loiza, but he'll probably be awesome for them. Another well constructed team from Beane, Will they trade Zito??
Milton Bradley will not be a distraction in this tight clubhouse.

3. Texas Rangers: The offense is really good, the pitching is really bad. Can't the Rangers figure out that you have to have a good starting staff to accomplish anything?

4. Seattle Mariners: They won't be in last again in the next ten years. Felix Hernanadez is freaking unbelievable.

PLAYOFFS

NLDS
Giants v. Braves
Mets v. Cards
NLCS
Cards v. Giants
ALDS
Angels v. White Sox
A's v. Yankees
ALCS
White Sox v. Yankees
World Series
Cards v. Yankees
Champs: In a rematch of the 1926 World Series the Cardinal again beat the Yankees 4-3.

jt