MLB b-ball winds up for surprising season

With the first month of the season wrapping up, it is safe to say there have been quite a few surprises so far this year in baseball. In fact, the American League playoff picture at this point would include the likes of the Blue Jays, Mariners, and even the Royals! You will be hard pressed to find a so called expert who will argue that even one of these teams, not to mention all three, will be in the playoff conversation when September and October roll around. While it is obvious that we can’t base our predictions about the season solely on the first few weeks of the season, there is a lot that we can learn. Taking into consideration the events that have transpired so far this season, here is how the season will play out.

The Yankees are the best team in the division. Good starts by their veteran hitters coming off of down years is a great sign for the Bronx Bombers. The best part about it for the Yanks is that Mark Teixeria has yet to really get hot and the best player in the game has yet to play a game. A-Rod will take pressure off of everyone in an already potent lineup. The pitching staff is full of experienced, big game pitchers like CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte, who will shine in the clutch. And when October rolls around and the game is on the line in the ninth inning, it helps having Rivera on the mound and Jeter at the dish.

The Twins have been slow out of the gate and a big reason is because they are without their catcher and three hitter Joe Mauer. Once Mauer gets back on the field, he will have a noticeable effect on not only the Twinkies ability to score runs, but his presence will also be felt by the way his is able to handle this young and talented pitching staff. Mauer and Justin Morneau, one of the most underrated players in the game, will provide enough support and young ace Francisco Liriano will regain this form and emerge again as a Cy Young contender. Manager Ron Gardenhire always finds a way to get the most out of his team and this year will be no different. The Twins also have a stud of their own in Joe Nathan to shut the door on opponents at the end of the game.

Unlike last year, this division figures to be much more competitive from top to bottom. However, the Angels just have too much talent and the fact that their three best starting pitchers have yet to toe the rubber yet this year makes them all the more scary. When Lackey, Santana, and Escobar get back they will be rested and ready to mow down opposing lineups. The Angels lineup boosts a rare combination of elite speed and power and will give their staff ample run support. The biggest question mark for the Angels will be to see if the loss of K-Rod, their record saving closer, will be too much to overcome. So far so good for replacement Brain Fuentes, but it is a long season.

The Mets have arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball pitching for them every fifth day in Johan Santana. However, the rest of their starting rotation is suspect to put it nicely. With the money spent in the off season to solidify the back end of their bullpen and a solid cast of stars in the field, it would be surprising if the Mets do not make a move and sign another solid starting pitcher at some point in the season. With Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, and David Wright leading the offense, if the Metropolitans make a move for say a Jake Peavy quality starter, this should be the year that they finally break through and get back to the playoffs.

The Cubs have a dynamite pitching staff anchored by ace Carlos Zambrano. All of their starting pitchers have good enough stuff to match up with any opponent they face, a rare quality for any pitching staff. The only question for the Cubs will be if they can stay healthy. From top to bottom opposing pitchers will have a tough time finding a soft spot in this cubs lineup that sports the likes of sluggers Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derek Lee, and young catcher Geovany Soto. Manager Lou Pinella will recognize sooner or later that Carlos Marmol has the best stuff of anyone in his bullpen and should be closing games for the cubs by the summer time.

As long as the relatively unproven pitching staff is able to hold its own and keep the Dodgers close, they should have very little trouble at all locking up a fairly weak division. The Dodger lineup boosts speed and power and from top to bottom might be the most complete in the National League. Manny Ramirez seems to have found a home in LA and his unbelievable hitting tear helped carry the team to the NLCS last year. Manny’s supporting cast is sporting a new found sense of confidence and with a solid bullpen the sky is the limit for this team.