2015 MLB Predictions

Hey look at that. The Colonel and I are back to give you our 2015 MLB predictions. Looking back at our 2014 predictions I can say...........well at least we correctly predicted what managers will  get fired. As always these are semi-serious predictions. Also we plan on doing some more Talkin' Baseball's in the future starting sometime between now and Monday of opening day as our first one.

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Don Mattingly will get fired: I've been predicting his firing for 3 years now. It has to come true eventually right? Probably not because this team is so talented it really doesn't matter who the manager is.

The AL East will be perfectly mediocre: ZIPS is projecting that none of the teams in this division win 90 games with the divisional winner having only 87 wins. I disagree with the projection system saying the Red Sox win the division but I do agree with the projections that this will be a perfectly mediocre division with no great teams but no bad teams.

The Chicago White Sox will be the surprise team of the AL Central:  Sports Illustrated picked Cleveland to win the world series. I'm picking the White Sox to be the surprise team of the season and Cleveland not even making the playoffs. Chicago improved the rotation with Jeff Smardjajaja and improved their lineup with Melky Cabrera. Plus factor in Jose Abreu and Chris Sale and you're looking at a sneaky good team.

The Oakland A's won't make the playoffs: They barely made the playoffs last season and that was before they sold everyone. Now the A's did make some smart moves in acquiring Zobrist and Billy Butler but I'm just not a fan of the roster as a whole. The A's are still relying on Coco Crisp who cannot stay healthy. They're hoping Ike Davis will settle at first nevermind the fact he's been a disappointment everywhere he's gone. The rotation is hoping a bunch of guys come back from injuries. The bullpen looks good again but I'm just not feeling the rest of that roster.

The Marlins will still be mediocre: ZIPS is projecting a perfectly mediocre 81-81 record for the fish. And that sounds about right.

The Reds will trade one of their key players: The Reds were bad this year and their main core of players aren't getting younger. I think this is the year they finally bite the bullet and trade one of their key players, either Jay Bruce or Brandon Phillips. Joey Votto's contract is too expensive to trade so he's not going anywhere.

The Giants will hit the least amount of home runs: The Giants last year were in the middle of the pack in home runs. That was before they lost Sandoval and Mike Morse and replaced them with guys who combined to hit 5 home runs last season. The Giants better pray they can knock balls into the gaps because they ain't hitting a lot of homers this year.

The Padres won't have the pitching: The Padres finally shat and got off the pot and improved their team through trades. That should be one of the best outfields in the game this year. One problem I have with them though is their starting pitching. Yes they improved it with James Shields but he ain't exactly a staff ace. The rest of that rotation ranges from good to who? There's a reason why they'll be linked to a Cole Hamels trade all season.

The Mariners will make a panic trade that hurts their franchise: The Mariners are projected to be the division winner in the AL West. They still have holes though at first base and most of the outfield. I could easily see them trading one of their stud prospects in a panic that hurts their franchise in the long run.

The Colonel
Brad Ausmus or Mike Matheny will get fired: Either the Tigers or Cardinals are set up for a disappointing season (most likely Detroit). I could see the fan bases and front office of either of these teams being disappointed and firing either one of these managers. (Note: This might be the first time in 10 year I have no idea which manager will get fired. My darkhorse to be fired though is Joe Girardi.)

The MLBPA will complain about Kris Bryant not making the major league roster and still won't do anything about it: This has been a storyline all spring training and you know what, the players union won't do a damn thing about it. They like to holler and raise their voice (mostly Tony Clark) but I doubt the players really give a crap if Kris Bryant makes the big league roster immediately or not because of arbitration time.

The Blue Jays will once again win between 78-84 games: The Blue Jays appear to be stuck in a rut. Yeah they keep improving the team with trades and signings but they still look stuck in place. A big part of this is injuries and the health gods have already taken Marcus Stroman from us. They'll once again win between 78 and 84 games.

