2009 MLB Playoffs

With two months of the 2009 MLB Season into the record books, we are coming back to reality as we expected it to be this season.

The great starts of the Florida Marlins and the Toronto Blue Jays caught the eye of the public earlier in the year, questioning if they can stay on top of their respective divisions.

The Marlins went cold for weeks after their hot start, while the Blue Jays suffered a losing streak that has brought them into third place in the AL East.

Speaking of the great East, how about them Rays?

Cubs fans know what it's like to have fear.

The fear of a playoff sweep. The fear of a fan interfering with a ball. The fear of the $6 beer spilling in the bleachers.

Some players, more than others, strike that same fear into Cubs fans every time they take the field. As they look to break the infamous 101-year curse, the Cubs are extremely thankful there is no team like this.

Starting Pitcher—Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

Past three seasons against Cubs: 2.87 ERA, 1-2, five games

Major League Baseball is only 30 games into its season, but we already have seen interesting—and, in some cases, controversial—story lines pop up.

We all know the big headlines have been Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez being caught with performance-enhancing drugs.

But that isn't the only good—or bad, depending on your affiliation—news we have around the league.

The AL East, AL Central, and AL West have had some surprising divisional leaders up to this point.

So who is the big winner?

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (17-8, Last Week: No. 2)

The Dodgers are the hottest team in the league right now. Hands down. I had a hard time picking between them and the Blue Jays for the top spot. Having a 17-8 record (tied for best in the majors), and winning seven of their last ten games. How can you not put them at No. 1? Oh! and they got Manny!

2. Toronto Blue Jays (17-9, Last Week: No. 4)

San Diego Padres (11-11) at Los Angeles Dodgers (15-8)

Jake Peavy versus Clayton Kershaw.

The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers continue their four-game series as both teams jockey for position in the National League West division.

Online sports betting handicappers will get a chance to see a staff ace, Jake Peavy, square off with a potential future staff ace, Clayton Kershaw in the contest.

Who says there aren't any big series in May? Perhaps if you live in any other city in the world other than New York you may think that's true. Not here, not now, not ever.

I begrudgingly admit that the greatest rivalry in all sports is the New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox. Nothing else comes close. There are those rivalries that are older, even some that have played more games against each other, but none of them have captured the passion nationwide as those rivals have.

Over the next month or so, I'm going to break down a different MLB team each day, and make a bold prediction as to what they're looking at, position wise, come September.

Naturally, I'll start with my team—the Seattle Mariners.

It was painfully obvious last year, that the Mariners were not a good team. Suffice to say, almost nothing went right in a 101 loss, last place season. The 2008 Mariners were also the first team in history with a $100 million payroll to lose 100 games. Not an accomplishment to be proud of.