2010 MLB Predictions; Playoffs World Series Picks

AL East: New York Yankees
The Yankees have only increased their talent level and increased the strength of their pitching. The Yankees play in the toughest division in baseball, so anything can happen, but expect the Yankees to come out of the AL East on top.

AL Central: Detroit Tigers
Although the Twins have jumped on top of the division so far, I like the Tigers to have the staying power to take down the AL Central. The Tigers have a strong starting rotation due to the return of Bonderman and Dontrelle Willis. As long as Valverde has a productive season at closer, they should have the offense to go head to head with the Twins and take the division in a close race.

AL West: Texas Rangers
The AL West may be the hardest division to figure out in all of baseball. Oakland has taken an early lead and has scored the third most runs in the American League, but I cannot see their offense keeping up the pace as the season drags on. Texas has come out of the gates sluggish, but things should pickup quickly. Josh Hamilton has to have a 2008 like season, but due to the strength of their lineup and the decline of the Angels pitching, I'll take the Rangers to win the AL West.

AL Wildcard: Boston Red Sox
The battle will be very close between the Twins, Rays, and Red Sox for the AL Wildcard. Big Papi is on his last leg, but will no doubt become somewhat productive as the season ages as he has several years in a row. The starting rotation is too good to play this bad, the Red Sox will prevail for the Wildcard spot, but not by much.

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies
I can't see this race being close down the stretch. The Phillies (with a healthy Rollins) are one of the best teams in several decades and have what it takes to easily win the NL East.

NL Central: St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals, much like the Phillies, should not have much competition in their division. They have two Cy Young quality starting pitchers and a solid supporting cast along with one of the best first baseman who has ever lived and an outfielder who could become a Hall of Famer in Matt Holliday (.318 career batting average). Sorry Cubs fans, you might not even finish second, but their will be no one close to the Cardinals regardless.

NL West: San Francisco Giants
The Giants have scored the second most runs in all of baseball (68). Nobody saw this team coming on so strong this year, but can they keep it up? While I don't believe they can keep up this offensive butchering of opponents (outscored opponents by 29 runs already!), they can beat teams in close games with their pitching staff. Lincecum is already 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA, which is simply incredible. Young closer Brian Wilson has two saves in 4 games and has not allowed one run thus far. The Giants should be able to battle out a NL West division championship.

NL Wildcard: Atlanta Braves
This pick could easily be the Rockies, but for some odd reason I see the Braves taking the NL Wildcard spot by 1 game. Lowe has gotten off to a great start with 3 wins, and rookie Jason Heyward looks like he is the real deal. The Rockies have the pitching, but I question their bats as the season comes to a close.

AL World Series Representative: New York Yankees
My dark horse pick is the Detroit Tigers if their starting five can stay healthy, but I can't bet against the Yankees, who are a better team this year than last year as World Series Champions.

NL World Series Representative: St. Louis Cardinals
A National League Championship Series between the Cardinals and Phillies could go down as one of the best in history, and picking the Cardinals over the Phillies is like flipping a coin. It's hard to bet against either team, but I think clutch hitting from Pujols and Holliday will prove to be the difference.

2010 World Series Champion: St. Louis Cardinals
The Yankees will come up just short in this one. The Cardinals rotation and bullpen has been the best in all of the Major Leagues so far allowing a league low 35 runs as of April 17th. It is way too early to be certain of what will unfold this season, but I am going with the Cardinals to beat the Yankees in 6.