Thank God for Opening Day!

(Originally posted at Tomahawk Chop, my other blog, which will be updated much more frequently now that the season is beginning.)

I love Opening Day.

Spring is here, the weather is warm, and it's time to play the games for real.

Already did the Braves preview, but what about the rest of the league?

AL East: This is the year it ends. As a former Yankee-fan turned Yankee-hater (Thanks, A-rod and Giambi and Kevin Brown and whole bunch of others whose names I'm too lazy to type), I'll be very happy when the year ends with the Yankees missing the playoffs. I think this is the year the Red Sox take them down.

AL Central: For once this division will produce two playoff teams. Given their close finish last year, being a year older, and signing a lot of their young nucleus to long-term deals for security, I think the Indians take the Central this year. The White Sox, though, still make the playoffs as the Wild Card.

AL West: By default, I'm picking the Angels. Seattle is still a long ways away, the Rangers still have no pitching, and the A's will trade Zito by the deadline.

NL West: Almost had a sub-500 winner last year. Will be close again, but this time, probably the Giants thanks to a healthy Schmidt and adding Matt Morris. Also assuming Bonds plays less than 50 games this year.

NL Central: Probably will be the Astros, as the Cardinals are getting older and no one else appears ready this year. 2007 could be very interesting as the Reds and Brewers could contend by then.

NL East: As much as this hurts to do, I can't overlook the Braves not strengthening their bullpen, while the Mets got Billy Wagner while also adding Delgado to their lineup. I think the Mets snap this streak, but the Braves get in as the wild-card.

Playoffs: Indians beat White Sox in the ALCS, Giants over Mets in the NLCS. IN an act of revenge for 1954 and Willie Mays, Indians claim their first championship in over half a century as another streak dies.

All is still right with the world, though, as the Cubs will still suck.