Opening Day

Today is the greatest non-holiday day of the year.  Not even close.  And if I have to tell you why, then obviously you are depriving yourself.  But for those of you still lost, I'll let you in on the secret: It's opening day of the Major League Baseball season!  Now if that don't get you stoked, I don't know what will.  So, without any further chitchat, let me make some predictions for the year ahead. 

National League

East
 1) Washington (As I am typing this, Bryce Harper has just gone yard for the second time in as many at bats.  Look out for a monster season from this kid!)
 2)Atlanta (They will get the first wild card.  Let's just hope Sam Holbrook is not doing the wild card game this year.)
 3) Philadelphia               
 4) New York
 5) Miami

Central

1)Cincinnati (And they will have the best overall record in MLB.  I'm going to say 97-65.)

2) St. Louis
3) Pittsburgh
4) Milwaukee
5) Chicago

West

1) Los Angeles

2) San Francisco (San Fran will edge out the Phillies and Cards for the second wild card and will get beat in the one game playoff in Atlanta.)
3) Arizona
4) San Diego
5) Colorado

Joey Votto will win the MVP for the second time.  He may be the best pure hitter in the game.  Look for him to bounce back from a bad knee that hampered him late last season.  He will finish with 26 HR, 118 RBI, and a .332 Avg.  Stephen Strasburg will win the Cy Young as he does not have to worry about the dreaded innings limit this year.  I predict he will have a 21-5 record, 2.63 ERA, and 235 Ks.  Atlanta starting pitcher Julio Teheran will win Rookie of the Year, narrowly defeating San Diego's Jedd Gyorko.  Giancarlo Stanton will lead MLB with 48 homers as well.  The Reds will defeat the Nationals in six to win the pennant.

American League

East
1) Toronto (This team should be able to matchup with anybody in the game and slug with the best of the best as well.  Look for them to have the best AL record at 95-67.)
2) Boston (Boston will win the first wild card.)
3) Tampa (Tampa will win the second but lose to Bos in the wild card game.)
4) Baltimore
5) New York (Yes, you read this correctly.  Even if it doesn't happen at least it was sweet to type it.)

Central

1) Detroit
2) Chicago
3) Kansas City
4) Cleveland
5) Minnesota

West
1)Los Angeles (With Trout, Pujols, Hamilton, and Trumbo, many starting pitchers will either have nightmares or insomnia the night before taking the hill against this lineup.)
2) Texas
3) Seattle
4) Oakland
5) Houston

Mike Trout came historically close to winning the MVP last season only to be denied by the first Triple Crown winner in 45 years, Miguel Cabrera.  Look for him to finish the deal this season.  Trout will have 31 HR, 107 RBI, .336 Avg, 133 runs, and 51 stolen bases.  Jered Weaver will win his first Cy Young, going 19-6 with a 2.48 ERA.  Tampa's Wil Myers will narrowly beat out Boston's Jackie Bradley for the Rookie of the Year.  The Angels defeat the Blue Jays in five to win the pennant. 

World Series
So the season ends as it begins for these two teams who will face off for the championship.  The Reds will win the first two games but the Angels will once again deny Dusty Baker a World Series ring as they manage to finish off the Redlegs in seven. 
(All predictions are subject to change throughout the course of the season.)