The 2009 Major League Baeball kicks off with the Opening Night game with the Philadelphia Phillies hosting the Atlanta Braves on the night of Sunday, April 5. All of the 28 other teams will begin their season on Monday, April 6. With the highly anticipated season drawing nearer and nearer, every team plans on winning the coveted World Series Title. Here is how I see the season playing out.

American League East

This will be baseball's best division of the year. The AL pennant-defending Tampa Bay Rays, the 2008 wild card winning Boston Red Sox, and the New York Yankees, who are comming off an offseason of signing the three biggest free agents availible, all have a legitimate chance of winning the division. The New York Yankees failed to make the playoffs last year due to their lack of starting pitching. This offseason theygot what they needed in C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. These signings will send them into the playoffs.

American League Central

The American League Central is always a competitive division. Last season the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins were so competitive it came down to a one game playoff. These two teams will battle to the finish once again. Also, the Kansas City Royals will make a suprising run at the division title. The Twins will come out on top, with a solid core of their lineup of Mauer, Morneau, and Young.

American League West

In 2008, the Los Angeles Angels absolutely dominated the division winning by over 20 games. The Oakland Athletics picked up three productive hitters in Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi, and Orlando Cabrera. The Texas Rangers have several impressive bats in a great hitter's park. Hamilton, Kinsler, Young, and Davis will all have phenomenal seasons. These three teams will all fight to get a spot in the playoffs. The Rangers will fall out due to their lack of pitching. The Angels will not win because of injuries. They will be starting the season off with two of their starting pitchers on the disabled list. The Oakland Athletics will win the division with consistent pitching and hitting.

American League Wild Card

The Wild Card will be a race between three teams, the Red Sox, Rays, and Angels. The Boston Red Sox will win because of their recent success of making the playoffs. They have an impressive lineup including Youkilis, Pedroia, and Bay.

National League East

This will be the National League's best division in 2009. This will be a four team race, sorry Washington. The Philadelphia Phillies are the defending World Champions, enough said. The New York Mets failed to reach the postseason the last two seasons because of their relief pitching. They upgraded their bullpen this year by signing J.J. Putz and Fransisco Rodriguez. The Atlanta Braves will be a competitive after signing an ace in Derek Lowe. The Florida Marlins will put up impressive numbers offensively that will keep them in the playoff hunt but pitching will keep them from staying in the race. The Mets will end up on top wilth impresive pitching in Johan Santana to K-Rod and steady bats in Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and David Wright

National Leage Central

The Chicago Cubs have won the division the past two seasons and will do the same this year. They have a good rotation and a solid line-up. The St. Louis Cardinals will be the closest one to the Cubs. They have a good line-up consisting of the reigning MVP, Albert Pujols, and a good supporting cast. The Cardinals cannot compete with the Cubs talent.

National League West

The Nationaleague West be a close race between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last year Manny Ramirez single-handedly took the Dodgers to the postseason. Wisely, the Dodgers brought him back. But they lost a great starting pitcher in Derek Lowe. The Diamondbacks have a talented yound team which wil provide them with a feared batting order. Also their one-two punch of Brandon Webb and Dan Haren will give them a ticket straight to October.

National League Wild Card

The Wild Card will go to the defending champs, the Phillies. They have strong hitters in Rollins, Utley, Howard, and Ibanez. Hamels will lead the rotation and perfectionist Brad Lidge will anchor the bullpen.

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