PUC Chronicle

Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: Sports

AL East

1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Baltimore Orioles
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
5. Toronto Blue Jays

The Yankees still have some questions in their rotations - like is Carl Pavano healthy? But the thing about the Yankees is, if they don't have it they'll get it. The Red Sox have both the best rotation and lineup in this division, maybe the best lineup in the American League. The Blue Jays are the definition of a mediocre team. Roy Halladay is the only major bright spot. Baltimore has a great balance of speed and power on offense and some good young pitching, but it won't be enough to keep up with the East's perennial powerhouses.

AL Central

1. Detroit Tigers
2. Chicago White Sox - Wild Card
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Kansas City Royals

Minnesota has no pitching depth, but they could be in the race in the end because of their defense and ability to manufacture runs. The Indians could also have a chance and be a sleeper. The Sox will score a lot of runs and have great depth in the bullpen and on the bench, but the rotation has some questions. Everything will depend on the starting pitcher. The Indians have four horses in their staff and a few real difference makers in that lineup but not quite enough to run with the big dogs. They spent a few dollars but the Royals are still the Royals. The Tigers picked up another big right-handed bat in Gary Sheffield and have everyone back from their pennant-winning 2006 team. They'll win this division.

AL West

1. Texas Rangers
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Oakland A's

Oakland lost a lot when they lost Barry Zito, but the rotation is still pretty solid. Unfortunately, they won't score any runs unless Eric Chavez hits 80 homeruns. Seattle is nothing but Ichiro and a bunch of average major league baseball players. This division will go to either the Angels or the Rangers. The Angels are the obvious favorite with their lineup, rotation and outstanding bullpen. We're picking Texas, because we're crazy like that.

NL East

1. New York Mets
2. Philadelphia Phillies - Wild Card
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Florida Marlins
5. Washington Nationals

The Mets have the most complete team in baseball. Their only question is whether or not Pedro Martinez can stay healthy. The team from Philadelphia has a great lineup and finally has a solid rotation which includes reigning MVP Ryan Howard. The Nationals are a joke, probably the worst team in baseball. The Braves will contend, but just don't have enough depth to win it. Florida needs another year of maturation under their collective belt to really do much damage. They were a good story last year but don't look for a repeat performance.

NL Central

1. Chicago Cubs
2. Houston Astros
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Cincinnati Reds
6. Pittsburgh Pirates

This division is up-for-grabs. If the Cubs stay healthy, they have a real shot at winning it all. They have a potent offense and will play solid infield defense, but they won't stay healthy. The Reds need to play defense because they lack any real difference-makers. The Cardinals won the World Series so they won't just lie down, but they lack the pitching to win this division. The Brewers could be a sleeper if they get some good work from their bullpen.

NL West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. San Diego Padres
3. San Francisco Giants
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. Colorado Rockies

The Dodgers will run away with this division. It's about time somebody in this division got a strong team. Everybody else has some major flaws. The Padres have questions in their lineup, particularly at the top and bottom. The Giants have the cancer that is Barry Bonds on the roster. The Diamondbacks have no offensive weapons and no bullpen. The Rockies play in Coors Field and have no pitching; they should give up about 15 runs a game at home.

AL
MVP - Grady Sizemore - Cleveland Indians
Cy Young - Josh Beckett - Boston Red Sox
Pennant - New York Yankees

NL
MVP - David Wright - New York Mets
Cy Young - Carlos Zambrano - Chicago Cubs
Pennant - Los Angeles Dodgers

World Series Champion - Los Angeles Dodgers

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