Put me in coach - Here are the 07 baseball predictions

PLAY BALL!!!....here are my predictions for the National League....
NL East
1. Phillies - Charlie Manuel may not make the season, but someone will push the right buttons with Howard, Utley, and Rollins in the lineup....Ryan Howard is the anti-Mark McGwire....don't be surprised if they trade for Mike Piazza late in the year since he is a Philly native....
2. Mets - the Mets will lead the division at the start, but they lack starting pitching....unless they trade for someone at the break, they will fall short.....thank goodness for the wilcard....will have to trade youngster Milledge for pitching....maybe Milledge and others to Cleveland for one of their pitchers - C.C.?
3. Braves - the A.T.L. may have the best pitching in the division....they need a big year from the Jones boys....
4. Marlins - will someone please tell me how you fire the Manager of the Year?.....
5. Nationals - it seems like years ago since that first year season in D.C......

NL Central
1. Brewers - the beer will be flowing in Milwaukee....
2. Cubs - you have to give ownership credit - they went out and got a good manager and spent for the best free agent.....
3. Cardinals - St. Louie got hot in the playoffs....but don’t forget they struggled down the stretch last season....
4. Astros - Lance Berkman will take the MVP this year.....
5. Pirates - things are starting to look up in Steeltown.....maybe the division next year?.....should have traded for Josh Hamilton....
6. Reds - speaking of Hamilton....he will be one of the few bright spots in the Queens City....

NL West
1. Dodgers - LA will win a playoff series this year -- and maybe more.....should dominate a weak division....
2. Padres - how much longer can Wells and Maddux go?......
3. Diamondbacks - Brandon Webb may be the best pitcher no one knows about.....have some good young players coming up....
4. Giants - its transition time in the Bay.....Bonds finishes with 32 homers....
5. Rockies - at trade deadline time, contenders will be lining up for the services of Todd Helton.....

NLDS
Dodgers over Mets
Phillies over Brewers
NLCS
Dodgers over Phillies

Now to the Junior Circuit....
AL East
1. Yankees - maybe Carl Pavano will do something before the end of his contract.....
2. Red Sox - you don’t spend all that money for D. Mat and not make the playoffs....after a year off, Beantown is back in the playoffs....Big Papi finally gets his MVP....
3. Blue Jays - they locked up Vernon Wells and have Roy Halliday as an ace and BJ Ryan as a closer....too bad they are stuck with the Yanks and Bosox....
4. Orioles - remember when the Orioles were always contenders....where have you Earl Weaver?...
5. Devil Rays - good young talent....but same old team.....I have 1 word - contraction!!!.....

AL Central
1. Twins - starting pitching is the key....after Santana, there is not much there....great hitting team with Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, Hunter, and Kubel.....a Greg Maddux would look good in a Twins uniform....
2. Tigers - lineup will be powerful with Sheffield on board.....pitching will be solid, but they will lose out to Boston for the wildcard....
3. White Sox - they key is Mark Buehrle....he was in the tank last year....Chisox still have very powerful middle of the order in Thome, Konerko, and Dye....
4. Indians - Sizemore is the best young player in the AL.....Hafner will crack 40+ homers....but their manager sucks....
5. Royals - give this team a few years....like the Pirates in the NL, their worst days are behind them.....two words - Alex Gordon!!!....

AL West
1. Angels - this team has some of the best young players with Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick, Jered Weaver, etc.....and don't forget Vlad is still there....
2. Rangers - young pitcher Eric Hurley will give this team some hope....new manager Ron Washington is supposed to be a "player's manager".....
3. Athletics - Billy Beane cannot pull a rabbit out of the hat every year....plus this is the first year without a Hudson, Mulder, or Zito in the rotation....
4. Mariners - the most coveted prize at the trading deadline will be Ichiro....

ALDS
Twins over Red Sox
Yankees over Angels

ALCS
Twins over Yankees

World Series
Twins over Dodgers - what the heck....it takes some grapefruits to go with the Twins....