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Three weeks until opening day, it's time for Maine's 2009 MLB outlook and pre-season PT.  I don't have the time (or interest) in the pitching and divisional breakdowns of the past years, hopefully this will be as entertaining (and equally useless).

Let's start with divisional winners.  Maine says:

AL East:  Boston Red Sox
AL Central:  Kansas City Royals
AL West:  Oakland A's
Wild Card:  Tampa Rays

Yes, I am sober.  No, an intern has not hacked into my computer.

Let me start by explaining the AL East and my pick of Boston.  Which, by the way, is the 1st time I've picked the Sox to win this division in over eight years (so quiet down with the homer talk).Three teams in the AL East are going to be above 90 wins and those teams will be Boston, New York and Tampa.  Two of those teams will crest 95 wins, I believe those two teams will be Boston and Tampa.  I project Boston to win 99-98 games, Tampa to win 97-96 and New York to win 94-93.  That doesn't leave large room for error.  I very well might be wrong with the order but I promise you this, I won't be wrong about those three teams all being in the 90's, win wise.

The Joker Card in all of this?  Toronto is going to be a lot better than any of you think.  I'm slotting them down to win about 87 games.  The secret to winning the AL East this year is going to be the team that can fend off the Blue Jays down the stretch.

In the AL Central I'm picking Kansas City to win the division by about 3 games over the Twins and 2 over Cleveland.  I believe Detroit and Chicago will be off the pace this year.  Kansas City is a team that won 79 games last year and lost a staggering 21 games by two runs or less.  I think that this team has a well rounded offense, I think that they upgraded defensively by adding Coco Crisp, I really like their bullpen (especially the closer) and they have a great 1-2 at the top of the pitching rotation.  They won't be winning 100 games any time soon, but 90 wins this division.

Oakland has quietly made great moves this offseason.  Holliday, O Cab, Nomar.  This line up will have some nice pop.  Good arms.  And, frankly, I think Anaheim is going to implode.  I actually think that Seattle will be a lot better this year (they can't get much worse).  Texas is going to score a ton of runs but just doesn't have the arms to keep up.  92 games win this division, Oakland does it by two games.

Tampa runs away with the Wild Card.

NL East:  Philadelphia Phillies
NL Central:  Chicago Cubs
NL West:  San Francisco Giants
Wild Card:  Florida Marlins

The best team in baseball sits in the NL Central.  Those 97 win Chicago Cubs in 2008 are going to win about 103 games this season and might even challenge Seattle's all time win record.  Put this in the bank, Chicago is going to put it's foot on everyone's throat in that division early and push down for the entire season.  I LOVE this team.  I love the pitching rotation.  Oh, boy do I love that pitching rotation.  I love the closer.  I love the catcher.  I love the balance.  Best.team.In.Baseball.

The NL East will be a lot like the AL East this year in that the Phillies are going to face an uphill battle from Florida and New York all season with the Braves playing the role of the Blue Jays.  I actually like the Braves as a dark horse "where did they come from" team this year.  I think 95 games wins this division and I think three teams will be close to, or over, that mark.  I think that the Mets will have a nice season, winning over 90 games, but I have a strong feeling about the Marlins this year in their head to head play.  That will be the difference.

Like the A's, the Giants made some nice (and quiet) off season moves.  Tossing Randy Johnson on that staff gives them something they lacked last season in a veteran presence to calm down the kids when things are not going right.  Renteria should shore up that defense and add some balance to the lineup around the 6-7 slot in the batting order.  It'll be a weak division, 85 games wins it, but they are the best of a bad lot.  The Dodgers, even with the Manny signing, don't have enough (especially pitching).  Arizona could surprise here but I look to them to do what they did last year:  quick start, late fade.

Dark horse to keep an eye on is Colorado.

The Marlins will win a bloody battle for the wild card with as many as eight teams in the mix.

AL MVP:  Carlos Quentin
NL MVP:  Hanley Ramirez
AL Cy Young:  Roy Halladay
NL Cy Young:  Cole Hamels
AL ROTY:  David Price
NL ROTY:  Cameron Maybin

And now...drum roll please...



#1.  Chicago Cubs
#2.  Philadelphia Phillies
#3.  Boston Red Sox
#4.  Tampa Rays
#5.  New York Mets
#6.  Florida Marlins
#7.  New York Yankees
#8.  Kansas City Royals
#9.  Atlanta Braves
#10.  Oakland A's

Alright folks, I've given you a lot to work with.  Get to it!

Well in the Marlins history, they've won the wild card twice... and both times won the World Series. :D

the marlins have never lost a post-season series .. so are you predicting a marlins world series ring again maine ?

^^I hate predicting the playoffs even when they are right around the corner.  I'll reserve judgement for who does what once they get in...

I agree with some of your calls, Mainer, but think things will go down a little closer to this:

AL MVP:  Evan Longoria
NL MVP:  Hanley Ramirez
AL Cy Young:  John Lester
NL Cy Young:  Tim Lincecum (again)
AL ROTY:  David Price
NL ROTY:  Chris Dickerson


AL East:       Boston Red Sox
AL Central:  Detroit Tigers
AL West:     Los Angeles Angels
Wild Card:   Tampa Bay Rays

NL East:  Philadelphia Phillies
NL Central:  Chicago Cubs
NL West:   Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Card:  Milwaukee Brewers

Dickerson and the Tigers!  Interesting!  Please explain?

My thoughts on Lincecum repeating are that he would need to have a better season than last year all while having the top tier pitchers in the NL fall off the radar a little.  I think Coles might be a stretch based on the division he plays in, however.  If it's not Coles it will be Lincecum.  I think Santana should have a shot as well.

Assuming of course that whatever is ailing his elbow isn't serious

Hmm while I appreciate the Love for my Cubbies....I think we're a worse team than last years,I say 83 wins....What Will we get out of Fukudome,Milton Bradley? We're better in the sense We have Rich Harden all season,but can he make it through all season,Guzman is probably gone,how long are we going to keep Gaudin...Dempster had a career year last year,I'm hoping for 120 Strike outs 12-14 wins....

I think I am going to puke. ;)

How much pain did you have to endure to give the Marlins some props like that, Maine?

Brian, Brian, Brian...my good man.

How many times have I had to explain my position on the Marlins as a product versus a team?

so the marlins just threw a no-hitter against the tigers in spring training ..

what a waste of a no hitter

nolasco looked pretty good over 85 pitches

That would be great for the state of fForida and baseball i think if it was the Rays and the Marlins in the world series.  Go Rays !!