Pick Time

Well, the season is upon us, so I guess picks are in order before the season actually starts.

AL West: Well, the Yankees got rid of Johnson and Sheffield, and brought back an older Pettitte. They didn't get Dice-K, but they're not on the hook for $50 million to him either, gyroball or not. And Carl Pavano is starting on Opening Day. But they still have Mussina and Wang, could get four months of Clemens, still have Mariano Rivera, a couple decent setup guys, and an absolute bitch of a lineup. They don't have to trot out Coco Crisp, JD Drew, and Mike Lowell every day. Boston does. I'll say the Yankees win it again, and make enough moves to get to the Series and make everyone vomit.

AL Central: The Indians are the trendy pick again, after an 84-loss season thanks to some atrocious numbers from their staff. It hasn't improved much, so I won't pick them again. The Tigers came out of nowhere last year, only to lose the division to Chicago on the last day. None of them have the bullpen or the staff ace of Minnesota, though. I'd feel more comfortable about this pick if Carlos Silva wasn't playing such a big role at the moment, but I'm picking the Twins to win the Central.

AL West: Buck Showalter got fired in 1995 from NY and 2000 from Arizona. The next year, those teams won the World Series. Last year Texas fired Buck Showalter. However, they will win the West because they could have enough of a bullpen and a powerful lineup to overcome woes from the pitching staff - but if Padilla reverts to old Phillie form and McCarthy continues to emerge, Texas could take it.

AL Wild Card: Chicago. Detroit won't do it again because Gary Sheffield will poison that team.

NL West: With their pickups of Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf, to go along with Brad Penny and Saito in the bullpen, I'll pick the Dodgers.

NL Central: Because I don't think they'll get hit with nearly as many injuries this year, and because every other team in the division seems absolutely appalling, I'm going waaaaaaay out on a limb and picking Milwaukee. Really, in looking at the lineup off Bill Hall, Prince Fielder, Geoff Jenkins, and Johnny Estrada (pretty darn good if he stays healthy), combined with Sheets, Bush, and Capuano putting up decent numbers while hurt, and it could come together for this team. Besides, it's not fun picking St. Louis or Houston every year.

NL East: It's always about pitching. The Braves had one of the worst last year, but come into this year with one of the best, on paper, with Wickman, Mike Gonzalez, and Rafael Soriano. The Mets still have a pretty good pen too. So, would you rather have a rotation of Glavine, Duque, Maine, Oliver Perez, and Mike Pelfrey, or a rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, Mark Redman, Chuck James, and Kyle Davies? I think I will pick the rotation that doesn't have 2 40-year olds and Oliver Perez, and has three all-star pitchers instead of two. I think the Braves re-take the division - no Pedro for NY, no repeat. Not that it matters, because neither gets to the Series - just like last year (ouch).

NL WC: Mets.

World Series: Dodgers over Yankees.

All predictions right, or your money back.