Bruce Rodon will win the AL Rookie of the Year: Keep Rodon's name in the back of your mind. He's the left handed stud who should have been the first pick and instead fell to the White Sox at 3. He might not make the club on opening day but he'll eventually make the big leagues and win rookie of the year.

The Astros will make the playoffs: I look at the AL West and go "belch". I'm sorry I just don't like the A's or Mariners. Rangers are already falling apart. The Angels rotation is getting older. So the Astros are my surprise team and I don't even feel good about that.

The Nationals will once again fall short in the NLDS: It's going to be hilarious when the Nats are losing in the NLDS again this time to the Dodgers or Pirates.

The Cardinals finally don't make the playoffs: Okay I'm just wishing this and not actually predicting it.

The Giants will be lucky if they win 80 games: The Giants have just flat out sucked in spring training and I don't see this as a coincidence. They don't have power, they're counting on guys like Hudson, Vogelsong, Lincecum, and Peavy in the rotation. They look like they're going to be a disaster.

OMG JOE MADDON!: Old goofy Joe has joined the Cubs and my God I'm not looking forward to the fawning over this guy with the Cubs. OMG JOE MADDON IS SUCH A GENIUS, HE CUT HIS HAIR INTO MOHAWK TO MOTIVATE HIS TEAM! WHAT WILL HE DO NEXT? OMG? OMG?

MLB Predictions

The Colonel and I like to make predictions. Why? Because they're goofy and fun to look at once the season ends and see how bad or good those predictions were. As always these predictions are what we think will happen this season and not who wins what division or award. Save those predictions for the old codgers who cover baseball for major publications. Without further ado, here's our terrible 2014 MLB predictions.

49er16
Yasiel Puig gets Don Mattingly Fired: Mattingly is already grumbling over Puig's baserunning mistakes and "injuries". This isn't going to end well for Mattingly. They're owned by a person who got a coach fired. You think Magic is going to side with Mattingly over Puig if these grumblings continue into the season? I'd say a whiff of a bad start and Mattingly is gone.

Ron Washington Will Also Get Fired This Season: Between his feet in the sand comments on sabermetrics and questionable decisions during games, Washington always seems like he's on the cusp of getting canned. I think this is the year he finally gets canned. With the Angels getting healthier, the Mariners improving, the A's staying good the AL West is only getting tougher. Slow start and he's gone.

Jacoby Ellsbury Will Be The Most Despised Yankee Since Carl Pavano: Yankee fans hated Pavano because of his injury problems and other issues. Ellsbury I believe will replace Pavano as the next most despised Yankee. Between being an ex-Red Sox, to his own injury problems (he's already had to take time off for an injury), and the contract he signed this is going to be a disaster for Ellsbury. He might as well a "He Hate Me" jersey to games.

Must List: A Look Back at the College Football Predictions

Looking back at my college football predictions I came to one conclusion, I know college football way more than the NFL. I say that because unlike my NFL predictions, my college football predictions were pretty much spot on. Let's take a look back.

Louisville Will Win Their Conference, but Be Left Out of the National Title Game: They didn't even win their conference! UCF and Blake Bortles beat them and then went on to win the Big East American Conference. Louisville despite not winning the conference was still a very good team and probably should have made it to a BCS game.

Lane Kiffin Will Finally Be Fired After This Season: And he was fired in spectacular fashion. Fired on the team bus returning from a loss to Arizona State. It was beautiful and adds to the Lane Kiffin firing legacy although it wasn't as good as Al Davis firing him via overhead projector.

Jadeveon Clowney Won't Live Up To The Hype: It barely took until halftime of the first game before Clowney lived down to his incredible hype. He looked out of shape and tired for most of that first game of the year and never quite looked right again. It didn't take long after that for his character to be questioned and the usual hit pieces to emerge. Looking at the stats I never realized how badly he actually played this season. He only had 3 sacks on the year, good for 2nd place on his own team, while being outplayed by his own teammate Kelcy Quarles. I have no idea where he'll be drafted but him and Manziel will be by far and away the most dissected players in the draft.

