Predictions for the MLB season ahead

Fresh from the Easter that saw the Vancouver Canucks claim the Northwest Division title and the Philadelphia Eagles trade away their star QB to their division rival Redskins (!), baseball season officially kicked off yesterday, but it begins in earnest today. Since I forgot to make predictions, I'll get into it now.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

Just like last year, this year's Cy Young race will be close. I pick Hernandez this year because the Mariners are better this year, and most of the other candidates will likely have something going against them, whether it is a slow start (CC Sabathia) or bad team (Zack Grienke).

MVP: Evan Longoria, Tampa Ray Rays

This year has no clear cut leader going into the season, so it's really anyone's guess who will win the MVP in the American League. Longoria will win it, but put this prediction down in pencil.

Rookie of the Year: Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians

Honestly, I have no idea who will even be on the opening day rosters that are rookies, so I'm basically picking a name out of a hat here. Santana looks like a sure bet to crack a major league roster by the time of this writing (I'll have to look at the rosters and edit this part), so I'll go with him.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cy Young: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

The consensus pick here seems to be Halladay. I would not argue with this one, as he has been a dominant pitcher the last few years while playing for a bad Blue Jays team in the toughest division. This year, he has a great team behind him, and he won't have to face the likes of Alex Rodriguez and Evan Longoria for at least three or four games a year.

MVP: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

Yes, I know it's a homer pick, and yes, I know Albert Pujols is the reigning MVP and a favorite to repeat...again. However, I refuse to pick any St. Louis Cardinal for this honor, and I think this is the year Tulo takes it to another level.

Rookie of the Year: Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves

Stephen Strasburg may sound like a trendy pick here, but the fact that he's starting in the minors combined with a bad Nationals team will likely hurt his chances here. With Heyward, he's the opening day right fielder and he looks like a surer thing to put up the numbers.

WORLD SERIES: Philadelphia beats New York Yankees in seven

2010 MLB Preview: Part 1

Before I begin the Major League Baseball preview, I'd like to say that the picture included has nothing at all to do with this, I just happen to find it funny.

I can't believe that it is almost a week away until Opening Day of the baseball season. And with the baseball season comes the inevitable storylines, such as performance enhancing drugs, the Evil Empire known as the New York Yankees, and of course, mascots firing hot dogs into people's eyes. Okay, so the last one only happened once...that anyone knows about, anyway. And since I have to at least, start relating the pieces to the "Rocks" part of the title one way or another, I suppose I should begin talking baseball, and what better way to do that than a preview of all 30 teams. Since this may take a while, I will break it down into three segments, with the East of both leagues getting the treatment today. Tomorrow will be the Central and Monday will be the West. Now that I've made all that clear, let me bore you in three sentences or less about each team in the East division from both leagues.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST:

Baltimore Orioles: In rebuilding mode, they have the pieces to eventually be a respectable club. However, pitching will have to learn on the job, and it remains to be seen if catcher Matt Wieters can follow up his solid rookie campaign from last year.

Boston Red Sox: They are quickly becoming what they've hated for years: The Evil Empire. Only this time, they still have holes to fill, like center field and someone that scares pitchers, and I don't think David Ortiz will regain his former form. At least the pitching will be better...if Daisuke Matsuzaka rebounds.

New York Yankees: The real Evil Empire, they finally made their investments pay off last year. This year looks just as promising, as they got younger in the outfield and maintained the talent level there. Anything short of a title will be a disappointment.

Tampa Ray Rays: They snuck up on no one last year, as they finished a distant third in the division. However, they have the best chance of unseating the Sox and Yanks in the division, and they also know what it means to win when it counts, as 2008 attests.

Toronto Blue Jays: No Roy Halladay, no real offense, what is there for the Blue Jays to hang on to? Well, they will be better...in 2012.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST:

Atlanta Braves: Great pitching staff, decent offense, and motivation to win for a manager that is stepping down at the end of this year. Sleeper team that could surprise many in the division.

Florida Marlins: Every year, they get written off as a team that can't compete, and every year, they prove everyone wrong. I would not be surprised if they are still in the playoff race by the end of the season, but stone hands in the infield may be their undoing.

New York Mets: Questions abound, such as whether they can figure out their ball park, health, and the sudden power outage on offense. Mets fans can forget about playoffs this year.

Philadelphia Phillies: All that stands between the Phillies and a three peat of the National League title is their bullpen. The acquisition of Roy Halladay should save the bullpen every fifth day, though.

Washington Nationals: Move along, nothing to see here...until Stephen Strasburg makes his MLB debut this season.