The Pick(s)

Scott has challenged me to make a public declaration of picks so we can laugh at each other's futility as the baseball season unfolds. I'm more than happy to accommodate. I am also in the beautiful position of going second and responding to his picks. This will allow me to make some risky choices and still feel good about them because I have the excuse of "we can't make every pick the same."

I am going to make picks by league and avoid the wildcard predictions (Scott got that move very right). I'm also going to throw in a couple of sleeper picks, not necessarily teams that might challenge for playoff spots, but teams that will outperform expectations. Without further ado:
American League

Boston Red Sox - I know Scott went with this one too, but for me it came down to bullpens. I think the Yankees have the better line-up (especially with Matsui at DH full time and Cabrera playing everyday), and the starting pitching is relatively even (I have more faith in Hughes and Kennedy). So it comes down to bullpen and the Yankees didn't do enough to improve their lot.

Detroit Tigers - This is one that I'm a little worried about. I have a lot of faith in Jim Leyland to keep the ship running smoothly no matter the personnel, but I also recognize that Dontrelle Willis is going to be a huge bust in the AL. That being said, I like their rotation a lot (Cleveland's peaked, as a whole, last year) and the bullpen upgrades are just what the doctor ordered.

Anaheim Angels - I love the manager and the owner and the vibe this team has created in Anaheim. They have talent and focus, but they don't get too worked up about it. The pitching will only improve over last season and they've added a few much needed bats to the line-up. That being said, this team also has the biggest chance of imploding, not because of a lack of talent, but just because sometimes things don't work out in baseball. The Angles give off that vibe for me.

AL Sleepers - The Oakland Athletics have a stealthly good team this year. Billy Beane will tell you that the Haren trade was an attempt to reload for 2009, but this team could put things together and if the Angels slip, don't be surprised if this squad is in the hunt. I also think the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will surprise some people. They won't be in the hunt for the playoffs, but they may just steal third place in the AL East. The rotation is legit, if young, and we saw last year than the line-up has fire power.

National League

Philadelphia Phillies - The Mets are the sexy (and probably smart) pick. They have Santana now, who will no doubt break all sorts of records this year. The rest of the starters are all a little suspect to me. They all have the chance to be very, very good, but they also have the chance to stink. The Phillies have some young guns ready to prove themselves and a line-up that thrives on coming from behind. They're just built to repeat the September soul-crushing they laid on the Mets last season.

Chicago Cubs - I really wanted to pick another team in this division to win, but the rest of the squads are just sad. The Cubs proved last year that they could win the division even when they played poorly and their competition has gotten worse. I doubt they'll make many waves in the playoffs, but they should be there without much trouble. They may even be fun to watch for a change.

San Diego Padres - I feel a bit like a cheater here. Scott asked me a week or so ago who he should pick in the NL West and I said, "Arizona, hands down." They acquired Dan Haren to give them among the strongest pitching staffs in baseball and they were coming off a division win and a tough race to boot. However, the line-up has always been a bit suspect. Could they get lucky and win the division while being outscored two years in a row? The Padres have an almost equally good rotation and a much better line-up. My only complaint will be that now Peavy and Haren will face off a gazillion times a year and I have both on my fantasy team.

NL Sleepers - I only have one pick here. I expect most every team in NL will do about what everyone expects them to do, with one exception: the Pittsburgh Pirates. I know, I know, this team has been the bottom of the barrel for a while now, but check out the roster. They have talented pitchers and solid (although mediocre) hitters; they play in the most god-awful division in baseball and have nothing to lose. I don't think they'll challenge for the playoffs, but don't be surprised when they finish ahead of a couple teams.