Baseball Preview ... Kinda

As the Braves and Phillies open up the season, like right now, i figured it would be apropos for me to drop a little preview on you. No, not the kind that will predict a Cubs/Red Sox World Series that will never, ever happen. This is the kind where I say 10 things I think will happen, that of course won't.


10. The Nationals will be one of the worst teams in baseball history. They can't hit, pitch or play defense. Their only significant signing was Adam Dunn, who will hit .240, give you 40 HRs, a lot of walks and a lot of strikeouts. He's also an atrocious defender.

9. That said, the Nats will sign San Diego State pitcher Steven Strasburg to a record contract ($20-25 M) and he'll pitch before the season is over. By the time this team gets to September, they're going to need him to pitch to get people in the stands.

8. Speaking of phenoms, Matt Wieters is the real deal. Check out his numbers from his first season of pro ball, which was last year (peep his 2009 projections as well). Insane.

7. Either the Red Sox or Yankees will not make the playoffs this year. Again.

6. Manny will make a legitimate run at .400 this year. He's 0ne of the greatest hitters of all time, just past his prime but still deadly. He also happens to play in one of the worst divisions in baseball. Look for him to be around .400 through the summer.

5. B.J. Upton will be a 30/30 guy this year. He's ready to finally live up to his full potential.

4. Hanley Ramirez will make a run at 40/40. If he were a better defender, he would be one of the two or three best players in baseball. He might be anyway.

3. There will be another steroids bombshell during the season. I hate to bring up a downer, but its going to happen. I just hope its Schilling.

2. C.C. Sabathia will regret not being in the NL. Especially the NL Central, which will continue to suck.

1. Albert Pujols will continue to be the best player in baseball. Nuff said.