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 For the first time since most of us were in diapers, the Atlanta Braves will not be in the playoffs. The parody of the national league will only give way to what team stays healthy. Health is a major component of many teams and the injury bug has struck early and often.
In the end, the Giants led by Barry Bonds will win the World Series. Bonds will ride into the sunset as arguably the greatest player to have ever played the game putting an asterisk in the mouths of all his critics.
New York Mets
The resurgence of Tom Glavine and the additions of marquee players will give the Mets the title. Carlos Beltran is an enigma and batting in front of Carlos Delgado should help Beltran who is already getting booed at Shea stadium. Atlanta Braves
The loss of Leo Mazzone will hurt the organization for many years to come, as he was the best in the business. It will be an uncomfortable October for the Braves as the streak ends and Brave fans will have plenty of time on their hands during the playoffs. Chipper Jones’ luck keeps getting worse and the young Braves will learn many valuable lessons this year. Philadelphia Phillies
If fantasy baseball won championships the Phillies’ offense would be national league champs. The Philles can hit and that is about it. Pitching is suspect and losing Billy Wagner to the Mets obviously hurts and puts Tom “Flash” Gorden from setup to closer. Washington Nationals
So for 10 million dollars Alfonso Soriano swallowed his pride and is now the starting left fi elder. Soriano will not be enough and the emergence of John Patterson behind Livan Hernandez in the rotation is nice and enough to keep the Nats out of the cellar. Florida Marlins
The Marlins have been down this road before, unloading, rebuilding and winning a world series. This year is the fi rst year of the rebuilding process and with young potential hall of farmer’s D train Willis and Miguel Cabrera leading the Marlins, Florida will be back on top in a few years Central St. Louis Cardinals
Albert Pujols is starting to hit his prime and his numbers will continue to stay the same leading the Cardinals into the playoffs. Adding a new stadium to baseball-rich St. Louis will only help the Cardinals win the central. The pitching staff is solid and Scott Rolen looks healthy. Houston Astros
Willy Taveras has been getting a lot of hype for his defense but if Taveras can get on base consistently in front of the two remaining killer B’s in Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman. Preston Wilson was an underrated pick up and critical to the success of the Astros. If Roger Clemens comes back the Astros will snatch the wild card. Chicago Cubs
Cubs fans can only dream of having the most talented pitching staff in all of baseball. With no Kerry Wood and Mark Prior the Cubs can settle for mediocre at best. Derrick Lee is for real and the Sac native will continue to put astonishing fantasy numbers.
Cincinnati Reds
Ken Griffy Jr. is back and if you don’t believe me, ask the pitchers of the World Baseball Classic. Bronson Arroyo’s arrival could not have been timelier and time will prove that the Reds got the better deal. The Reds will battle the Cubs for third place. Milwaukee Brewers
If the Brewers can keep their homegrown products in Milwaukee, the Brewers will be a team to be reckoned with in the future. The problem is we are not in the future. The left side of the infield will dominate for years in
Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks. Pittsburgh Pirates
Why do they even play baseball in Pittsburgh? Does anyone outside of Canada even care?
West
The San Francisco Giants
All the steroid controversy around Barry Bonds will not stop Bonds or the Giants in winning the west but motivate. The signing of Steve Finley helps solidify the oldest outfield in the majors. Matt Morris’s career is far from over and if the Giants age and health does not play a factor, representing the National League might not be far fetched. Bonds will have the last laugh and will retire after this season as the home run champ and World Series ring. 2006 will be known as the year of the anti-hero.
Los Angels Dodgers
Injuries to Jeff Kent, and Raphael Furcal are not serious but the same cannot be said for Eric Gagne and Nomar Garciaparra. If healthy Brad Penny is the 2nd best starting pitcher in the west. San Diego Padres
Jake Peavy is becoming the best in the business and the San Diego offense is potent at times but last year western division championship was more a fluke in a weak injury filled division. With that said if the Giants and Dodgers cannot stay healthy, the Padres will repeat. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Dbacks have three nice young bats waiting in the minors in Stephan Drew, Carlos Quentin and Justin Upton. Add in another two young bats already in the lineup in Chad Tracy and Connor Jackson and you have yourself a fine hitting nucleolus for years to come. Brandon Webb is underrated. Colorado Rockies
The Rockie Mountain high of championships is long gone and this year will be like last year. Pitching in Coors is like trying to work on your tan in hell but Jason Jennings has had success. Todd Helton continues to find the alley and the only big name in a Rocky uniform.
Playoffs
St. Louis Cardinals over New York Mets
San Francisco Giants over Houston Astros
Giants over Cardinals
World Series
Giants over White Sox
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