written by: Brian Kassay 

The Yankees have received a major facelift this off season with major changes in the rotation and the offense. The acquisitions of CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett in combination with last season’s rotation carry over’s, the Yankees, arguably have the best rotation in the game. The addition of Mark Teixiera delivers a gold glove first basement and a switch hitting power hitter in the middle of the lineup.

The Twins are a young team that is steadily improving, which should be enough to push them over the top to win the Central this season. A full healthy season out of Francisco Liriano, and the improvement of the rest of the rotation should provide the Twins with the necessary talent to top the very well rounded AL Central.

The Angels took a big hit losing some key players, but it won’t affect their lead over the weak AL West, especially when one considers the great pitching staff that will take the field for the Angels once they all get healthy. The Angels were a great team last season before they acquired Mark Teixiera, which proves that they can win games without him. Many are saying that the A’s could take over the top spot in the West with their offseason additions, but I don’t think that they have done enough to take this division away from the Angels. 

If the Tampa Bay Rays played in any other division, they would be the division winner. Tampa Bay has one of the best pitching staffs in the game, and the addition of Pat Burrell has further improved an already impressive offence. I fully expect Carl Crawford to have a rebound year, and be able to give a greater contribution to the team. Based on this they will have another great season, but it won’t be enough to take the top notch Yankees down.

It may be suprising to many that I do not have the New York Mets winning, the division or the wild card, but I have watched that team do very well early in the season then fall apart at the end, two seasons in a row. Management did not make smart moves when they have the chance (Derek Lowe), and the pitching is just way too shaky to call them a playoff team.

The Phillies are a very similar ball club to the ballclub that won the 2008 World Series. Same great piching staff, and extremely well rounded batting order.

The Cubs are the team to beat in the National League once again. High end pitching, and more offensive improvements keep them as the leaders of the pack.

In the west I believe that it will be a back and forth battle between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks, but the Dodgers loss of Derek Lowe, and weak rotation, will leave them settling with the wild card ticket.

Playoffs