Looking Back at My 2013 NFL Predictions

I thought it would be fun looking back at my NFL predictions and nope. My NFL predictions were horrible. I mean really bad, like I basically just got one prediction right. Hell one of my predictions was wrong today since Jay Cutler re-signed with the Bears. I can't believe they were that bad but thank goodness I didn't bet money on them. Here's a relook.

The Arizona Cardinals Won't Be The Surprise Team: Right off the bat I got one wrong. Not only were the Cardinals the surprise team, but they would have won pretty much every division in football except the NFC West, NFC South, AFC North, and AFC East. If they had a QB who is just a little bit better than Carson Palmer then they're in the playoffs and probably one of the more dangerous teams in the postseason.

Ron Rivera Will Be The First Coach Fired: He teetered on the edge at first and then transformed into RIVERBOAT RON. Amazing. He'll probably win coach of the year and I look like a fool.

NBA Predictions

I love how the NBA kinda sneaks up on everyone and begins their season. It's always like, "The NBA is on? But it's not even Halloween yet?" So yes the NBA starts up tonight with a triple-header while we get a full slate tomorrow night. And these are my goofy predictions for the upcoming season.

I'll Lose Interest In The Kings Games During Their First Losing Streak: The Kings are the only team I love that I can lose interest in quickly. I blame the NBA more for this than the Kings themselves because if the Kings are good, they won't be good enough to win a championship. The NBA isn't like baseball, hockey, or the NFL. You need to be great in the NBA. So my bet is the Kings go on some sort of losing streak by the end of November or early December and I lose interest in them. I'll still watch them but not as frequently like I still watch the Giants or Sharks when they go on losing streaks.

They'll Still Be Better Than Last Year: I've watched the Kings this preseason and they'll be better than last year and the last few years. Stable ownership, stable GM, and a coach that actually has a clue. They actually look more organized on the court which is stunning to see because they haven't looked organized on the court since Rick Adelman. They'll be better but how better they'll be is the question? I doubt they make the playoffs but it wouldn't surprise me if they can win at least 35 games*.

*Watch them suck but they don't suck enough to reach the top of the draft. Only the Kings.

A Look Back At Our MLB Predictions

At the beginning of the year The Colonel and I made predictions before the start of the MLB season. How bad were they? Let's take a look.

The Colonel

1. Teams Will Stop Paying High Prices for Japanese Talent and Look Elsewhere in Asia: I'm wrong here because there's a pitcher in Japan named Tanaka that has MLB front office people going crazy. I still think we'll see other Asian players from Korea and Taiwan.

2. The AL West Won't Be As Good As Thought: The A's were good. The Rangers faded. The Angels were never competitive. So I guess you can say I get half credit here.

3. The Astros Won't Be As Bad As Everyone Thinks: Boy I was wrong here. I was really wrong. They lost their final 15 games. They receive the first overall pick again for the third straight year. They were horrible. Beyond horrible.

4. Nothing Will Still Be Done About The A's And San Jose's Territory Rights: San Jose had to take the fight in their own hands because MLB still had done nothing about this.

5. The MLB Players Union Will Try To Grab Back Some Power From the Owners: The union is fighting back against this ARod suspension and that's a start. I still believe something will be done about draft compensation to prevent another Kyle Lohse situation.

6. The Yankees Won't Make The Playoffs: Enjoy the offseason, New York.

7. Manny Machado Is Going To Have A Big Year: He definitely improved but his ISO power was down from last year and his OBP is still below average. I hated seeing him injuring his knee to end the season. Hopefully he can comeback next year and completely healthy.

8. There Will Be 1000 fawning articles on the Rays front office and Joe Maddon: People love them some Joe Maddon.

9. The DH Is Coming For the National League: I'm wrong as of right now but I still believe it's coming. I believe one of Selig's last acts as commissioner next year will be to convert the NL to a DH league.

41/2 out of 9 correct

NFL Predictions

I'll say this about the NFL offseason, once training camps start the month of August always seems to fly by. I'm being serious here. Since NFL camps opened the month of August felt like it flew by and here we are. The NFL season is a day away from starting.

