Fan Stop Central

The 2009 Major League Baseball season is just around the corner with Opening Day (night) on April 5 with the Dodgers/Giants and Phillies/Braved kicking off a twi-night double header.

Now that Japan has kicked the crap out of the rest of the world to win the World Baseball Classic, it’s time to get down to 162 games of business here in the U.S., and what everyone wants to do … pick their playoff contenders and World Series champion … so Fan Stop Central will get in the game with that as well.

American League West Division
This could be the division that (like normally) does its best to beat each other up … but it’s probably going to end up being the strongest. Who knows, really? Fan Stop Central likes the attitude that Giambi will bring back to the A’s, but has always been a Ken Griffey, Jr fan. No that KGJ (or Giambi) are the one-man franchise changers, between the two, Griffey has the track record of being a one-man game changer.
Our pick for the AL West – Seattle Mariners.

American League Central Division
The Royals look like the team to beat … beat up on that is. They’ve made some moves and might make some waves, but don’t get your hopes up this season either. White Sox? Indians? Twins? Tigers? Let’s just get to it without a lot of reading.
Our pick for the AL Central – Cleveland Indians.

American League East Division
The Rays have made some interesting moves and coupled with their run to the 2008 World Series can’t totally be counted out. Baltimore seems to have made some moves, but since Ripken departed, they’ve just been a wreck. Red Sox and Yankees seem to be the heavy-handed players in the division, but the Blue Jays … well, nevermind. This division will most likely end up like the West where they beat up on each other so there’s not one dominant club in the end.
Our pick for the AL East – New York Yankees.

National League West Division
With Manny going (and staying) in Los Angeles, how can you not pick the Dodgers to come out with the West Division pennant? Giants? Diamondbacks? Rockies? No.
Our pick for the NL West – Los Angeles Dodgers.

National League Central Division
The Cubs would like to continue their much found success of 2008, but not so fast. The Astros have re-tooled, the Cardinals are more focused, the Pirates and Reds … well, they are the Pirates and Reds.
Our pick for the NL Central – St. Louis Cardinals (shocking isn’t it).

National League East Division
Some would like to see the Braves have a resurgence. We don’t seem to think the Phillies can repeat their success and the Mets seem to always find a way to implode. Nationals? Well, the Rays made a run so you can’t totally count out the Nats, but not likely. The Marlins have shocked baseball more than once, but probably not this year.
Our pick for the NL East – Atlanta Braves.

Wild Cards
American League – Oakland A’s
National League – Chicago Cubs

AL West – Seattle Mariners
AL Central – Cleveland Indians
AL East – New York Yankees
AL Wild Card – Oakland A’s

NL West – Los Angeles Dodgers
NL Central - St. Louis Cardinals
NL East – Atlanta Braves
NL Wild Card – Chicago Cubs

Wow, I have never picked a final such as this, but this year is a good a time as any.
American League Champion – New York Yankees
National League Champion – Los Angeles Dodgers

And even though they have like 500-some World Series trophies, I’ve never picked them to win one … here goes nothing, I guess.
World Series Champion – New York Yankees

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