Predictions And Projections IV

Athlon:

East: Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Devil Rays

Divisions: White Sox, Angels, Mets, Cardinals, Dodgers

Wild Cards: Tigers, Phillies

AL MVP Top 3: Michael Young, Jeter, Mauer

NL MVP Top 3: Pujols, Wright, Howard

AL Cy Young Top 3: Wang, Santana, Halladay

NL Cy Young Top 3: Oswalt, Zito, Schmidt

AL Rookie: Alex Gordon (KC)

NL Rookie: Andy LaRoche (LA)

ALCS: Yankees over White Sox

NLCS: Dodgers over Mets

WS: Yankees over Dodgers

Final Analysis:

[New York's] veteran rotation will be hailed for its experience, but that won't matter much if injuries sabotage the team's chances. ... the lineup is too talented not to lead them back [to the playoffs]. But with the ultimate burden on their creaky rotation, the Yankees could fall short again. ...

On paper, [Boston] looks a good deal stronger [than last year], particularly in the lineup and starting rotation. If the Red Sox can get their bullpen situation straightened out and settle on a closer, they should be back in the mix for a playoff berth. ...

For the Blue Jays to sniff the playoffs in 2007, either the Yankees or Red Sox will need to stumble in a big way.

Street & Smith's:

East: Red Sox, Yankees, Blue Jays, Orioles, Devil Rays

Other Divisions: Tigers, Angels, Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers

Wild Cards: Yankees, Mets

WS: Red Sox over Dodgers

MVP: Guerrero, Pujols

CYs: Santana, Zambrano

Rookies: Matsuzaka, Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies)

Power Ratings (1-5):

           Bos  NYY  Tor
Rotation    5    3    3
Bullpen     3    3    2
Infield     3    4    3
Outfield    4    5    3
Catching    3    4    3
Bench       3    3    2
Defense     4    1    3
Management  5    4    3

Several teams are a "2" on defense, but the Yankees are the only team who rated a "1".

Scouts Say:

I'd like them [Red Sox] a lot better if they had a bona fide closer ... Other than that, they're going to pitch -- there's no doubt. ... They're going to need to get some production from some spots that didn't give them much last year, like center field. ... The bullpen is a mix of good young arms and some veterans who can help out those kids. They need somebody to step uo and pitch the ninth, but they should be all right before that.

Wow. You have to feel bad for anybody who has to pitch to [New York's] lineup. ... The pitching? Different story. ... Pavano is always hurt. Mussina and Pettitte are in decline. Igawa, we had him projected as a reliever. And that bullpen. Yikes. ... If they don't want to overwork Rivera, they're going to have to live with some rough times in the late innings.