Division Predictions for 2005 Major League Baseball

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Triple Threat Sports - 3/30/2005 12:00 AM

Hi, this is Mike Bannister, the baseball man here at Triple Threat. I have spent a great deal of time during my "offseason" getting ready for 2005, and I cannot wait for the season to start. Below you will find my division predictions for the upcoming season. Last year I had four of the six, and I am looking for a sweep this time around.

AL EAST

1) NY Yankees - The last time Big Unit was pared with another great pitcher his team won a ring & NY has to be considered the favorites again this year.
2) Boston Red Sox - BoSox will miss Cabrera & Mientkiewicz more than they think, & the magic of last year will be hard to duplicate, no matter how many shots of Jack Daniels they have before each game.
3) Baltimore Orioles - Just not enough pitching.
4) Tampa Bay Devil Rays - This is a talented young team but moving up in this division is a real chore.
5) Toronto Blue Jays - Name a starter other than Halladay. Nuff said.

AL CENTRAL

1) Minnesota Twins - Many are choosing the Indians to beat the twins, but like Rick Flair says, to be the man (or in this case the team) you have to BEAT the man, and I think the Twins will hold on for one more year.
2) Cleveland Indians - They have the talent to win this division, but EVERYTHING must go right, and that is asking a lot over 162 games.
3) Detroit Tigers - The Magglio Ordonez signing helped them and weakened a division rival - a double bonus. I also like thier closer, but the question is whether or not they can get to him enough.
4) Chicago White Sox - Too many question marks for my liking so they have to get my call for #4.
5) Kansas City - It is going to be a Looooong season.

AL WEST

1) Angels - Will not dignifiy management's naming decision by typing it, but whatever they are called, this is hands down the best team in the AL West.
2) Oakland Athletics - Two of The Big Three are missing, and Rich Harden is not quite ready to take over. Will not score enough runs to stay with Angels.
3) Texas Rangers - Another typical John Hart team, Rangers will hit a ton but the arms are not there to sustain a run.
4) Seattle Mariners - Will be better than last year, but someone has to finish last.

NL EAST

1) Atlanta Braves - Thirteen in a row and counting.
2) Florida Marlins - Excellent starting rotation if everyone is healthy, and the addition of Carlos Delgado vastly improves the offense. This is my NL Wild Card team.
3) NY Mets - A great deal of talent to be sure, but Willie Randolph has to prove his mettle right away.
4) Philadelphia Phillies - Nice new ballpark that will be fun for the hitters, but rotation looks weak.
5) Washington Nationals - Sorry DC fans, these are the Expos in better uniforms.

NL CENTRAL

1) St Louis Cardinals - Redbirds won 105 games last year and have added Mark Mulder, who should dominate. I do not think they will hit the centiry mark again, but they are still the best of this bunch.
2) Houston Astros - "Scrapped" their way into the playoffs last year but that looks unlikely this season as all the principles are a year older and of course Beltran is gone.
3) Milwaukee Brewers - This team gets little notice but the offense of Overbay and Jenkins, along with addition Carlos Lee, should score some runs. Ben Sheets has finally developed into an ace, and I expect big things from the Brew Crew this season.
4) Chicago Cubs- No Sosa, no Alou, and no real feel for Prior, Wood and Borowski. No chance.
5) Cincinnati Reds - Need perfect helath from what has been a perenialy injury prone offense to make up for a bad, bad staff.
6) Pittsburgh - The Wilsons are fun to watch, and Perezis a quality arm, but with a payroll this small this team cannot compete.

NL WEST

Sorry, guys, I am copping out here. I have positively no clu who is going to win this division, as injuries to Bonds, Gagne, etc just make it too tough to call. I will tell you this, there is no way in hell Arizona is going to lose 111 games again, and I would not be shocked to see them win this division if Bonds is out for a long time.

Thanks, and Have a Great Season!!!

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