With the start of the season I'm going to make some predictions. Not definite predictions like who'll win what division and what award. Just goofy predictions like I've done for college football a couple of weeks ago. Maybe I'll get lucky and correctly predict a few things but I'm sure they'll mostly be horrible.

The Arizona Cardinals Won't Be The Surprise Team: I can't believe people actually think this team is going to surprise anyone this season. Carson Palmer is their fucking quarterback. I repeat, Carson Palmer is the Cardinals quarterback. Has anyone seen Palmer play football in the past 4 seasons? He's horrible. He was too bad for the Raiders! The Raiders! And they're going to be the surprise team of the season? Sorry if I don't take them seriously.

Ron Rivera Will Be The First Coach Fired: It's never a smart idea to hire a new GM but keep the old coach. It's just a recipe for disaster. Add to the fact the Panthers didn't really improve themselves on offense (their receiving core is dreadful) and it wouldn't surprise me if Rivera is the first coach fired this season. Another factor going against Carolina is the fact their bye week is so early in the season. This is a team that won't be rested for a stretch when they play Atlanta, San Francisco, and New England in the middle of the season and Rivera* will be gone.

*Jets owner Woody Johnson is too in love with Rex Ryan to fire him in the middle of the season. He enjoys the circus and that's why I'm not predicting Ryan will be fired in the middle of the season.

Talkin' Baseball: A Look Back At Predictions

I usually take a look back at predictions during the All-Star break but since I'll be on vacation that week I won't have a chance to look back at my terrible predictions. This year though the Colonel also made some bad predictions so we both have to look back! Here are our bad predictions and our comments on them.

The Colonel

1. Teams Will Stop Paying High Prices for Japanese Talent and Look Elsewhere in Asia: This is more of a prediction for the upcoming offseason. I made this prediction because the A's out of all teams paid a lot of money for a Japanese player who is currently stuck in Sacramento. So I still wonder if teams will pass up Japan for other countries like Korea and Taiwan for players in Asia?

2. The AL West Won't Be As Good As Thought: I thought the A's would regress a little bit but they haven't. So this is a legitimate 2-team race for the division. That being said, this division isn't as good as thought. The Angels are terrible, Mariners are always rebuilding, and the Astros are trying to tank.

3. The Astros Won't Be As Bad As Everyone Thinks: Well...........they're not 62 Mets bad but they'll probably be very close. They currently have 32 wins so they should at least win 65 wins this year but it will be close.

Talkin' Baseball: Predictions

Last year I made some goofy predictions about the upcoming baseball season. I don't like predicting division and award winners because I find those kind of predictions boring. Instead of standard predictions I'm going to have a little fun with my predictions. And this year I'm joined with The Colonel! Enjoy

The Colonel's Predictions:

1. Teams Will Stop Paying High Prices for Japanese Talent and Look Elsewhere in Asia: With reports that Nakajima and Ryu are struggling for the A's and Dodgers while players like Wei-Yin Chen and Shin-Soo Choo are thriving, teams are going to stop paying for high priced Japanese players and look elsewhere in Asia for talent. Chen comes from Taiwan and Choo from South Korea. They were both cheaper than players like Nakajima or Ryu and have both been more successful. I believe more teams will bypass Japan and the high prices for Japanese players in pursuit of cheaper talent from the rest of Asia.

2. The AL West Won't Be As Good As Thought: I'm just not in love with the AL West like everyone else. The Angels have only gotten older with Hamilton. The Rangers are starting something called "Gentry" in centerfield. People talk about the Orioles regressing, but it's the A's that I see regressing. The AL West will be competitive, but I don't think that division will be as good as everyone else is making it out to be.

3. The Astros Won't Be As Bad As Everyone Thinks: It gives me great joy reading old school baseball writers talk about the Astros like they're purposely throwing games while ignoring that they're trying to fully rebuild. The Astros are going to be bad, but I don't think they'll be bad enough that suddenly three AL West teams are going to make the playoffs because of them.

