My 2007 Predicition

Here it is, my 2007 season preview:

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In the AL West:

 

1. Angels
2. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Oakland
3. Rangers
4. Mariners

 

When it comes down to it, the Angels are the best team in the division due to a balance of hitting and pitching. Oakland lost too much from Zito going away to Kotsay not being in play for a while. The Mariners and the Rangers could flip flop a lot this year, but ultimately, the Rangers made more improvements. Overall, this is a weak Division.

 

In the AL Central:

 

1. Twins
2. White Sox
3. Tigers
4. Indians
5. Royals

 

Waiting for today made this division a lot easier to call. With Rogers out for half the year, at least, pitching on the Tigers will be a bit weaker, and in a year with what looks to be a tough AL Wild Card Race, they will fall short. (Even with Sheff belting homers out of the DH spot). I still believe the Twins will be the best in 2008. They still have enough tools to win it this year. A lot of that is due to their young pitching that is good and that they can win offensively on small ball just as easy as they can long ball.

 

In the AL East:

 

1. Red Sox
2. Yankees
3. Toronto
4. Orioles
5. Tampa Bay

 

In 2007, no team has a 1-5 rotation that can beat you every night. However, the Red Sox are the closest team to having that. Furthermore, they can pound the ball out of the park from many different batters. The Yankees can do that too, but their pitching is no where close to the Red Sox. Watch out for the Orioles this year upsetting the 3 spot. They could easily develop into a 500 club, however, there are a lot if’s on the team and easily could fall to the five spot if the rookies on Tampa Bay have an amazing season.

 

In the NL West:

 

1. Dodgers
2. Diamondbacks
3. Padres
4. Giants
5. Rockies

 

No surprise here that the Dodgers are on top. The Diamondbacks have three key players that all can have break out seasons this year. This means trouble for the rest of the division. Stephen Drew and Carlos Quetin will break out offensively this year as Chris Young becomes a pitching break out. Jorge Julio leaving will also help.

 

In the NL Central:

 

1. Pirates
2. Cubs
3. Cards
4. Astros
5. Brewers
6. Reds

 

So probably a lot of you stopped reading after the Pirates were listed first. They will have a break out year this year. Pitching in this division is horrible. The only team that is proven is the Brewers if Sheets is healthy, and their hitting is horrible. The Pirates could get a lot of wins out of Duke, Snell and Mahom. Its their hitting that is highly over looked. They have a lot of guys that can hit for power. Bay is the one that we all know. With LaRoche behind him, and Nady behind him, they all will get more pitches to hit. It is a possible 35-35-20 HR combination.

 

In the NL East:

 

1. Mets
2. Phillies
3. Braves
4. Marlins
5. Nationals

 

You probably already predicted that. The thing that can push the Braves in front of the Phillies will be the bullpen. Gordon is getting weak. Bob Wickman, Braves, is also weak. Mike Gonzales will take over the closing role, which can change the outlook of the Braves this season. Mets have an AL lineup tho, and an average rotation with above average bullpen

 

So the Playoffs:

ALDS:

Red Sox over Angels

Twins over Yankees

NLDS:

Mets over Pirates

Dodgers over Phillies

 

ALCS:

Sox over Yanks

NLCS:

Mets over Dodgers

 

WS:

Mets over Sox

 

 

Ok, that might be a bit biased