Here's the scoop for the baseball season

National League
East
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Atlanta Braves
3. Florida Marlins
4. Washington Nationals
5. New York Mets
Skinny: The Phillies look too tough. The Braves are re-tooled and look out for Jason Heyward, my new favorite player. The Mets have the worst team in the division. It was easy picking them last behind the Nats.

Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Houston Astros
5. Milwaukee Brewers
6. Pittsburgh Pirates
Skinny: This is the Cards' division to win or lose, and they'll win it again. I like the talent on the Reds. If it comes together, they should make it to second place, edging the Cubs. The Astros and Brewers seem close, but I'll give the Astros the edge. The Pirates ... well, they're the Pirates.

West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Colorado Rockies
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. San Francisco Giants
5. San Diego Padres
Skinny: The Dodgers are the best in the division and are an easy choice, let the rest of the NL divisions. The Rockies played over their heads last year, but should be able to duplicate their second-place finish. The rest of the division could fall any way, but I prefer the upside of the D-backs. The Giants have the pitching but not the hitting. If something happens to Tim Lincecum, the bottom could fall out.

American League
East
1. Boston Red Sox
2. Tampa Bay Rays
3. New York Yankees
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Toronto Blue Jays
Skinny: The Yankees should win the division again, but I can't bring myself to pick them, or even give them the wild card. The top three (Yankees, Red Sox, Rays) should be very competitive. The Red Sox improved their defense in the offseason and should be able to hang with the Yanks.

Central
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Chicago White Sox
3. Cleveland Indians
4. Detroit Tigers
5. Kansas City Royals
Skinny: This is a tough division to call. I could see any team but the Royals winning the division. The Twins should win, but without closer Joe Nathan, things could unravel. If it unravels enough, the White Sox should sneak in. My surprise team is the Indians. Not many people are expecting much from them, but they should give people a pleasant surprise.

West
1. Texas Rangers
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Oakland Athletics
Skinny: The Angels always seem to win the division. That would be the safer pick. Instead, I'll go with the Rangers. Team president Nolan Ryan expects a title and why should I argue with him? The Mariners upgraded their pitching like last year, but like last year it won't work out for them.

The playoffs
In the NL, the Phillies beat the Cards in the first round while the Braves beat the Dodgers. The Phillies return to the World Series, beating the Braves in six games in the NLCS.

In the AL, the Red Sox sweep the Rangers and the Twins edge the Rays. Boston rolls into the World Series beating the Twins in the ALCS.

In the Series, the Phillies beat the Sox in six games.

Don't compare the Steelers to last year's playoff team

Embed from Getty Images I'm already hearing talk about this year's playoff is unfolding like last year. You know how that went: The Steelers lost their starting running back in Week 17, then lost in the wild-card round against a divisional opponent. This year, DeAngelo Williams was injured in Week 17. And the Steelers face a divisional opponent -- the Bengals. That's where it stops. Williams has a sprained ankle, and is considered day-to-day. They also face an opponent that has a rich history -- of losing in the postseason. That's not to suggest that this game is a gimmie and the Steelers should book a trip to Denver. This will present it's share of challenges, namely A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert. The Steelers will need to slow them down, no matter who's throwing the ball. But, if A.J. McCarron is behind center, that should be in favor of the Steelers -- also something different from a year ago.

Time for someone to suspend Roethlisberger

I hate prepared statements. Any time I see an athlete read from a prepared statement, I doubt their sincerity. Anyone can read from a piece of paper. Anyone can rehearse and deliver a speech written by someone else. I can't help but think that was the case Monday when Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger delivered his short words. Can't an athlete speak from the heart these days? I know, I know, there are those worried that an athlete could misspeak, so prepared remarks can keep him on topic. I don't buy it. And I hope the league or the Steelers aren't buying it either. One or both need to suspend Roethlisberger. I'm tired of his antics. I'm sure the Steelers are too. Probably throw in NFL commish Roger Goodell. Maybe the return of sensibility to the Steelers organization won't end with Sunday's trade of Santonio Holmes.

Are the Steelers the team no one wants to face?

Embed from Getty Images There's a label attached to the Steelers this postseason: The team no one wants to face. Don't buy it? Monday Morning QB thinks so . Andy Benoit says an explosive passing game and creative defense makes Pittsburgh the most dangerous team in the AFC. I don't think the Ravens had any problems facing the Steelers two weeks ago. But, hey, the Ravens aren't in the playoffs, right? The problem with the Steelers is the defense. They might be creative, as Benoit suggests, but they're also vulnerable to the big play. The team seems to play up -- or down -- to its competition. So, again, there are no Ravens in the playoffs, so they can't be accused of playing down. However, the Steelers have to like their chances with the Bengals on Saturday. One Vegas line on Sunday night had Pittsburgh as a small favorite. Does that mean the Steelers could play down to Cincy? I'm sure the Steelers will be fired up. And it is the po...

The Sports Monitor

Search This Blog