2012-2013 NBA Predictions

Like with the NFL and MLB this year my predictions will be a little different for the NBA. Instead of having your standard predictions of who'll win the championships or MVP, I'm going to have a little fun with my predictions. Here they are.

Gasol Will Be The Only Member Of The "Big 4" Who'll Play A Complete Season: Kobe is already a "game time decision" for tonight's game. Nash has had back problems for the past 5 years. And Dwight Howard is coming off of back surgery of his own. There's no way the Lakers "Big 4" stays healthy the entire season to play everyone. There's too much age and past injuries for that.

The Lakers Will Still Win 55 Games: Despite age, injury, and a weak bench, the Lakers will still win 55 games or more this year. The balance of power in the NBA has shifted East and the Western Conference doesn't look as good as it once did. The only real competition for the Lakers this year in the Pacific Division are the Clippers. The Lakers should win at least 55 games.

2012 MLB Postseason Predictions

Okay time for some MLB Postseason predictions. I did this for the MLB regular season and was pretty terrible. Let's see how terrible I am after the postseason is over. Here's the predictions.

I Have No Clue Who Will Win The World Series: I look at all the teams in the postseason and I just don't see a clear cut favorite. There isn't that one team that just stands out ahead of everyone else. Washington might be the most complete team out of everyone but that doesn't guarantee a championship (See: Philadelphia the past two years). It wouldn't surprise me if a team like the Cardinals win or a team like the Yankees. It wouldn't surprise me if we see a Yankees-Nationals World Series. I'm not confident enough to say who will be in the World Series or who will win.

Someone Will Get Screwed In The 2-3 Format: I remember when the Giants were screwed by the 2-3 format in 1997. Kris remembers when his Orioles beat a powerhouse of an Indians team in 96 in the 2-3 format. One of the top seeds will go down in the 2-3 format (crosses my fingers it's the Reds) and we'll hear their fans complain about how the 2-3 format is unfair. (Which it is.)

Texas Will Lose Either Today or In The NLDS: The Rangers imploded down the stretch and on Wednesday. They'll either lose today against the Orioles or in the ALDS. I've never liked teams that back peddled into a postseason and the Rangers are the definition of a team that backpedaled into the postseason.  If it was anyone else but Joe Saunders tonight I would have more confidence in the Orioles putting the Rangers out of their misery.

I Don't Like The Tigers: Everyone seems to be really high on Detroit, their fans flooded Jim Rome's show Thursday with calls, but I'm not. Has everyone forgotten that Detroit struggled to win a mediocre AL Central needing the last couple of weeks and a White Sox collapse to even reach the playoffs? And look at that lineup. Once you get past Cabrera and Fielder there's nothing there. I'm sure the rest of the American League is quaking in their boots over Don Kelly and Delmon Young.

Experience In The Postseason Doesn't Matter: Almost all of the Giants players in 2010 had none postseason experience. So if you hear someone say the Nats won't go far because they're young, you have my approval to roll your eyes.

MLB Will Get Crushed In The Ratings This Weekend And The Hand-Ringers Will Be Out In Force: MLB made a huge mistake starting the postseason on a weekend. While the Saturday games might do okay ratings against College Football, the Sunday games will get crushed by the NFL on Sunday and on Monday night. And then you'll hear all the hand-ringers like The Big Lead and Colin Cowherd saying, "SEE! SEE! No one cares about baseball!" I'm already dreading this. Easiest prediction out of them all.

Looking Back At My 2012 MLB Predictions

At the beginning of the year I made my 2012 MLB predictions. Instead of doing a standard well this is who will win the NL Central and the AL MVP, I had a little fun with my predictions. Still like with all predictions I had some that were right and some that were wrong. Really wrong (Hello Washington making the playoffs). Let's see how good or bad I was.

"Yu Darvish's Hair Will Start a Trend"- Well Yu's hair didn't start a trend sadly. Yu though, while not quite worth the money he signed for, had a very solid year for the Rangers. He ended the year with a 4.9 WAR and finished with an astounding average of 10 strikeouts per 9 innings which puts him third in the majors and ahead of Justin Verlander. Pretty good.

