So dudes, I have been so busy looking for a job and stressing out about where I'm going to find some money, that I completely forgot to finish all my baseball predictions.
Sorry about that people. Dumb job-hunting.
All of the other divisions I've reviewed so far have been relatively easy for me. This is because no division has the potential to make me as happy or as miserable as the AL East has. With the Red Sox and the Yankees in this, the AL East, it's pretty much the one division that I pay closest attention to throughout the season.
Taking that all into account, there is not on ounce of baseball logic to be found in my body when it comes to the AL East. None whatsoever. And at least I can admit it. So let's do this, shall we?
1. Boston Red Sox
To answer your question, yes, this was a very easy pick to make for me. I have no problem with the potential of being called a homer in picking the Sox to repeat as division champs. There is little or no question that the Red Sox will be successful this year, given what they accomplished last season and with all the players that they kept. Even I can admit that the Sox are slowly becoming sort of a second "evil empire." Meaning, they are going to dominate so much that either you're going to love em or hate em. And I sure do love em.
2. Tampa B--err I mean New York Yankees
The next logical choice here, your New York Spankees. It's always either them or the Sox right? It's been that way for quite a few years now. The last year anyone won the division besides the Yankees or Boston was 1997, when Baltimore somehow accomplished the feat. Anyway, the Yankees are re-loaded and will be back and forth with Boston, as is usually the case. (Aside: is anyone else a little freaked out by that weird smile ARod has on his face in that photo up there? I mean look what he's doing there. Creeps me out big time.)
Their pitching staff hasn't improved very much, and no matter how good Joba Chamberlain is, unless they actually use him, he only has so much affect. Their lineup is solid as always. If Mussina and the "roid junkie" Pettitte can hold up for a good portion of the year, seeing as they're both ancient, the Yankees don't have much to worry about. Oh except for the fact that the Yankees are run by the Devil himself.
3. Tampa Bay Rays
Yep, you heard me right. This is finally going to be the year that this sorry bunch of wasted talent team is going to finally be successful. Call me crazy, but I think they might even have a winning record at year's end. I love the name change, it's like a new identity for this team. They've always had the talent, just never had the discipline. I think they put it together (at least somewhat) and have a successful year. Oh and I can't wait until they play the Yankees, because someone's going to be headhunting in that one.
4. Toronto Blue Jays
The time has finally come for people to shut up about the "sleeper" that this team is, and face the facts. They're never going to challenge the Sox or the Yanks for the AL East crown. At least not any time soon. The good news with the Blue Jays is that at least we still have baseball being playing north of the border, amongst our Canadian friends. Besides having the stupidest looking logo in all of baseball, their lineup isn't half bad. They just need better pitching and to be in a different division.
5. Baltimore Orioles
Like I mentioned earlier, the last time anyone other than New York or Boston won this division, it was the Orioles. That was in 1997. LONG time ago. Unfortunately, they won't be sniffing anything close to the top of the division or a winning record this season. But hey let's not forget how the Baltimore Orioles made headlines this offseason! Oh wait, that was for two of their players getting caught on the juice. Hey, good news Orioles fans--there is only one way to go and that is up. Bring back Slammin' Sammy Sosa!
