JAMES RISWICK
Staff Writer
For the first time in 86 years, the Boston Red Sox are the defending World Series champions. Since absolutely nobody predicted that, nor did anyone really successfully predict the previous three winners, making picks during Spring Training seems rather pointless. Yet, for a good laugh at least, here are my humble thoughts and predictions for this upcoming baseball year, which opens April 3.
American League East
In case you live in Turkmenistan and aren’t up to date with your baseball news, the Red Sox and Yankees play in this division. With almost $350 million spent between the most heated rivalry in sports, there’s subsequently not a lot of talk about the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Devil Rays who also happen to play in the division. The Yankees improved their pitching by adding Randy Johnson, Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano to an all-star rotation with Mike Mussina and Kevin Brown. The Red Sox revamped their line up and rotation as well, but lost key members of their champion team like Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe. Subsequently, I’m quite painfully picking the Yankees to win the Eastern crown with the Red Sox taking the Wild Card. But don’t be surprised to see the Jays and Orioles giving the big boys headaches.
American League Central
Last year I picked the Royals to take this division and they ended up being the worst team in the American League. Oops. This year, I’m going with the Twins who consistently put winning teams on the field despite a low budget and horrendous stadium. Cy Young-winner Johan Santana anchors a rotation that managed to hang onto Brad Radke. The once laughable Detroit Tigers added former Angels Troy Percival and Jose Guillen, and if their young starting pitching can improve upon a positive 2004 campaign Detroit could give the Twins a run for their money. So could an up-and-coming Indians team, but the rebuilding Royals and White Sox should be bottom feeders.
American League West
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Santa Ana, Disneyland and Newport Beach improved their team in the off season with the signings of outfielder Steve Finley and shortstop Orlando Cabrera and should win this division. Unfortunately, they did not address the one area that prevented them from going deeper in the playoffs — starting pitching. Nonetheless, Oakland lost their two best pitchers in Mark Muldur and Tim Hudson and will almost certainly take a step back this year. Texas also failed to address its glaring pitching shortage. Seattle could cause the Angels the most trouble with the acquisitions of Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson, but in what seems like a common symptom in this division, the M’s pitching could be their sore spot.
National League East
The Atlanta Braves have won 13-straight division titles, so why would I bet against them? Their starting pitching has improved with the acquisition of Hudson and the return of John Smoltz from the closer’s spot. The Florida Marlins, though, should be incredibly good with almost the same pitching that led them to the World Series two years ago and the added thunder from free-agent first baseman and all-around good guy Carlos Delgado. This seems like a complete team, but because of Braves manager Bobby Cox’s ability to win division titles despite the odds, I’ll predict Florida takes home the Wild Card in the NL. The Mets improved, but as always, there will be a slew of internal problems caused by overpaid, overinflated egos. The Phillies will also find a way to self-destruct as always and the Montreal Expos won’t be much better now that they’re now called the Washington Nationals.
National League Central
Gee, the Cardinals have almost the same powerful line-up and improved their pitching with Mark Muldur. How could anybody take down the defending National League champs? Houston lost pop in their order with Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent leaving and didn’t add anybody new. The Cubs still have a stunning starting rotation, but their line-up took a dive with the loss of Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou. The Pirates, Reds and Brewers will inflate the Cardinals’ team batting average and winning percentage by continuing to be terrible.
National League West
The Dodgers were miraculously good last year, but they’ll need even more than an act of God to help them win this year with the loss of Adrian Beltre, Shawn Green and Steve Finley. The Giants won’t have Barry Bonds – and therefore won’t win – for at least the beginning of the season or forever depending on whether he heals or stops pouting. The Diamondbacks, who overspent on free agents, just might be able to piece something together, but I doubt it. The Rockies will continue to play in the division. Finally, the Padres have a good starting rotation, but considering Petco Park’s huge confines, a 14-year-old girl’s softball team could post a team ERA below 3 there. Nevertheless, even with a struggling offense (also caused by Petco), I suppose I’ll pick the Padres by default.
World Series
Last year I had the Angels beating Houston. This year, I’m saying the St. Louis Cardinals defeat the New York Yankees. Play ball!
03-31-2005
