Random Fandom

In the midst of trying not to be completely distracting by a Costco-sized dose of baseball after 5 months of nothing and, oh, my alma mater playing for the men's basketball championship, a couple sets of predictions.

First, Sports Fan Magazine asked me to preview the 2005 Arizona Diamondbacks for them. Their questions -- and my responses -- can be seen here. Please ignore the Kelly Stinnett reference -- who knew that by the time the survey appeared Stinnett would be cut from not one, but TWO teams. In any case, thanks to SFM for asking me.

Second, from BP's Predictatron, here's how I see MLB shaking out this year. I've got a bit of buyers' remorse with the Red Sox, but that's mostly a result of one 9-2 loss. They'll be fine.

American League East
Boston Red Sox 102 - 60 <--
New York Yankees 98 - 64 <~
Baltimore Orioles 77 - 85
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 74 - 88
Toronto Blue Jays 71 - 91

American League Central
Minnesota Twins 90 - 72 <--
Cleveland Indians 84 - 78
Chicago White Sox 78 - 84
Detroit Tigers 75 - 87
Kansas City Royals 63 - 99

American League West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 94 - 68 <--
Oakland Athletics 90 - 72
Seattle Mariners 77 - 85
Texas Rangers 77 - 85

National League East
Atlanta Braves 94 - 68 <--
Florida Marlins 90 - 72 <~
New York Mets 85 - 77
Philadelphia Phillies 84 - 78
Washington Nationals 59 - 103

National League Central
St. Louis Cardinals 102 - 60 <--
Chicago Cubs 87 - 75
Houston Astros 78 - 84
Cincinnati Reds 71 - 91
Milwaukee Brewers 70 - 92
Pittsburgh Pirates 68 - 94

National League West
Los Angeles Dodgers 90 - 72 <--
San Diego Padres 85 - 77
Arizona Diamondbacks 75 - 87
San Francisco Giants 74 - 88
Colorado Rockies 68 - 94

American League Division Series:
Boston Red Sox over Minnesota Twins in 5 games
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over New York Yankees in 4 games

National League Division Series:
St. Louis Cardinals over Florida Marlins in 3 games
Los Angeles Dodgers over Atlanta Braves in 4 games

American League Championship Series:
Boston Red Sox over Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 6 games

National League Championship Series:
St. Louis Cardinals over Los Angeles Dodgers in 7 games

World Series:
Boston Red Sox over St. Louis Cardinals in 6 games

Finally, in case you missed it, the D-Backs DFA'ed Reggie Abercrombie to make room for Quinton McCracken on the 40-man roster and Bob Melvin says Brandon Lyon's the closer to start the season.

Enough roster talk. It's baseball time.