Preseason MLB Breakdown

Baseball season has finally come! Almost all the divisions in baseball can be won by multiple teams which means this will be a very exciting year. Some teams appear to be the clear cut favorites, while many have their own flaws to address throughout the season. I will tell you all who will win each league, world series, and the team that has a chance to be the Tampa Bay Rays of '09.

First I will start with the AL Central which has a chance to be won by any of these teams. While they appear to be one of the youngest teams in baseball, the Minnesota Twins are the team with the fewest flaws in the division. The pitching will be good with Fransico Liriano, and Joe Nathan, however, the batting order will be without Joe Mauer for the first month. Many think the Indians are the favorites, but besides Cliff Lee they dont have any other realiable starters. In the East I like the Red Sox who might be the deepest team in baseball. The Yankees made a lot of big moves, but the bullpen out side of Mariano is shacky, along with lots of vets who are injury prone. The Rays are a grat young team, but are unfortunately in a division that may have the best 3 teams in baseball. Also the Sox and Yanks improved more this offseason. In the west the Angels are the easy pick with solid pitching and good hitting. I am picking the Red Sox to win the AL with their great pitching and hitting, they also might be the best team in baseball.

In the National League, their wont be many close battles for divisions or many great teams. In the central, the Cubs should win without much competition. They lost Kerry Wood in free agency, and are without a reliable closer. The starting pitching should be great depending everyone can stay healthy. In east could be won by either the Mets, Phillies, Braves, or even the Marlins. Out of all of these teams, I like the Mets after they took care of their bullpen problems by signing K-Rod, and trading for JJ Putz. The favorites in the West are going to be the Dodgers. The starting pitching has a few questions but the hitting should be great with Manny in the middle.

The team that may surprise many this year could be the Kansas City Royals. The hitting is very well balanced top to bottom. The bullpen will be great, led by Joakim Soria along with the signing of Juan Cruz who was one of the best set up men this past year. The rotation has some questions at the 4th and 5th spots. Gil Meche, Zack Greinke, and Kyle Davies can anchor the rotation if they find some other decent pitchers in the last spots.

Finally ing the World Series I have to go with the Red Sox and the Mets. The Red Sox will win their third title this decade behind starters Josh Beckett, John Lester, Dice K, and closer Jonathan Papelbon. This should be another great season of baseball and I am eagerly looking forward to that first pitch.