MSNBC's 2007 MLB Preview

[rep the dems]

By Tony Demarco:

AL EAST
1.New York Yankees 94-68
2.Boston Red Sox 90-72(WILD CARD WINNER)
3.Toronto Blue Jays 81-81
4.Baltimore Orioles 76-86
5.Tampa Bay Devil Rays 63-99

AL CENTRAL
1.Cleveland Indians 91-71
2.Detroit Tigers 87-75
3.Minnesota Twins 85-77
4.Chicago White Sox 81-81
5.Kansas City Royals 66-96

AL WEST
1.Oakland Athletics 89-73
2.Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 83-79
3.Texas Rangers 76-86
4.Seattle Mariners 72-90

NL EAST
1.New York Mets 91-71
2.Philadelphia Phillies 88-74(WILD CARD WINNER)
3.Atlanta Braves 84-78
4.Florida Marlins 76-86
5.Washington Nationals 62-100

NL CENTRAL
1.St.Louis Cardinals 89-73
2.Chicago Cubs 85-77
3.Milwaukee Brewers 83-79
4.Cincinnati Reds 81-81
5.Houston Astros 76-86
6.Pittsburgh Pirates 72-90

NL WEST
1.Los Angeles Dodgers 89-73
2.San Diego Padres 86-76
3.Arizona Diamondbacks 79-83
4.San Francisco Giants 78-84
5.Colorado Rockies 77-85

[Auggie]

1. I just about agree with all those, except Cleveland

Don't believe Indians Manager Eric Wedge has the smarts (or pitching) to win enough games against Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota. I'd go with Detroit to repeat the division.

And I'd flip the Mets and the Phillies.

Still early to predict though...

[rep the dems]

2. I was surprised when I saw the Indians in 1st.

I guess they made some deals in the offseason that I never heard about. Hope you're right about the Mets and Phillies!

[Auggie]

3. I consider the roster one part of the equation

I haven't been impressed with the offensive or defensive strategies of Cleveland manager Eric Wedge.

Of course, predictions are fun to make, and over the course of a season anything can happen.

[BOSSHOG]

4. Phillies are gonna make up the difference this year

and the world champion cardinals won't have a record good enough for second place in the NL East.

[PDittie]

5. Agree with most of this

and go out on a limb to call a Dodgers-Yankees Fall Classic.

[Forkboy]

6. I got a funny feeling about Toronto

If they were in any other division I'd say they'd make the playoffs.They hung tough for about 3/4 of the year last year before fading in the end.

I know nothing about what Cleveland has done so I'm surprised to see them picked ahead of Detroit,but I'm assuming that someone knows more than me (always a safe assumption).

[Auggie]

7. Cleveland got outfielders Trot Nixon

from Boston and David Dellucci from Philadelphia, and reliever Joe Borowski from Florida who will likely be the new closer. Questionable at third and second bases, shortshop, and in middle relief, but deeper on the bench. Solid starting pitching, but no true "go-to guy." Big hitters in the lineup with DH Travis Hafner, catcher Victor Martinez and outfielder Grady Sizemore. A wild card if they're really lucky, especially with the unimaginative and passive Eric Wedge managing things.

That's my scouting report.

[Forkboy]

8. Duh...I should've remembered seeing as though I live in Mass.

Didn't know about the others though.I still can't see them in first.I think your scouting report is probably better than most :)

[rep the dems]

9. Delucci sucks.

If Cleveland really expects him to help them make the playoffs, they're going to be disappointed.