AMERICAN LEAGUE

A.L. East: The New York Yankees clinched the division a couple of weeks ago after being in a close matchup with the Boston Red Sox for most of the season.  Thanks to a collapse in the latter end of the season by the Red Sox, the Yankees just kept on winning, thanks for the most part to their batting order, which featured a batting title contender hitting ninth (Robinson Cano).  Yes, ninth.  Pitching-wise, they’ll be missing Randy Johnson, but this team is made to hit and to hit HARD!

A.L. Central: This came down to the last day and thanks to the Tigers losing to the lowly Kansas City Royals today, the Twins, who beat the defending world champion Chicago White Sox today, won the division.  And to the winner comes a matchup with the Oakland Athletics… the loser?  Well, after leading the Central for most of the season, the Tigers losing on the final day now find themselves in a postseason matchup with the aforementioned Yankees and their modern Murderer’s Row.

A.L. West: The Athletics clinched the division less than a week ago and as part of Athletics Nation, I couldn’t have been more happier.  Yes, I’m admitting my allegiance because “In Billy We Trust.”  Now, against the Minnesota Twins, the A’s have a chance to FINALLY make it past the first round!  Not that the Twins will be a cakewalk as they do throw a guy out on the mound named Johan Santana.  However, I personally think a healthy Rich Harden can match up with Santana any day.  Add in Barry Zito and Dan Haren (hopefully he finds his groove and stays consistently good), I like the A’s chances from a pitching standpoint.  Offensively, I’m hoping Frank Thomas can keep thumping the ball and Milton Bradley steps up in the postseason, which would make Billy Beane look MORE of a genius!

A.L. Wild Card: The Detroit Tigers were the story at the beginning and middle of the season as they stormed away in the A.L. Central… but they fizzled down the stretch, succumbing to the surging Twins.  All that work for nothing.  Actually, who knows?  But going up against the Yankees is going to be a tough task, especially since there pitching isn’t as good as it was earlier in the season, especially Jeremy Bonderman and super-rookie Justin Verlander.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

N.L. East: The New York Mets were the first team to clinch a ticket to the postseason and in doing so, stopped the reign of the Atlanta Braves from once again being division champions.  Pretty much thought of as the team to beat in the National League, the Mets have fizzled of late and will be without the services of their ace, Pedro Martinez.  In fact, Martinez will be out until after the All-Star break next season due to an arm injury.  However, the Mets offense probably comes close to matching their crosstown rival Yankees.  It all starts with Jose Reyes who is a legitimate MVP candidate and the pacesetter for the rest of the lineup.  The bats should make noise in the postseason, especially with a powerhouse rotation out of postseason play, the Houston Astros.  Which brings me to…

N.L. Central: ... the St. Louis Cardinals who escaped losing the N.L. Central to the Houston Astros who hung around and hung around and came thisclose to catching the Cardinals and taking the division.  I’ll say it right now, Albert Pujols should be the N.L. MVP, no disrespect to Ryan Howard, but Pujols deserves to get the respect Barry Bonds did a few years he took it away from Pujols.  Okay, back to the team.  Chris Carpenter is their only real pitching threat and that may not be enough in the postseason.  Also, their regular closer, Jason Isringhausen is out.  The offense is all about Pujols, although Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds can’t be dismissed.  And Mr. Clutch (besides Pujols)... Scott Spezio.

N.L. West: The San Diego Padres clinched the division today with a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks (barely) for the second straight season.  Other than Mike Piazza, Adrian Gonzalez, and Mike Cameron, there really isn’t much offensive punch (sorry, Brian Giles).  However, the Padres will throw out two VERY strong pitchers in Jake Peavy and Chris Young and can throw out a few pitchers at their number three in a playoff series - David Wells, Woody Williams, and Clay Hensley.  Plus the bullpen is strong with new career saves leader, Trevor Hoffman anchoring it.  This pitching could make the difference against the St. Louis Cardinals.

N.L. Wild Card: The Los Angeles Dodgers had a very good season, even doing it without their shutdown closer, Eric Gagne.  Takashi Saito really stepped up and deserves props.  So does management for going with youngsters such as Chad Billingsley, Andre Eithier, James Loney, and Jonathan Broxton, as well as making trades to add Julio Lugo and Greg Maddux.  They’ll match up against the Mets and the Dodgers starters will need to bring their A game to move on to the second round.  However, from top to bottom, the Dodgers lineup can somewhat match the Mets… if they remain healthy.

PREDICTIONS:

Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees: Yankees
Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins: Athletics

A.L. Champion: Yankees

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets: Mets
St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Diego Padres: Padres

N.L. Champion: Mets

World Series Champion: Yankees