MLB 2009

The 2009 Major League Baseball season is finally upon us after an extra long spring training due to the World Baseball Classic- (baseball's version of the World Cup).  The 1st game of the season is this Sunday night- Phillies vs. Braves.

Last season you will recall the national league's Philadelphia Phillies beat the cinderella Tampa Bay Rays 4-1.  Where the Rays a fluke, and who will be this year's cinderella?  If you're not a big MLB fan you should know that unlike the other major sports, just making it to the playoffs is a significant accomplishment in only the division winners and 1 wild card advances.  So a cinderella in this sport to make it to the postseason is more than just exceeding expectations.

Here are my predictions by League:

                                   American                              National

West                          Athletics                                Dodgers

Central                      Indians                                  Brewers

East                           Red Sox                                 Mets

Wildcard                   White Sox                              Cubs

This year the Mets finally get to play in September, but the Cubs will have to wait at least another year for a title pushing it to 102 years (and counting).

World Series- Indians over Dodgers

MLB Post-Season Preview

The MLB Playoff picture is almost set, with the National League wild card and the American League Central division the last spots in each league up for grabs. The Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Mets fight for that last spot in the NL, being the wild card, whereas the White Sox and Twins are locked in the AL central. The rest of the division winners shape up this way.

National League-

West- Dodgers
Central- Cubs
East- Phillies*
Wild Card- Mets/Brewers

American League-

West- Angels
Central- White Sox/Twins
East- Rays*
Wild Card- Red Sox*

*= not clinched

Because there is so much in the air even with only 3 games to play, I look forward to update this playoff picture next week when things are more concrete. If nothing else it is nice to see both LA teams making a run at it.