"Jamie Moyer Will Win 10 Games"- Could not have been more wrong here. Moyer, like all Rockies pitchers this season, was terrible and gave up a moon shot to Giancarlo Stanton that broke a scoreboard in Miami. Colorado would release Moyer by June and he would go on to be released by both Baltimore and Toronto before disappearing forever helping Digger Phelps matching ties with highlighters. Moyer did win at least one game this year, tying the record for the oldest pitcher to win a major league game.

2012 NFL Predictions

Like with my MLB predictions this year, I'm going to have a little fun with the NFL predictions. I'm going to have fun with these predictions instead of the standard "Team X will will NFC South" and "Aaron Rodgers will win the MVP". So sit back and enjoy my predictions.

(Note: I realize it's a little early to make predictions, most teams haven't even played their 2nd preseason game yet, but I was bored and these predictions can be updated.)

The 49ers Will Struggle and It Will Be Because Of Alex Smith: It's convenient to forget this, but Jim Harbaugh sought after Peyton Manning this past off-season. Think about that for a second. He had a QB who lead them to the NFC Championship Game and he still went after the guy who hasn't played in over a year because of a freaking neck injury. The 49ers have improved their depth at receiver and running back this year but that doesn't mean a thing. Alex Smith is still the QB who either overthrows or underthrows a ten yard pass. Smith will come back to Earth this season like he did in the championship game. Just wait.

49ers Fans Though Will Still Say Alex Smith Is A Great QB: Alex Smith has been with the 49ers so long (He was drafted by the 49ers when I was a junior in high school. That was 8 long years ago) that I firmly believe 49ers fans suffer from Stockholm Syndrome. How else can you explain 49er fans constantly defending Smith? You can't because he's been around so long they suffer from Stockholm Syndrome.

Randy Moss Will Eventually Explode: Sorry but I have one more 49er prediction. You cannot tell me Moss doesn't throw a huge tantrum after Smith once again underthrows a pass to him. You just can't. And I'll tell you what happens after this. Moss will get cut and excuses will be made for Smith once again even though Moss will probably have every right to complain about another underthrown ball.

Looking Back at My Predictions

I hate making predictions at the beginning of the year. Especially in baseball where the season is terribly long and all it takes is one bad or good month and a team could slide up or down the leader-board. So my predictions were a little more broad. Let's see how my predictions are holding up a quarter of the way through the season.

"Yu Darvish's Hair Will Start a Trend"- Well the Yusanity didn't exactly take off like I thought it would. I think the Japanese pitcher shine has been worn off thanks to Dice-K. Or perhaps because Yu plays in Texas and not on one of the coasts he hasn't been noticed by anyone besides baseball nerds?

"Jamie Moyer will win 10 games this year"- I predicted that Moyer will beat the Giants at least 4 times as well. While I still believe Moyer will reach 10 wins this year, he won't have four wins against the Giants since San Francisco has already defeated Moyer this year. If Moyer played for any other team besides the terrible Rockies, I would be more confident in this prediction.

"Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera will combine for 90 home runs and 1,500 fat jokes"- I'm wiping my brow thankful I didn't predict that the Tigers would lead the league in errors*. Cabrera and Fielder have so far combined for 15 home runs and unless one of them goes on a Matt Kemp or Josh Hamilton like tear, then this prediction will fall short. I still believe though they will both combine for over 80 home runs.

*If I had made that prediction, karma would have taken a huge piece out of my ass because my Giants is the team that leads the league in errors.

A Few 2012 MLB Predictions

Everyone is filling out their predictions before the start of the MLB season tonight*. Instead of predicting who is going to win each division and award, I'm going in another direction. I'm going to have fun with my predictions and they're going to be really stupid and you're going to enjoy this. So enjoy!

*Once again we're going to pretend the season didn't already start in Japan. And be honest with yourself, you had no idea Seattle and Oakland already played two regular season games. 

