Thoughts on MLB Predictions

First, let's look at the shockers of my predictions. Some of these may seem a bit off, but hey, my guess is as good as any of the guys on ESPN.

I love the odds of Seattle dethroning the Angels and appearing in the playoffs for the first time since 2001. The pieces they've added have been outstanding. Chone Figgins provides more speed at the top of the lineup. Cliff Lee provides a deadly 1-2 punch with Felix Hernandez. A healthy Erik Bedard gives them argubly the best 1-2-3 punch in the game. If Milton Bradley puts his past problems behind him, he'll give them the offensive boost they covet. Casey Kotchman doesn't have much power, but he provides nice defense at first and will hit for average. If Franklin Gutierrez and David Aardsma continue to improve, this team could be a team to reckon with for the next five years or so. My only concern is a young catcher in Rob Johnson and maybe a little youth in the bullpen. However, if their in contention, the youth can be fixed by adding a nice veteran presence to the bullpen at the trading deadline.

In the past two off-seasons, the Angels have lost Francisco Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Vladimir Guerrero, John Lackey, and Chone Figgins. With the improvement of Seattle and the development of the young kids in Texas, 2010 will be the year the Angels will be dethroned.

Minnesota will win the AL Central. I feel the White Sox and Indians will play well. Why would I have the Indians finishing second in the division? Because recent history suggests they play well when the expectations are low.

Tampa Bay has the edge in the East. However,it won't be easy. I predict they finish one game ahead of the Yankees and three games ahead of Boston.

Mark it down, Cincinnati will be one of the most improved teams in the league. They're young kids are still youngsters who have room for improvement. Aroldis Chapman might appear with the Reds at some point this year, but I expect the team to fade down the stretch. St. Louis will win the division in 2010, but their days on top could be numbered.

I like the Dodgers winning the NL West over Colorado by a couple of games. San Francisco will be a pleasant surprise, but will finish a fairly distant third by 8 or 9 games. The Rockies will finish behind the Phillies by one game for the wild card spot.

You can count on the Atlanta Braves making the playoffs in 2010. Most people have the Braves as a wild card, but I like them on top of the division one more time as the Bobby Cox era winds down in "Hot Lanta". This will give the team the motivation that they've needed in quite some time. Florida will be a talented team that will finish 3 games behind the Phillies.

For the playoffs, Seattle will avenge the loss to the Yankees in the 2001 ALCS behind the arms of Hernandez, Lee, and Bedard. The only win will be a game three win at Yankee Stadium with Andy Pettite prevailing over Erik Bedard to force a fourth game. The Rays will sweep the Twins to advance to their second ALCS in three seasons. Atlanta's motivation will continue into the playoffs where they will beat St. Louis 3-1. The combo of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright will prevent a sweep in the series. Unfortunately for the fans at Chavez Revine, the Phillies postseason dominance over the Dodgers will continue as they will eliminate the Dodgers for the third consecutive season. The Phillies will clinch the finale in L.A.

I had to do some serious thinking about the ALCS. This series could be a classic. Two rejuvenated franchises duking it out for an appearance in the Fall Classic. I think the Rays will edge out the Mariners in seven, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Mariners defeated Tampa to advance to the World Series.

The Braves run will come to an end in the NLCS by the hand of their division rivals. This game will end in six, but the Braves will not go down without a fight.

In the World Series, the Rays will avenge their loss in the 08 Fall Classic by beating the Phillies in six games to win it all. Last year, the Phillies starting pitching was suspect against the Yankees. Cliff Lee, who beat the Yankees twice, is now residing in Seattle. Roy Halladay will have success, but it won't be enough to deny the upstart Rays.