Play Ball!

Opening Day was official as of approximately 8:03 EST yesterday. Today was a slew of games that some would call possible playoff matchups, and some would call just pot luck wins.

 

My favorite thing about Opening Day is the fact that nobody's a winner and nobody's a loser until the first nine innings are done (or 10, or 11...). New hope, new possibilities, a new year and a chance to win it all. The other thing I love about the start of the baseball grind is making all the predictions at the start of the year, and seeing how they turn out. So, here are my 2007 MLB predictions, starting with divisions.

 

N.L.

 

East: New York Mets. Best offense, better pitching, best odds for a second year. (best record)

Central: St. Louis Cardinals. But don't count out, of all teams, the Milwaulkee Brewers to take this one. The Card's new starting 5 is unproven, and already starting off hurt with Mark Mulder on the DL. The Brew Crew is young and talented, if healthy they could put up a good fight. In the end it'll likely be decided by Albert Pujols's bat though.

West: Los Angeles Dodgers. Jason Schmidt was the best off-season aqusition of the year. This one's almost sealed as long as they can stay healthy.

Wild Card: Philadelphia Phillies. Ryan Howard is the core of this team. As long as he's in the lineup, wins will follow most of the year.

 

A.L.

 

East: New York Yankees. It's hard not to pick the most dominating team in the division year in and year out, but I think the whole "Dice K" hype in Boston may end up being the death of that team after the All-Star break, once people figure out his "reverse slider". Plus, expect A-Rod to have a monster year, comparable to his MVP season of 2004 in Texas. (best record)

Central: Minnesota Twins. It seems like a longshot, due to a lack of a real power-game offense, but Johan Santana is the best pitcher to take the mound in the game today. They could very well be the sup[rise team this season for some people.

West: Anaheim Angels. The A's didn't really improve all that much from last year, so expect a new division leader this season. Vlad the Impaler will get it back in gear and hit 40 homers.

Wild Card: Boston Red Sox. BUT....don't count out another A.L. East team from this mix, the Toronto Blue Jays. This one's gonna come down to the wire again this year.

 

Playoffs

 

N.L.

 

Mets over Phillies

Dodgers over Cardinals

 

Mets over Dodgers

 

A.L.

 

Yankees over Angels (keep in mind teams from the same division can't face each other in the first round)

Twins over Red Sox

 

Yankees over Twins

 

World Series

 

Mets over Yankees

 

Awards

 

MVP: A.L., Alex Rodriguez. N.L., Albert Pujols

Cy Young: A.L., Johan Santana, N.L., Chris Carpenter

 

Records will be abundant this year. Bonds chasing Aaron, Biggio chasing 3,000 hits, Glavine chasing 300 wins, A-Rod chasing 500 homers (and at only 31 years old). 2k7 will be one heck of a season. Play Ball!

 

Thanks Mr Gammons. =D

 

Just messing with you. Thanks for the in depth information. I like watching some baseball during the summer.

Thanks Mr Gammons. =D

 

Just messing with you. Thanks for the in depth information. I like watching some baseball during the summer.

 

 

Dude, Ghosty, greatest compliment ever.

 

Seriously though, I do aspire to be a sports journalist, and thanks for the flattering comparison man.

I think I was watching baseball yesterday while at the gym. I'm not sure though. The TV is tiny and I usually try to just blank out on the treadmill.

You're gonna eat those words come October, Trigga...

 

RED SOX FEVER IS ALIVE AND WELL! JOIN THE NATION!

Florida Marlins pwn you

lawl Gryph. Trust me, I'd rather see the Sox beat out the Yankees for the division title. I freakin' hate the Yankees. I just don't see it happening this year.

 

And Bentley....I love Florida, but I also know they have a 25-man roster with 23 minor leagers, Miguel Batista, and Dontrelle Willis. A third baseman and a starter does not a team make. : /

You're gonna eat those words come October, Trigga...

 

RED SOX FEVER IS ALIVE AND WELL! JOIN THE NATION!

 

 

/join

BOSOXFTMFW.

Florida Marlins pwn you

FL teams are a joke, for proof I point you to my home city

 

Go Devilr... Oh who the crap am I kidding.

baseball sucks. that is all.

You're gonna eat those words come October, Trigga...

 

RED SOX FEVER IS ALIVE AND WELL! JOIN THE NATION!

 

/Empire

Join the Nation!

lolbaseballlol

 

Is there a point to watching it before October? I think not. And even then, still no point in watching it.

 

the red sox make me sick

the red sox make me sick

 

It's perfectly normal to feel a little anxious when you deal with something so fantastic.

 

 

Yankees pwnz you all!

 

/from NY

 

 

Oh and Gryph....for liking the Sox.... Coeus rep -100.

yankees ftw

how bout that A-Rod

Doubt the Marlins. That is the year we normally win the Series.

This June/July I will be traveling to 4 different ballparks to see games. Tampa, Atlanta, D.C., and Baltimore. Trig, I will think of you at each game. /vacation! Go FISH !!!! and Kansas City too 'cause I know a player on that team

O.o

 

Jesilyn sighting on the forums.