Yu Darvish's Hair Will Start a Trend- I mean look at how beautiful it is. I'm growing out my hair to have hair just like Yu. And it will be beautiful and you'll love it!

Jamie Moyer Will Win 10 Games- Yes 49-year old Jamie Moyer earned a roster/starters spot on the Colorado Rockies roster. Amazing that a man who made his debut before I was born and before President Reagan gave his "Tear Down This Wall" speech will be pitching in 2012. And Moyer will win 10 games this year with 4 of those victories against the Giants*.

*Moyer's 4 wins predictions against the Giants is the easiest prediction I can make. Pitchers like Moyer tear the Giants apart. If Moyer pitched 20 games against the Giants this year he would win the Cy Young. 

Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera will combine for 90 home runs and 1,500 fat jokes- Hey Prince Fielder just hit a home run and ate a Little Caesars' pizza running around the bases. That must be some kind of record! Miguel Cabrera is at third base today folks because he barbecued Brandon Inge and ate him*.

*RJBO is like "I actually wish this was true." 

The aquarium behind home plate at the Marlins park will be gone in two years- Yes the Marlins have a aquarium behind home plate in their new ballpark and it will be gone within two years. There will be too many complaints from animals activists groups or someone will break the aquarium even though Marlins brass said the aquarium glass cannot break. Hey Marlins brass, the Titanic wasn't suppose to sink and it did. That glass protecting the aquarium can break.

NFL Predictions & Projections

I can't believe the NFL season starts tomorrow. Time flies when your favorite baseball team is actually good. Imagine living in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore this year? Anyway we've finally made it to the first week of the season. Every team starts with a fresh slate and every team has a chance for the playoffs (except the Seahawks). So here's my (inaccurate) predictions for the season.

Before the predictions, a little Haiku to start the season.
Football is back, yeah
The lockout is looming, yikes
Enjoy the season

NFC
NFC East: My pick for the most overrated division in football. All four of the teams in this division have problems. The Washington Redskins are a mess right now due to the Albert Haynesworth situation. Donovan McNabb improves the team at quarterback, but his receivers are Joey Galloway and Santana Moss. His running backs are Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson. Old, old, old. 6 wins for the Redskins this season. The Philadelphia Eagles look like they'll be a good team this season, until we forget Kevin Kolb is their new starting quarterback and Michael Vick is the backup. How do we know how good Kevin Kolb is? If Kolb keeps his mistakes down though, the Eagles are a wild card team. The New York Giants have an improved secondary, but their offense is a mess. Brandon Jacobs has morphed into Ron Dayne and the receivers are Stevie Hakeem Nicks and the other Steve Smith. That offense will be lucky if they score 17-points a game. That's why by attrition I'm picking the Dallas Cowboys to win the division. The Cowboys have offensive line problems, but their defense is outstanding. Division Winner: Dallas Cowboys

The NBA Playoffs Is All Chalk

This year's NBA playoffs are looking a lot like this year's NCAA tournament. A lot of chalk and very few upsets. We are headed for a Cleveland vs. Los Angles NBA Finals.

After Kevin Garnett went down with that knee injury, that pretty much eliminated the Celtics. The Trail Blazers are too young. Denver still hasn't gotten out of the 1St round with Carmelo Anthony. Same thing with Houston.

All we do know is, Los Angeles will beat Utah in the fist round. Utah completely folded down the stretch of the season. Even their coach Jerry Sloan didn't give his team much of a chance.

But we will give you are NBA playoff predictions. The winner is in bold.

Eastern Conference:

1St Round

1) Cleveland

8)Detroit

How's that Allen Iverson deal working out Detroit?

4)Atlanta

5)Miami

No way Dwayne Wade let's Miami lose to Atlanta in the 1St round

3)Orlando

6)Philadelphia

Injuries have hurt Orlando down the stretch, but I still like them over the Sixers

2)Boston

7)Chicago

Even without Garnett, Boston still should beat Chicago

2Nd Round

1)Cleveland

5)Miami

Miami could give Cleveland problems. But the Cavs just have more depth than Miami.

