Fearless Predictions: 2006 Major League Baseball Season Edition

Every scribe that goes down to Florida or Arizona during Spring Training always culminates their experience with a season preview column where they strap on their "Carnac" hat and boldly go where just about every other baseball writer is going.

I shall do the same.

Mac predicts the following will be true in 2006:

(team, W-L; *-indicates Wild Card team)

AL East
New York Yankees (98-64)
Boston Red Sox (92-70)*
Toronto Blue Jays (88-74)
Baltimore Orioles (75-87)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (72-90)

AL Central
Cleveland Indians (95-67)
Chicago White Sox (90-72)
Minnesota Twins (78-84)
Detroit Tigers (73-89)
Kansas City Royals (55-107)

AL West
LA Angels (97-65)
Oakland A's (91-71)
Texas Rangers (75-87)
Seattle Mariners (71-91)

NL East
Atlanta Braves (89-73)
Philadelphia Phillies (87-75)*
New York Mets (84-78)
Washington Nationals (76-86)
Florida Marlins (61-101)

NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals (96-66)
Milwaukee Brewers (85-77)
Houston Astros (82-80)
Chicago Cubs (78-84)
Cincinnati Reds (77-85)
Pittsburgh Pirates (70-92)

NL West
San Francisco Giants (87-75)
Los Angeles Dodgers (83-79)
San Diego Padres (79-83)
Colorado Rockies (75-87)
Arizona Diamondbacks (71-91)

Divisional Playoff Series

American League: LA Angels over Boston; Cleveland over New York
National League: St. Louis over Philadelphia; Atlanta over San Francisco

Championship Playoff Series
American League: LA Angels over Cleveland
National League: St. Louis over Atlanta

World Series
LA Angels over St. Louis in six games.

Award Winners

American League MVP: Vladimir Guerrero, LAA
National League MVP: Albert Pujols, St. Louis
American League CY Young: CC Sabathia, Cleveland
National League CY Young: Chris Carpenter, St. Louis
American League Rookie of the Year: SP Justin Verlander, Detroit
National League Rookie of the Year: 3B Ryan Zimmerman, Washington
American League Manager of the Year: Eric Wedge, Cleveland
National League Manager of the Year: Ned Yost, Milwaukee

Some Minor Predictions:

Jimmy Rollins will go 0-3 in an Opening Day loss to the Cardinals, ending his run at Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. (Yes, I'm aware it wouldn't "break" the record, and Joe D's single-season hitting streak mark will remain intact regardless of what Rollins does. Thanks)

Jon Papelbon will be the closer in Boston by June 1st. Keith Foulke's knee (and head) won't hold up for a full season. Craig Hansen needs a full season in Pawtucket, with sporadic call-ups to Boston, so he can assume that role in 2007.

Thanks to the "Extra Innings" package for DirecTV, I will watch every single start by Felix Hernandez for the Mariners this year, regardless of the game's start time.

(I'm mildly intrigued by the Mariners this year. I stand by my last place finish prediction, but I think that with Adrian Beltre, Ichiro and Richie Sexson, they might be fun to watch. I'm looking forward to seeing how Kenji Jojihma assimilates to playing in the States, as well. Thing about this team is this: After King Felix, they have nothing in terms of pitching talent. Jamie Moyer, Gil Meche, Joel Pineiro and Jarrod Washburn have been terrible this spring.)

Barry Bonds will sail by Babe Ruth's 714-HR mark, but will fall at least 20 HRs shy of Hank Aaron's 755. Major League Baseball's nonsense investigation into steroids (which Buster Olney correctly characterizes in today's blog entry) will prompt Bonds to announce that he's retiring at the end of the season. The last time we'll see Barry Bonds in action will be after his team is eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the playoffs.

(Speaking of Bonds, I highly recommend "Game of Shadows". I'm sure you've heard or read all that's been written about the book, but it's worth reading on your own and drawing your own conclusions. While you're at Amazon ordering that book, pre-order Maddox's "Alphabet of Manliness", as well.)

Over/Under On Manny Ramirez Trade Requests: 2.5 (I'm taking the over)
First Manager Fired: Clint Hurdle, Colorado
Manager Who Should Be Fired First, But Isn't: Dusty Baker, Chicago Cubs
Number Of Players Suspended For Steroid Use: 12 (up from 10 a year ago)