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Predictions for the 2006 Season
[Editor's Note: "Prime Time" Johnny Maz, who has written this column since 2001, is AWOL this year. We hope he's back for the next round! So I had to fill in for him. I wrote this on April 24, about 3 weeks into the season.]
National League standings as of 4/23 East Central West Mets Astros WC Rockies Braves
Reds Phillies Dodgers Nationals Cubs Padres Marlins Brewers D-Backs Pirates N.L. East — The Mets jumped off to a quick start, going 9-2 and opening up an early 5 game lead on perennial division champs the Braves. The Phils stumbled out of the gate, and the dismantled Marlins and owner-less Nationals are afterthoughts. As of today, Atlanta is 3 back. Okay, I still like the Braves to win the division. The Mets' pitching looks good on paper with Pedro and Glavine, but they are fragile and old, in that order. And who do they really have beyond the big two? Sure their hitting is better, so they should contend for the wild card spot. And the Phils are all bark and no bite, with the added handicap of the worst manager in baseball, Charlie Manuel.
N.L. Central — In the last two years, the Astros have dug a big hole, and then climbed out of it in the second half to make the wild card. This year it looks like Clemens has retired, and Andy Pettitte is off to a slow start, but they've opened at 13-5 and have a small lead over the Reds, Cards, and Cubs. You can count on low-payroll Cincy to fade and overrated Dusty Baker to mismanage the Cubbies. (And forget about Milwaukee and Pittsburgh; they've been non-competitive for a decade.) I think over the course of a long season, St. Louis will once again capture the division crown, but I have to go with Houston to edge out the Mets for the wild card. And if Clemens comes back mid-season or Pettitte gets it going, watch out!
N.L. West — This division is an embarrassment. Believe it or not, the Colorado Rockies have the early lead at 10-8 with my Giants. Last year's champ the Padres are at 8-10, but I don't give them much of a shot to repeat. The Dodgers and D-Backs aren't ready for prime time. I'll take the Giants by default (and I hope Barry Bonds has a miserable season, or better yet, hangs up the cleats for good).
American League standings as of 4/23 East Central West Orioles Tigers Rangers Yankees Indians WC A's Blue Jays Twins Mariners Devil Rays Royals A.L. East — The Yankees have once again gotten off to a slow start, although not as bad as last year's 11-19. And the Red Sox have the early lead with newcomer Josh Beckett and a healthy Curt Schilling. I don't see the aging Bronx Bombers being able to run down Boston every year, plus the divisional schedule should be harder this year with the improved Blue Jays, Orioles, and even Devil Rays. So you've read it here first: the Yankees will not take the division. And that starting rotation is even more suspect than their cross town rivals. Dinosaur Randy Johnson can't go on, and their newbie flashes of last year can't possibly duplicate those gaudy records. Their big addition this year was Johnny Damon. So what? I think this is the end of the line for the Yankees — no playoffs this year!
A.L. Central — The White Sox have picked up where they left off last year, with the improved Tigers right on their tail. You have to like Chicago with all that pitching. I think the Indians, who flopped down the stretch last year, should be able to get over the hump and capture the wild card. After all, they get to play a lot of games against Triple A Kansas City. And Minnesota? Not sure if they can keep up the pace this year.
A.L. West — In today's Major League Baseball, we have 30 teams and 6 divisions. A casual observer would think that means 5 teams in each division. No sir! We've got the NL Central with 6, and here we have the AL West with only 4. Texas won't be good again, and Seattle hasn't improved. So that means it's another battle between Oakland and the California (or is it Anaheim, or Los Angeles?) Angels. Any way you slice it, this high payroll team should have enough to hold off the always competitive A's. But it will be close.
— Marty "The Commissioner"