2)Boston

3)Orlando

Boston has had Orlando's number all season.

Eastern Conference Finals

1)Cleveland

2)Boston

No Garnett, no repeat champions.

Western Conference

1St Round

1)Los Angeles

8)Utah

This series could be a bloodbath.

4)Portland

5)Houston

Houston continues their bad luck in the 1St round.

3)San Antonio

6)Dallas

Dallas has been the hottest team down the stretch. Plus the Spurs don't have Manu.

2)Denver

7)New Orleans

Chris Paul just doesn't have enough around him, right now.

2Nd Round

1)Los Angles

4)Portland

Portland has the depth, but the don't have the experience yet.

2)Denver

6)Dallas

Dallas' hot streak comes to an end.

Western Conference Finals

1)Los Angles

2)Denver

It was a nice run for Denver.

NBA Finals

Los Angles

Cleveland

I like Los Angles because they know their time is running out. Kobe Bryant knows Cleveland continues to rise in the East, and Portland will continue to improve.

Kobe won't allow his team lose in these playoffs, I like them over Cleveland in six games.

2009 MLB Predictions

With the baseball season about ready to start on Monday next week, I will give you my division predictions. Don't bet on these predictions as they are sure to be wrong.

AL East- This division is as wide open as any one in the league.

1. Boston Red Sox- They will miss Manny Ramirez during some point of the season.

2. Tamp Bay Rays- They improved their hitting and pitching. They are not going anywhere.

3. New York Yankees- Not even more free agent signees can help them.

4. Toronto Blue Jays- Cito Gaston manging is what the Blue Jays have been missing. I wouldn't be surprised to see them compete this year.

5. Baltimore Orioles- As long as Peter Angelos owns this team, they aren't going anywhere.

AL Central- This division could be a total crapshoot this season.

1. Minnesota Twins- They were on the doorstep last year of going to the playoffs.

2. Chicago White Sox- They will trade jabs all season long with the Twins.

3. Detroit Tigers- How's that whole Dontrelle Willis trade working out?

4. Cleveland Indians- Sorry Indians fans, I don't see them returning to the playoffs anytime soon.

5. Kansas City Royals- Not even their God-talking manager can bring them out of the cellar.

AL West- The A's and Angels will duke it out of this division.

1. Anaheim Angles- Until someone takes the division from them, it's still theirs.

2. Oakland A's- This could be one of the final years for the A's in Oakland. Enjoy while you can.

3. Texas Rangers- They still don't have pitching.

4. Seattle Mariners- Ditto for them.

NL East- Could the Mets choke again?

1. Philadelphia Phillies- Their the champs, until someone takes that away from them.

2. New York Mets- Remember guys, the season is a marathon not a sprint. You have to finish.

3. Florida Marlins- They just keep rebuilding. I wouldn't be surprised to see them win the Wild Card this year.

4. Atlanta Braves- Can Bobby Cox bring the mojo back to Atlanta?

5. Washington Nationals- Let's just move on.

NL Central- For the 101 time, is this year the Cubs year?

1. Chicago Cubs- They still have great pitching and hitting.

2. St. Louis Cardinals- La Russa will have these guys ready to play.

3. Houston Astros- I wouldn't be surprised if they make a strong run for the division title.

4. Milwaukee Brewers- They just lost too much pitching.

5. Cincinnati Reds- When does Dusty Baker blow out Edinson Volzuez's arm?

6. Pittsburgh Pirates- If they could get rid of the cheap owners, they would be better.

NL West- Should be another weak year for the division.

1. San Francisco Giants- They have great all-around pitching. That can take you a long way.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers- Lost in the fold with the Ramirez signing, the Dodgers lost a lot of pitching. This will be their greatest weakness.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks- They should be in the fold all season.

4. Colorado Rockies- Could they make a run for the division, like they did two years ago?

5. San Diego Padres- They will be a pathetic bunch all year.

Don't be any money on these picks, because they are sure to go wrong.